Our Mountain Top, Wildflower, Bridal Photos

A year ago, almost to the day, Steve visited my family’s cabin for the first time. I was so excited to show him, because this place holds so much love and happy memories for me and my family. We’d only been dating for about four months, and of course had no idea we’d be back a year later, taking our bridal photos. But there we found ourselves… Creating more happy memories (some of the happiest in fact) and only a few days away from starting the rest of our lives, together.

For most of my adult life, I’d hoped to one day take my bridal photos on my family’s property, in the Summer. The mountainside erupts with color, as the wildflowers bloom and the green grasses grow. It’s a dreamland, and luckily, the perfect setting for Steve and I. However, it’s not the easiest place to access. Determined, though, we packed up my dad’s truck (The most perfectly wild bridal bouquet, created by Kennedy our Florist, carefully cradled in my lap.) with dinner, our wedding outfits, Sydnee our Photographer, and Ariel our Videographer, and made the drive up the mountainside.

After what felt like an extra bumpy ride (It’s a rough road anyways, but felt much worse this day.) we arrived at the cabin with the flowers thankfully still in one piece. We spent some time selecting photo locations, ate dinner, then began getting ready to shoot. I had already seen Steve’s wedding look, but he had yet to see mine; so we kicked him out of the cabin, once he was dressed, so I could finish getting ready. Once everything was perfectly in place, I made my way out to the meadow to meet my fiancé, in my wedding dress, for the first time…

(First look photos at the end of the post)

Photographer: Sydnee Rayl // Florist: Florals by Kenn // Video: Ariel Ray (video coming soon) // Hair & Makeup: I Did My Own // Her Dress: Alta Moda // Her Shoes: Nordstrom // Her Ring: Kay // Her Necklace: Kinn // His Suit: Garth Custom // His Tie & Tie Clip: The Tie Bar // His Shirt & Shoes: Nordstrom Rack // His Ring: Jamestown

My Dress

Before I went dress shopping, I really didn’t know what style I would like or feel beautiful in, as I’d never in my life put on a wedding dress. So I made a couple appointments, and decided I’d pretty much try anything except a ball gown. There was one dress in particular I knew I wanted to try, during my second appointment, and they said they’d have it pulled and ready to go for me.

The first shop, while filled with beautiful dresses, really didn’t have anything that felt like “me”. After trying maybe fifteen dresses, we called it, and made our way to the second appointment, at Alta Moda Bridal.

The first dress I tried on at Alta Moda was the one I had requested to see, before even coming in… And it’s also the one I chose! They had me try a few others by the same designer, just to make sure, but there was no competition. This dress was mine, and I knew it the moment I saw it.

To me, this dress is the perfect blend of unique details (like the front slit, front buttons, and the rose appliqués) and timeless designs (like the bishop sleeve, v-neck, fitted bodice, and flowy a-line skirt). The skirt has the most beautiful movement, that the slightest breeze sends it billowing out behind me.

Wandering around the mountainside during our bridal shoot, with my fiancé’s hand in mine, wearing the most beautiful dress I’ve ever owned, was everything I’ve ever dreamed of, and more.

Our Florals

I’ve known for years that I wanted a wildflower bouquet for my wedding, for many reasons. My family’s property is covered in wildflowers, in the Summertime, and it’s breathtaking. There’s so much variety in color, shape, and size, and yet when they’re all together it’s completely magical.

For our wedding florals, I’ve been working with Florals By Kenn. Not only is she incredibly talented and easy to work with, but she captured my vision perfectly! She let me have a lot of say in which flowers were used, and when the arrangements were delivered I was blown away.

I honestly had no idea I would have such an emotional connection to the florals, but I’m so glad I did. It’s just another testament to how good Kennedy is at her job! I love them so much, I am having them pressed and preserved, so I can keep them, forever.

Steve's Suit

Steve is very particular about his personal style, which is something I love about him. He knows what he likes, and he appreciates quality pieces and timeless designs. So when he had the idea to have a forest green suit, I was completely on board! I couldn’t picture him in a traditional black or grey, even though either of those would have looked great. Green just felt like “us”, like “Steve”.

He had the suit custom made, from a local shop, called Garth Customs. They had so many colors and patterns to choose from, and luckily had the perfect green to match Steve’s vision. He paired the suit with a champagne tie, which matches the appliqués on my dress perfectly, brown leather accessories, and a gold “knot” tie bar (since we’re “tying the knot”).

First Look:

I waited in the upstairs bedroom of the cabin, while Steve, the photographer, and videographer got into place for our first look. As I waited, I felt more myself, beautiful, and ready to spend eternity with my favorite person, than I ever have, before. I wasn’t nervous for him to see me in my wedding dress for the first time, I was excited. Excited to share the look I’d been planning for months, with the help of some amazing artists. Excited to experience this with him. Excited to finally look and feel like his bride.

As I approached him, with his back turned to me, I wondered what his reaction would be. We’d talked about it, before, and I was prepared for him to simply smile. However, as he turned around, I could see the emotion across his face. His eyes welled up with tears as he told me I looked beautiful, and we came together for a private moment and a whispered conversation, even though we were not alone.

I don’t think I’ve ever had so many photos in one blog post, before. But I truly can’t get over how much I love these! Our photographer, Sydnee Rayl, is so talented and made both our bridals and engagements so easy and fun. Be sure to check out our engagements, HERE, if you haven’t already!