It’s a special thing when one of your best friend gets married, right?! Especially when you get to be a part of the process! That was the case for photographer, Liz Morrow Studios, who has been best friends with the bride, Kristina, since they were 13 years old.
Liz tells us: When I became a wedding photographer, she became my model for styled shoots but I was always most looking forward to getting to be her photographer for her actual wedding. In December, I got to do just that! With a couple close friends, we drove out to my family’s waterfront property on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State to participate in her and Joe’s elopement.
I made her macrame altar backdrop and wooden arch, her bouquet, the matrons’ flower crowns, and her veil, in addition to capturing it all on camera. My fellow matron of honor, Amy is a photographer as well, so she was able to shoot a few photos of me walking Kristina down the aisle, and then we swapped again at the end so she could get some shots of me standing beside Kristina during her ceremony too.
Let’s take a peek at how it all came together:
How incredible is that veil?!
The sweetest first look, surrounded by the forest!
The Ceremony Space
Utilizing the forest to frame the space, they tacked up this darling macramé piece crafted by Liz Morrow Studios as the backdrop… Which we bet was used in their home afterwards!
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(DIY brides be sure to checkout our DIY backdrop round up!)
I loved how Kristina and Joe’s ceremony was 100% them. Each person invited into her wedding ceremony circle was smudged with sage, to purify the ceremony space, we all participated in a peace pipe, and they incorporated meaningful, sacred practices that spoke to their relationship and it was beautifully unique.
We didn’t have any music! Nothing is sweeter to me than the sounds of the forest, and that’s exactly what we had during the wedding- oh and the sweet a-cappella tunes of Liz’s one-year-old son which had me smiling the whole time!
I remember loving that during the ceremony there wasn't a whole crowd of eyes watching us, and both Joe and I felt totally relaxed and able to laugh and cry, which we both did (a lot!). One of my favorite movies growing up was Patch Adams, and ever since seeing that I wanted to read the poem to my husband that Patch reads to Carin. Getting to read those words by Pablo Neruda to Joe in the quiet and stillness of the woods felt so perfect! Joe seconds that!
Hang onto the things that really mean something to you, but pick no more than a handful of them, and be willing to be super flexible about the rest. Our wedding was tiny and there were still a ton of hiccups. The morning of the wedding I woke up and decided that nothing that happens today is allowed to upset me, and just let it all roll of my back. Today was a day to be present and enjoy what was happening right in front of me.
The Outfits
Kristina rocked boots (perfect for the forest setting) and one gorgeous layered gown from Brides For A Cause.
I spy a super cool floral tie on this dapper groom!! Want to create a similar look? Check out our GWS x Neck and Tie Floral Noir Necktie .
So moody. So cool. So perfectly them. A million congratulations, Kristina + Joe!!
photography: Liz Morrow Studios // venue name: Private Home, Sequim, Washington, USA // event design: Liz Morrow Studios // florals: Liz Morrow Studios // wedding dress boutique: Brides For A Cause // hairpiece: Liz Morrow Studios // bridesmaid dresses: House of Vintage Portland and Lulus // groom attire: Express // officiant: Nichole London
What a great location !
♥♥♥