Mode Weddings ~ Photography for best friends in love

Becky and Everett have such a great group of friends and a fun loving family - we couldn’t help but have fun at their wedding!  Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Masonic Center in Olympia. Our day started at the Allure Salon, a bright and stylish salon in West Olympia.  I stayed and captured the fun with Becky and her good friend and bridesmaid, Sara - while Bill headed out to catch up with the guys.

After Cyndi did an awesome job of styling Becky’s hair, the bride herself jumped into the role of stylist to Sara…

Even Tumwater’s finest joined in to wishing the best to Becky and Everett - after ‘congratulating’ Sara on her amazing NASCAR-like driving skills, that is..the photojournalist side of me wanted so much to jump out of the car and document the entire encounter from a better vantage point, but I thought that might inspire the officer to write his comments, instead of his “wedding day gift” of a smile and friendly warning

Becky and her bridesmaids continued getting ready at the Masonic Center.  Meanwhile, on the other side of town…..best man and life long friend to Everett, Eddy Ellis (a professional fighter) offered up his United Training Center gym as a perfect location for the guys to gather, get dressed and toast the upcoming events of the afternoon.

Becky swore Bill into seeing to it that the guys only had one shot each - but no one made any promises about the size of the shot glasses!

Everett was so excited to see Becky - we had a hard time getting him to keep his back turned until ‘the moment’. As soon as the first glance happened, though, any tensions of the day just melted away and their souls were visibly refreshed - these two so truly belong in each other’s company!

They say if you look up and to the left, you won’t cry, right?

A traffic-stopping crew…. literally….we appreciated the patience of the drivers who allowed Bill to get a few shots of the guys strolling down the street.

Becky pinning flowers on Everett’s mom, Vicky.

Everett and family friend Joe (the officiant) in the shadows, just before the ceremony started.

Quyn was the cutest 3 year old flower girl ever!

Dennis had a quiet proud smile all day - he beamed as they came down the isle.

After a great meal catered by the Budd Bay Cafe, it was time to toast the newlyweds.  Eddie’s words were few, but filled with meaning that everyone could share. Stephanie, the Maid of Honor and close friend to Becky since childhood, and Dennis, Becky’s dad, each spoke as well.  I have to admit - my eyes still fill with tears when I remember Stephanie telling the story of the day that Becky said, “I think Everett might be the one.”

It came as no surprise to us that Last Call Entertainment did an awesome job with the DJ duties - having worked with them before, we know they’re great. Chris and his crew made sure that everyone had plenty of chances to hit the dance floor and this crowd really appreciated that!

Becky’s brother Chris and her mom striking a pose for the camera ;-)  Bill passed the camera to Chris and got him to shoot the next shot of us with Becky and Everett - Thanks Chris!

A huge thanks to Becky and Everett - being a part of your day and witnessing the amazing love you share was an honor we’ll always treasure!

~Erin and Bill

What a fun loving crowd!  I really enjoyed hanging out with Everett, Becky and their family and friends last night.  I know the wedding today is going to be beautiful!

See you guys in a couple hours!!

~Bill and Erin

~Edited to add:  Here’s a little video of the fun:

Rehearsal: Becky and Everett at the Olympia Masonic Center from Bill Cawley on Vimeo.

A crisp January afternoon in downtown Olympia. We had a great time getting to know Becky and Everett yesterday. A big thanks to Becky’s brother Chris, owner of Last Call Entertainment, for recommending us (btw we highly recommend Chris if you need a DJ/MC for your event, he’s first rate.)

The near freezing temps provided great encouragement for Becky and Everett to cuddle close together but, to tell the truth, I don’t think they needed the ‘help’ - it’s obvious that they are connected at the soul and naturally drawn to each other, which made our job for the day easy and fun.

A rare moment for two people that are a laugh a minute…yep - this is as serious as they get, and it lasted for about a second…as soon as the shutter clicked they cracked each other up.

We couldn’t resist ducking into McMenamin’s “The Spar” for some happy hour warmth and refreshment….and some great conversations!  Becky and Everett have known each other since the 5th grade…but it was after Becky returned home from college when they really ‘found’ each other….out with a group of friends one night, Becky found herself stranded and Everett came to her rescue….he managed to get her phone number outta the deal…she thought his calls were just so two old friends could hang together, but we’re pretty sure Everett had other plans right from the start

Thanks, Becky and Everett - you were great sports to be willing to head back out for some fun shots in the evening chill.  We had a great time with this shoot and we can’t wait for your wedding!

Erin & Bill

Take a look at Rick and Kandie’s album preview - be sure to crank the volume so you can enjoy the song that played as the happy newlyweds danced their way down the aisle

A beautiful snowy wedding day story told one page at a time:

If you’d like to see the slideshow in it’s own window, click here: Rick + Kandie Custom Album Design

While outside, “the winter storm of a generation” (so dubbed by local newscasters–check out those icicles hanging from the eaves of the church, below!!) spread swirling snow over trees, lawns and roadways already covered in layers of ice, Kandie and Rick became husband and wife in an intimate ceremony warmed by love and best wishes from their closest friends and family members.  Their wedding day, seven years in the making, was not about to be outdone by challenging winter driving (and walking, for that matter ) conditions!

We’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know Rick and Kandie through their engagement shoot and working with them to finalize plans for how the story of their wedding day would unfold.  They are easy to like - kind, casual, fun-loving and very much in love. It is clear that friends and family mean everything to this amazing couple - Kandie’s brother and sister and Rick’s daughter and son were the attendants.  Music was performed by Rick’s brother and close friends, and Kandie’s niece not only created the bridesmaids’ jewelry, but also joined her twin sister in a piano duet to accompany Kandie’s walk down the aisle.

The quaint Hidden Creek Community Church in west Olympia was the perfect setting for the day.  We enjoyed an opportunity to work once more with Associate Pastor Sheri Morgan, who also serves as their cheerful wedding coordinator. :)  Pastor Keith Krell provided  such a touching ceremony -  it’s obvious that he, too, was overjoyed for his friends Kandie and Rick.

The reception was filled with emotion as many guests stood to toast the bride and groom and the ‘official’ joining of the two families -  and of course not missing the chance to rib Rick and Kandie about how long they’d all been waiting for them to tie the knot ;)  Pellegrino’s Tyee Grill in Tumwater served an awesome lunch. Of course one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the day came when the wedding cheesecake, created by Desserts by Tasha Nicole, was served ;-p  Kandie was their first bride ever to request a cake top styled like evergreen cones!

After the party, the newlyweds headed off into the ’snowset’ for some well-deserved time at their favorite gorgeous getaway, Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Cheers to you, Kandie and Rick!  Thank you for allowing us the privilege of documenting your wedding story.

Thanks!

~Erin and Bill

Update:

Here’s a little video I made during the toasts (the clicks are when I took a still picture, the new Canon camera allows for taking video ‘around’ still images but it pauses when a still photo is taken):

Rick and Kandie Toasts from Bill Cawley on Vimeo.