WEDDING : Patrick + Abbey : Hidden Meadows in Snohomish, WA

When Patrick and Abbey asked me to photograph their wedding, I was thrilled!  Patrick is one of my husband's childhood friends and I have enjoyed becoming friends of our own.  For many years, my husband and I would find a nice girl and think - 'she would be nice for Patrick.'  But something about her wouldn't fit and we would abort our matchmaking opportunity.  He deserved someone perfect for him and nothing else would do.  Of course, his mother had similar feelings.  She met Abbey while Abbey was working in her classroom as a student of education in Pullman (go Cougs!).  She had her then Seattle-based son, Patrick, drive over to Pullman for a date with this lovely Abbey.  David and I actually saw them on their first date (ironic, I know) in a restaurant while visiting Pullman ourselves (go Cougs!) and had the pleasure to see the awkward first date from a nearby table.  My husband and I spend our entire dinner eyeing nervous Patrick, trying to read Abbey's face expressions and making our own ideas about what they were talking about.  'Don't mention politics or religion, Pat!' I was chanting in my head.

Well, first date went well (obviously).  And just as we hoped for some time - Abbey was PERFECT for our Patrick; our friend.  It is funny how well things fit when it is right.  We adore Abbey and think she is really fun and balances Patrick wonderfully. 

As wonderful as they are together I knew their wedding would be the same - wonderful.  And it was.  The sky was slightly grey and rain had wet the earth the night before.  There was freshness in the air and out amongst the farmland of Snohomish, it was peaceful.  "There is the most beautiful tree outside, Anna," Patrick said to me the moment I walked in.  "You won't miss it.  Just go out back."  I stepped outside and there was the most beautiful blossoming tree I have ever seen.  So of course all family photos had to be taken under this gorgeousness.  And to top off the perfection- their wedding colors were pink which matched the tree so lovely.

Abbey was beautiful, the vows made me cry and we left the Sunday afternoon wedding full of smiles.  Thank you for allowing me to be such an intimate part of the day, Patrick and Abbey.  Lesson learned- when your mother tells you to drive across the state to go out with a nice girl, you listen to your mother.  And GO COUGS!

Groomsmen being groomsmen.

WSU cookie favors made quite a splash among the many Cougar Alum and future Cougars.  Tag read: How sweet it is to be loved by you.

At the reception, photos of Pat and Abbey from birth to present-day ran as a slideshow on the wall.  Patrick was slightly embarrassed by some childhood photos.

 Love a bride who starts out a marriage with cake in her husband's face.

Pat and Abbey's nephew knows way too many good moves on the dance floor.  A future heartbreaker.  He even shook his bottom at the bride.  'What a card' my grandmother would say.

A beautiful setting at Hidden Meadows in Snohomish, WA.