Stormy Coast Sunset Wedding

It was a stormy week at the Oregon Coast, which led up to the wedding day of Courtney and Chris at Chinook Winds Casino. The rain brought the ceremony indoors, but it didn't stop the celebration for friends and family who all traveled up to hundreds of miles to witness this marriage.

This wedding kicks off my season of 2022 weddings and I'm so excited that this was the first one of the year, because even with the rain, the sunset was sensational and the rain held off just long enough to capture some amazing moments on the beach.

I love photographing people, but I also love documenting all the details that go into a wedding day, especially any special items the couple includes for me to capture during the getting ready part. Courtney had so many details for me to style for her. I especially loved the heirloom hair piece, even though she didn't wear it, it was still so special.

After the ceremony (and family photos), we took advantage of a break in the rain for a few quick bride and groom photos outside looking over the beach.

After their grand entrance as Mr. and Mrs. King, I loved how they stepped immediately into their first dance. It was so seamless and beautiful.

After the toasts, the father of the bride was surprised with a special dance with his daughter, because the bride did a voice over the song saying what makes her dad so special. It was such a beautiful and sentimental touch!

And at the end of the Father and Daughter Dance, the nephew of the bride spontaneously cut in for a dance of just the two of them.

And now for my favorite part of any wedding, the golden hour photos! I was a stormy day with small times when it wasn't pouring rain. And one of those times was only twenty minutes long right at sunset!

This sunset was amazing with the orange and gold along the horizon, framed in by the dark storm clouds. It was a photographer's dream come true and resulted in some stunning photos! And as we were finishing with this little session, it started to rain again, even twenty minutes is long enough for amazing bride and groom portraits.

And a little shout out to some of the other wedding vendors that helped make this day special:

Photographer: Elizabeth Zimmerman of Western Rose Studios
Venue: Chinook Winds Casino
Food and Drinks: Chinook Winds Casino
Cake: My Petite Sweet
Officiant: EC Matrimony
Event Planner: Lori Robinson with Chinook Winds Casino
Florals: Holly's Wedding Flowers
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal - Galina Signature
Alterations: David's Bridal; Boise, Idaho
Tux: Men's Warehouse
Bridesmaids Dresses: Baltic Born
Rings:
   His: Antler Rings
   Hers: Kay Jewelers
DJ: Only the Best Sound Mobile DJ & Photo Booth

The sunset was so fantastic, that I had to take a photo!