Beautiful Volunteer Park Conservatory Wedding Featuring Handcrafted Details
What if, instead of checking all the wedding traditions off the list, you focused on what mattered most? Abbigale and Brandon did just that at their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding. Their celebration was deeply rooted in the loving community that surrounds them. These creative film wedding photos along with their Super 8 video give you a sense of how grounded and joyful their day was.
A Volunteer Park Conservatory Wedding
A Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding has a unique blend of historic architecture and gorgeous tropical plants. Lush tropical trees and vibrant flowers fill the Victorian-style greenhouse. At the same time, the venue’s minimalist approach to ceremonies means your wedding will feel intimate and modern.
As far as Seattle wedding venues go, Volunteer Park Conservatory is a bargain. Ceremony fees start at $170 per hour for a minimum of two hours. You can reserve your date via the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. The greenhouse where ceremonies take place has a capacity of 25 guests, so it’s best for small weddings.
If you’re thinking about having a Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding, you should consider these guidelines.
The only setup allowed includes 18 chairs provided by the venue. You have to let the greenhouse do all the aesthetic work.
Ceremonies have to be held after 4:15pm.
Wedding ceremonies and photoshoots are only allowed September through December. For spring and summer weddings, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Film Photography and Super 8 Video for Abbigale and Brandon
Instead of doing the same old thing for their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding, Abbigale and Brandon put their own take on their ceremony. First, Brandon and Abbigale walked down the aisle together. They felt they were entering the marriage together and wanted to do the same for the ceremony.
Brandon’s aunt Jeri Lou officiated the ceremony. Leading up to the wedding, Aunt JJ met with Brandon, Abbigale, and various family members. Brandon and Abbigale loved that their families’ words would form the heart of their ceremony. “We came from the love before us,” Abbigale told me.
That emphasis on authenticity, family, and legacy made film photography and Super 8 video perfect mediums for documenting this Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding. Film and Super 8 strip away the distractions of complicated editing and productions. Instead you get the unfiltered reality of your experience preserved.
Super 8, especially, gives you the best mix of home movie vibes and artistry. The warmth and texture in Abbigale and Brandon’s video takes you right into the moment. It feels modern in its minimalism but timeless in its tones and movement. This video makes it easy to see how Abbigale and Brandon’s relationship fits into that lineage of love Abbigale described.
Are you new to Super 8 wedding videography? Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Custom, Community-Crafted Wedding Details
Abbigale and Brandon surround themselves with the coolest community of professional creatives. Friends and family contributed a lot of handcrafted details for their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding. Loved ones crafted the cake, cake stand, cookies, and bridal bouquet. Friends also designed the posters and matchbooks at the reception.
After their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding ceremony, Abbigale and Brandon brought their guests to The Sunset Tavern. This bar is a total hole in the wall fisherman shanty of a bar. I mean that in the best way! It had the perfect approachable, down to earth atmosphere for Abbigale and Brandon’s celebration.
For the reception, Abbigale and Brandon told me that they just wanted to get silly and have fun! They, along with their friends and family, go hard for karaoke. Of course, they had to sing some favorites during their reception!
Everyone hit the dance floor hard. I had a blast documenting everyone in their element. Before the wedding, Abbigale told me, “Grandma does slap the floor so be ready.” I can confirm that grandma did slap on the dance floor!
Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? I’m a Seattle wedding photographer specializing in film photography and Super 8 videography. I’ll document your unique celebration with art that imitates life. Inquire with me here!
Thank you to the vendors who made Abbigale and Brandon’s wedding so rad!
Photography and Videography: Sara Welch Photography
Venue: Volunteer Park Conservatory
Florals: Jordan Braun
Cake: Boy Howdy Bakeshop
Cookies: Yoka Miso
DJ: Josh Harka
Hair and Makeup Artist: Drew June Style
Dress: Kamparett
Bride’s ring: Zoe Chicco
Catering: Big Mario's Pizza
Matchbooks: Designed on For Your Party
Audio Guestbook: FeteFone
Cake Stand: Handmade by our bestie Samantha Barber
Posters: Designed by Jared Pabon
A Seattle Film Wedding Photographer for an Artistic Celebration
Film wedding photography is an art. For a couple like Mico and Christian, it’s the perfect mix of art and nostalgia. They first bonded over collaborative music and poetry. Their wedding had all the same artistic intentionality. I was lucky enough to be the film wedding photographer who documented their rad wedding at Studio 210.
A Film Wedding Photographer for Mico and Christian
Mico and Christian had their wedding at Studio 210 near Downtown Seattle. If you can believe it, this was actually their third wedding venue. The first two went out of business. Mico and Christian stayed positive and ended up loving Studio 210!
Studio 210 is a photography studio located in a 140-year-old building. It looks like an art gallery with clean white walls and open space. The windows on the front let in beautiful natural light. As a film wedding photographer, I loved the chance to document the interplay of light and shadow at this wedding.
This Seattle wedding venue feels like a bit of a blank slate. Mico and Christian brought their own quirky artistic vision to the space, and it turned out wonderfully. They did all the decorating themselves, and Mico created the invitations, programs, and menus.
When Mico and Christian first inquired with me, they described their hopes for their wedding this way: “We envision our wedding day to be an experimental-art-gallery-opening-esque event.” The day absolutely ended up having this feeling. Their friend group, which is full of creatives, contributed a lot to the intimate atmosphere.
Mixing Candid and Editorial Wedding Photography
In their inquiry, Mico and Christian also shared that they were looking for a film wedding photographer who could document their wedding with a mix of candid and editorial photography. I love this approach to wedding photos. Even though I consider myself the Queen of Candids, more editorial posing provides opportunities to get creative in different ways.
