by Emily Wenzel | Dec 31, 2018 | Photography
This beautiful wedding has been next in my editing queue for quite a while. It was equal parts being busy and being tempted to share basically every single photo I delivered to Heather + Craig last fall! This wedding, these people, were so sweet and kind, and I went home with a sore face from smiling the whole time I was there.
This wedding was more about the people than the details, and the couple stressed to me that they wanted photos of their guests having a blast and some awesome portraits for themselves. They made my job super easy too, because Heather and Craig were married on her parents’ property on a mountain just outside of Winthrop. The ceremony was followed by a mountaintop toast, a musical processional down the mountain, and a reception at Cub Creek Ranch. Not only were these two some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, they planned all of this wedding long distance and it was the most magical kind of day. Their vows had everyone in tears, the toasts gave us all belly laughs, and when you see all the processional photos down the mountain, you can see that nearly every guest traipsed down the mountain in the wedding finery while dancing and singing. This was the first wedding where I’ve worn my actual running shoes (which were covered in dust by the time we got down the mountain) and the first time I’ve hiked down a mountain with all my gear.
During the reception, we did sneak back up to their parents’ property for a few more portraits and some quiet time for them. Which included lots of snuggling, a decision to climb a huge rock in a wedding dress (they are both climbers), and the most beautiful light. Stew Dietz Catering, as usually, was on hand to make this one of the smoothest wedding days of my year. Not only does Stew make amazing food – with no kitchen! – she and her team keep the day running smoothly. They handled cocktails on top of a mountain and the dreamiest crab cakes that I am still drooling over more than a year later. At the end of the night, the coats came off, the dancing started, and the guests all had pie and coffee under the twinkling lights while a local band played music.
Heather + Craig, thank you for including me in your wedding day. Your beautiful hearts make my job so easy.
by Emily Wenzel | Jun 15, 2017 | Photography
Last year, I got an email from Leslie along the lines of this: We’re flying up to the Gorge for the Dave Matthew’s concert, and we want to elope. We live in Florida, and we don’t know much about the area, but we want beautiful photos.Â
You know how much I love the Gorge, and I was thrilled to photograph Leslie & Drew’s elopement at Cave B Winery and Inn. They camped at the concert, and walked over to the winery to elope. We spent an hour taking photos all over the grounds, drinking a couple glasses of wine (them, not me. I’m going to have to stop by there for a glass now that I’m not pregnant!) and admiring the views. As the sun started to set, they got married under the grapes at the Piazza, and we took a few more golden hour photos before they went back to the Gorge for a concert.
Boom. Elopements are the best, I want more of them in my life.
Special shout out to Esther at Special Touch Florist, here in Spokane. She and Leslie coordinated on the flowers, and then I brought them with me to the elopement! 🙂
by Emily Wenzel | Oct 4, 2016 | Photography
My friend Daniel was in town for a hot second (aka: not nearly long enough for us to catch up) earlier this year, and he asked me if I’d snap a few photos of his tattoo. Uh, yeah! Dan’s tattoo, which reads “make your own luck”, is hand drawn by the talented Mara over at Neither Snow. Her calligraphy is gorgeous, and you should check it out now!
While Dan and I grabbed these photos in about 15 minutes right before he left town, a mini session would be a great way to get photos of your tattoo – and a couple head shots to boot – this fall. You can find more info about my current sessions right here.
by Emily Wenzel | Jan 19, 2016 | Photography
Oh, 2015. You were a crazy, roller coaster of a year. I spent most of the summer in fear that a couple would call me, saying that their venue was destroyed by the forest fires. But luckily, that never happened! Luckily, we had amazing weather for almost every wedding, and 2015 was a great year. I got to photograph families and babies and seniors and couples in 2015. I got to share in so many milestone moments with people, that narrowing down this post to only those photos that I felt like challenged me, and captured those precious moments I love so much.
I started out with so many images in this post, and tried to edit it down so that it was a little bit more cohesive. But, let’s be honest, it’s still long! Thank you to all my clients, who trusted me to capture your memories in 2015.
by Emily Wenzel | Jul 21, 2015 | Photography
Originally, we’d planned to do Veronica & Tom’s engagement session up at Mt. Spokane, but when the weather was looking a little hit-or-miss, we decided to stick closer to home and shoot on the South Hill instead. And I have to say, it was fun to shoot so close to home! Veronica & Tom live near Manito Park too, so we were able to visit a few of their favorite spaces in the park, before wandering over to the Scoop for some ice cream and then off to find some beautiful light (and a hiking path!) on the South Hill.
Basically, the truth is that the photos are about you, not the location. And while it’s awesome to have your photos taken in a great location, it’s even better to have them taken in a place that means something to you. That can be in your neighborhood park or even your home. I love brainstorming spots that will not only be beautiful locations, but also have meaning to my couples.
Veronica & Tom, I can’t wait for your wedding next month!
by Emily Wenzel | May 28, 2015 | Photography
I’m working hard to catch up on blogging! My wedding season starts this weekend, and I’m so excited for every wedding I’ve got this year. Back in April, I went over to Seattle to shoot Natalie & Sam’s engagement session. Like I said in their preview post, the weather was a little crazy. But April in Seattle is like that, and I think it’s great. Less than two months later, I’m looking at 80 degrees today in Spokane, and I’m wondering what 45 and rainy feels like. 🙂
What I loved most about this shoot was that both the places we went – Discovery Park and Ballard – are special to Natalie and Sam. Having an engagement session gives you an idea of what it feels like to be in front of the camera, but it also gives you a chance to have some photos in places that are meaningful to you.
