Oh my goodness, these two! So much love for Steph and Rob!

Stephanie and I initially connected over our shared love for adventures, the outdoors, and rock climbing. She and Robert are avid outdoor enthusiasts and were eager to find a photographer who not only made them feel comfortable, but who also understood the heart of an adventurer.

As their chosen wedding date drew nearer and nearer and the restrictions on gatherings were staying in place, Stephanie and Rob made the difficult but necessary decision to change their plans for 2020 to a small, intimate elopement and save the big shindig for 2021.

Getting to help my couples with last minute changes like this gives me a sense of being able to provide some much needed succor during these crazy days, so when Stephanie was looking for a location to elope that would be easy to get to, close to Portland, allow for a social-distanced, catered lunch and be fairly private, I immediately thought of Sauvie Island. Although Sauvie can get crazy busy with tourists in the fall, in the heart of the summer there are many little spots which provide a more intimate, tourist-free space that I knew would tick all the boxes for Steph and Rob’s ideal elopement location.

I met up with Stephanie at A-List Salon in NW Portland and as the final touches of hair and makeup were completed I got to chat with her sister who had flown in from New York to be a part of this special moment in Stephanie’s life. Stephanie donned her simple yet perfect linen wedding dress at the salon and the three of us hopped in my Jeep headed for Sauvie.

Rob and Stephanie shared a sweet first look and we got to stroll around the green lawns and enjoy the stoop of a gorgeous old farm house for some silly moments of laughter while celebrating their love.

Their ceremony was set beneath a lovely wooden arbor which borders a quaint apple orchard whose green apples were peeking out among the branches. Stephanie and Rob’s friend officiated as Rob’s brother and Stephanie’s sister stood alongside them for their vows. As they exchanged beautiful sentiments and intimate promises, three hawks circled above to bless the day and their union.

A phone connected friends and family the world over to this gorgeous ceremony in the orchard and after the rings were exchanged, Rob and Stephanie immediately rushed over to say hello to all those who were there in spirit and connected with technology.

After the hellos and congratulations concluded, Stephanie showed me a gorgeous old Polaroid camera that she had picked up at a thrift store years ago. Since Polaroid stopped making film, the film rolls have gotten increasingly expensive and Stephanie had just three frames left which she had been saving for this landmark day. She showed me how to use it and we took three images, one of everyone present at the celebration, one of She, Rob and their siblings, and one last image of her and Rob embracing beneath a single Oak Tree in the middle of a field. I have to be honest and say that as I clicked the shutter of that last frame, I felt a little choked up and my history with film and background in film photography came flooding back to me. There is just something truly beautiful about film, so who knows, I might be looking to incorporate that somehow in my future endeavors! :)

Following the portraits, a delicious catered lunch was served on pick-nick tables. A friendly pooch from one of the surrounding farms even came to say hi as Steph, Rob and their friends enjoyed the warm sunny day.

I’m so happy for these two and feel so blessed to have been a part of this beautiful and moving ceremony. I can’t wait for the big celebration they will be hosting next year and am also looking forward to maybe even a trip to Smith Rock to do some rock climbing together later this summer! Drop these guys some love in the comments below!