Mico told me this, and it’s stuck with me ever since: “Your work feels so beautiful and timeless. I feel that your photographs uniquely bring me to an emotion, a story.” That combination of art and storytelling is so important to me as a film wedding photographer. It’s what makes you want to share your photos down to your loved ones long after your wedding day.
If you’re considering videography, Super 8 is the perfect complement to film wedding photography. Super 8 has that vibey home movie quality. It’s textural and raw. I love including it as part of wedding coverage. Mico and Christian’s video is a good example of how cozy and emotional this medium can be. Check out these highlights from their wedding day.
Would you like to see more film wedding photography? Check out these blog posts:
Creating a Legacy with Film Wedding Photography
Having a film wedding photographer at their wedding also gave Mico and Christian a chance to reestablish family legacies that had been interrupted. Both lost photographs through immigration and other big life events. Mico told me that they “cherish everything we can capture of our chosen family, our chosen lives.” These wedding photos mean all the more because of that.
Mico also has a lot of experience with photography. Her father was a photographer and brought Mico along on his jobs. She photographed cultural events and marketing campaigns in college. Now she focuses on documenting her friends and family. I loved photographing someone who is so intentional and creative.
One of the perks of having a more intimate wedding is that you can prioritize what you really want. For Mico and Christian, that included great food. Musang Seattle catered the reception with a divine Filipino feast.
Would you like me to be your film wedding photographer? I’m a Seattle photographer who travels for destination weddings anywhere cool people are getting married! Inquire with me here.
Thank you to the vendors who made this wedding so amazing:
Photographer and Videographer: Sara Welch Photography
Venue: Studio 210
Florist: Francesca at Bower Floral
Hair and Makeup Artist: Carissa Blossom Artistry
Caterers: Musang Seattle and Wild Cats Catering
Dynamic NYC Videography for a Wedding at the Wythe Hotel
As far as New York weddings go, Alison and Colin’s wasn’t exactly traditional. They skipped a formal wedding party, tailored their ceremony to highlight loved ones, and added bar trivia to the reception’s entertainment. It made sense that they wanted a more moody, artsy approach to their NYC videography and photography. I documented their wedding at the Wythe Hotel on mixed media, including Super 8 video and film photography.
A Wedding at the Wythe Hotel
Alison and Colin love Brooklyn. I could tell from the time they first reached out to me about NYC videography and photography. We took their engagement photos in Park Slope. The Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg was the perfect wedding venue for them.
The Wythe Hotel is a stunning visual experience. You’d never know that the building was built in 1901 to house sugar for refiners. The exterior has the brick charm that’s characteristic of Williamsburg. Before becoming a hotel and wedding venue, the building lived a few other lives. It even house textile manufacturing for the Space Program
Now the Wythe is all beautiful modern rooms and jaw dropping views. The rooms feel bespoke, each with a character of its own. It’s easy to imagine wanting to rent one of the lofts to relax in luxury after your reception.
Unlike most hotel wedding venues, the Wythe gives you options for gorgeous surroundings and killer food. The hotel houses both Bar Blondeau and Le Crocodile. Both are heavy on the French influence and gourmet experience. Your guests won’t forget a reception here any time soon.
When Alison first reached out to me, she already knew that they would incorporate Bar Blondeau into their day. Before the bar opened, their day-of coordinator got them in for a private moment. With the Manhattan skyline stretched out beyond the windows, it was the ideal spot for their first look. Colin hadn’t seen Alison’s dress yet. Even though they wanted to keep things pretty nontraditional, they both really enjoyed that experience.
Wedding packages at the Wythe Hotel start around $25,000 for a 100-guest wedding. The venue has capacity for up to 150, but it really is a gem for more intimate celebrations.
Dynamic NYC Videography for Alison and Colin
Alison and Colin are the kind of clients artists dream about. They’re no strangers to NYC videography either. Alison is a commercial video editor and filmmaker who comes from a family of documentarians and videographers. Both Alison and Colin enjoy doing their own photography in digital and analog formats.
Going into the wedding, Alison and Colin knew they didn’t want a traditional wedding video. That started with Super 8 film. “I love adding 8mm film,” Alison said. “We’re both visual people and connected early in our relationship by working together on video projects… We love textural, authentic moments and dynamic movement… We want to capture the key memories.”
Super 8 was the ideal medium for Alison and Colin’s wedding videography. It delivered on the texture, movement, and authenticity that mattered so much to them. Neither of them wanted super posed, highly produced video. Super 8 portrays that candid, raw quality at the heart of a connection-filled wedding day.
In addition to Super 8 for their NYC videography, Alison and Colin opted for film photography as part of their wedding coverage. All of the photos featured in this blog post are film photos. They complement the Super 8 really well in telling an unfiltered, authentic story.
Would you like to see more NYC videography? Check out this chic wedding at Alligator Pear!
Your Nontraditional Wedding Video and Photos
I love pairing film photography with Super 8 for NYC videography. It blends the most timeless parts of our experiences with something that also feels nontraditional compared to a lot of heavily posed and edited wedding media. At the end of the day, you get art that reflects your happiest moments like you actually remember them.
Would you like me to document your wedding with NYC videography? I’d love to turn your wedding into art that imitates life. Let’s tell your story on Super 8 videography and film photography. Inquire with me!
Thank you to the vendors who made this wedding so dope.
Photographer & Videographer: Sara Welch Photography
Venue: Wythe Hotel
Planner: Julia Alexander-Burns from Vessel Brooklyn
Florist: Migle Staniskyte from Jura
DJ: Pat Mangan
Hair and Makeup: Willow House
Dress: Jenny Yoo
Suit: Tom James
Jewelry: We Are Arrow Jewelry and Catbird
Food: Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel
Save the dates, invites, and programs: Designed by the couple, printed by Czar Press
Super 8 Video for Chic NYC Wedding
Sometimes you just know a wedding is going to be magical af. That was definitely the case when Kaitlin and Michael reached out to me. The day did not disappoint! I documented their sophisticated NYC wedding on mixed media, including Super 8mm video . Check it out!
