Have you ever left after a long day of shooting, and just thought, “Well, that was fun!” That’s how I felt driving home with Eliza after this entertaining wedding up at the Tulalip Resort in May. Arlene and Jeriel have known each other for ages, ever since he snubbed her in Spanish class in high school. Their wedding was going to be a fun one filled with pink, orange, Filipino culture, laughter, and jokes. And The Hulk. And some Hello Kitty.
Perhaps some of my all-time favorite getting ready images. I can’t get over the bright hot coral orange bridesmaid dresses (with pockets!!) and her little something blue: her wedding shoes!
And I thought girls were crazy with the shoes they bring. Check out this guy and his Nike’s.
In spite of the pouring pouring rain, we still made some really fun pictures. The lobby and hallways are rich with art, colored walls, interesting patterns, and full length windows. We even spent a considerable amount of time shooting in the busy valet area under the main entrance because the light was so great, much to the chagrin of the casino patrons.
Arlene looked so glamorous in this gown, and Jerry was super handsome in his pinstripe suit. Window light makes the best portraits, even on a rainy day.
This crowd was really good at their “awkward pose.” I think these guys have known each other for like 10 years or something….The ceremony room at the Tulalip is actually the pool room!!! The light was incredible, and the setting was so unique as one of our favorite officiants led the ceremony. There were touches of Arlene and Jeriel’s Filipino culture in there, too with the rope ceremony and veil pinning by their sponsors.I was trying to be all serious and do my job, photographing the license signing in the bridal suite after the ceremony, and these two popped in for some more awkward posing. I love it!
The reception ballroom was beautiful. Decorated in orange and pink with orchids, uplighting, and a huuuge ice sculpture! And let’s not forget a groom’s cake shaped like The Hulk- it was a crowd-pleaser. You can even see by the cover of the guestbook that one of the groomsmen made that the awkward posing started long ago during their engagement shoot this winter….
The toasts were plentiful and hilarious. I think Arlene’s dad was just ripping on Jerry the whole time, and we all loved it. Their sweet dance was really sweet- a romantic and slow classic ballroom dance- I think it may have been the waltz? (fyi brides and grooms- it made lots of great photo opps 🙂The whole audience was captured by the sweet father/daughter dance and mother/son dance.And then the party got started…… money dance, line dancing (er, there’s a name for this one. It’s new… I don’t know what it is, but all the cool kids are doing it… )
As our time with Arlene and Jerry came to a close, they let me snag them away from the party for just one more quick photo session on the floor of the hotel. Thank you, you two. Eliza and I had a great time and we loved spending your wedding day with you and your friends!!!! Cheers! (and I hope you like our stupid quotes in the guest book!)
Tech Specs: This wedding was photographed with mostly the Nikon D3 and D700, Nikon 24-70mm, Nikon 35mm, Nikon 14-24mm, and a bunch of SB800’s and SB900’s.
The awesome wedding team included:
Eliza on 2nd camera
Aria Style on floral and decor
Pat Stimac on vows
Fabri and Betsy Johnson on rings and bling
Mikes Amazing Cakes on desserts
Seattle String Quartet on… um… strings!
The Tulalip Resort on chow (which, by the way, was THE best squash ravioli I have ever ever ever eaten. It tasted like a sweet/savory dessert! Their hospitality was fabulous, too.)
