When Clients become Friends
I feel incredibly lucky to become close friends with so many of my couples. Building a relationship with them allows me capture their love & unique personalities. It also makes my job a whole heck of a lot of fun! I truly enjoy getting to celebrate their wedding days with them.
Kelly & Blake are two of these gems for me. We met at Kelly’s sister’s wedding (another friendship I am so grateful for!) and they reached out as soon as they were looking for a photographer. Kelly & Blake are some of the most kind, genuine & generous people I have met. Blake has a way of sharing and communicating his emotions that honestly just inspires me. We talked for hours during their engagement session at Lincoln Park & ferry ride to Vashon Island. I came home from that session feeling giddy & inspired! I couldn’t wait for their wedding day at Roche Harbor!
Winter in the PNW
The weather ferrying to Friday Harbor on Friday was gorgeous. A beautiful sunset over the Sound as we arrived on San Juan Island. The weather on Kelly & Blake’s wedding day, however, was a little different. But Kelly and Blake didn’t mind one bit. They were actually pretty excited to have a typical grey Pacific Northwest day for their celebration! It fit right in with their love of the PNW and adventuring no matter what. After an emotional first look between Kelly & her dad, and Kelly & Blake, we ventured out with my trusty bubble umbrella to explore the beautiful grounds surrounding Hotel De Haro.
The faux fur shawls kept the ladies warm, while the groomsmen wielded umbrellas. The rain made us a little more creative with using covered spaces. Some of my favorite shots are of the group huddled under the cabana roofs! The bridesmaids’ scarlet gowns & lush bouquets popped perfectly agains the grey skies.
Rainy Roche Harbor Wedding
Everyone was happy to move inside and be cozy in front of the fireplace for the ceremony which was full of happy tears & joyful cheers. Luckily, the rain let up after the ceremony. We stole some shots out on the docks without umbrellas before partying the night away! The food at Roche Harbor was delicious as always, and the dessert… Man, I definitely enjoyed my slice of Chocolate Mint Pie!
Kelly & Blake – Thank you for not only trusting me to capture your wedding day, but also for welcoming me into your family. I know you two have a beautiful life ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see where it leads! Love you guys!
Photographer – Meredith McKee Photography Venue & Caterer – Roche Harbor Florist – Robin’s Nest Desert – Pies A La Mode DJ – Terry B’s DJ Service
Let’s be friends!
Are you following @meredithmckee on Instagram? If not, get ready for posts like the one I shared following Kelly & Blake’s wedding day:
“This weekend was SO full of so many of my favorite things & I never want to forget that!
It can be just as important to A. Do your favorite things and B. Appreciate them as they’re happening.
On Friday, Kevin and I accidentally got to the ferry terminal 2.5 hours early and we spent a good part of that wait walking along the water, talking and taking in the gorgeous views of the Puget Sound. I let the wind whip through my hair on the bow of the boat, soaking up every ounce of sunshine. We headed to a brewery once we got to Friday Harbor, met up with my wonderful couple & then had a fancy date night dinner out.
Saturday was filled with photographing these joyful smiles and celebrating some of the kindest humans – Kelly & Blake spared no happy tears or thoughtful words all day. It was really, truly, magical.
Sunday we woke up early to catch the morning ferry back. The sun was rising over the docks and I ate a delicious buttery croissant as I watched the boats bob in the water. We watched the Sounders playoff game at home with family before heading out to see one of Kevin’s favorite bands play live. It’s not my favorite kind of music, but watching him smiling & singing along definitely is.
I don’t say all this to brag, or to say I don’t have bad days, but really just to say that appreciating the good ones is SO important. Whether it’s something small like savoring a cup of really good coffee, or something big like seeing one of your favorite bands, soak it up. Write it down. Enjoy it to the core of your being.” 