A Chic New York Wedding
In the time I’ve known Kaitlin and Michael, it’s become very clear just how much they love New York City. we spent their engagement session exploring Brooklyn Heights. Their wedding day brought big Manhattan energy with their stunning restaurant venue. I love how their Super 8 video brings out the nostalgia and artistry of this incredibly modern wedding day.
We started Kaitlin and Michael’s wedding day at their apartment in Brooklyn. Once they were ready, they shared a first look in the garden behind their apartment. I love how lush and private it felt. The couple really got to breathe in the moment together before friends and family joined them. I’m in love with the way the super 8mm film footage from this part of the day looked.
Telling the Story on Super 8 Video and Mixed Media
I documented Kaitlin and Michael’s wedding on mixed media with a special focus on Super 8 film video and film photography. In addition to being my signature media, they perfectly captured the raw, artistic energy around Kaitlin and Michael’s wedding day and super 8 videography.
As I started planning their Super 8 video and photography coverage, I asked Kaitlin and Michael what they hoped for from their video and images. Here’s what they shared: “We absolutely loved the engagement photos, so just more of that vibe! Romantic, warm editing, ‘at the moment,’ and candid photos you look at and feel like you're back in that moment. We also want to capture the energy and fun that people are having.” (Definitely check out those engagement photos here!
I would say we realized Kaitlin and Michael’s vision. These dreamy images and nostalgic super 8 film video give you a sense of exactly what it was like to get caught up in the moment of this wedding. The in-between moments feel as intentional and artistic as all of the carefully-planned details of the day. In their engagement photos, Kaitlin and Michael wanted to highlight the playful side of their relationship. I think that really shows in their wedding photos and video as well.
A Day Infused with Personal Style
Kaitlin and Michael’s Super 8 video and photos show how much of their personal style infused their wedding day. I already knew Kaitlin had incredible taste because I took their engagement photos in Brooklyn over the summer. Michael and Kaitlin both showed up for that session impeccably styled for a sunny summer photoshoot in the city.
Even though I had this prep, Kaitlin still floored me with THREE incredible looks on her wedding day. It’s no surprise that she’s a professional stylist. Every single look was epic. I love how they translated on film - a brilliant balance of high fashion and unfiltered moments.
Their outfits weren’t the only part of the wedding that showed off Kaitlin and Michael’s style. A vintage New York taxi transported them from their apartment to their venue in Manhattan. The incredible yellow car was a moment. We snapped plenty of photos with Kaitlin in her sophisticated custom suit and pearl veil. I love how these colors look on film.
Their New York wedding venue, Alligator Pear, set the tone for an intimate, connection-centered celebration. From the towering ceilings to the cozy nooks, it gave guests opportunities to be in the midst of things and steal away for conversations. The ridiculously delicious food and drinks didn’t hurt either.
Your Super 8 Video
Are you interested in having me document your wedding on Super 8 video? I’m a Seattle-based photographer and videographer, and I’m stoked to travel to wherever your story unfolds. Let’s capture some nostalgic slices of life on vibey video. Reach out to me here!
Thank you to all the vendors who made this New York wedding so dope:
Photography and Super 8 Videography: Sara Welch Photography
Florist: A Petal to Peddle
Cake and other Desserts: From Lucie
Hair and Makeup: Elena Ganz
Bride's Suit: Handmade in NYC
Bride's Long Dress: Grace Loves Lace
Bride's Short Dress: Sarah Seven
Groom's Suit & Groomsmen suits: designed by the bride & groom and made through the bride's company
Jewelry and Rings: Love Locked
Catering: Alligator Pear with Chef Dominick Lee
Invitations: Minted
Newspaper program: designed by the bride and printed through Print Newspaper
Vintage Taxi: The Checker Cab
Level Up Your Wedding Story with Super 8 Videography
You’re putting a lot of care into creating a wedding day that feels like you. Your celebration is about authenticity and connection, not checking off a to-do list of generic events. If you’re looking for a way to turn your memories into art, you’ll appreciate the nostalgic, unfiltered quality of Super 8 videography and super 8mm wedding videography. In this blog post, I share why Super 8 is such a dope medium and what you can expect when you choose it for your wedding videography.
Instant Nostalgia with Super 8 Videography
Sometimes wedding videography gets a reputation for being a bit cheesy. That’s understandable.Some videographers overproduce their films. They give less “Crimson and Clover” and more “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” It’s not for everyone.
Fortunately, emotion doesn’t have to be captured in 4k. The beauty of Super 8 videography is that it tells your wedding story in the most nostalgic, no-bullshit way possible. It takes a lot of those production and editing tricks out of the mix. Instead it comes down to how well your videographer knows their gear and how much you enjoy your wedding day.
Super 8 works like this precisely because it’s an older technology. Kodak created a Super 8 for home use in the 1960s. The technology was designed for creating simpler, heartfelt films. There’s no room for distraction. There’s just your raw, radiant love on film.
As a wedding pro and an artist, I appreciate how cohesively Super 8 and super 8 film wedding video can integrate into your wedding gallery. To get a sense of what feels like with your wedding photography gallery, check out this Seattle courthouse elopement. I documented Zoe and Nate’s rooftop ceremony and laid-back bar reception on a combination of Super 8 and film and digital photography. It’s a great representation of what’s possible for telling your story.
