Long live the father/daughter first look. Long live Central Oregon. Long live this kind of love.
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Sometimes in life you have to call an audible. It’s tough to see what is coming your way until it stares you in the face. Football season is starting, so you get a football reference, but I promise it makes sense. Urban Dictionary time: For non-football folks, it means “to decide what to do at the last second after seeing all possible options and obstacles that come up. It comes from football, seen when the quarterback goes up to the line of scrimmage, sees a defensive alignment he wasn’t expecting, and adjusts by yelling out a new play.” There are occasions when planning a wedding and you realize things lined up differently than expected. Audible time.
The couple switched from planning a good-sized Oregon wedding, to a small destination event in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, where the bride has family. Fun fact, if you ever go, wear your fitbit… it’s fun to see how much more you walk when that’s your best option. 18 miles and 58 flights of stairs later, we spent a memorable day in the rain, visiting landmarks like the Castle, the Charles Bridge, the square with the Astronomical Clock, and some sort of magic, luck-dispensing-genitalia statue. I really don’t know what to tell you about that one, but the locals swear it’s a thing.
Everyone involved in the wedding treated me like family, and that’s not an exaggeration. I sat with them at dinner (hellooo duck and polenta at Villa Richter Piano Nobile), and I stayed with them in the flat (I think it had 58 flights of stairs all by itself). It’s always such a privilege to be invited into people’s world at their weddings. The stillness of the private moments, the boisterous joy of the celebration… being along for the ride is quite the honor.
Cheers.
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WORDS OF ADVICE FROM THE BRIDE: Weddings are hard, stressful, and often result in a large consumption of wine mixed with tears of frustration and happiness. I might sound pessimistic, but I’m not. I want to offer counter-advice to every article written telling you that planning your wedding is filled with nothing but stress-free happiness. I should add, despite all the stress that came with planning, I can honestly say our wedding was perfect for us and the best day of my life. I had more fun and felt more love than I ever could have imagined.
My best advice is to make sure the wedding you have is the one you want. Don’t let other people influence your decision, and recognize that it can be a stressful process, and that’s ok. If planning sucks, grab a bottle of wine and vent to your sister, best friend, mother, dog, or whoever will listen until you laugh about how ridiculous everything can be. Honor what you and your significant other want, in the end that’s what is going to matter for that day, not to mention the rest of your lives. Most importantly….have fun! You’re getting married, and that is definitely something to celebrate. I promise you, your wedding will end up exceeding all your expectations, and you will feel more happiness in that one day than you had imagined… if you let it.
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It took me all of about 5 minutes at the engagement session to realize Meagan and Marcus were dream clients. Huge personalities, flexible and fun, ready to do anything. I suspected as much when we met the first time, but you never really know until the camera comes out. If you spend any time with this couple, it’s near impossible to miss how in love these two are, and I have long loved the analogy of a wedding being a celebratory barn-raising, building a new home together that lives in the other person. Personal connection to a location adds something at a session, or wedding, in a way that a found venue, even a gorgeous one, just can’t. It doesn’t diminish the need for great venues with no personal connection, this newer venue just so happens to be one of my favorites, but it never hurts. I’ve love shooting at Jasper House Farm, and Portland Bride & Groom loved it also, so when the couple told me it was his father’s property, and the groom’s childhood home… the stars aligned. Great couple, great location, personal connection.
So many emotions associated with this wedding. Marcus’ reaction at the first look, the tears and laughter during the vows, the surprise musical performance as family members slowly started standing up, randomly, in the audience, the geese flying over the ceremony as they went in for the first kiss, the heartfelt speeches. Even the cracking of the filberts under our feet was a reminder that we stood on ground tended with familial love and sweat. Going back through the wedding, I found so many things that felt special. Marcus told me the day of the wedding that he loved how places he grew up playing with his brother, now have memories attached to his wife, and their wedding. Not replacing the childhood memories, but adding to, and amplifying them. With the family dog roaming freely, cousins and friends camping in tents on the back 40, and the house always within sight, there was no mistaking that this was a family affair. They even made up a honeymoon suite slash tent to sleep under the stars (nicely decorated with toilet paper, thanks to the bridal party). I was so wrapped up in the fun that there’s even a rare sighting of me in one of the photographs.
The entire day can be summed up by their first dance. Meagan stretched out her arms, leaned back into Marcus and sunk into a private moment we all had the chance to participate in. I walked away from this wedding feeling honored to have been a part of it. SO, enjoy, and all the happiness in the world to Meagan and Marcus.
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Advice from the Bride: Remember that there is no planning the feelings or emotions that you, or your guests, will go through. So try to play it cool, but don’t you dare hold back that belting laughter, or the tears from starting to run. My husband’s vows killed me. I still cry when I think about them. Embrace and share these feelings with the people who will come to witness your love. I experienced extreme joy and utter amazement at the help and love from my friends and family. Look at the people around you, breathe, don’t worry, and enjoy every second.
Groom’s tips: Last minute adjustments are where you shine, Mr. groom-to-be. Day of the wedding, there will be a lot of little wrinkles that will fall on you to iron out. Don’t worry, you got this. She picked you for a reason.
Take your time and smile, enjoy the people around you, they are all at your wedding for you and your bride.
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3 comments
Love love love! Awesome work, as always, Jay!
You captured the magic!
JAY omfg, this is amazing <3
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Go do something kind for someone who doesn't expect it.