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Lauren and Eli’s urban wedding at The West End Ballroom was one emotional day that I’ll love forever.

I started my part of this incredible day by arriving at the beautiful SW Hyatt which carries that Portland Urban vibe through its modern architecture and funky furnishings. When I arrived, Lauren’s energetic hair and makeup team from Luxe Artistry were just setting up and getting to work. I stole into the secluded bedroom to photograph all the amazing details Lauren had put together which included embroidered PJs for all her wedding crew and custom socks. Lauren’s dress hung on the wall and I had so much fun photographing its voluminous layers and soft lace top.

Lauren’s jewelry included an heirloom ring and perfectly matching pendant and earrings. She also had a lovely charm with photographs of her late grandparents on it to honor their impact on her life.

Once the final touches to Lauren’s Hair and Makeup were in place, I gathered the bridesmaids for a fun PJ photo before Lauren slipped into her gorgeous dress assisted by her maid of honor.

Seeing Lauren in her full wedding look I was literally speechless! She looks truly perfect, with a soft updo with the perfect amount of texture and glamorous makeup that was equally as romantic, once she was in her stunning wedding dress the whole look was nothing short of stunning.

After snapping a few portraits of just Lauren, we gathered the bridesmaids just outside the door and as the door opened I snapped away documenting the cries of delight and excitement that met Lauren as her bridesmaids got to see her for the first time.

After this, I hopped down to the lobby to meet up with Lauren’s step-father who I placed just outside the hotel, awaiting his own first look with his daughter. Lauren came down and tapped him on the shoulder, inviting him to turn to see her for the first time. His face absolutely lit up and he even gave her a little twirl as they practiced a portion of their first dance while enjoying this private moment together.

Next on the list was Lauren’s first look with her father and brother which we’d planned to be over at The West End ballroom, but circumstance had it that just after Lauren’s Step Father made his was back into the hotel, Lauren’s father came walking down the sidewalk toward us! Although this was an unplanned, unscrupted first look, it actually made this moment all the more impactful for Lauren’s dad who fell into tears at the sight of her. Later during the reception I got a chance to chat with him a bit privately and he admitted that he’s not normally an emotional person and just seeing her unexpectedly like that, outside the in stunning morning light, lit up in all her beauty on this her wedding day, was just overwhelming to him. His tears flowed in this truly candid moment and he said he wouldn’t have wanted it to have been any other way.

Lauren’s brother was also literally speechless at seeing Lauren all dolled-up and she and he joked that the way she looked now was night and day between how he normally sees her in her usual comfy sweat-pant casual self. it was clear however, that he couldn’t get enough of seeing her in her wedding day look as from this point on he was never far from her side.

After this impromptu first look, we tucked Lauren into my jeep and we headed over to The West End. Lauren and Eli’s sweet mother shared another impromptu first look, which also produced tears of joy.

Lauren safely secluded herself into the bridal suite as I transitioned over to Eli’s room where his crew were readying themselves with tying ties and locating jackets. Eli shared a shot in custom Oregon/Sasquatch shot glasses and then I stole Eli away to a private room in the upstairs of the West End Ballroom, placing him for the final and most intense First Look of the day.

Gathering Lauren, we went upstairs to where Eli was waiting and you could feel the pent up anticipation. Fluffing Lauren’s dress, I placed myself as she walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, inviting him to turn. As he did so, joy and intense emotion lit across his face in an instant as he saw his beautiful bride. Eli’s eyes teared up and he quickly pulled Lauren to him as he transitioned from tearful joy to outright beaming laughter as the two of them shared this intimate moment together.

We stole 30 minutes to walk around outside for bridal portraits and I praised Lauren on her choice of comfy, bedazzled sneakers for her wedding day shoes that made trekking around to find the best light much simpler than if she had been sporting stilettos.

After Bridal Portraits we collected the wedding party and made our way to the nearby iconic Downtown library where the autumn leaves gave the wedding party portraits a fun fall flare.

Just as guests began arriving, we stole upstairs for family portraits, keeping Lauren tucked away as the ceremony space quickly filled with friends and family.

Lit with only low chandelier and candle light, Eli and the ceremony officiant made their way down the aisle signaling the start of this long-awaited day. The wedding party made their entrance, each of them smiling with the joy of the moment, and the flower girl and ring bearer produced plenty of cuteness as they made the final procession before Lauren entered.

As Lauren came down the aisle you could see the emotion once again fill Eli’s face and as she took his hand to stand up with him even their officiant began to get choked up as he began the ceremony.

Lauren and Eli shared vows they’s written for each other and shared a first kiss to seal the deal before they made their exit and celebrated with the wedding party as guests moved upstairs for the cocktail hour.

Having been such a restricted year, Lauren and Eli had planned their wedding day to have no delay in getting to join their guests, so with all our portraits completed pre-ceremony after a brief rest in the bridal suite they made their way upstairs and began mingling and receiving hearty congratulations for all their friends and family.

As cocktail hour drew to a close and everyone was ushered into the reception hall, Lauren and Eli made a grand entrance and were followed by their wedding crew who had each planned a sassy and entertaining entrance of their own.

A delicious dinner was served by Pearl Catering and followed by toasts and Lauren and Eli playing a hilarious Shoe Game.

Next up was the formal dances where Lauren and Eli twirled about on the dance floor, followed by a sweet dance between Eli and his mom and Lauren and her dads.

I snuck outside for one final portrait of Lauren and Eli in the back ally of The West End Ballroom before getting back to the festivities at the rave of a dance party that was erupting on the ballroom floor. Complete with glowsticks, Lauren and Eli’s wedding crew were tearing it up enjoying the epic mixes put on by their DJ.

Things were put on pause while Lauren and Eli cut their stunning cake which had been custom made for them by a dear friend, and then Lauren tossed her bouquet to a crowd of very eager ladies, two of whom ended up on the floor out of sheer dedication to catching it!

As the night drew to a close, the guests lines up outside for one last “Grand Exit” photo where a line of glow-sticks created a tunnel of color for Eli and Lauren to escape between, laughing and striking poses for me to capture.

It was an amazing evening to celebrate these two incredible people and I couldn’t be more pleased that I was a part of this epic wedding journey.

Check out some images from Lauren and Eli’s wedding below and be sure to leave a comment of congrats for them in the section below the photos!