An Instant Heirloom
If you’re lucky enough to have stumbled across home movies from the 1970s or 1980s, you know the incredible feelings that come along with them. You see people moving, laughing, embracing in ways that feel different. Instantly, you feel more connected to those people and that time even if you’ve never gotten to meet them.
My clients universally tell me that they’re so glad they added Super 8 coverage and super 8 wedding videos to their wedding day. They love the videos and cherish them deeply. It’s easy for them to imagine cozy anniversaries rewatching them or reliving those stunning moments with their future kids. Like film photography, Super 8 has a richness that makes it heirloom-worthy.
What to Expect with Super 8 Videography
When it comes to your wedding day experience, Super 8 videography and hiring a 8mm wedding videographer can be really different from 4k video. In my opinion, it’s a lot more fun. Here’s what you can expect when you opt for Super 8 wedding videography.
Candid Footage
Super 8 is a truly unique wedding videography experience. You don’t spend a lot of time waiting on your videographer to pose you and give you direction. In fact, there are no forced emotions or retakes. You get to stay in the moment with your people feeling your feels and soaking up this once-in-a-lifetime day.
A More Relaxed Day
In a lot of ways, Super 8 videography is a more relaxed approach to documenting your wedding. It’s great for marriers who want a more laid-back experience and honest, artistic video to relive their day again and again. Super 8 is great for those amazing unplanned moments and the cherished in-betweens. You know, the moments that feel like you.
Fewer Details, More Feels
A traditional wedding videographer might get you crisp footage of every petal in your bouquet. I definitely can use Super 8 videography to document details when they’re important to my clients, but this medium tends to be more about capturing the energy of the day. It’s unmatched in portraying the warmth, tenderness, and honesty surrounding your wedding. Years from now, that is what you’ll want to remember.
A Perfect Compliment to Film Photography
As a wedding photographer and videographer, I love all things film. That includes Polaroids and 35mm film photos. Film wedding photography compliments Super 8 videography so well. They tell the story of your wedding day with the same raw magic. You can learn more about what makes film wedding photography so special in this blog post.
Choosing Super 8 probably isn’t right for you if you want:
Elaborate voice-overs
Every detail in an hour-long video
Super quick turnaround
If you value telling your love story in a unique, raw, and artistic way, Super 8 is well worth it. Its vibey aesthetic is unmatched. It’s the perfect medium for documenting your authentic, connected wedding day and all the candid moments you can’t plan for.
Would you like me to document your wedding with Super 8 videography? I’m a Seattle wedding videographer ready to travel. Let’s tell your story with this dreamy medium. Reach out to me!
Intimate Seattle Courthouse Wedding with Super8
Zoe and Nate are just about the SWEETEST humans you will meet. I can’t wait to tell you more about their experience getting married in the Seattle courthouse. Their Seattle courthouse wedding featured rad views of the city from the Seattle courthouse rooftop and cool photos and video captured on mixed media. This intimate wedding is a perfect example of the full experience you can create quickly. In this post, I share the amazing mixed media from their elopement and tips for your Seattle courthouse wedding. You’ll be obsessed with this artistic approach to creating a unique wedding day.
A Seattle Courthouse Wedding
Seattle courthouse weddings are getting more popular by the day. It’s easy to understand why. It’s very affordable - Seattle courthouse wedding costs around $160, and the courthouse and location are dreamy. You won’t believe the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows and rooftop. The waiting area is a viewpoint and has beautiful indoor lighting. If the weather is good, you can have your ceremony on the rooftop with an incredible view of Seattle and the bay. It seriously looks like you’re getting married on top of the world.
Some of my favorite photos from this day are the portraits of Zoe and Nate in the waiting area. I had so much fun getting creative with the bright light and deep shadows. And Zoe’s veil! The embroidery gave it the perfect artistic touch. Her bouquet couldn’t have matched it better.
The breezy rooftop ceremony created a beautiful contrast to the quieter portraits. Zoe and Nate were all teary smiles from start to finish. I love that they got to have such an intimate ceremony without the bustle of a conventional wedding day. It really felt just right for them.
Zoe and Nate’s two best friends joined them for the ceremony. (The Seattle Municipal Court has a strict eight-person limit for weddings.) The rest of the group waited downstairs and formed a decent crowd outside the building. Initially, Zoe and Nate thought maybe ten friends would make the trip up from Texas for their elopement, but almost forty people ended up coming. Their entire group of family and friends was so warm. It was exactly what you’d want an elopement to be.
What to Know for Your Seattle Courthouse Wedding
If Zoe and Nate’s wedding sounds perfect to you, you might want to plan a Seattle courthouse wedding too. Here are some helpful tips for planning your ceremony and celebration.
Getting Seattle Marriage License
King County makes it relatively easy to apply for a marriage license. You can even complete a large part of the process online. For a full list of documentation requirements, head to the King County Marriage Licensing page.
The State of Washington has a 3-day waiting period, and the license is void after 60 days of the purchase date. That means you should apply for your Seattle marriage license with an appropriate margin of time before your wedding.
Scheduling Your Ceremony
A judge can officiate your Seattle courthouse wedding. The courthouse can share a list of judges available. Request your courthouse wedding ceremony using this form. You’re only allowed to bring six people with you to your ceremony. The rest can wait downstairs to cheer you on like Zoe and Nate’s friends and family did.
Celebrating after You Say “I do”
Seattle’s Municipal Courthouse is right in Downtown Seattle. That’s why you get such a phenomenal view from the rooftop. After your wedding ceremony, there are endless ways to celebrate with your new spouse. You can
Walk around the city for a newlywed portrait session.
Ride the ferris wheel and have a picnic at Waterfront Park.
Eat at any of the incredible restaurants downtown, such as Cafe Campagne, Dockside at Dukes, or Canlis.
