last friday with freshly painted nails (thank you rachel) and a new party dress (thank you jon) i was more than ready to explore bloedel reserve with my camera and friends.
this beautiful place is what inspired ember and ben to finally get married. while walking around together enjoying the beauty they knew they had found their special spot. one small problem. bloedel reserve doesn't do weddings. they actually have a rule stating no weddings allowed on the grounds. plan B, they decided to rent a house nearby and have a simple ceremony. after they would walk the grounds with their families and take photos. ember was most excited about the garden part and not as excited about the standing in front of people and exchanging vows part. so i think the fact that they had to move to plan C and bump up the ceremony a day early, actually worked out perfectly! the pressure was off and the focus on friday was on enjoying the garden and family.
em's boys getting ready for their garden wedding walk. leo was quite proud of his bow tie. below are their precious little boutonnieres created by the fabulous laurie cinotto. get yourself something special from her etsy shop. 
when i shoot i usually enjoy the photos in between "the photos" the most. the walking and
movement, the giggles and glances. their garden day was all about
shooting while walking and not posing or forcing things (just like
their wedding). since it was a wedding walk, there were of course lots
of walking shots. which was perfect since these are always my favorite!
while we were off roaming the gardens, ember and ben had arranged to have her brother's friend william prepare a scrumptious meal back at the house. william is a wonderful chef and his food was dreamy. because of their small guest list they were able to treat everyone to delicious food and wine.
i have learned some pretty important things from ember and her mom over the years. to have style. to focus on pretty colorful things. to have a good vintage collection of dishes and tablecloths (i am working on that). to always take the time to display food on pretty plates. to be picky about what you display and only use your favorite things. to craft as much as you can. to add special touches. that fresh from the garden food has a power all of it's own. that it's OK to run out of food, that means it was really good. that leftovers are overrated. am thinking it's these things that made her wedding so sweet!
the night ended with a variety of sweet toasts, well wishes and a love song. and the grand finale was a little jam session with em's dad on guitar and jon on the slide. the next morning i heard leo asked ember "when will you and dad stop being married" she giggled. i think he thought it was like a birthday and the fun had to end sometime. em told him "never, we will be married forever and you will be ours forever too!" So here's to forever ember, ben, leo and finn!
(i was wondering if leo thought that meant he would have to wear his bow tie forever)
love you guys!
Any idea where her navy dress is from? Love it!
Posted by: Heidi | August 31, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Heather, your photography is beautiful art. I loved looking at these...such a beautiful fine art feel...as if you were really taking it all in with your camera and turning around presenting these beautiful canvases for all the world to see. Can't say enough. At the risk of sounding cheesy...I "felt" it.
Posted by: jenny | August 21, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Oh Heather what a love story!! I keep scrolling up and down and just staring at the pictures. It is amazing how well you were able to tell this couple's story with just a few pictures and words underneath. I am so weepy and filled with a warm loving feeling after had found this blog. Thanks for everything Jon and Heather you two are the best!
Posted by: Shauna Bohren | August 20, 2008 at 04:18 PM
I really love & am inspired by this. My fiance & I are going to get married, courthouse style, but want to have a fun yet casual celebration with friends & family. Plus a great dress. :) Beautiful photos.
Posted by: amy | August 15, 2008 at 03:31 PM
What a fun treat to read in the morning!!!! Congrats Ember!
Posted by: Cory | August 14, 2008 at 07:11 AM
Ok, I just love the photos. the colors are so rich and simple. The photos of em and ben walking down the grassy path with Leo out front, wow. The black and white at the reflection pool, amazing! and the series with em, especially the one with the maple branch, should be an Oleana add. I am so happy for Ember, Ben and Co. Thanks for taking such amazing photos heath! We are so blessed to have you.
Posted by: Kate | August 13, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Heather,
I must have read this five times today, and it makes me cry a little every time. I think her face looking at you in some of the photos and your face grinning in the mirror - that might be the best part. But I don't know. Those little boys are pretty amazing.
Posted by: Meg @ A Practical Wedding | August 13, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Love the pictures, Heather! The garden ones turned out just like I had imagined. But if that is the best one of Scott and I, good grief, tell us to smile more often!!
:)
Rachel
Posted by: Rachel | August 13, 2008 at 12:16 PM
The simplicity of this wedding is appealing in so many ways. I hope Meg of A Practical Wedding picks it up because there really are so many brides who need to see this. It's refreshing to hear the comments from the little boy because you realize that he had no idea that this would be considered a "budget" wedding by mostpeople. He was surrounded by love, family, friends, and laughter, and so for him it was everything.
Posted by: Jenna | August 13, 2008 at 12:02 PM
What an incredibly creative way to get the venue/pictures you really want. So cool!
Posted by: Rebekah at Elizabeth Anne Designs | August 13, 2008 at 09:07 AM
What a fun wedding! I love the relaxed vibe, her dress, the flowers, the cakes--just splendid!
Posted by: Lara @ Southern Weddings | August 13, 2008 at 07:40 AM