Remember a couple of weeks ago in Seattle, those torrential downpours on a Sunday? Freezing cold, the roads like rivers? Well, that was the day that Nikki married Zachton, and I woke up with a heavy heart – I had been very excited for their downtown portrait marathon and I was really quite anxious about what I was going to do with their big and very beautiful bridal party for two and a half hours. There’s only so much time you can spend in the library before you get kicked out! So off I set, a couple hours early, to do some last-minute rainy weather scouting. I found a few places, nothing spectacular, and honestly I felt like crying I was so upset! Luckily for me, Nikki and her fabulous ladies were in high spirits despite the gloom and doom outside, and as I photographed the girls getting into their dresses and jewelry, a small miracle happened … the sun came out.
After a very emotional first look (Zach bawled his eyes out, yeah!) the fifteen of us hopped onto a party bus and zoomed around some of my all time favorite photo spots … Pioneer Square (love the shots of Nikki and Zach with the umbrella from Bella Umbrella) … City Hall (that red wall is rad!) … and last but most definitely not least, the sculpture park. I was expecting the rain to start pouring down again at any moment, but it somehow stayed sunny right until we got back to The Harbor Club for the family photos – someone must have been smiling down on my last summer wedding in Seattle, that’s all I can think.
The ceremony was beautiful. It’s a tough room to photograph – totally back lit with huge windows – but I love a challenge. 
There were lots of tears and even more smiles as Zach and Nikki read their vows – a theme that continued throughout the evening. Cocktail hour was busy and buzzy and dinner was fantastic. I’d forgotten just how good the Harbor Club food is … yum! After dinner we had toasts, including three of the best toasts I’ve ever heard from Zach’s three brothers, and yet more smiles and tears through the first dances. Perfect! We finished the evening with a very quick photobooth in the hallway while Brian from Good Times DJ got the party started in the main room (he totally rocks – check him out if you’re looking for a DJ). Zach and Nikki, thank you both for an amazing day, and thank you for waiting so patiently for your teasers. Oh! And don’t forget to check out the highlights slideshow – click here.
[nggallery id=59]
© 2009 Kate McElwee Photography
by Kate
show hide 8 comments