Where to start with this amazing, talented and gracious couple? Well, I guess for me, it starts at Garrett’s brother’s wedding - Cole - where I first met these two!

I’d worked as a fellow counsellor with Cole and his beautiful wife Robyn for a few years when they asked me to photograph their wedding back in 2019 and I had the privilege of meeting both Stephanie and Garrett who were in the wedding party.

Garrett and Stephanie run a fantastic theater company out in Newberg, Oregon called Penguin Productions and are both incredibly talented playwrights and actors.

For their wedding, Stephanie and Garrett wanted to include the stage they built together out on Garrett’s father’s Ranch, while for their reception they chose the sweet intimate grounds of The Old Schoolhouse, nestled just a quick 5 minute drive from the ranch.

To help them with their wedding vision, Stephanie invited Nicole Herinckx from Zilla Events as their wedding coach and coordinator who executed the vision of the wedding perfectly.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Nicole and her assistant Kelin on this sunny September wedding day, and I must say, the elegant reception they helped Stephanie put together was top-notch.

Stephanie confided in me the morning of her wedding how it might have been a little nerve-wracking, leaving the entire reception styling up to someone else, without her even having the chance to walk through it for final approval before guests arrived, but with Nicole and Kelin on the team it was easy to know things were going to be perfect. And they were!

The wedding day for me started with a hug from Stephanie who was looking relaxed and joyful in the Bridal suite which had been decorated top to bottom by Garrett’s lovely mother Deb.

Lavender was the star of the day, and it was a constant presence from the bouquets, to the ties and even in Stephanie and Garrett’s engagement rings!

I took Stephanie’s veil, shoes, rings and invitations out to the porch to put together the detail shots while Stephanie’s bridesmaid and professional aesthetician whipped together Stephanie’s bridal look in no time.

Stephanie’s mom and sister helped her into her stunning dress which was a lovely A-line with lace details and a mid-length train.

Stephanie’s florals, designed by Melissa from Table Tops Etc arrived and completely stole the show with one of the largest and most impressive Bridal bouquets I’ve ever seen!

Finding Garrett, I drove him to the first look spot and then went back to transport Stephanie over to where he had been waiting. The anticipation of seeing his beloved for the first time must have been stacking up inside Garrett, and as he spun around to see her the pure joy and elation on his face was evident.

One of my absolute favorite things about this beautiful couple is how much they laugh, and during their first look as emotional as it was, their melodic laughs filled the crisp summer air as they embraced and danced together in the scant shade of the trees lining the hazelnut orchard.

After a few bridal portraits where Stephanie’s Bridal Bouquet lovingly adopted the name “Big Bertha” we headed back to the Ranch house where the rest of the wedding party was waiting.

Stephanie and Garrett had supplied their wedding party with custom sunglasses so we had a blast picking various poses to show them off.

Stephanie and Garrett’s family joined us for the last part of the pre-ceremony portraits and just as we wrapped up the portraits the horse and carriage from Gypsy Rose Carriage Stephanie had chosen as her epic entrance vehicle pulled up, attendant all dressed to the nines in a fitting top hat!

While the wedding party took a break from the sun inside I raced over to the reception space where Zilla Events was wrapping up the final touches on the tables. I quickly snapped a few photos of the stunning lavender and succulent center pieces before zooming back over to the ceremony location where guests were plucking purple shades out of a basket, the bows of which were marked with “Stephanie & Garrett 9.5.21”

As everyone took their places, the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen appeared from the sides of the stage to flank the beautiful archway dripping in Calla Lillies, succulents and Dahlias in various shades of purples.

Spencer’s niece Avery sprinkled petals down the aisle and then the soft clop-clop of horse hooves could be heard as Stephanie made her entrance in the hose-drawn carriage.

She was an absolute vision to behold as she stepped down from the carriage and her father took her arm, her heirloom veil fluttering back in a slight breeze as she made her way toward her future husband.

Their ceremony was simple and sweet and included an exchange of personal vows that left everyone a little teary. Their first kiss was fit for a Hollywood Romance and as they exited, their stunning smiles were accompanied by their ever-present joyful laughter.

Transitioning over to The Old Schoolhouse, the marriage license was signed while Pearl Catering brought delicious looking appetizers around and guests lined up at the bar to try Stephanie’s signature lavender gin drink.

A few more family portraits were snapped and then an elegant and delicious dinner was served while Stephanie and Garrett circulated among family and friends giving and receiving hugs and congratulations.

Toward the end of dinner, champaign filled everyone’s glasses and some touching (and hilarious!) toasts were made.

The Mobile Scoop Shop pulled up and after Stephanie and Garrett cut their stunning cake designed by Custom Cakes NW, guests lined up for delicious flavors of ice cream.

I snuck off to a nearby field I’d scouted for sunset portraits for a final round of beautiful images celebrating this epic wedding day and when we returned Stephanie and Garrett shared their first dance amid the approaching twilight.

Stephanie also enjoyed a sweet dance with her dad and Garrett and his mom twirled and boogied under the orange glow of the string lights above the dance floor.

As the night settled in and the last glow of the sunset passed, guests joined Garrett and his mom on the dance floor and I bid my farewell.

It was such a beautiful wedding day and I feel so lucky to have been asked to be a part of it!

Take a look at the joyful images below and be sure to leave Stephanie and Garrett a comment of congrats in the comments section below!

Love Stephanie’s Wedding? Connect with her Wedding Vendors here:

Wedding Planning by Nicole with Zilla Events

Ceremony Venue: Penguin Productions/5Gs Ranch

Horse and Carriage: Gypsy Rose

Reception Location: The Old School House

Florals by Melissa with Table Tops Etc.

Catering from Pearl Catering

Cake Design by Custom Cakes NW

Ice Cream Wagon by The Mobile Scoop