Washington & Columbia River Gorge Elopement / Adventure Elopement Photographer & Videographer
“RACHEL IN WONDERLAND”
Rachel & Andrew’s PNW Backyard Elopement Film
a PNW Backyard Elopement
Oregon Elopement Videographer & Photographer
As was the case for most 2020 weddings, Rachel & Andrew’s plans started as a big ol’ wedding that they will eventually still celebrate in that big way, but the way it happened in the end felt SO RIGHT. It was a beautiful August day in Washington, the sun was shinning bright as Andrew’s father picked fresh green beans from their back yard garden for their special dinner. They held their ceremony in the midst of tall pines adorned with framed photos of all their family who couldn’t be physically present. These same pine trees that hosted many bonfires and s’mores nights for Andrew’s family.
Dinner was so delicious, so many fresh ingredients from the back yard, the epitome of farm to table. The wine and conversation flowed and we personally felt invited in like an extension of the family, something we are eternally grateful for! Then Andrew’s dad gave a wonderful toast as some family joined in from far away via Zoom. They ended the night by slipping into something more comfortable and sitting around a fire among those same pine trees.
Knowing that we had big plans for their wedding film, the next day we met up in Portland to get some more footage and get a bit creative. Believe it or not, that tea scene actually came together on the fly! After stomping around the forest we ended the day at a beautiful cliff that overlooked the Colombia River where they read their vows to each other one more time.
Speaking of their vows, we have to talk a little bit about that.
There is often one single moment that really gives us a clear vision of the what a couples' film will end up looking like, what direction we will take in the editing room. It can be a location that inspires us, or a father's sweet words as he gives away his daughter, or even how a wedding party behaves on the dance floor haha!
But for Rachel & Andrew that moment was when we received an early draft of their vows. Their words told such a deep & beautiful story in such an eloquent way. After reading them we both just sat there in silence, eyes glazed over as our minds escaped into rich visions of all the possibilities. Snapping back to reality, we looked at each other and instantly knew we were both thinking the same thing…
This was going to be a very special film and by some miracle we were the perfect people to tell this story.
