Claire and Matt’s wedding at Gorge Crest Vineyards in August 2024 was an absolute dream! Their day was filled with so much love, laughter, and a little bit of PNW magic—the kind of magic that turns even a summer thunderstorm into a celebration. From start to finish, it was such a vibe, and I’m so excited to share all the details with you!

The day kicked off with Claire getting ready in the bridal suite upstairs, slipping into her jaw-dropping crepe strapless gown. She looked like a total goddess, glowing with excitement. Matt and his groomsmen were nearby, hanging out and soaking in the incredible Mount Hood views. Their first look was such a sweet and emotional moment under a dreamy grove of trees—the kind of moment that gives you all the feels.

Then their ceremony was straight out of a fairytale. Picture this: a sweeping lawn dotted with wildflowers, surrounded by the natural beauty of Gorge Crest Vineyards in Oregon. As they exchanged heartfelt vows, the clouds began to roll in, adding a dramatic and romantic touch to the scene. It was pure magic! Then came dinner on the lawn, where guests clinked glasses of local wine and shared family-style dinner. But the PNW had a surprise up its sleeve—storm clouds started rolling in, and suddenly, we were in for an epic summer thunderstorm.

Let me tell you, the rain didn’t slow anyone down! Guests stayed outside as long as possible, soaking up the electric atmosphere. When the rain finally came, it turned the party into a full-on adventure. Some guests turned the hillside into a massive slip ‘n slide (yes, really!), while others hit the dance floor in the rain without a care in the world. It was pure, unfiltered joy—the kind of thing you can’t plan but ends up making the day unforgettable.

Claire totally nailed her reception look, swapping her classic gown for the coolest 1980s Goodwill wedding dress. Her mom helped her turn it into a short, flirty number that was made for dancing. We saved the cake cutting and champagne toast for after her outfit change, and it felt like the perfect way to celebrate her fun new look. Rain-soaked but grinning ear-to-ear, everyone packed under the tent for more dancing, proving that love (and a good party) can weather anything.

Some of my favorite film frames from their day:

One of my favorite parts of the day was focusing on documentary-style film photography, which was super important to Claire and Matt. These two have such a love for analog vibes and a natural, film-inspired aesthetic, and it was a blast capturing their day on 35mm and 120mm film. From the dreamy details of Claire’s bouquet to the epic vineyard views and all those candid rain-soaked moments, film brought a warm, nostalgic feel to their gallery. There’s just something about those soft grains and rich tones that feels so timeless and real. I’m so glad they trusted me to bring this extra layer of artistry to their wedding story.

Claire and Matt’s wedding was proof that the best moments are often the ones you don’t plan for. A summer thunderstorm might sound like a curveball, but it turned their day into something straight out of a movie. This celebration was filled with so much love, laughter, and adventure, and I’m still smiling just thinking about it!