Laura Marchbanks Photography: Seattle Wedding Photography, Seattle Wedding Photographer, Portland Wedding Photography, and San Francisco Commercial and Lifestyle Photography » Oregon wedding venue

Bryce and Annicca – Pine River Ranch Wedding – Part 2

Laura — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:13:08 +0000

We left you yesterday with the first half of this detailed filled, stunning fall wedding at Pine River Ranch in Leavenworth, Washington. Here are few of our favorite reception details we captured for Bryce and Annicca… Enjoy!

Bryce and Annicca,

It was so AWESOME being your photographer for this amazing day. I enjoyed every minute!! Your bridal party? TOPS… seriously, tops the charts. They were a handful yes, but felt like old friends at the end of the night. Thank you for making us feel like family, and putting so much into your day, it was a visual feast! We wish you both the very very best in life and love, and can’t wait to see what life has in store for you!
Warmly,
Laura

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Bryce and Annicca – Pine River Ranch Wedding – Part 1

Laura — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:43:33 +0000

Whew!! This was an amazing wedding my friends. You might remember Bryce and Annicca from their recent engagement session we did at Discovery Park. These two lovebirds completely overdid themselves when it came to prepping for their September wedding at Pine River Ranch. Settled in a light filled valley just above Leavenworth, Pine River Ranch is one of those places that completes wedding dreams. With the help of some very dedicated family and friends, Bryce and Annicca (and their u-haul) were able to bring their vision to life. It’s been a challenge to bring this post to you because I probably selected over 200 images to share, it was THAT fabulous! Instead, I’m splitting it up into two posts, so wet your palate on this half, and tomorrow we’ll feast on reception details.

Shazaam! Annicca!!! You are stunning!

ummm seriously?

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Eric and Jesse – The Ranch on Beaver Creek – Salem Wedding Photographer

Laura — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:33:47 +0000

He knew right away. She was gorgeous, put together, athletic and did I mention she was a Beaver fan? The first time they met, he knew.

Billy and Eric have been friends for years. They both grew up in the small town of Yoncalla, Oregon, population practically nothing. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and if you didn’t move there recently you’re probably distantly related to the person you’re dating. Those who are smart, leave the stump to find their soul mate. We were all a little concerned about Eric until we met Jesse, if I’m being perfectly honest here. He was a little too nice and attracted all the wrong kinds of women, but I suppose to be fair… at least they weren’t related to him.

The minute Billy and I met Jesse, we started in on Eric to propose. Sorry Jesse! ;-) She was perfect for him… maybe a little too perfect. Sweeter than sugar, easy to talk to, and she was already dating him so he had a leg up! She fit in with his friends, was smart, interesting, and loved the same sports team… can you imagine a Duck dating a Beaver? Me neither.

Eric and Jesse held hands and vowed their love and commitment to each other on a gorgeous summer day at The Ranch on Beaver Creek in Lebanon, Oregon. Little touches of Beaver orange are here and there, and the most important element, their friends and family were abound. It was a wonderful celebration of these two and their perfect mix. So extremely happy to say that Eric and Jesse are now husband and wife!

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Justin and Jen – Willamette Valley Vineyards Wedding

Laura — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:23:40 +0000

One of my favorite things to do on dates I’m not booked with my own clients, is to photograph couples alongside my peers. A lot of photographers bring second professional photographers with them to weddings as additional coverage for the day. It’s always an awesome opportunity for me to get to know how other photographers work with their clients, and push myself to think more creatively! Last month I had the privilege of working alongside one of my favorite people in the world, Yasmin Khajavi. She’s a fantastic, cute as a button, larger than life photog from Portland, and any time she calls I jump at the chance to work alongside her. Here are some of my favorite images from the day, and you can see her post here, by visiting her blog. This lovely little wedding actually took place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in the teeny tiny town I grew up in. The bride and I went to high school together! Small world! Their lovely reception was held at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Salem, Oregon. A gorgeous reception venue with breathtaking views of the Valley.

