Amaterra Winery in Portland's West Hills. The hottest summer day to date. Crosby and Will, celebrating their most-anticipated union with loved ones hailing from both coasts. Here is the wedding day journal of the Armstrongs & Laydens, told by their trusted photographer.
Saturday, July 6th, 2024
Portland, Oregon, USA
11:45am
A PORTLAND WINERY WEDDING
Winery weddings hit differently, especially when tucked away in the West Hills of Portland. For Crosby and Will, Amaterra Winery was the perfect venue to host their loved ones from both coasts for one iconic wedding weekend.
Even though the day ahead consisted of triple-digit temps and a large itinerary, everybody – including me – was ready to party.
Getting ready in separate adjacent rooms on the lower level of the winery, Crosby and Will buzzed with excitement as they prepared for their day. The scene was calm yet lively as Crosby sat in the makeup chair dressed in a silky white pajama ensemble, while her bridesmaids got ready and steamed her veil. Natural light shone into the room, adding a lightness to the industrial tones of the space.
I was given boxes of the couple’s details to start documenting the couple’s day. Within minutes, my assistants and second shooter arrived – catching me red-handed as I unpacked detail after detail and warmed up my flash.
12:00PM
THE WEDDING DETAILS
The details of this wedding day? Simple and so effective. The concrete floors outside the bride and groom’s spaces became my playground for detail shots.
I laid out the full-size newspaper that doubled as Crosby and Will’s wedding favor for guests, filled with their coastal engagement photos and typewritten text regarding the day's happenings. On top, in various intervals, I added sunglasses, rings, necklaces, Crosby’s shoes (all adorned with pearls), fragrances, and the couple’s vow books. Wanting to add a nature element to the photos, I brought the haul outside for a gleaming moment under the sun.
12:30pm
A PINTEREST BOARD MOMENT
Back inside, Crosby was wrapping up her finishing touches, and I realized I wanted to put her details to even more use. I explained the vision and she was immediately convinced. So, I handed her the newspaper for some light reading, accompanied by a coffee cup, later champagne, and finally, her pearly sunglasses.
A pajama moment with your bridesmaids is a classic hit for any wedding, and Crosby’s girls were elated to join in on the Pinterest board of my making. Dressed in matching blue pajama sets and seated on either side of their best friend, the three women brought a vision to life effortlessly.
1:30pm
DRESSED TO THE NINES
After a handful of minutes of capturing more shots of the space and untangling the daintiest necklace for the bride, it was time for Crosby to get into her dress.
We headed to another room and secured flash photos of the dress, veil, and shoes before Crosby and her mom got started. On the other side of the door, the florists finished up the remaining touches of Crosby’s wedding bouquet, adding a small blue cloth and pearls around the stems at her request.
I stayed inside with the bride, her mother, and her bridesmaids as Crosby was fitted into her dress, capturing her mother with all the clasps and straps. Smiles and patience filled the small space. Once Crosby was in her dress, she also took the time to read a private letter from Will.
In the other room with my second shooter, Will was also getting dressed, taking photos with family, lounging with his groomsmen, and reading his private letter from Crosby.
2:15pm
THE INITIAL PORTRAITS
Fully dressed and staying out of sight of her groom, Crosby and I headed to the outdoor terrace to begin the initial wedding portraits. After some quick shots with her immediate family and bridesmaids, I took Crosby aside. I guided her through prompts for standard bridal poses, along with some movement prompts to start securing documentary-style shots. We walked, jogged, and fluffed out her dress multiple times to photograph the bride and her dress in full splendor.
Not only could you see the beauty Crosby radiated as a bride, but you could also feel her anticipation for the coming hours.
3:00pm
With the afternoon sun barrelling towards triple digits, everyone hustled inside towards air conditioning and hydration. As the clock ticked closer to the 4 o’clock hour, guests began trickling in from upstairs, dressed in their summer wedding best. Before the cocktail hour space became too packed with people, I snuck in for some aesthetic shots of wine barrels, bar setups, and welcome table details.
