We don’t have to ‘wish’ them a happy celebration, cuz we know they’re living it up right – true to their adventurous natures, I saw Deci’s facebook post yesterday, telling the story of their trip to Crystal Mountain for the weekend – to watch for meteors while ringing in the beginning of year two

Congratulations, Deci & Eric – and thanks again for choosing us to capture your big day!  We love the fact that you are clients-turned-friends and we look forward to sharing future adventures and lots of laughs with you – Happy Anniversary!

Erin & Bill

I’m guessing that, if you ask Megan & Jeremy, they’ll tell you that one thing that beats that whole equation is living two years of wedded bliss! …And that’s definitely worth celebrating – Happy Anniversary, you two!

Erin & Bill

Rachel & Seth – thanks again for choosing us to capture your celebration – we had such a great time and we wish you the Happiest First Anniversary! And knowing that you two have a knack for finding the fun in every day, we know there is much more happiness ahead

Erin & Bill

Shawna & Chad – we still so appreciate the fun we had in being part of your big day – it meant the world to us! And congratulations on all of the ‘big days’ you’ve experienced since – it seems like you two (now three) are living the joy that we’ve wished for you, and we couldn’t be happier about that!

Happy Anniversary

Erin & Bill

Caitlin & Rob – one year down already (wow – that was fast!! ) – and a lifetime together to go – we’ve loved staying in touch with you and we can’t wait to see what fun lies ahead – Happy Anniversary!

Erin & Bill

Angela and Doug – we wish you a day filled with joy – and  whatever your plans, know we are celebrating with you today   Happy 1st Anniversary!

Erin & Bill

We were thrilled to be there to share in the joy and capture those moments!  Gabby & Ryee – we’re celebrating you today Happy Anniversary – one down, forever to go!

Erin & Bill

We met Katie & Brandon for the first time when they flew in from Kansas to attend her aunt’s wedding in Olympia.  It was a beautiful December wedding which happened to coincide with, by our PNW standards, a major snow and ice storm.  But to tell the truth, I think the weather added a lovely touch to the day – as wedding party members and guests braved the elements together in getting to the ceremony and reception, it just added an extra cozy feel and an extra helping of ‘heart’ to the atmosphere

Bill & I had a great time capturing the story of the day – a fun crowd that made us feel like we were part of the family. Among the family members was a young couple named Katie & Brandon who, although obviously very much in love, had chosen to get some initial career steps behind them before taking on the excitement of planning a wedding… Fast forward several months – you can imagine how excited we were to receive this email (and why Kansas will always be a favorite wedding destination for us )…:

“Bill and Erin:

I’m not sure if you remember me, but I am one of Kandie and Rick’s nieces. You shot their wedding during that huge snowstorm last Christmas in Olympia. I was visiting from Kansas with my family, and my family joked with you about flying to Kansas to shoot my wedding when I finally got married. (Yep – we remember! )Well, I got engaged only a few weeks ago, and you guys were the first photographers I thought of… Our wedding is on Saturday, June 19th…. Like I said, I didn’t want to check other photographers until I knew that you guys were busy; you’re my first choice! If I find out that you’re available, we could then move on to discuss flying you out here….I’ve been to quite a few weddings over the past year, and you guys are just miles ahead of the other photographers. You seem devoted to making the bride and groom’s day a special, stress-free one, and photographers like that are hard to find.

Thanks again! You should know that you’ve made my aunt very happy. ”

We weren’t about to miss out on another opportunity to visit and work with this fun family, so of course we headed to Kansas! We caught up with both families during the wedding rehearsal – and so enjoyed be treated like part of the family during an evening of story telling and toasts that followed!

Hey, that’s us! Photo credit to Katie’s sister Emily

Katie and Brandon chose the TimberRidge Adventure Center in Olathe as the location for their beautiful outdoor wedding.  Bride & groom, wedding party and family members got an early start on the day, making sure all of the special details were in place according to Katie’s vision.

This was one creative and clever bride – her vision included these adorable “tea for two” packets as guest favors, as well as the monogram signs, bride’s mom grew the centerpieces and made the table runners!

As everyone prepared to head into town for pre-wedding pampering, some ominous clouds appeared on the horizon – and within a few minutes they had completely filled the sky, turning daylight into a dusk that felt more than a little eerie.  Here is where I have to confess that I was more content staying in the car and watching for funnel shapes to appear in any direction, while Bill couldn’t resist jumping out to capture images of the threatening sky!