Documenting the Day on Mixed Media
For Zoe and Nate’s Seattle courthouse wedding, I used a mix of analog film, GFX digital, and Super8. This mix really captured the ease and intimacy of the day. You look at these images and watch the video, and you feel what they felt. You experience the artistry of the celebration they crafted with so much love and intentionality.
Vintage mixed media suited the setting, too. A courthouse elopement has a vibe of instant nostalgia. These photos and this video balance modern and old-school in a way that makes them timeless in the truest sense. Zoe and Nate can relive the joy of their wedding day now or 50 years from now.
Their reception venue, a combination art gallery and dive bar called Vermillion, also had a kitschy aesthetic that worked with film and Super8. Exposed brick and vibrant signage translate into a dreamy backdrop with these media.
You’d never know it from looking at these photos and Super8, but Zoe and Nate only booked me for two hours of coverage. In that timeframe, we were able to create a huge variety of portraits and candid moments to tell the full story of their wedding day. If you’re eloping or having a micro wedding with a flexible timeline, you can create so much magic in a short amount of time! You really can do your wedding day your way.
Would you like me to photograph your Seattle courthouse wedding?Or are you thinking about getting married in a Seattle courthouse? I’ll document life as you remember it. Reach out to me here!
Beautiful Christianson’s Nursery Wedding
Christianson’s Nursery is a gorgeous wedding venue in Mount Vernon, WA. Its historic buildings and lush gardens make your wedding feel like a world apart. Check out these artistic photos from Talis and Tim’s beautiful Christianson’s Nursery wedding.
A Christianson’s Nursery Wedding
Christianson’s Nursery started as what it sounds like - a plant store selling shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and other rad additions to your garden. It’s not the crowded greenhouse you might expect, though. The nursery sits on a large site with several nineteenth century buildings, including an old school house. Walking through the grounds feels like you’re in a village, not a store. The huge rose bushes and hydrangeas splash bright colors against the moody Pacific Northwest landscape. In short, it’s magic.
Photographing a Christianson’s Nursery wedding is always a dope experience. There are SO many places to take artistic portraits. You could explore the greenhouse and gardens for hours. Even the getting ready suite is in a beautifully decorated cottage with vintage-inspired furniture.
This venue just started hosting weddings a few years ago, but it’s well-equipped with everything you could need. There are two getting ready suites, plenty of ceremony and reception spaces to choose from, and even furniture. Average packages range between $2,000 and $3,000 for 100 guests.
Talis and Tim’s Artistic Wedding Photos
When Talis and Tim approached me about wedding photography, they shared that they’re both artists. Tim is a woodworker, and Talis paints with watercolors. It’s always such an honor working with other artists to creatively document this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
In their inquiry, Talis said: “Tim and I are not traditional people, so we don’t need traditional wedding photos- but we do want photos that both reflect who we are and still have an elegant/artistic flare.”
I think we managed to find that balance between nontraditional and elegant in these wedding photos! Talis and Tim were down for a mix of light posing and candid photos. The combination portrays their artsy sides as well as their humor. They spent so much time laughing and just loving being in the moment with their people.
Would you like me to photograph your Christianson’s Nursery wedding? I’m a Seattle wedding photographer specializing in film and Super8. Let’s make magic!
5 Portland Wedding Venues You’ll be Obsessed With
If you’re looking for a Portland wedding venue and wedding locations in Portland, Oregon, that will give you a really unique experience, you’ve landed in the right spot. This short list includes dreamy venues that avoid that generic “wedding” feel. Check them out!
5 Rad Portland Wedding Venues
1. Mai Events - formerly Opal 28
Mai Events is great for small weddings. The flexible space has minimalist decor which makes it easy to define your unique wedding aesthetic. One perk of this venue is that several short-term rentals are available on the upper floors. You can get ready, host your wedding, and stay the night all in one spot. Packages range from $2,800 to $4,700 depending on the day and season.
2. Castaway
Castaway is a former industrial space. At 10,000 square feet, it can accommodate all of your favorite people. This Portland wedding venue is a favorite Portland wedding location is bright and welcoming with warm wood details that set it apart from other industrial wedding venues. Packages at Castaway Portland start at $1500.
3. Cooper’s Hall
Want an indoor/outdoor venue with incredible drinks? Cooper's Hall is a small wedding venue in Portland that offers a winery wedding experience in the city. The main location in SE Portland can accommodate weddings of up to 225 guests standing, while the NE Portland location can host up to 100 guests. A wall of windows makes Cooper’s Hall surprisingly bright. Your guests will love mingling between walls of wine barrels.
4. Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum is perfect for anyone who wants to put the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest at the front and center of their wedding day. It’s so lush with huge ferns and towering trees. With 190 acres, there are so many places to take magical misty portraits. The arboretum has five separate locations that you can rent for your wedding, so there are lots of chances to create the wedding experience you want.
5. Portland Art Museum
Portland Art Museum is the perfect Portland wedding venue for nontraditional marriers. It’s colorful and modern. You can have a ceremony in the sculpture garden then head into one of the ballrooms for a reception with lighting that will make everyone excited to party. Wedding rental packages at the Portland Art Museum start around $5,000.
Would you like me to be your Portland wedding photographer? I’ll artfully document your day on film and Super8. Let’s connect!
A Portland Wedding Photographer at Backyard Social
As a Portland wedding photographer, I live for intimate weddings that feel like the couple getting married. Kelly and Nick are thoughtful people who really value relaxing in their home with their closest people. Their backyard wedding and reception at their favorite bar were the perfect way to celebrate their relationship. They have been so kind and have referred me to several of their friends who are also looking for photographers in Portland, Oregon.