Congrats Justin and Jen! Thanks for being so awesome to work with!

xo,
Laura

Darren and Mandi – Portland Wedding Photography

Laura — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:25:31 +0000

It wasn’t so much that he was handsome, even though his glances made her heart flutter, it was more that he was a nice guy. The kind of guy that you could trust, and get close to. From the moment they met, Mandi knew that she had someone special in Darren, she had a friend. The way their relationship began started just as that, good friends. In high school she pined for details about him through their mutual friends. Finally the day came when she had built enough courage to ask him if he wanted to hang out.

He couldn’t…. he had to wax his car.

Now… only because I know how badly high school boys take pride in their vehicles, can I understand what on GOD’S GREAT EARTH would compel a guy to turn down a hang out date with this gorgeous girl. Apparently he came to light with what he had done, and the rest is history. They remained the best of friends throughout the years, and in 2008 their friendship blossomed into love.

Mandi is a girl who knows what she wants, and when she can identify the value in something she goes after it with all of her heart. It’s no surprise to me that her commitment to Darren was something she knew she wanted from the beginning. They pledged their love for each other on Saturday and in front of hundreds of family and friends, vowed to honor and cherish each other for all of their lives.

Mandi is an one of my favorite wedding professionals based in Portland, and her business Champagne Wedding and Event Coordination did a spectacular job assisting in the execution of her day. All of her wedding dreams were translated into this gorgeous November event held at Pure Space in the Pearl District of Portland. I am honored to have been one of her photographers for her wedding day, working alongside Yasmin Khajavi, and Bryan from Focal Point Media. This was an amazingly fun day! So much love in the air!

Holy details Batman! I could NOT narrow this post down, so be prepared for many images ;-)

Mandi’s dress is a Jim Hjelm… to die for! I got a sneak peek of it when I was shopping for my own dress in Portland at Ania Collection.

Stunning hair and makeup artistry by Nicole Wagner.

I love when couples opt for a first look because it gives us plenty of time for all of those gorgeous natural light portraits. It also provides a very intimate moment between the bride and groom before the ceremony. I just love the look on Darren’s face here as he takes the sight of his bride in. Priceless.

Darren and Mandi chose to do a candlelit ceremony, and put an emphasis on the lighting of their event. Lighting is everything people. How beautiful is this!!!

Can’t say enough about how gorgeous her florals were, designed by Blum!

How adorable are her parents?

Congratulations Darren and Mandi,

Thank you so much for including me in your day. I wish you all the love in the world and a lifetime of prosperity with each other.

xoxo,
Laura

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Amery and Kirsten – Bend Oregon Wedding

Laura — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:50:29 +0000

We must have been twelve or thirteen? I know for sure it was middle school. We had a serious problem, that deserved a solution. It was a time in our lives when we were all experimenting with makeup and clothes, and gel was in. Can you picture it now? At least we had outgrown the perm phase. Several girls came over for a slumber party and we ambushed her… In her defense, I don’t think she had a clue. It bothered me the most, because I have a serious addiction to picking at things. We held her down and promised through our belly laughs that it wouldn’t hurt a bit, we were just going to pluck a few. Kirsten’s eyebrows were the criminal offender, and we were there to save her from them. We started out as little girls playing dress up, went through middle school / makeup and boys, then highschool cheer together.

Here we are now, saying adios to our younger girl years, and taking hold of our future selves. Choosing our life’s partners, and facing challenges and problems of a new nature. For the most part, we have our eyebrows figured out by now.

When it comes to life, it’s always a good idea to choose a partner in someone who you share common interests with. It makes life a little more interesting. Conversation never seems to be lacking, and your activity list grows with your years. The world is filled with potential mates, and it’s not always easy to see the forest through the trees.

It wasn’t right away that Kirsten knew Amery was the right man for her. Both students at Oregon State University, they must have bumped elbows several times before actually meeting. Finally senior year they found themselves in 3 classes together. Amery worked up his courage and started moving across the room to sit with her. As the term went on, they started spending time together to study, and it wasn’t really until this straight-A girl’s grades fell, she knew that her heart was falling too.

