On this day things were different. Eddie and I were driving down windy roads that drifted past large cliffs of waterfalls and empty fields of golden wheat. My long hair blazed around me as the wind blew in through the windows as though we had the hottest convertible in town....though it was just a dirty 2 door Honda. We were drifters....wonderers...two lovers on an adventure. We were heading out to the middle of nowhere to capture one of the most unique weddings we have every had the privilege to do. A couple we had never met had a brilliant idea and acted on it....it was an adventure!
After four hours of driving we found the small town of Grass Valley and quickly drove through the 2 stops signs and realized that we passed it. 2 stops signs and we passed it....seriously? We took a long look around and a deep breath to smell the sweet smell of chaparral. It was perfect.
We were told that the church was old and just off the main road. We looked and looked, until off to the left behind some large oak trees and a large yard of weeds was the most beautiful church I had ever seen. A small white peeling paint kind of a church. The stain glass windows were empty and wood planks laid over small holes in the floors. It was so flawless in it's own right.
Stephen and Katie met at Starbuck's where he was making her latte less than a year ago. Sounds like something out of a movie right? It gets better. He looked her up and sent an email that completely captivated Katie in a "emotionally smart" kind of way. They knew they had something special and made a packed to date even though he was moving to L.A. After 5 months of dating and rare spots of seeing each other he proposed at the King Estate Winery. The next day Katie called us with her brilliant idea. She told us a beautiful tale of a small abandoned church several miles outside of Portland. It would be just the two of them and no one else. They were getting married only 3 short days after he proposed. What? Are you kidding me? We struck gold!!! The idea was better than any dream photo shoot I could possibly create.
When we arrived at the small forgotten church we realized that this love story was much different than any other story we had ever experienced. Two lovers who were so desperate to be together without an understanding of how to make that work....so, they did the only thing that really made sense. They got married.
Katie & Stephen, thank you from the bottom or our hearts for allowing us to capture a wedding of a lifetime. I doubt that we will ever experience anything quite like this. Congratulations you two and I hope that we can finally do dinner.....in LA!!!!!




Stephen & Katie were so stinking cute.



One of the coolest aspects of shooting in an abandoned church is the versatility. There won't be too many times that I will be able to step outside of the church and capture the ceremony. Sweet!



We finally had some time to photograph the two lovebirds. We always suggest allowing about 1 hour for the bride & groom formals, but never get it. If you want to do more than that great, but try and get an hour. The time will yield lots of gorgeous images and a chance to relax.



Katie was so absolutely ravishing so I wanted to make sure that we caught her as natural as possible. She did all the work...we just recorded the fierceness.







I love this shot. We separated the two of them for a short while and Stephen couldn't take it and popped in next to her. Seriously it was like 5 minutes.







What a stud. Is that dorky to say? I love that we really didn't have to pose Stephen at all. He just worked it naturally.



We were trying for a bit different idea, but was amazed to find that they conquered a much better interpretation of that concept. I love it when that happens.









Katie & Stephen have their own personal blog about their long distance relationship and all the woes and joys of the journey. stephenandkatiewagner.wordpress.com

If you are a bride and groom and wish to do an "adventure" wedding then please don't hesitate to call us. We dream of these kind of things....dorky huh?
Stephen & Katie married in the Old Methodist Church in Grassvalley Oregon.
The address...there is none.