Sara Gray Photography Portland, Oregon

Katy and Justin couldn’t have timed it better — just as their ceremony ended, it started to sprinkle, and then when it really started to rain (which is good luck on a wedding day!) everyone moved inside the tent, which Justin had spent hours decorating with tons of lights, chandeliers and floral arrangements.

Their amazing four-tier cake came from Beaverton Bakery — it was one of the biggest wedding cakes I’ve seen!

Going for the garter…

These little flower girls were so much fun — they danced and danced all night.

Then this happened: a totally spontaneous “Billie Jean” dance-0ff between these two guys. It was pretty funny.

This last one is my favorite from the whole wedding — I love the light, the mood and the feeling. These two are so in love.

Katy and Justin, it was amazing to be there for your wedding with all your family and friends. Thanks for making me “one of the family,” and I wish you guys a long and happy marriage!

Katy and Justin worked on the golf course property for months getting it ready for their wedding day, and then brought in all kinds of red, black and white accessories to turn it into just what they wanted.

I loved these cool little aisle decorations with the vases and red flowers.

Katy’s walk down the aisle was pretty amazing — first, her horse-drawn carriage and then her walk down the rest of the aisle with her dad. She was so happy to see Justin at the end of that aisle!

Finally Mr. and Mrs.!

On Monday, I’ll be sharing a few more from Katy & Justin’s wedding, including lots of reception photos. Come back to check it out then!

I love summertime and wedding season — I’m in the thick of it right now, but finally able to start sharing some of the amazing weddings I’ve been a part of this summer. One of those amazing weddings was Katy & Justin’s. Held at Justin’s parents’ golf course in Tillamook, Ore., it was totally perfect for them — friends, family and all the details they dreamed about, from lots of deep gorgeous red flowers to a horse-drawn carriage to bring Katy to the aisle. It was one of the most breathtaking entrances I’ve ever seen.

Katy had a big wedding party — lots of bridesmaids around to help her and hang out. She even had three little bridesmaids, who walked in with a couple of little dogs. It was so cute!

This kiss was right after Justin saw Katy for the first time.

Check out this wedding party!

Come back Friday to see more from Katy and Justin’s wedding!

About a month ago, I had the total privilege of second shooting a wedding with my dear friend Melissa Tomeoni of Soul Mates Photo. We got to spend the day with Stephanie and Thomas at the Oregon Golf Club, and it was such a lovely day and a lovely couple surrounded by their friends and family, who were all so thrilled for them.

Stephanie was a calm, graceful bride — I love that!

And Thomas, ever the dapper groom, was totally stunned once he saw Stephanie all dressed up like a bride. I think it took everyone’s breath away, actually.

These guys were so great together, clearly so thrilled to be married and to have all their friends and family together to celebrate with them.

Melissa, thanks again for the opportunity to shoot with you! And to you, Stephanie and Thomas, congratulations!

After the amazing wedding they had at Zenith Vineyard, Melissa and Andrew took a very quiet and relaxed honeymoon on the beach — at the Stephanie Inn at Cannon Beach. As medical students, they don’t get a whole lot of extra sleep, so they were taking full advantage of the ability to sleep in and walk along the sunny summer beach. I met up with them a couple of days after the wedding for a honeymoon session.

Honeymoon sessions are so much fun. I catch up with couples on their honeymoon, and the images are always so relaxed. I love the vibe on a honeymoon — one of pure happiness and laid-back attitudes. I’d love to do more of these sessions!

Melissa and Andrew were so sweet this day — people were congratulating them along the beach as if it was their actual wedding day (since they were dressed up). It was really cute.

Congratulations again, Melissa and Andrew! I had the best time photographing your wedding and I’m so happy for you both as you start your new lives together!

A few times in recent months, I’ve driven through St. Johns, in North Portland, and thought, “I have to shoot a session here.” They’ve got beautiful Cathedral Park with the gorgeous bridge plus a cute little main street that looked so quaint. So when Julia and Ryan and I were coming up with a location for their engagement shoot, we decided to go for it. It was totally worth it — beautiful sunset light and lots of cute spots.

See now why they call it Cathedral Park? I love the St. Johns Bridge!

Julia made my day after this session by telling me that, “We have been so overwhelmed with to-dos and details, it was actually a really good reality check for me for what’s really going on here – we’re in love and getting married!”

Julia and Ryan laughed the whole time. Every time she looked at Ryan, she would start to giggle. I love that about them.

Here below, St. Johns’ cute little main street. I love the old-school signs and tree-lined street.

Julia didn’t want any kissing photos, but I egged Ryan on a little at the end of the session — just one? Just one.

Congrats, Julia and Ryan! You are such a wonderfully well-matched couple and shooting this session made my whole week.

I love my couples. I feel like the luckiest photographer in the world because I get to work with such amazing people all the time. One of those amazing couples is Kim and Patrick. They are amazing. They’re getting married in September, and when I asked what they like to do together, they only had one answer: golf.

So we met up at their golf course in Canby, where Patrick used to work and has played many, many hours. It was so fun to see them on the course, knowing that they spend so much time together out there.

Not only are Kim & Patrick warm and kind people, they’re seriously funny. And a little bit goofy. That might be my favorite combo.

Check out Patrick’s skills! He can actually bounce a golf ball on a club. I have no such golf skills.

Talk about made for each other: these two seem so happy and at ease when they’re together.

Congratulations, Kim and Patrick! I cannot wait for your September wedding!

Hey blog readers!

I’m a wedding photographer, of course, but in my other time I like to do what I call “contemporary business portraits.” They’re a load of fun, they’re easy (for all of you who aren’t fans of being photographed, I’m serious about that one) and TODAY ONLY, they’re cheap.

Like, 73% off cheap.

Click here to go to today’s LivingSocial deal in Portland, where you can get a business portrait session with me for only $55. Can’t wait to see you!

The beginning of Melissa and Andrew’s ceremony was a great moment. She was nervous to walk down the aisle, but as soon as she saw him, it was all OK. He even made her laugh while they stood up at the altar. And as soon as they were pronounced husband and wife, all that anxiety melted away and there was nothing but love for the rest of the day.

Melissa and Andrew are high-school sweethearts (which is actually when I met them) and they’re the best match because they complement each other: Andrew is funny and charming, and Melissa is introspective and thoughtful. I loved what Melissa’s sister Stephanie said during her toast: “Andrew, make Melissa take risks. Melissa, make Andrew slow down and appreciate the quiet moments.”

I had so much fun photographing this wedding. Thank you so much, Melissa and Andrew, for being a dream to work with and for being such loving people. You inspired me, and I wish you years of happiness together!

I’d also like to thank Maalaea of I and M Photo for assisting me on this wedding and helping me to document Melissa and Andrew’s wedding weekend.

One of the things I love about Melissa and Andrew is their sincerity. They’re both really smart and talented people, but more importantly, they’re genuinely wonderful people. One way you can tell they’re so wonderful is because their wedding party was amazing.

These girls were all so nice. They all knew exactly what Melissa needed from her friends (and sister) that day, and they rallied around her so that she would be comfortable and taken care of.

Andrew’s groomsmen (and groomswoman) were the same way — true friends.

On Friday, even more photos from Andrew and Melissa’s celebration.