It is always extra special when we get to photograph people that we know have known for a while. Its like not even going to work. Its just plain fun! I’ve known both of these crazy cats since I was a teenager, I think?  So fun for them to have found love with each other.

When Erika and Rob were looking for a wedding venue, Erika wanted to get married in a little white church, and she found the perfect one in Conway at the Fir-Conway Lutheran Church. It was so darling…and it just felt great to shoot a wedding in a church again! I can’t remember the last time we did that!

This wedding was full of so many cute rustic DIY details…Here’s just a few of my favorites:

1. Baby’s Breath in lace covered mason jars hanging from the pews.

2. The cutest Wedding mad Libs ever!

3. Burlap covered bulletin board…featuring a great verse…and some amazing engagement photos.

4. Cute little peaches waiting for guests as they leave the church.

5. Kate Spade sparkle gold wedding pumps. need I say more?

6. A perfect rustic dessert table and darling cake made by the lovely Jenny Keller.

7. Reception held at the rockin Muse in Conway.

8. A mini concert…by none other than The Bride, Erika!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED!!! this wedding mad lib that Erika and Rob inserted into their programs! What a unique thing to have for people to do while waiting for the ceremony to begin….and the happy couple got lots of advice in the process! 

I loved this diy use of burlap in her wedding! Why not cover a huge bulletin board with burlap to showcase your (amazing) engagement sessions! :)

Could this little white country church be any cuter? Awe! I loved it. It just felt good to be in it.

The oh so glorious Kate Spade sparkly gold shoes. I think she should where these at least every anniversary. They kinda remind me of  a modern version of Dorothy’s shoes in the Wizard of Oz.  I want some!

When I saw this balcony, I knew I wanted to hang the dress there. Taking dresses out of the bridal suite is always fun…and always kind of challenging….but I think the it was worth it, in the end.

What is better than getting married in a little white church like this one in Fir-Conway? so darling!!

Two great images that my second shooter (and fabulous husband) got. I loved both of these from the back of the church!

Another perfectly done dessert table by Jenny Keller of Jenny Cookies. I don’t know how she does it, but she knocks it out of the park every time. I am in love with the cake and the the golden sparkled cake pops! So darling!

What a special moment. Rob requested that his new bride sing a few songs…it was priceless.

Mt. Vernon Wedding Vendors:

Little White Country Church Wedding Venue: Fir-Conway Lutheran Church

Rustic Peach & Gold Dessert Table and Wedding Cake: Jenny Cookies

Wedding Gown: Cyndarelle’s Closet

Bridesmaids Dresses: Cyndarelle’s Closet

Make-Up: Gene Juarez Downtown Seattle

Flowers: Family Friend using Pike Place Market Flowers

Wedding Photography: Kaylee Eylander Photography

Well..the our most anticipated wedding of the summer is now behind us and it was absolutely amazing. Drew’s sister got married at the most amazing venue in Cle Elum, Ritter Farms. Drew was a groomsman did the ceremony, Estelle and Evan were in the wedding and I was a bridesmaid and just couldn’t leave my camera at home…especially since I knew all of the amazing details that she had planned. Turquoise piano in a field, books and vintage lace table cloths, tissue garland and crates stacked up for a cake table. Vintage cameras, Popcorn stations and donuts, the list goes on and on. I loved every little last detail and I would have loved it, even if I wasn’t related to her! She has great taste and brought all of her amazing ideas to life!

I can’t go any further with out saying a huge, huge thank you to one of my very best friends, and another fabulous photographer, Molly Vaden, of Molly Vaden Photography, who gave up her beautiful August weekend to come shoot this wedding with me. She is such an artist and I wish she only knew just how talented she is! I am so lucky to call her friend and it was a joy to shoot along side her (after 2 years!)….It was just like old times…for the 5 or 6 years that we shot together! I miss those days!! All of the images that don’t have my logo on them are shot by Molly Vaden Photography.

One of my favorite details of the wedding. I was a little scared that it would fall over any second…but it looked fabulous!

There is such a great story behind these rings. (we will see if I get it right!) Denae’ had admired her Great Grandma GG’s ring since she was a little girl.  Then one day Denae’ saw the ring on the right at a Antique Jewelry store and fell in love with it…not realizing that it looked really similar to the one she loved as a child. She got to wear both rings on her wedding day! So special!

Only my fashion forward sister in law would by a wedding gown online….but it was the perfect dress! 

Dan is an amazing photographer…I loved that the very first thing he did when he saw his bride was to snap a pic. He just couldn’t help himself…and I ‘m glad he did it! What a precious moment that he captured. 

This one actually made us cry! We cried alot that day…but this was just so sweet!

Denae’ has such a great sense  of style. Her brides maids gift was a special necklace to wear for the wedding. They matched personalities and dresses so well, I don’t know how she found the time to find all of them!