Outside on the terrace, the remaining chairs and white flowers for the ceremony were brought out. As I scouted the balcony views overlooking the ceremony and the West Hills, the sound team prepped speakers, music, and microphones for the event ahead. Guests remained inside until the very last minutes prior, making their way to the terrace with fans, water, and newspapers in hand. I made my way downstairs, snapping photos of Crosby and Will’s loved ones arriving and taking their seats.
At the same time, the bride and groom stayed tucked away in their respective rooms, counting down the minutes until they were scheduled to reunite at the altar.
4:15pm
THE CEREMONY
With smooth melodies beginning to play, the officiant – best friend of the bride and groom – made his way to the altar. Their grandparents and close family found their seating, and then Will’s twin brothers/groomsmen followed suit, taking their place next to the officiant.
With his mother on his arm and father right behind, Will entered the ceremony and gave his parents loving embraces before standing at the altar. He held a solemn demeanor, ready for his bride’s arrival. Like clockwork, Crosby’s bridesmaids entered the ceremony with her brother, signaling that the bride was just around the corner.
The crowd stood to their feet as Crosby followed Will’s lead, entering the ceremony with her parents by her side. At first sight of each other from opposite ends of the aisle, their nerves began to turn into smiles. With every step Crosby took towards Will, there was more allowance to breathe easier. And when they united at the altar, you could feel it – the moment these two had been waiting for.
Under the bright, burning sun of a July afternoon, Crosby, Will, and their esteemed guests exchanged love in all forms. Fits of laughter from standing too long after Crosby’s entrance. Tearful and tender moments reflecting on the couple’s story. More laughter. Unique vows from the bride and groom, passing the microphone back and forth listing what they vow to do in marriage. The exchange of rings.
And then, under the bright burning sun of a July afternoon, Crosby and Will shared their first kisses as husband and wife – first at the altar, and second down the aisle.
4:45pm
Following the ceremony, everybody hurried back inside for some air-conditioned respite, including me and my team. We split up to capture all aspects of the wedding day, from marriage certificate signing with Crosby and Will’s “matchmakers” of friends to the lively cocktail hour. I wrapped up family and wedding party photos outside before releasing the newlyweds, then headed upstairs to start reception details.
This reception was gorgeous. Keeping with the classy neutral theme, each table was intricately laid out with matching florals to the wedding arch, now propped behind the head table. Candles upon candles were being lit, and the natural light pouring into the room added a softness to it all. Simple, classy, and effective.
Minutes before the reception opened up to guests, Crosby and Will had the chance to preview the space first. The sheer delight on their faces said it all. From the tables and bar to the dance floor and photo booth, their day was unfolding in all the right ways.
Nevertheless, they took a few moments to slow down, rehearse their first dance, and be with one another before hiding away for their grand entrance.
6:00pm
THE RECEPTION
Music began to play as guests entered the reception hall, wasting no time in finding their table and ordering drinks at the bar. My flash was ready to go when the announcement came for everyone to gather around the dance floor. The crowd got big and excited, pulling out their phones and already cheering for Crosby and Will’s return.
Without a moment to lose, the doors swung open and the newlyweds waltzed in hand and hand, smiling ear to ear. They took their places center stage effortlessly, swaying back and forth to the moving vocals of Lord Huron’s The Night We Met. I hurried around the floor, getting moments from all angles and some key backlit photos. To top off the scene, Will lifted Crosby into a dazzling spin, leaving the two grinning in accomplishment and the crowd going wild.
With a final dip, kiss, and high five, the couple nailed their first dance, and everyone made their way to their tables for dinner, more drinks, and heartwarming toasts from family and friends.
7:40pm
THE COUPLES PORTRAITS
The time had come for me to steal the newlyweds away for some sunset photos, and we took complete advantage of what the venue had to offer. Crosby already switched out of her pearly heels into her white sneakers, establishing the name of the game moving forward: Comfort.
