This past September I drove out of Portland in pouring rain. Not the typical mist we usually get, but rain that came down in sheets. And I worried. Because I was heading out to a Gorge Crest Vineyard wedding in Washington. Luckily, it ended up being a beautiful day! Nathan and Melissa’s wedding was so lovely and they were so very nice.

Now that winter has arrived, we’ll be blogging a few of the weddings that Joe and I each second shot for other Portland professional photographers. In this case, I second shot for Seattle wedding photographer Bre Thurston. Bre and I have known each other for a few years through the Foundation Workshops. When she asked if I could help her out, I was more than happy to head out and make some beautiful Gorge Crest Vineyard wedding photos for her and her couple!

Melissa started out the day getting ready in the suite upstairs.

Meanwhile, her family set out the flowers that they gathered. In lieu of a wedding florist, they purchased dahlia blooms from the flower market and made their own simple centerpieces and bouquets.

Melissa’s parents both escorted her into the wedding ceremony overlooking Mt. Hood across the river.

Under the strong, late summer sun of the gorge, Melissa and Nathan shared their wedding vows. I loved the exultant looks from them at their guests at the close of their Gorge Crest Vineyard wedding ceremony!

As well do I love the sweet kiss they shared while walking back up to the barn!

Bre took the lead for the majority of the portraits, though I caught plenty of real, spontaneous moments between Nathan and Melissa in between!

There are a few different vineyard areas at Gorge Crest. The area closest to the ceremony setup and building is clean and manicured. We trekked a little further to a vineyard that I found more wild, more organic.

And then we moved along to a pear orchard that lines the property. It shielded the wind that picked up as a cloud bank moved into the gorge.

Their wedding reception was sweet, filled with lovely toasts and a meal that looked beautiful. Though the skies were no longer clear, the rain held off throughout the early reception. A few drops started spitting just as Nathan and Melissa started their first married dance.

And then just like that, the few drops ended. The skies partially cleared. The sky painted golden hues with a sunset we couldn’t see but caught just a hint.

DJ Moe Funk was rocking the night after that!