A Candid Portland Wedding Photographer
Kelly and Nick’s wedding was exactly the kind of intimate celebration that works so well with my photography style. I focus on candid, unposed moments so that you end up with photos that feel like that moment. For their backyard wedding ceremony, Kelly and Nick skipped the first look and family formals. Instead, they wanted organic moments throughout the day. They quite literally had organic foliage and food, and their day was filled with great moments for their Portland wedding photos.
I also love that Kelly and Nick got married in their backyard. They wanted to buy a home before getting married, which is why their backyard ceremony was extra meaningful for them. As a Portland wedding photographer, I love documenting people in the places that mean the most to them.
A Laid-back Wedding Reception at Backyard Social
Nick and Kelly didn’t just get married in their backyard. They had their reception at their favorite bar down the road! First, though, we headed to the Dog Bowl. This is seriously a hidden gem in Portland. We got such organic, nature-filled portraits of the Kelly and Nick in their post-ceremony glow.
Once we got to Backyard Social, the party really kicked off. This bar serves charcuterie boards to burgers and everything in between. It was the perfect vibe for Nick and Kelly’s relaxed wedding celebration.
Would you like me to be your Portland wedding photographer, or are you looking for wedding photography in Portland, Oregon? I can’t wait to document your day with art that imitates life. Reach out to me here!
Thanks to the vendors who contributed to this rad wedding:
Photographer: Sara Welch Photo
Florist: Alana at Amarie Flora
Reception Venue and Catering: Backyard Social
Lairmont Manor: A Historic Bellingham Wedding Venue
Are you looking for a Bellingham wedding venue? Lairmont Manor Bellingham, WA has unique historic details but still feels unique. It is a beautiful venue with a rich history, cool architecture, and gorgeous gardens. Check out Riley and Kali’s fall wedding, which was held here.
A Historic Bellingham Wedding Venue with Titanic Vibes
Lairmont Manor Bellingham is full of elaborate architectural details, rich woodwork, and chandeliers that reminded Riley and Kali of the Titanic. It was exactly what they wanted for their Bellingham wedding venue. Standing in one of the grand sitting rooms beside the towering windows feels like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s clear that it’s different from most wedding venues in Bellingham Washington.
The property includes over 25 rooms and beautiful gardens with bubbling fountains. Outdoor ceremonies and receptions can accommodate up to 200 guests as opposed to 125 indoors, but trust me when I say you don’t want to miss these cool interiors. It costs anywhere between $2,000 and $7,200 to get married at Lairmont Manor. During peak wedding season, this Bellingham wedding venue costs around $7,000 on weekends.
As a Bellingham wedding venue, Lairmont Manor’s history is unique. The huge Italian-inspired home was built in 1914 for the Larrabbee family. The family matriarch, Frances, was a widow who raised her children alone while thriving in her community. She ran social clubs, philanthropic committees, and efforts for civic improvement among many other pursuits. After she passed, Lairmont Manor housed a nursing school. The Douglas family purchased it in the 1960s. Now proceeds from events (like weddings!) support the maintenance of the property as well as cultural programming held there.
Riley and Kali’s Sentimental Wedding
Everything about Kali and Riley’s celebration at this Bellingham wedding venue was intentional and true to them. They chose their first dance song, “Chateau Lobby #4” by Father John Misty, because it reminds them of the early days of their relationship. Even their engagement session was sentimental. We did it in the garden of the home where Riley grew up. It was so fun and refreshing to be let into their world to document these incredible moments.
When Riley first inquired with me, he said that they wanted mostly film wedding photography with a little digital mixed in. He added that he was “very very interested in candid photos of the two of us just enjoying our big day, both together and with our friends and family." That all tracks for a cool, nostalgic couple like Riley and Kali. They were both SUPER happy with the way the photos came out.
Would you like to see more Bellingham weddings? Check out this intimate backyard wedding and this wedding on film and Super 8!
Thank you to the vendors who helped make Kali and Riley’s wedding so special:
Venue: Lairmont Manor
Florist: Newbury Bay
Dress: Blue Sky Bridal in Seattle, WA
Suit: Banana Republic
Cake and other Desserts: Antler Baking Company
Riley's ring: Family heirloom
Kali's ring: HemetJewelry
A Rad Whidbey Island Wedding Venue For Your Day
A rad Whidbey Island wedding at Captain Whidbey
Whidbey Island is known for its rugged Western beauty. Think steep hills leading to quiet beaches and dark fir trees shading sleek cabins. Captain Whidbey was a dope Whidbey Island wedding venue for Nancy and Sebastian’s simple and deeply meaningful celebration. If you’re looking for Whidbey Island wedding venues, Coupeville wedding venues, or Camano Island wedding venues, you’ll want to read further.
Captain Whidbey: A Rad Whidbey Island Wedding Venue
Captain Whidbey is a hotel tucked into the fir forest overlooking the water at Whidbey Island. Modern cabins sit under the trees. Shiplap walls, warm natural wood, and gingham curtains make the interiors inviting. This seaside hotel feels like the Pacific Northwest with its mix of dark colors and unbelievable views. Captain Whidbey even ties in a artisanal food experience with food grown in their garden.
As a Whidbey Island wedding venue, Captain Whidbey can host anything from elopements to celebrations of 120 guests. Packages in peak season start at $6000. If you want to get ready and take portraits at Captain Whidbey without holding your ceremony there, you can exchange vows at Ebey’s Landing or one of the other incredible parks on the island. Captain Whidbey is Ebey’s Landing’s unofficial lodge, and it’s easy to enjoy the reserve’s rugged beauty while staying at the hotel.
Whidbey Island is the perfect setting for a wedding with a mix of intimacy and adventure. You don’t have to do strenuous hikes to enjoy the sense of wilderness. It's a romantic and exciting place, one that feels unfiltered and real. You can drive to Whidbey Island, but if you really want to get the full experience, try taking the Clinton Ferry or Coupeville Ferry from the mainland.
