Sara + Jessie’s Cherry Orchard Wedding at The Orchard at Sunshine Hill

Buckle up – this one’s a long one, because Sara and Jessie’s wedding gave me so much to work with. They reached out shortly after getting engaged and asked me to shoot both their engagement and wedding photos, and from the moment I met them, I knew their day was going to be a blast.

Where it started: an engagement session in North Bend

We kicked things off earlier that year with their engagement session at their cute little home in North Bend, WA. Hearing about their plans for the wedding and watching the way they looked at each other, I could tell this was going to be one for the books – and it absolutely was.

An orchard wedding, down to every detail

The details at this wedding were exquisite. The bride’s father built a handmade altar and ring box, her mother contributed an embroidered handkerchief, and the groom’s father skipped the traditional speech entirely – instead, he sang a song he’d written for his son. There were a lot of happy tears, and even more laughter.

The ceremony took place at The Orchard at Sunshine Hill, a gorgeous 40-acre cherry orchard tucked into the green, forested hills of Chehalis, WA. The blossoming trees and soft light made every frame feel like it belonged in a storybook, and as a photographer, I genuinely could not have asked for a better backdrop.

The party that wouldn’t quit

Once the ceremony wrapped, the celebration really got going. The band brought the house down – so much so that the crowd shouted for an encore – and dancing didn’t stop until well after dark. Sara and Jessie were finally sent off by their guests for a ride around the farm in a vintage 1957 Chevy pickup, which might be one of my favorite send-offs I’ve ever photographed.

Telling love stories has been my passion for over a decade now. From the engagement session all the way through the last dance, I’d love to help tell yours too.

Booking an engagement session and a wedding together is my favorite way to work. Here is more on what a full wedding day with me looks like.

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Orchard at Sunshine Hill?

The Orchard at Sunshine Hill is a 40-acre cherry orchard wedding venue in Chehalis, Washington, about an hour south of Seattle.

Do you photograph both engagement sessions and weddings for the same couple?

Yes – I love working with couples from their engagement session through their wedding day; it gives us a real head start on comfort in front of the camera.

What makes an orchard venue a good choice for a wedding?

Orchards like Sunshine Hill offer natural beauty, dappled light, and a relaxed, romantic backdrop that photographs beautifully in every season.

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• Josh + Ciara: A Wedding on the Skykomish River

Let’s work together →

If you are working out a budget, here is what elopement coverage with me costs.