Jesse & Leslie- June 5, 2010- Orcas Island, WA

Where do I even start?! Last week Darrell and I had the pleasure of photographing Jesse & Leslie's wedding on the beautiful Orcas Island in Washington. It was our first time in the area so we spent the whole week exploring WA. In the process visited friends and family in Seattle, explored the San Juan Islands where the wedding was being held and got to visit with friends there as well, went whale watching (unbelievable-more about that later), and explored Olympic National Park! We definitely crammed every day of our trip as full as we could possibly get it and even now, as I recall our trip to write this post, I keep mentioning things to D that I wish we had done, or had more time to really explore. Guess that means we'll just have to go back!! But there will be more posts about WA, you can guarantee that!

I will start where it is most logical... the middle! hahaha! Well, our trip was Wednesday to Wednesday and I know people are much more anxious to see wedding pictures, rather than my personal tromping around town, so I figured that it would be best to start with the wedding! Maybe someday I'll get a few of my personal photos edited.

We began that Saturday by meeting up with the whole gang at the wedding site. Jesse and Leslie found a great private residence that runs along a creek that hosts just a couple weddings a year. It was a beautiful site and seemed perfect for them and this intimate, laid back event the two of them had planned.


The girls had adorable dresses that were really different. They could be wrapped and changed and so the girls all looked different! It was way fun! I'm going to have to ask Leslie where she found them. Also, the girls went down to the Farmer's Market the morning of the wedding and got flowers from a local farm to put together their bouquets! All the flowers for the whole wedding cost them less than $100! I love that they were local from the island, too. Such a great idea.


I just had to post these shots cause I just adore these guys. Jesse, CJ and I all worked at Glenwood Caverns together my first summer in Glenwood Springs my freshman year of college. At that time, Jesse and CJ were in between their Junior and Senior year of high school, the caverns was a tiny little family business and I know that I never pictured us still laughing together almost 10 years later. These two have known each other WAY longer than I've known them, but I think this shot definitely fits them. CJ's wedding was one of the very first I photographed 5 years ago. Actually, Jesse was a groomsmen in CJ's wedding and that is when we all got to meet his new girlfriend, Leslie! I was completely honored and excited when Jesse contacted me about shooting his wedding. It was so wonderful to see old friends and this is the first time we have all been back together since CJ and Brianne's wedding!


Yup, they got IN the creek to take pictures with the little cascade behind them. I love these guys.


I haven't taken a jumping picture in a long time, but this is sort of a tradition for them. They have jumping pictures from everything they do... marathons, vacations... we had to do it. ;)


They set up a bit of a photo booth for guests. This was the girls playing around. Aren't they adorable?


Ok this has a story, I promise! This is the little ring bearer, Evan. (CJ & Brianne are his parents) Jesse had just been giving Evan little pieces of his cupcake and proceeded to eat the rest of it right before this shot. Well he gave Evan a kiss and I think he tasted the chocolate on Jesse! (see Jesse's cheek popped out, still filled with cupcake?) But little Evan just went on in for a bite! Jesse's face of shock and horror was CLASSIC and we all laughed SO hard. One of my favorite moments. haha


This is the tree Jesse and Leslie were married under. It was Jesse's idea to put a ladder up into the big branch and take pictures up in the tree. Again... I love these guys. :)


The evening proceeded with chilly air moving in after dark, and people changing into more comfy clothes to sit around the fire and make smores. Ever had a smore with a Resse's peanut butter cup?.... YUM.

It was a wonderful, intimate, little wedding and I feel very lucky that Darrell and I were able to be a part of it. Thank you SO much for asking us to come out! More pics of the day after session to come!