Simplicity and Flow for a Meaningful Celebration
Nancy and Sebastian express their deep, mushy gushy love in simple but moving ways. When they got engaged, they quietly exchanged rings at a Brooklyn park. Nancy called it “one of the more meaningful things I’ve experienced.” Each small moment held meaning for them. They wanted their wedding to have the same feeling but with a handful of friends and family to bear witness.
If I had to pick two words to describe Nancy and Sebastian’s celebration at their Whidbey Island wedding venue, it would be simplicity and flow. They pared down the details to the things that really mattered. Then they got their planning done early so they could sit back and enjoy the raw emotions of the moment. Everything flowed with uncomplicated beauty.
On the morning of their wedding, Nancy and Sebastian got ready together in their cabin at Captain Whidbey. They took some time just the two of them on the beach to explore and soak up the moment. The images from this part of the day give you the sense that their whole life together will be full of quiet, meaningful mornings.
Afterward, Sebastian and Nancy met up with family members on the beach near Captain Whidbey for their ceremony. Sebastian’s father traveled from Colombia to co-officiate the ceremony with Nancy’s sister. The ceremony was exactly what Nancy envisioned in their inquiry: modern, intimate, rooted in their closest relationships.
Captain Whidbey was the perfect Whidbey Island wedding venue for this celebration. It was the right combination of cozy and elegant with easy access to quiet stretches of beach. I feel so lucky that Sebastian and Nancy chose me to document their tender, authentic day.
Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a Seattle wedding photographer specializing in candid film images and Super 8 video. Let’s connect!
Super 8 Wedding Videographer for Seattle Wedding
Super 8 adds instant nostalgia and artistry to wedding videography. Paired with film photography, it’s my favorite way to document a wedding. In the summer of 2022, I joined Hildi and Adam as their Super 8 wedding videographer and Super 8 videographer. They had a dreamy, connection-oriented backyard wedding outside of Seattle. I’m obsessed with their film photography and Super 8 video! Are you looking for Super 8mm wedding videography? Look no further.
Hiring a Super 8 Wedding Videographer
Hildi and I first met in a pretty unique way (for a wedding photographer and client, anyway). We met at a business meetup in Bellingham. We really hit it off and started following each other on Instagram. I was thrilled to be her photographer and Super 8 wedding videographer.
Like a lot of my clients, though, Hildi and Adam were excited about having film and Super 8 coverage as part of their wedding package. Hildi even photographs with film, and they’re both mixed media artists. They really wanted an alternative way to document their wedding day. I used mixed medium format film, instant Polaroid film, 35mm film, and a medium format digital film for their photos. For their videography, I used a combination of 90’s camcorder and Super 8.
As a Super 8 wedding videographer, Hildi and Adam’s film is exactly what I always hope to accomplish. The emotional in-betweens with loved ones, the raw joy, the dreamy whirlwind of it all are condensed into a film that feels like their wedding day really did. You can check out their entire Super 8 wedding film below.
Pairing Film Wedding Photography with Super 8 Video
A shared love of film photography is one of the things that Hildi and I bonded over. As a Super 8 wedding videographer, I find that film photography perfectly pairs with that medium. It’s endlessly inspiring to me. It captures these unfiltered moments in the most magical way.
Like I mentioned before, I used four different types of cameras, including three film, to photograph Hildi and Adam’s wedding. Each brings something different to the experience of reliving Hildi and Adam’s wedding. The image of the ceremony taken on my medium format camera has light leaks and imperfections that actually feel perfect. The wedding had this magical intimacy about it that the light patches in the corners emphasize.
The Polaroids, on the other hand, have such a party vibe. I love the one of the tambourine, trumpet, and other instruments sitting on the porch beside the old metal chair. The slight blur and glint of the lights gives you a sense of the anticipation and whirlwind energy that carried everyone through the reception. The Polaroids along with the 35mm photos feel like the kinds of images Hildi and Adam’s grandkids might pass around at holidays decades from now.
Hildi and Adam’s Intimate Poulsbo Wedding
Documenting the meaningful in-betweens is definitely easier when a couple has a cool community like Hildi and Adam do. Everyone stepped up to help with their backyard wedding. Hildi’s dad offered the use of his home in Poulsbo on the edge of the Olympic Peninsula. The lush space was so beautiful that you’d guess it was a venue if you didn’t know better.
Hildi’s sister and grandmother also pitched in by making the cake - another element you’d never guess was DIY from how gorgeous it turned out. Her mom did a lot of the planning. Her dad built the cornhole and arbor. Her uncle MCed, and her aunt officiated. Friends made the bouquet and brought other flowers. Hildi said, “This is really put on by our ‘village,’ and we couldn’t be more appreciative.”
Hildi and Adam held their ceremony under her “birth tree.” The resilient tree felt like the perfect symbol to Hildi. She and Adam got to start their life together rooted in what was authentic to them, including deep family connections.
A Rad Reception with Live Music
Even though Hildi and Adam’s celebration was carefully planned, the best moments were spontaneous and impossible to plan. Cake smashes and kisses, pre-ceremony tears and dance floor twirls. It was a beautiful blur. I’m so grateful I got to document it!
Music played a BIG role in Hildi and Adam’s celebration. Her father’s band Paundy played at the reception. Leading up to the wedding, Hildi told me that “they are phenomenal musicians and play funky music.” What an understatement! They got everyone moving. Adam’s dad played some music, too. Hildi even hopped on the drums for a few songs. I’m not sure I’ve ever documented a wedding where so many talented family and friends contributed to the music.
