Maddy + Colby | La Grande, Oregon, Outdoor Wedding

Maddy and Colby’s Day

It was truly an extraordinary and surreal experience to be a part of Maddy and Colby’s big day. The whole day revolved around the deep love that Colby and Maddy had for each other. And the genuine support and admiration of their friends were obvious from the start.  

As a professional photographer, I've stepped foot in a wide variety of ceremonies, receptions, and gatherings. But few compare to the personal and beautiful sights I witnessed at this wedding. As I'm in the habit of sharing standout experiences with you, my readers, I decided to let you in on a glimpse of how this awesome day went.

The Day Begins

I was really looking forward to Maddy and Colby's first look shoot because it had been some time since I had done first shoots in beautiful natural settings. The harsh natural light during the day can sometimes be hard to negotiate. But with a bride and groom as attractive as these two, I wasn't really worried, to be honest.

So, I headed off for the venue first and met with Hannah (the incredibly talented makeup artist). We grabbed some water, and I used the time to get some clean shots of the venue.

Once done, I headed off with the groom and his posse.

The Man of the Hour

So, I got into the car with Colby and his groomsman, Michael. Both men cut a dash with their snazzy ties and dashing suits. I was already sweating profusely thanks to the hot weather, but Colby seemed to have it all together (props to the man for keeping his cool the whole day!). We reached the first look location and started prepping.

The location was amazing, to say the least. With the serene lake in the background, prime trees in sight, and lush greenery all around, it was quite the sight!

Colby showed me the custom watches he had made for the groomsmen (and himself). The classy Fossil time-pieces in elegant black straps made me wish I was one of the groomsmen. It was only later on in the day that I found out they had matching socks and shoes too! I'm not big on personal fashion, but I have to admit that the brown brogues certainly made the men more dashing.  I felt like a shabby and emasculated character standing next to these guys.

With the groom himself dapper and ready, we waited for the bride while I reviewed the area for additional angles and possible shots.

The bride and the first-look

After a while, one of the bridesmaids motioned to us, saying the bride was here and ready. The moment had arrived!        

We got the groom into position, making him look the other way. All of us tried our bit to put in a word of encouragement. But in hindsight, these words were probably for ourselves because Colby didn’t look like he needed them. He had a wide smile that screamed confidence. The man was ready.

I stood in facing Colby so I could capture both their faces as the moment began. Soon enough, Maddy appeared. Dressed in glorious white and with graceful elegance in her steps, she made a beautiful bride. Colby stood firmly with his hands clasped in front of him. These shots are some of my favorite. And not because of lighting and angles, but because of the genuine love captured in those moments.

Maddy reaches her groom and gently tapped him on the shoulder. As Colby turned around, you could clearly see the awe and excitement in his eyes. They hug in a gentle embrace and kiss.

We were all reminded why first looks are so precious.

The shoots

We immediately began taking the couple’s photos. We started with a few shots on the pier with the lake as the backdrop. With the overhead sun, the bride and groom were both glowing in each shot. Maddy’s sunny bouquet added life and color to the frames.

If there's one thing that stood out here, it was the chemistry between these two souls. They stood together so naturally and beautifully that the only thing I had to do was ensure that the camera clicked. Choreographed poses are for ad shoots and actors. When it's true love, the body language, the postures, and regard for each other come naturally. And it was a true privilege once again to witness this exchange between two beautiful and gracious souls.

We got shots of them doing dips, lifts, and gazes into each other’s eyes. It felt like even the green landscape around them conspired to make them look their best.  

We covered the group shoots, too, since all the groomsmen, bridesmaids, and families were also already at the location. So, we got shots of the bride and groom along with their parents. And we had a lot of fun doing the groomsmen shots and the bridesmaids' pictures too. The bridesmaids' favorite shot turned out to be one where Maddy had her hand out with all of the bridesmaids reacting to it.

Heading Back

Once the group shots were done, we made our way back to the venue.

The cozy venue greeted its visitors with a board rocking a fun welcome message and the WiFi password. It was the bride’s mother’s house. And they turned out to be some of the friendliest and funniest people around. It wasn’t surprising given how charming and endearing Maddy is as a person.

I let my other photographer get closer and more detailed shots of the venue. And I accompanied Colby and Maddy to the certificate signing. We got a few shots of the couple and the witnesses signing the marriage certificate. I was reminded of how a simple document can be a symbol of how precious a new union like this is.

The Ceremony

The ceremony sight was the 'you-had-to-be-there kind of location. As futile as it may be to try and describe it, let me try.

The location was a fresh and wooded area about half a mile from the previous venue. Not so densely filled with trees nor sparsely filled with grass. As you approached the wooded area, you could see photos tracing Colby and Maddy’s journey so far. It started with pictures of them when they first met. And the pictures progressed to the present day. In between, there were touching quotes carved or written on planks and blocks of wood.

The ceremony spot was a more open area with tree stumps and log planks for seats. And a log beautifully tied across two trees added the finishing touches of the site. All in all, it was indeed a beautiful area that combined both rustic and romantic elements perfectly.

As friends and family slowly trickled in, the place became even more lively. I tried to capture some honest and candid pictures of attendees entering, greeting and interacting. Soon enough, the groom, his groomsmen all took their place. Then, after the bridesmaids made their way to their spots, Maddy came down the rustic aisle for her bridal march. With the vows and exchanges that followed, it was a meaningful time for all who witnessed.

The Reception

After the solemn ceremony, we made our way to the reception - a cozy but spacious wooden cabin (or estate, depending on whom you ask). The place was as comfortable as it was gorgeous. The food was among the best I've had at any wedding.

Strutting around with a camera and gear can wear you down as the day progresses. So, I went straight for the burgers and sausages. I assumed I’d need some calories to keep up shoots during the dancing later in the evening. Jokes aside, the family gave me enough time to take a break and have my fill.

As the food and beverages flowed, so did the emotions and sentiments. Speeches were given, and tears were shed. It was undoubtedly a gathering of the most important people in Colby and Maddy’s lives. And it was obvious from the wholesome vibe you got from everyone, young and old.

Loosening the ties and letting the hairs down

Some of the most vivid and fun photos we got this day was when everyone started loosening up. With fun and quirky games for everyone, the cozy place was filled with both laughter and playfulness. It’s a unique dynamic you see in gatherings of people who completely trust each other.

I personally had a good laugh when the bride and groom both took turns raising their partner's shoes in the shoe game. And as the dancing began, the evening simply got better. The moving father-daughter dance, handstands by the groomsmen, and slow dancing by the new Mr. and Mrs., it was all there!

As sunset moved to dusk and dusk to nightfall, the party made their way to the gates. Colby and Maddy got a touching send-off surrounded by people they care about the most.

I almost fear that I got lost in the moment on several occasions during the day. Looking back on the photos, I feel honored to have played a small part on their biggest day. And it’s all thanks to these two beautiful souls, Colby and Maddy – truly a match made for a lifetime.