With the warm temps outside, I couldn’t blame her one bit. Besides, I’m all for the sneaker game on wedding days.
First, we ventured to the entrance of the winery and started with some basic prompts of walking back and forth hand in hand, smiles and impromptu embraces welcomed. Then, I wanted to secure a vantage point from the balcony above the terrace where the ceremony took place and instructed the couple to make their way down and start twirling around. Soon, guests started to uncover what Crosby and Will were up to on the terrace, and by the time my assistant and I reunited with the bride and groom, a crowd took over our spots up on the balcony.
We brought back Crosby’s veil for a handful of shots, allowing the material to catch the breeze while she and her groom held each other close. The wedding mood board was becoming a reality shot after shot, prompt after prompt. Even while cheering and heckling from guests above, Crosby and Will were able to tune it all out and be in their little world. Their love pierced right through my lens, leaving me with no choice but to use up every second I had with them.
To wrap up their wedding day portraits, the balcony crowd began to chant and sing a song. Will had no other choice but to join in.
8:20pm
ARMSTRONG + LAYDEN
The sun finally set on this epic celebration, but the party was just getting started. Crosby and Will made their way back into the reception, taking to the dance floor with microphones in hand. The two gave their thanks to everyone for coming, put a spotlight on the bride’s mother, and shared the first dances with their parents.
With nothing left to do but dance the night away, the band on stage began to rock and guests flooded to the dance floor to jam out with the newlyweds. After snapping a few pictures with guests at the photo booth and getting the dance party started, Crosby and Will snuck away once more.
8:35pm
Back in the dressing room, Will helped Crosby out of her floor-length wedding gown into a short, white feathered mini dress. Fun fact: The bride’s ensemble coordinated perfectly with her mother’s pink feathered dress. Before returning to the party, Crosby put on her sparkly “Just Married” shades and touched up her gloss, which I happily photographed.
The couple then rushed through the halls, sneaking in kisses against the walls and elevators, before running full speed back into their reception.
8:55pm
The rest of the night? A movie. The live band, Dancehall Days, sang hit after hit and the crowd screamed word for word, celebrating like their lives depended on it. And my flash captured the whole of it, start to finish. Crosby and Will danced together with their loved ones, back and forth between sipping cocktails, posing at the photo booth, and busting a move. Somehow in the madness, Crosby’s sunglasses went from Crosby to Will, then back to Crosby. A coordinated effort, perfect for wedding photos.
One of the most memorable moments was the band’s legendary performance of Mr. Brightside by The Killers. Crosby and Will were hoisted up and got crowd-surfed for nearly the entire song, as everyone in the room screamed the lyrics. Like I said, a movie.
10:50pm
The reception wound down and guests headed outside, leaving Crosby and Will alone once more for their final dance of the night. With one last song, the two shared conversation, laughs, and kisses to bring their day to a close.
Lined up along the entrance, everybody waited eagerly for Crosby and Will’s grand exit. The band brought the horns out to play, strutting with a groovy tune as a send-off. The newlyweds rushed out of the venue into the crowd, cheering with their loved ones before sliding into their limo.
I snapped one final photo to close out the wedding album – Will waving out the limo’s door with Crosby snuggled on his arm.
Crosby and Will’s wedding was the epitome of class, luxury, and the fun of marrying a best friend - even under the summer heat of the Pacific Northwest. This is a wedding day I will ALWAYS be obsessed with!
VENDOR CONTACT/SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:
Wedding Planner: Caitlin McDonald Events | @caitlinmcdonaldevents
Venue + Catering: Amaterra Winery | @amaterrawines
Photography: Laura Shepherd Photography | @laurashepherdimages
Florals: Bloom Culture Co. | @bloomculture_co
Rental Companies: Arden Event Co. | @ardeneventcollective
Band: Dance Hall Days | @dancehalldays
Photobooth: Smirk Photobooth | @smirkphotoboothco
Cold Sparks: DJ Cutt Entertainment |@djcuttentertainment1
HMUA: Powder Inc. | @powderincbeauty
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