Kathryn + Brian | Party like it's 2011!

Let me be the first to say that I attended THE best New Year's Eve party this year... a wedding like no other.

Kathryn is adorable.  Brian is charming.  To be around these two is to know and feel love.  Regardless of the fact that Brian is a firefighter and Kathryn is a teacher, being around them truly makes you want to be a better person.  They are so naturally kind and sweet in each other presence, I don't think they even realize how much joy they're sending out into the universe by just being together.

Their wedding was at Sodo Park in Seattle, a rustic converted warehouse with more whimsy and charm than you can shake a stick at.  Kathryn looked like royalty as she followed the Seattle Fire Department's Pipes and Drums down the aisle with her mom. Bryan wore a smile that could not be faded.  There really is nothing like bagpipes on wedding day.  Their ceremony was touching and honest. My favorite part, which I've since suggested to other couples, was the sealing of the wine box. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this tradition, here's the magic- Inside this box is a bottle of wine, two glasses, two love letters, and other tokens of their union. The box was nailed shut by both parents, the couple, and the officiant only to be opened in five years time, or in the case of severe relationship distress.  If the latter arises, they are to open the box, each pour a glass of wine and retreat to separate rooms to read their letters of love in the hope that the each other's words of devotion will remind them of the love they still share.  Otherwise, they unseal the box and enjoy a wonderful glass on their 5 year anniversary.  :) I have no doubt that Brian and Kathryn are going to thoroughly enjoy their perfectly aged five year bottle.

After the ceremony, we all enjoyed an amazing dinner (Urban Feast, you guys rock!!) and  several toasts that emoted a range of emotion from hysterical laughing to sobbing tears.  You know, they way all good toasts go.  :)  After a few family pics and some silliness with the wedding party, the dancing started and didn't stop until the stroke of midnight when we all rung in the coming New Year with noise makers and sparklers.

Thank you so very much, you guys made me feel so welcome and the chocolates were fabulous.  :)

much love,
amy

 

Kaitlin + Nathan | Vintage Charm

Some of you may remember Kaitlin and Nathan from their superbly stylized engagement shoot earlier this year at Camp Long. If not, do the vintage trunk or umbrella ring a bell?  Well, at any rate they got married in December!  Imagine that. 

I met them at Kaitlin's grandpa's place in Eastlake for some pre-fun getting ready shots, afterwhich we hopped in the car and headed over to downtown Seattle.  Our first stop was Pike Place Market. Gumwall, Post Alley, Pig, Produce...you get the idea.  I never ever get tired of shooting there because everytime you go it's just a bit different from when you left it last.  After the Market, we made our way over to Easy Street Records on Queen Anne.  This was what I'd been excited for since Spring when Kaitlin first told me they were really hoping to shoot there.  It did not disappoint. Vinyl, CDs, artwork, phonebooth listening stations...we were there for a half hour or so and I left with three discs of my own.  Thanks to the newly married Goodey's for assisting me with my selection!

From Queen Anne we drove to the Seattle Washington Temple in Bellevue (why Seattle Temple and not Bellevue Temple? I have no idea.) Nathan and Kaitlin had a Mormon ceremony which meant no photographs... which meant two hours to kill... which meant Cupcake Royale.  :)  After a wonderful slice of quiche, a Dance Party Holly Hobby cupcake, and a delicious latte, Adam and I headed back to the Temple for family photos outside of the Temple. Then it was off to the reception at the Skansonia Ferry on Lake Union.

Before dinner they had a lovely ring ceremony for those friends and family that were unable to join them at Temple.  The food after was wonderful and they had the sorts of heartfelt speaches that make me tear up when I don't even know the stories behind them. The sorts of kind words and gestures that make you smile inside and go home and hug your loved ones.

Kaitlin and Nathan are wonderful people, sort of people that when you're around them you just can't help but to smile.  I feel so blessed to have been a part of their special day and look forward to this Summer when I'm hoping we'll shoot again.  Congrats you two, I hope that you enjoy this little sneak peek...

hugs,
a

Marlis + Mitch | Part Two

A few weeks after the wedding, I met up with Marlis and Mitch at her parent's place in Lake Stevens. From there we drove down to a very special dock on the lake where Mitch proposed.  It was such a cold day, but these two toughed it out for a fantastic Mr. and Mrs shoot.  Thanks again you two for all the fun and much luck to both of you in Mitch's upcoming season!

xoxo,
A

Marlis + Mitch | Part One

I'd like to apologize for the briefness of this post before I get started.  In my haste to get several weddings blogged before I post my European holiday photos, I'll be keeping my chatter short.  I have a feeling no one will mind.  :)  Please don't take my sparse commentary as a sign that this wedding was mediocre in any way.

The newly married Canhams are two of the sweetest and most charming people you could meet. Marlis was such a stunning bride and once her brother worked a little magic with some hair product, Mitch didn't look too bad himself.  Their Marysville Opera house wedding was so incredibly fun to be a part of. They had a wonderfully touching ceremony which was followed by some beautiful toasts, and a whole lot of dancing and complete silliness.  :)

Mitch was playing baseball in Oregon through the Summer, so we weren't able to coordinate their engagement shoot before their wedding day.  Instead they decided on a post-wedding Mr + Mrs shoot, photos which I'll post in the next blog.

Thanks to Marlis and Mich and their wonderful families for making me feel so welcome and putting on such a fantastic party!  Adam and I had such a blast and I cannot wait to post the pics from our second shoot!!

hugs,
Amy

New Year, New Project and a little sappiness.

the stroke of midnight at kathryn and brian's wedding last night

Hey guys!

Just wanted to send out quick Happy New Year wishes to all of you.  I greatly appreciate all of you who read the blog and follow my work and all of the kind words you've given me this past year.  Thanks to all of my brides and grooms and all of the fabulous vendors I've met all year, my co-workers, kitties, big crazy dog, Facebook friends and Twitter pals.

I've started a new (for me) project for 2011: the 365 project.  This isn't a new concept, I'm sure many of you have done or seen this before, but it's new for me so I'm excited about it.  :)  One new original photo taken and posted every day for a year.  If you'd like to follow along, check it out here: Soper 365.

Now, bear with me for just a second.  I also have a few extra special kudos that I really need to mention, special people who literally make me the person and photographer that I am...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my wonderful boyfriend Greg who put up with my mental dysfunction and irrational fantasy football crying fits during my busiest wedding season to date. Nichole, I have limited words (which is a shock, I know) to truly express how much you've meant to me personally and professionally.  You kick my ass and holler every time I sell myself short and are the best travel companion and friend I could ask for. To my cousins Kate, Colleen, and Erin (and honorary cousin Gretchen) who are always keeping me busy with referrals and shoots of their own.  To Rex, Alan, DC, and Liz for reminding me Happy Hour is a necessity no matter how busy you get.  To Dad in Texas and Molly in DC, thanks for all your encouragement and comments you give me on nearly every blog I post, you're far away but always on my mind and in my heart.

There you go, sappiness concluded.  I hope you all enjoy your first day of 2011, personally I'll be watching bowl games and editing some beautiful photos.  Go TCU!

xoxo,
amy