Kelly + Michael
A Gorgeous Wedding at Abigail’s Garden
Abernethy Center
Sometimes through the wedding experience a certain couple just completely steals my heart. Kelly and Michael were 100% this kind of Kate Holt Photography couple! From the first day that we got to hang out, tromping all over the snowy paths of gold creek pond with their sweet cat Sushi in tow I knew we were building a friendship that would last far beyond the end of their gorgeous wedding day.
Kelly and Michael are both really talented, smart and down to earth people. They are both attorneys who have navigated a LOT of changes in life in the last year and a half! When Dom and I first met them, we met up in their tiny little Seattle apartment where Kelly greeted us with the most delicious Macaroons she’d somehow made in her mini-oven. Fast forward to the day of their wedding, and this incredible couple had upgraded their living quarters to a condo that Kelly made SURE had a full-size oven, Kelly had switched jobs, they’d added an adorable puppy to their family and had somehow managed to plan and execute a primarily DIY wedding located an entire state away in the process!
Arriving at Michael and Kelly’s hotel before the sun rose on the morning of their wedding day Dom and I met up with Michael who was mid-process of locating the wedding doughnut order from Portland’s famous Voodoo Doughnuts. We quickly made ourselves at home in the hotel, utilizing the hallway to set up detail images of all the amazing elements that Kelly and Michael had put together for themselves and their bridal crew.
The first thing many people know about Kelly is she is an INCREDIBLE baker. Her baked goods are just…. wow. She even helped Dom with a lava cake recipe he made for my mom last Christmas that has forever moved him into the “favorite child” category in my family haha! What less people know about Kelly is that she is also just in incredible artist and craftswoman. She put all her skills to work for her wedding and together with Michael created the most stunning custom paper flower arrangements for the bouquets, boutonnières and table center pieces. Adding one more level of customization, she also made sure to use pages from the Harry Potter books as the material from which to create the flowers, harking to her love of those amazing books.
Kelly and Michael had also exchanged wedding gifts prior to the big day, and Michael had gifted Kelly the most delicate diamond necklace that would sit on her slender neck, perfectly complimenting one of the most stunning wedding dresses I’d ever seen.
After photographing the details, the groomsmen began arriving and Dom had fun laughing and joking with the guys as I sequestered myself into Kelly’s suit as her good friend Ariel finished up doing her wedding-day curls.
Kelly slipped into her dress with her mom and made an entrance back into the main living space of their suite and the room absolutely erupted with whooping and applause as Kelly’s wedding party got a first look at her.
For her wedding day look Kelly choose a vintage-romantic mermaid cut dress with layers of lace that cascaded down to a mid-length train. Her gorgeous blonde hair was accentuated with perfectly toned extensions that added just a touch of length as her natural-look makeup was punctuated with dramatic lashes framing her expressive blue-grey eyes. To put it simply- she was a stunning goddess!
We had some fun using the morning light that fell from the windows of the suite to take a few bridal portraits and then we packed up and drove over to the famous Abernethy Center.
Tucking Kelly away as Michael pulled up and unloaded speakers, Kelly’s coordinator Kate was busy setting up the florals on the gazebo in Abigail’s Garden.
Once Michael had his boutonnière pinned on, we placed him for his and Kelly’s first look. To say he was anticipating this moment would be a massive understatement. Michael could barely contain his emotions as he heard Kelly approaching him from behind. When she tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to see her for the first time the pent-up emotions took over and as he pulled her in for an embrace tears flowed down his cheeks.
My love for this incredible couple was already overflowing, but seeing them share this private first look together, seeing Michael spin Kelly around to see every detail in her dress, seeing them laugh and hug over and over- man…. this is what I live for and there was no where else on earth I would have rather been at that moment.
Dom and I took Kelly and Michael around the stunning grounds of Abernethy’s Abagail’s Garden for their Bridal Portraits which included taking full advantage of the cathedral-length veil Kelly brought along specifically just for a few specialty veil shots.
After Bridal Portraits were wrapped up we transitioned to photographing the full wedding party and I had a blast enjoying the silliness of Kelly’s bridesmaids and bridesman who would definitely down to ham it up for the camera!
Guests began arriving so we got Kelly and Michael tucked away as the ceremony start time drew near. Before long, the wedding party were lined up and Michael and the officiant started off the processional by taking their place on the steps of the gazebo, shaded from the morning light by the stunning willow that Abernethy is so famous for.
One by one, the wedding crew approached down the aisle and took their place at the head of the ceremony space until the music changed and Kelly rounded the corner, lighting up the day with not only her beauty but also the pure radiant joy of her smile.
Arriving to Michael, they took hands and their officiant who’d known Michel for many years began their touching ceremony.
Michael and Kelly shared vows they’d written themselves that spoke to their love for one another and looked to the future they had before them.
Their ceremony was sealed with an epic kiss and their excited recessional was set to. of course, the Harry Potter theme song.
After the ceremony Kelly and Michael made things official by signing the marriage license and we took family portraits until brunch was ready and everyone made their way to the reception tent.
Kelly and Michael made their grand entrance and spun immediately into their first dance which included showing off some pretty good twirling dance moves before they took their seats at the head table and brunch was serves.
Now, I’ve been to a lot of weddings, it being my career and all, but this was the first wedding I’d been to that had brunch as the meal which was served and let me tell you…. I’m a fan! Abernethy’s amazing catering team outdid themselves with mini-quiches, enchiladas, a super tasty salmon and horseradish hash and the most aesthetic looking french toast!
After brunch, toasts were made and Kelly and guests mingled while the kids took to the dance floor and groups visited the photo booth.
The rest of the morning was spent in just the most perfect way- Kelly and Michael having the time to truly get to visit with each and every guest, while still fitting in some epic dancing before we gathered everyone for a bubble photo with THE most bubbles I’ve ever seen!
I couldn’t be happier for this amazing couple and I feel just so honored to have been such an intimate part of their amazing wedding experience.
Check out some images from Kelly and Michael’s wedding below and be sure to leave a comment of congrats for them in the section below the photos!
