Grooms that eat BBQ ribs in a tux. Brides that choose to get ready in their childhood home. Fathers of the bride with cool cars. Couples that hike across streams and through mud for a perfect PNW photo. Couples that laugh with us and ask if we’re having fun too. These are a few of our favorite things. And these are all things we experienced at Bryan and Zoey’s perfect summer wedding in Portland.
Bryan and Zoey’s day began at Zoey’s parents home with her surrounded by an immensely powerful group of women. From her mother and cousins to her best friends and everyone’s little kids…all were welcome. (Case in point, the barbie that quietly rested on Zoey’s dress for an hour before she put it on.) The activity in the house was both a flurry of excitement and also a flurry of meaningful moments rooted in Greek tradition.
Zoey’s dad’s escorted her to the ceremony location, Holy Trinity Cathedral, in a vintage car that has been in the family since they were little kids. Watching them drive away form the house was one of my favorite moments, and it brought a tear to my eye knowing how monumental this family moment must have been for them.
Meanwhile Bryan, who hails from Texas, was eating BBQ ribs over his custom tux, tying his dad’s tie and laughing with his closest buddies and brother. Bryan is equally hilarious, gracious and full of that Southern charm we all know and love.
It was our very first time photographing a Camp Angelos wedding but not our first time at the Holy Trinity Greek Cathedral. We first photographed Zoey’s cousin’s wedding here a few years ago and it was such a welcome experience to be back. A greek ceremony is full of song, prayer and well wishes like most wedding ceremonies but what we love most is the family component. Zoey’s brother performed the crown ceremony and after the first kiss, it is tradition for the bride and groom to greet their families with hugs and kisses. We love this tradition. Before walking back down the aisle to enter your new life together, there is this tender moment of thanking the ones who helped you get here in the first place.
As we drove the winding road down into Camp Angelos, the party got underway with all the fixings of an awesome Greece-meets-Texas reception. Bryan and Zoey’s entire reception felt a fancy family dinner party. Enclosed in string lights, the Camp Angelos wedding reception space nestled down into the trees giving it a perfect romantic garden vibe. Meghan with Whitney Werts & Co was on hand to not only deliver a perfectly planned day but also do so with a smile and share some laughs between us vendors. We love working their team, every time!
Hope you enjoy a handful of our favorites from the day!
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