The fast moving wall of clouds brought lightning, thunder, rain, and reports that the wind had blown many of the wedding decorations down

I hafta admit – the guys didn’t seem quite as worried by the weather as the girls did

But even the clouds must’ve known it was Katie & Brandon’s day – because, with absolute perfect timing, they disappeared right as Katie and her bridesmaids finished hair & makeup, and the sun came shining back.  By the time we all got back to TimberRidge, friends and family had lovingly made sure all of the details looked just as they had when we’d left earlier in the day, and the fun continued.

Taking a quick peek of her groom before stepping outside for their first look…..

Isn’t Katie beautiful!!

The ceremony took place next to a lake, in the shade of a giant tree.

A thoughtful detail for the summer heat.

A fun last minute idea added an extra touch of drama to the ceremony – bridesmaids used their parasols to keep the bride hidden as she made her way to the garden, lifting them away on queue, to reveal the bride just before the procession down the aisle.

The pastor’s words – eloquently delivered, and extra meaningful, as they were spoken by Brandon’s grandfather…

I am so glad I get to work with Bill – I think having two of us there increases the opportunity for us to see and capture meaningful candid moments like this one….this is one of my favorite shots…ever…a quiet, almost unseen, exchange between father & son…way to go, Bill – every time I see that one it makes me want to give you a knuckle bump!

Katie & Brandon’s reception was great fun – guests were treated to Kansas bbq, sno-cones (how fun is that!!), and even the cake celebrated their feline ‘children’

Last year’s bride & groom – this year’s wedding guests – hi Rick & Kandie

Does the maid of honor look familiar?  Nope, your eyes aren’t playing tricks – this is Katie’s identical twin sister, Emily

One of my favorite details was this sentimental display of family photos – featuring photos of those who attended the wedding in spirit only, as well as – check these out – the wedding photos of the parents of the bride & groom! What a fun tribute to the loving examples they had set for Katie and Brandon.

Katie & Brandon – thank you again for choosing us to be a part of your wedding day celebration, and for once again making us feel like family   We are so happy to know you, and proud of all that you’ve both accomplished since we met (Brandon is now Dr. Brandon, and Katie is now a CPA)!  Cheers to this first anniversary – we look forward to staying in touch through many more!

Erin & Bill

Professionals that helped turn Katie’s visions into reality include:

Beautiful flowers created by Karen Pendleton of Pendleton’s Country Market

Delicious food and bartending courtesy of Tom & Stephanie Simpson, Dotte Brothers

On the Double DJ provided the music and kept the party going.

Tooooo cute cake topper was crafted by Etsy artist bunnywithatoolbelt

The bride commissioned  Salutations by Mairead Designs to provide printed paper products and her tea bag favors.

As the creative force behind A Grand Affaire Catering, Monica and her staff do so much more than simply ‘pull together the perfect menu items’ to serve for your wedding ~ she is overflowing with imagination and style, and puts those talents together to make every gathering unique and special for her clients ~ and to ensure that every morsel of food is not only amazingly tasty, but also, as they say, a ‘feast for the eyes’ :p  Read on to learn about another very special feature of service by A Grand Affaire, one that allows you to incorporate your own personality into your party!

Haha – this event was celebrated at a ‘very PNW’ styled venue, so Monica added a special flair with her ‘Duwamish Mud Martinis’, complete with candy salmon ‘jumping in’ from the side of each glass!

Beautiful, right?  Getting hungry? ;p With such gorgeous selections and attention to detail, you don’t have to wonder whether your guests will happily flock around the buffet table!

I read a post on A Grand Affaire’s facebook page the other day and wanted to share the info with you.  Are you planning a wedding and don’t want the hassle of preparing and serving all of the food, while at the same time feeling that the celebration just wouldn’t be complete without “Grandma’s dinner rolls” or “Aunt Sally’s Greek salad”? No worries – when you work with A Grand Affaire, they welcome you to provide up to 3 menu items yourself, and they’ll even serve them for you!  Awesome, huh?! Now that’s the kind of client-oriented vision that sets A Grand Affaire apart, and why we know that anytime we refer Monica and her team, they will take amazingly great care of our clients!

Monica says, ‘It is our mission to offer ” A Grand Affaire at a Great Value.” We know that class is not necessarily expensive, it just requires a caring and gracious respect for our guests’ experience. As well as, a little extra touch in presentation and service. And not to mention delicious food.’ We’ll mention it – A Grand Affaire = DELICIOUS food and so much more!