A Seattle Wedding - Laura & Samuel - June 19th, 2010

It's been a crazy few weeks. I went to Seattle for 5 days, stayed in Vegas for 2 and then was off to Missouri for 4 days for another wedding. Seattle was amazing. It's my favorite city I've ever been to and would be at the top of my list of places to move some day. Although I'm really loving it here in St. George even though it's 106 now.

I stayed at the Ace hotel again, can't say enough about that place. It's very minimal/contemporary is probably the best way to describe it. It's also one of the cheaper hotels in Seattle probably because you have to share a bathroom. It's 3 blocks from Pike's Place. I ate at a few awesome places thanks to Brian Eden (groomsman from the Jan Paris wedding) who always gives me a list of not to miss food no matter where I go. Ended up at Umi Sake House, Lowell's and Serious Pie among a couple others. I could go into a lot of detail about all the amazing things I saw and did, but let's get to the wedding.

Friday afternoon we shot engagement style photos at the ocean with Seattle as a backdrop. Perfect spot for some pre-wedding fun shots. That was the only time I saw the sun while I was there. It rained pretty much the entire trip. Except of course, while I was shooting.

The morning of the wedding Laura & Sam came to pick me up at 8am to head out to Pink Orange to get their hair and makeup done. It was raining pretty hard at that point. I really thought maybe, my luck had run out with the "it never rains when I shoot." But I was positive and when Sam said, "looks like your luck ran out, " I said, "nope, it'll clear up."

When we headed up to the Church, it started to clear up a bit and we went with our original plan of taking a few photos at the University of Washington where Laura & Sam go to school. No rain! We only had about 25 minutes so we raced up the stairs to the courtyard and snapped a few pics in front of the buildings. I was feeling it then, had a couple of Laura's friends helping out. Holding Laura's vail up and then dropping it and running as fast as they could. Think we saw 3 other brides while we were there. It's a pretty popular spot.

The wedding was at the Great Love Church of Seattle in Mount Lake Terrace. I had never been to a Korean wedding before and it was a beautiful ceremony. I love that I was able to experience it. It mirrored most other ceremonies I have photographed, but was different in it's own way. I didn't understand much of what was being said, but I felt it, the emotions and the joy were the same. I was thankful to be there and to be included in their ceremony.

The reception kicked off straight after in the basement of the church. They played games, toasted and celebrated Sam & Laura for the next hour and a half. Again the reception was basically the same as most receptions with it's own uniqueness. For example Laura & Sam were blindfolded for a couple games. The first Laura had to feel, and she didn't really want to, the legs of each groomsman to see if she could pick out Sam's. And Sam had to feel each of the bridesmaids noses to try and choose his bride's. They both chose the right one! Crazy. Reception was a blast. I loved meeting their friends and family. I can't say enough about how courteous everyone was towards me.

Seattle was a blast. Sam & Laura couldn't have been nicer or easier to work with. One of the nicest couples I've ever had the opportunity to be around. I'm so thankful that they trusted me to photograph their wedding.

Going to post Jen & Seth then Jake & Shannon next. We leave for MO in 10 days. Have a lot to do before then.