I am so in love with these gorgeous wedding shoes! :) I loved that she had 2 different pairs…one for the ceremony and one for the reception. 

I always say…THIS is why you have bridesmaids! :) they had do figure out the zipper situation…and rejoiced when they got it! :)

This handkerchief was from world war 2…it was a perfect “something old”.

There was lots of fun…and lots of  love between these fun girls! 

 I have a not-so-secret love for cute old men. I’ve been photographing them at weddings for almost 10 years….and Heidi’s dad is pretty much in my top five. He could win a Ronald Reagan look alike contest and was so proud of his children, he was beaming all day. What a loving family!

Patrick’s son sang a such beautiful song during the ceremony.

wow. I cannot believe its been 10 years. It went by so stinking fast! I just can’t believe it. It seems like yesterday we visited the Troll under the bridge for the first time….then got stuck on 99 and drove all the way to Alki Beach. All the while talking and never running out of things to talk about. That was our first (non) date.  The rest was history. He makes me laugh till I cry, he holds me when I do cry and he watches me tear up from across the room while we are shooting weddings. He’s my driver, provider, protector and calmer-downer. He steps up when I need him, and supports me when I have dreams. I cannot believe how much I love this man. This isn’t to say that we haven’t had trials in our marriage…but, in the end, we know that we love each other and there is no one in the world that knows me better.

Here are a few of my favorite tips for getting to 10 years of marriage.

1. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. I think about all the things I used to get annoyed with. Drew not putting his clothes in the laundry basket or getting his hair all over the sink when he shaves….and a few other things that used to get on my nerves. I don’t know how…or why…but they just don’t bother me anymore. I let go. The house doesn’t have to be perfect….and those things seem so minute and fleeting, when we have happy, healthy kids and a spouse that wants to spend time with you. There are a lot of bigger things to worry about than a little hair around the bathroom sink. Remind yourself that these things don’t really matter in the grand scheme of life.

2. Be thankful. Again, life is short. If you find yourself forgetting what is important in life, make yourself a list…of all the things you are thankful for. Your husband, your kids (yes this includes dogs!), a roof over your head and food for your belly. I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to be home with my kids our whole marriage…and that my husband has worked really hard to build a business and provide for our family!

3. Respect your spouse in words and deed. I think sometimes women have a hard time understanding what this means. I know I did. I kinda thought to myself…”I repect him…but he doesn’t really understand this issue.” I would feel the desire to repeatedly share my opinions and feel the right to be angry if he didn’t take my side….or give him the cold shoulder if I didn’t get my way. Not cool!  There is an element of not trusting that your spouse has your best interest in mind when you don’t give them the benefit of the doubt….and say your piece, then let them decide on what to do. Its better to just support your husband, than to have a wedge between you.

4. Go on Dates! Spending time together is like the glue that keeps you stuck together. When you don’t intentionally spend time with your honey, you can drift apart more easily. The more shared experiences you have together, the more chances you have to create memories, be proud of each other and just laugh together. If you don’t have a common hobby…make one up!  Try new restaurants, go hiking, travel or whatever…just find something to do together. Some of the best times I’ve had with Drew are dates we went on….sharing a glass of wine and just laughing together.

5. Forgive First, Forgive often.  Refer to #1.

6.Have a lot of sex. Alot.

7. Never let anything come between you in the marriage bed…..kids, computers, work, Ipads, Iphones or anything else. Go to bed at the same time and snuggle. Nothing feels like home more than laying my head on Drew’s chest before we go to sleep. Its home.

8. Play games. not head games….board games. Nothing like a healthy competition. We’ve had many a belly laugh  while playing Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, and True Colors ( a game I found at the goodwill).

9.  Give & Serve together. The guy loves  people. He’s much more compassionate than I am…and will give the shirt off his back to anyone who needs it. I’m working on that part. But..giving to others in need reminds us that we have more than we need and it brings us closer together when we spend time giving and serving others.

10. Jump into Faith Together. One of the the things that I admire most about Drew is his wisdom and knowledge when it comes to spiritual matters. Something that has given us hope in times of need, failure and trials is our mutual faith and love for God. When things are good, we thank God, when things are hard, we thank God….because we know that our life is in His hands. We can pray together…and know that everything is going to be ok. Like the time we almost couldn’t buy our kids Christmas presents. Or the time we almost couldn’t pay our mortgage. Or the time I thought I had a brain tumor. Or the time I thought something might be seriously wrong with our son.  Its times like those that pull us together, instead of push us apart because we go to God in prayer. If you haven’t had a faith in God before, there’s no time like today to put your trust in him. If you have questions about this, please feel free to email me at Kaylee@eylanderphotography.com. I would love to encourage you.

Another fabulous wedding at Hidden Meadows in Snohomish! It was such a gorgeous day! Trustin and Jaime met at Seattle Pacific University and the rest was history. They are a great match and we had so much fun capturing their wedding day.