Several years, an MBA and law degree later they held hands in one of their favorite places in Oregon and exchanged vows to forever be united.

They were married at one of my favorite all time venues, Broken Top Club, in Bend.

Kirsten…. your eyebrows look ah-mazing if I do say so myself ;-)

Amery’s grandparents are two of the most loving people I have had the privilege of meeting. I love the sweet tears of joy as Kirsten and Amery honored them during the ceremony.

Married!

Amery and Kirsten, thank you with all my heart for including us in your special day. It was an honor to be your wedding photographers and we wish you countless joys all the days of your lives!

xo,

Laura

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Jeff and Julie – Drain Oregon Wedding

Laura — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:10:41 +0000

What does it mean to you to love and be loved? Jeff and Julie together know, it’s embracing every quality in each other, the good and the not-so-good. Loving each other to the fullest and cherishing every minute together. Curling up for a good movie, playing with their daughter, good food and family time.

We can’t possibly love everything about each other can we? Pretty sure I don’t love Billy’s lack luster enthusiasm for Disney movies, or his tendency to drive like a maniac in traffic. He would say the same for my ignorance on the topic of [insert any sport here], and my tendency to start involved projects and not finish them. What does it mean to us to love and be loved? We all show love and feel love in different capacities.

To Julie, it’s Jeff’s ability to always make her laugh. He can read her mood like a well written novel, and knows exactly what to say to put her at ease. To Jeff, it’s her lust for life and family, her way of making him feel like the only person in the room. These two have it right with each other.

Jeff and Julie,

A million thank you’s for trusting me to be your wedding photographer. I absolutely adored your wedding, and your love for each other is not something I will ever forget.

xo,
Laura

What does it mean to you to love and be loved? I want to know.

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Mike and Ashley – Lyons, Oregon Wedding – Part 2

Laura — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:06:25 +0000

Part 2 of this gorgeous DIY wedding in Lyons, Oregon on the Santiam River for you on a fine Monday morning. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this property come on the scene as a new favorite venue for this part of Oregon. It has everything a girl could want for her outdoor wedding with style.

Enjoy!

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Ashley and Mike – Lyons, Oregon Wedding – Part 1

Laura — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:26:20 +0000

Ashley and I go way back. Way WAY back. She was my best best friend in high school. We spent many summer days driving between each others houses and too many summer nights awake with the giggles. Ashley also met Mike in high school. When she was in high school I should say…. ;-) ha! The dates are a little fuzzy because I’m not sure Ashley told anyone she was dating Mike until they had been seeing each other for a few years??

It was hard for me to believe that I was actually there photographing their wedding. Not the fact that they were getting married, mostly that so much time had past…. where did it go? Wasn’t it just yesterday that Ashley and I were just girls, rolling around town in the Rabbit with the windows down blasting tunes? Now here we are, adults, women, and both of us getting married. I felt mortal. I felt time. I felt…. old? Ha!

I’m so happy for Ashley and Mike, as a witness to their relationship over the years, I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t see it coming when they first met. Their love has evolved as they all do, into something much more, something incomparable. Ashley, I have never seen you more beautiful, more happy, more in love than this day. Mike, you are one lucky man, thank you for giving her that.

I LOVE you guys, thank you thank you for including me in your day.

xoxo,

Laura

Shot of the day… maybe lifetime ;-)

And because Lyons is a logging town in Oregon, I couldn’t wait to get them in front of this gorgeous texture.

More coming in Part 2!!

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JUSTIN AND MELISSA – Salem Oregon Wedding

Laura — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:05:55 +0000

Our very good friends, Justin and Melissa were married on the first TRUE summer Saturday in Oregon. They tied the knot at the Mission Mill Museum in Salem Oregon…. an awesome venue! It’s a historic woolen mill that’s been transformed into a gorgeous place for a wedding and reception.

I enjoyed being a guest at their wedding, but can’t help myself… I have to bring my camera. Especially when the bride is A. stunning, and B. stunning. Thanks for letting me steal you away for a few quick snaps you guys!

GORGEOUS LIGHT!