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

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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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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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!

Jenna and Tim – Seattle Maternity Session

Laura — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:31:58 +0000

Sometimes life doesn’t fit a mold. So many of us have a plan and vision of what our life will look like, expectations of how our lives will be lived out. Some call them dreams, some call them goals, visions, expectations, or paths. We all have them, our families have them, our friends even have them for us, expectations. What happens when love comes into the picture? Are you brave enough to abandon your expectations? Your safe vision of what comes next? Or do you blaze a trail, a life UNordinary?

It’s possible that for Jenna and Tim, their existence together was fated from the beginning of time. Two people, caught in a holding pattern. Their love story is something out of a romance novel, but I’ll save that for their engagement session post ;-)

What matters most in this love story is that love came first, COMES first. Their little one, who should be here any day now, will be the most loved baby this world has yet to encounter. With two parents like hers, it is the only outcome. PS, they’re keeping the name of the baby a secret, which I think is pretty cute. Life has so few surprises in it.

Congratulations Jenna and Tim, I can’t wait for the adventures in your future!

Sorry Tim, couldn’t help it!

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WPPI Recap part II – and BIG news!

Laura — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:38:04 +0000

I had 3 main goals for WPPI this year, and I really pushed to achieve them. Between naps.

1. GIVE something.

2. BUY something.

3. LEARN something.

Parts one and two were accomplished in the first two days, PHotoshoot, check!, new boxes (for a top secret project) at the trade show, check! Parts 3 and 4 were the ones I needed to focus on. Because I shifted my priorities this year from trying to do EVERYTHING to trying to do 4 things, I actually had a really wonderful week. I had lots of coffee dates with new friends, looooooooong dinners, shot a maternity session for two very good friends, and even had a mentor session with a photographer I love.

I met with Emilie Sommer of Emilie Inc. on Wednesday. She is a Maine based photographer, who’s work I’ve been following for years. I tried to win this mentor session on Ebay through the Thirst Relief auction. I stink at Ebay. I really do. I must not click enough, my strategy is always off. This time, I lost by 2 dollars in the last minute. I was devastated so I tweeted about it, not expecting a response at all. She tweeted back and asked me if I wanted to meet up for coffee anyway! Simply THE BEST. We talked about business, goals, life, and success. One thing I learned? I have a ton of work to do. We talked mostly about my web presence.

Emilie took a look at my website and confirmed what I secretly knew to be true but wasn’t ready to deal with. IT was HORRIBLE. Hard to navigate, limiting and not at all a representation of my brand. We talked strategy and exactly what direction to go! I can’t thank her enough for meeting with me. I know WPPI is a very busy time for most and I just think the world of her. I walked away from our meeting like I was floating on a cloud. I have a great new friend and I learned so much!

So here is the BIG news! BIGGEST news of the year! It’s a brand spanking NEW website!!!! I’m so excited about the launch, and because it is new there are still a few bugs to be worked out, but please take a look and let me know what you think. I used a revolutionary software called SHOWIT to make this site. It’s more than words. It’s my new best friend. I’m so in love with it.

Thank you for taking a look, I can’t wait to hear what you think!