Emily + Brian
An intimate Coastal Elopement in Anacortes, WA
Say what you will about 2020, I’ve begun to fully embrace all the changes it has brought in this wedding season and I have a confession to make…. there is something to fall in love with in regards to all these intimate, elopement style weddings!
Dom and I first met Brian and Emily when they drove down to Mount Hood from their home in Anacortes to do an adventure engagement session in the snow. It was a freezing day and my original plan of doing a sunrise shoot on the North East Face was quickly demolished when on the morning of the shoot the wind was howling and the fog was fully set in. Luckily, Brian and Emily are the most laid-back couple, so they didn’t mind as we pulled off the road to snap a few photos while Dom searched out a plan B location. Our shoot was so much fun despite the frigid temperatures! Brian and Emily even brought along their pup Henry for the ride and I totally fell in love with him!
We spent about an hour chatting and warming up with some coffee between locations and by the time the shoot was over, it felt like we were just hanging out with friends!
Brian and Emily had a gorgeous wedding planned for this November at Edgefield as they are BIG McMenamins fans and taught Dom and I all about the passport stystem that they have fully utilized to visit McMenamins all over! Alas… with the COVID restrictions lasting way further into the summer than anticipated a new wedding plan was formed and Brian and Emily began to plan an intimate ceremony on the beach near their house.
When Emily asked me to come up to photograph them I couldn’t have said yes fast enough. Last year I had the pleasure of photographing a good friend of mine who got married in the San Juans and I absolutely fell in love with that area! I was thus so excited to be able to come up and document Brian and Emily’s gorgeous ceremony.
The date was set for August 14th, exactly three years after Brian and Emily’s first date and as Dom and I drove up I-5, I could feel the excitement and antifcipation growing at the thought of getting to spend another day with these two wonderful people.
We arrived at their gorgeous home which is literally 5 minutes from the beach and were welcomed by Henry and Brian. Emily was at The Majestic Hotel in down town Anacortes getting the finishing touches put on her hair and makeup. Brian oriented us to the house as they would be hosting a mini-reception here post ceremony. Brian is an absolute plant master and all around their home is potted plants which are thriving, giving their home the feel of being a greenhouse; a perfect compliment to their nestled-in-nature location.
Dom stayed behind with Brian and Henry as I jetted off to the Majestic and Emily. Pulling into the parking lot I was greeted from the hotel balcony and led inside where I got to see Emily’s stunning vintage-style gown with lace-embellished sleeves. Her hair was done half-way in a french braid and was pinned back with a bejeweled pin and set with a tiny crystal blue butterfly accent. She was 100% radiant and as I snapped a few photos of her by the window I knew Brian would have his socks blown off! (On a side note, check out Brian’s sock choice below, so great!)
Emily and I drove over to Similk Beach where Brian and Dom were waiting in anticipation of their first look. As Emily walked up to Brian a HUGE smile broke over both of their faces and as Brian turned to see his gorgeous bride emotion overwhelmed both of them in fits of laughter, tears and hugs.
We spent about forty-five glorious minutes playing in the setting sun doing bridal portraits as guests congregated at their house. Just before the ceremony, Emily went to a neighbor’s to freshen up while close friends filtered down to the beach and found seats among the driftwood.
A last-minute run up to the house for Emily’s wedding band delayed the ceremony by just 5 minutes and then Emily began her walk to the waterside to join her soon-to-be husband.
Their ceremony was so touching, filled with personal history and a few jokes by their good friend who officiated. There wasn't a dry eye on the beach as Brian and Emily exchanged personally written vows and as they shared a passionate kiss to seal the deal, the joy was absolutely palpable!
Henry rushed over to congratulate them on making their union official and hugs were had all around. The guests walked back up to the house to lay out the food and cake while Dom, Emily, Brian and I spent the last minutes of the setting sun in celebration of what had just occurred. Brian deserves an award for the timeline he wrote as it included not just and hour of portrait time pre-cermemony, but another 45 minutes to do sunset photos post-ceremony, so sorry-not-sorry for the overload of stunning bridal portraits below! haha! ;)
After we finished up at the beach we drove up to the house and Brian and Emily were welcomed among shouts of approval from their guests. The marriage license was signed and a mustache was added to their cake topper to make it 100% accurate and guests enjoyed the smorgasbord of delicious food laid out as the music played. Brian and Emily shared a first dance together and the neon “Present” sign shone through the windows, reminding all of us to soak it all in!
We had some fun taking silly photos with the DIY photo booth set up Brian and Emily had made, and guests admired the hand-potted plants and hand-made ceramic coasters Brian had put together as gifts.
It was an absolutely magical evening and I feel so honored that Brian and Emily welcomed Dom and I there to document it. I hope these photos below help to commemorate the love that was shared between these two gorgeous people. Emily and Brian, here’s to you!!!
Love,
Kate
