Portland and Seattle Luxury, High-End Wedding Photography

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Zina + Mike

A Summer Wedding at The Troutdale House by the Sandy River


Ready for a wedding that is just non-stop filled with joy!? I can think of no other way to describe the incredible celebration Zina and Mike put on for their friends and family at The Troutdale House by the Sandy River.

For their wedding palette, Zina dressed her lovely bridesmaids in silky gold and accented their look with giant bouquets of green, peach and mauve made by Beaumont Florist. Mike was dressed in all black, a choice he told me while laughing, that he had to convince Zina to be okay with but which in my opinion looked quite handsome! Mike’s groomsmen sported classic tuxes and bow ties and were an absolute ball to work with for their portraits.

Moments that stole the show include Zina’s sweet grandmother who helped Zina into her dress and burst into tears upon seeing Zina all dressed up. Zina also shared a first look with her bridesmaids who absolutely lost it when seeing what a goddess she was in her strapless wedding dress adorned with a mid-length train, and a voluminous skirt adorned with lace details. Zina’s bridal look was perfected by the addition of a mid-length veil, delicate earrings, a bejeweled headpiece, and a heart necklace from her Grandmother.

When Zina’s grandfather saw her for the first time it was waterworks all over again as he took her hands and told her just how beautiful she looked.

Zina’s father also came upstairs before the ceremony to share in a first look (and first shot!) moment with his daughter that was filled with an epic reaction of amazement and lots of laughter from the bride.

Zina and Mike chose to wait to see each other until the moment Zina emerged from the doors of the Troutdale house to walk down the aisle adorned with rose petals under the canopy of wisteria that shades the ceremony space at Troutdale House. Mike couldn’t hold in his own emotion at seeing his beautiful bride walk toward him, and by the time they took each other’s hands it was tears all around!

Zina and Mike chose to acknowledge both their families who have been an integral part of their lives and supporting their relationship together in addition to voicing private vows to each other they had written in customized vow books.

After sealing the ceremony with a first kiss (and then another, and then another!) Zina and Mike cheered as they recessed down the aisle and guests launched rose petals into the air in celebration of the newlyweds.

While we finished up portraits, guests were ushered inside for an incredible array of delicious food options from Baker’s Dozen Catering and Cakes who set up a BBQ station with various sauce options for wings, several charcuterie plates and a gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup station in honor of Mike’s go-to dinner when Zina isn’t feeling well and needs some extra care and love.

Zina and Mike’s official reception was kicked off with an epic grand entrance, welcome speeches from the couple, and some of the sweetest and most emotional toasts I’ve ever seen. Mike’s stepfather stole the show and brought literally everyone to tears with his toast that began by playing “My Boy” by Elvie Shane while Mike and he embraced.

After sharing first dances and cutting their cake, I stole Zina and Mike to whisk them off to the banks of the nearby Sandy River for some golden-hour portraits and they were both incredibly good sports about getting a little sandy on the walk from the parking area to the river.

After returning, it was go-time for an epic dance party and DJ Mighty Moves kept everyone on their feet and on the floor until the grand exit where guests showered Zina and Mike in streamers as they ran off to their honeymoon.

The day was a joy-filled day in every way and I’m excited to include this selection of images from Zina and Mike’s stunning wedding day below!