Brad + Gillette
A joyful wedding celebration at Mount Hood Oregon Resort
It’s been a while since I’ve felt like I was back photographing a “normal wedding,” but I think I can finally say that things are starting to get back to that fun-loving, joyful party atmosphere which is one of my favorite wedding vibes!
Brad and Gillette’s wedding up at Mount Hood Oregon Resort had every element of the perfect wedding day. A large bridal party, cabin and suite rentals for everyone to be able to stay over the night after, a stunning late-summer blue-bird day, stunning florals in a ceremony space with a gorgeous view, an alfresco dining experience for their reception meal, a killer DJ and all the friends and family one could ask for!
Dom and I drove up to the resort and picked out a little shady and secluded willow tree for Brad and Gigi’s portraits, then headed to Gillette’s Girl’s suite where she and all her bridesmaids were getting their hair and makeup finished up.
Gillette’s hair and makeup was actually done by one of her talented bridesmaids who did a fantastic job creating a wavy half up-do with a braid supporting a beautiful jeweled hairpiece. As Dom set up the detail shots on a table out on the patio, I exchanged a few encouraging words to Gigi who had been hit with a hard case of the pre-wedding jitters which was a mixture both of excitement and a little nervousness.
After wrapping up photographing Gillette’s bedazzled wedges and her and Brad’s wedding rings, Dom headed over to the guy’s suite to shot a few candid shots of Brad tying up his custom tie and all the groomsmen pinning on their boutonnieres.
I brought out the bridesmaids and flower girl for a quick fun “jammie” photo session and then it was time for Gillette to get into the dress!
As Gillette slipped into her dress, her mom donned her own navy blue mother of the bride dress, which was perfectly stunning on her slender figure. I had Gillette come out to the porch for a bit better lighting while her mom buttoned her up, and her Maid of Honor came to pin on her Cathedral-length veil.
Gillette was an absolute vision in her wedding gown which had delicate elements of lace around it’s medium-length train. Gigi joked how Brad made a comment just the night prior saying that he’d bet Gillette’s dress would be something very simple, no train, no veil and boy was he in for a surprise!
Once shoes were on, and the dress was situated, Gillette sat down to read a card Brad had written to her, smiling as she took in the last love-note he would give to her as an engaged couple.
The resort’s wedding coordinator brought a golf cart around and Gillette, myself and the videographer Dane jumped in as we raced over to the willow where Dom and Brad were waiting
As Gillette started making her way toward Brad you could see his fingers nervously pulling at the hem of his blue suit, anticipating seeing his beautiful bride. She called his name and as he turned it was a mixture of astonishment, love and even overwhelm as he walked to her, eyes glistening, to embrace her and take in all that she is.
Laughing and relaying their mornings to each other it was just as a First Look should be, a private moment for the bride and groom to let all the anticipation of the day fall to their feet as they hold hands and revel in the fact that this long-anticipated day has finally arrived.
Dom, Dane and myself had a blast taking portraits of these two around the willow and over at a separate part of the golf course while the rest of the bridal party finished their last minute touch-ups and headed over to the ceremony space.
The Mount Hood Oregon Resort has a few different wedding ceremony location options, but in my opinion, the one Brad and Gigi chose is the most stunning. Situated just behind the golf course’s pub is a little green on a bluff overlooking a stunning expanse of course below and framed in distant soft blue hills. It’s the perfect backdrop for large bridal parties and family photos that we definitely took advantage of!
After portraits guests started to arrive, so we tucked the wedding party away in the cool pub while Dom and I took detail shots of all the little elements Gigi put together for her reception décor.
I was pleased to see that her seating chart featured photos from their epic engagement session we did at Abiqua Falls only just this past June.
As guests began to take their seats, you could feel the excitement of friends and family who had traveled from near and far to celebrate with these two incredible people. The wedding party walked to the head of the ceremony space, Brad standing just under the stunning circular gold arch adorned with florals in peach, oranges, and cream.
As the officiant asked everyone to rise, Gillette and her father made their way down the aisle, Gigi grinning from ear to ear with the joy of the moment, and Brad looking every bit as emotional as he had earlier in the day during their first look.
Their ceremony was sweet with a few readings and personalized vows Brad and Gigi had written together. Their union was sealed with a kiss and a kick (scroll down to their first kiss photo and note Gigi’s dress billowing out behind her!) and as guests clapped and cheered, the air was filled with the magic of floating bubbles, the perfect and most aesthetic exit to conclude this beautiful ceremony.
After a short stint of just a few more extended family portraits and the signing of the marriage license, the wedding party were announced one by one as their grand entrance to the reception was kicked off with some hilarious little anecdotes about each one of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Brad and Gigi entered to cheers and toasts of Champaign flutes which had been plucked from the epic Champaign wall kicking off the reception festivities.
A gorgeous dinner was served which was honestly some of the most impressive wedding fare I’ve seen yet! Just as the light started hitting the blue hills, Dane, Dom, Brad, Gigi and I snuck off for a few sunset portraits on the lower course before heading back to the party where Brad kicked off toasts with one of his own he’d memorized earlier that day. Gillette’s dad made a beautiful speech, followed by Brad’s Best Man whose speech was both hilarious, moving and poetic, and Gigi’s Maid of Honor toasted to the newlyweds with a heartfelt congrats.
Brad and Gillette cut their three-tiered cake with grace and then hustled back to the dance floor to wow us with their moves which included several twirls and two epic dips!
Gillette also shared a dance with her father who also had the moves and twirled Gigi around on the floor like in the disco days of old.
Brad and Gillette’s DJ got everyone to the dance floor for a group photo before turning on the tunes and the rest of the night was a blur of dancing, an open bar, a glowing photo station and all the love pouring out for love, for friendship, and for celebration of this next chapter in Brad and Gillette’s story.
It was an absolute dream to be a part of Brad and Gillette’s wedding journey and I couldn’t be more pleased at how their sneak peek gallery tuned out. Take a gander at the joyful images below and be sure to leave Brad and Gillette a comment of congrats for them to read while on their honeymoon in Cancun this week!
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