If you couldn’t tell, music has always been an important part of Hildi’s relationship with her father. They love listening to the Beatles together. For their father-daughter dance, they chose “Imagine” by John Lennon. Needless to say, the big dances were pretty emotional, including Adam and Hildi’s first dance to “Crimson and Clover.”
Super 8 wedding videography and film photography were the perfect mediums for documenting the joy of Hildi and Adam just being themselves with their favorite people. It’s intimate and creative just like this one-of-a-kind wedding day. Would you like me to be your Super 8 wedding videographer? Reach out to me here!
Thanks to the vendors who made Hildi and Adam’s wedding so damn special!
Florals: Costco and Pumphouse Farm
DJ / Band: Paundy
Dress: Wtoo from A & Be
Custom suit: Ruby Suits at the Fremont Market
Bridesmaid dresses: Scholle Dress on Etsy
Engagement ring: Sophia Perez Jewellery
Wedding bands: Ernesto Garcia in Bellingham
Rentals: Vividly Yours Co
We Love Artistic Wedding Photography on Film
Wedding photography on film and films photography is perfect for artistic candid images that document life the way you remember it and documentary weddings. At Aaron and Giselle’s backyard wedding in Seattle, I used film to capture their non-traditional celebration and all the emotional in-betweens.
Artistic Wedding Photography on Film
Film is magic. As a wedding photographer, it lets me document raw moments in artistic and sometimes unpredictable ways. This medium was seriously perfect for an edgy, honest couple like Giselle and Aaron. They’re non-traditional and really valued having artistic wedding photography on film. These photos have life. They document those rich in-between moments that you wouldn’t think to put on a shot list.
Aaron and Giselle’s top priority for their wedding was that it felt like them. They skipped the first look. Food didn’t matter much to them, but they got a killer espresso cart. They said, “We just want it to feel fun and comfortable but in fancy clothes!” Even their playlist was full of old favorites that got everyone on the dance floor.
Even though Giselle and Aaron aren’t interested in fitting inside narrow wedding industry boxes, they love hard. They love their families, their cats, each other. Film fits their whole vibe because it’s unfiltered and nostalgic at the same time. These photos show you just how deeply and dreamy this wedding felt.
Aaron and Giselle’s Backyard Celebration
Giselle and Aaron got married in the front yard of her parent’s house in South Seattle. Her parent’s also got married at a family home. Can you tell that they’re sentimental? Wedding photography on film had that intimate feeling that comes with being in the place you love most - but in fancy clothes, as Aaron said.
This wedding was deeply intentional from start to finish. Before the ceremony, they asked guests to put away their phones. Not a single phone was in sight the entire ceremony. I have never seen guests so attentive during a ceremony.
We made time for quiet moments, too. We snuck away to a rental a few houses down for family portraits. It was so nice to be away from the noise of the day to document heartfelt formals and the funny moments in between.
Would you like me to snap your wedding photography on film? Inquire here!
Thank you to the vendors who helped make Aaron and Giselle’s wedding so dope:
Dress: Monique Lhuillier
Suit: Canali
Shoes: Prada
Wedding Band: Valerie Madison
String ensemble: Seattle String Quartet
Giselle's engagement ring: Greenlake Jewelry
Planner: Lisha Lee, 3Eleven Events
Cutting cake: Deep Sea Sugar and Salt
Sheet cakes: Simply Desserts
Cookies: Treat
DJ: PT: Patrick Troll
Makeup: JoAnn Persephone
Giselle's hair: Mastered by Miyoko
Giselle's nails: Altar of Nails
Coffee Cart: Seattle Espresso Cart
Photobooth: A&H Photo Co.
Bellingham Wedding Photographer - Intimate Backyard Wedding
Hillary and Cullen are grounded, genuine humans with a creative flair. I was so stoked when they chose me to be their Bellingham wedding photographer. Their film photography and Super 8 film show the warmth and openness that characterized their beautiful backyard wedding.
A Bellingham Wedding Photographer for Hillary and Cullen
The whole atmosphere for Hillary and Cullen’s backyard wedding couldn’t have been better. The weather was perfect. Everyone was welcoming, loving, and warm. The couple moved from Portland to Bellingham during the pandemic. Hillary loves collecting Mid-century Modern furniture and adopting dogs. Their wedding featured plenty of both.
The whole day felt like all of their other favorite days together except with more loved ones and decadent food. Before their wedding, Hillary and Cullen told me that their version of the perfect day is laying around in their sunny backyard while they drink wine and throw balls for their dogs. As a Bellingham wedding photographer, I felt every bit of that hominess at this elevated backyard celebration. It had the ultimate classy garden party vibes.
Documenting the Wedding on Film and Super 8
Hillary and Cullen’s families worked hard to get the backyard prepped and looking beautiful for their wedding day. It was really important to Cullen and Hillary to get genuine photos with their family members, including Hillary’s grandmother. I got some incredible moments of them together on film and Super 8.
As a Bellingham wedding photographer, my favorite images from Hillary and Cullen’s wedding day are the ones we didn’t plan. Neighbors passing by stopped to chat over the fence. Their beloved pups lounged in the backyard like it was any other day. Everyone enjoyed the food, which was just SO GOOD. You can really feel these moments when you look at them on 35mm film and Super 8. You can see Hillary and Cullen’s Super 8 wedding film here.
Would you like me to be your Bellingham wedding photographer? I would love to document your day with artistic film photos. Inquire here!
Thank you to the vendors who made magic at Hillary and Cullen’s wedding:
Florist: Aziza Seykota at Maple Petal Design
Cake: Saltadena Bakery
Hair + Makeup: Tamara Cantu for Beauty by Elizabeth Marie
Hillary’s ring: VRAI
Cullen’s ring: Fairhaven Gold
Catering: A Taste of Elegance