I had never been to a themed wedding until just last week…and that’s saying something because I’ve been to so many weddings in my years as a wedding photographer!! But about 6 months ago, my brother explained that he and Em had decided to have a themed wedding and right away I knew it was the perfect fit for them!! One of the things that I love most about my brother is that he lives boldly and is so independent. He’s always known what he likes and I’ve always admired that about him. A year after he graduated from high school, he moved across the country to attend the DigiPen Institute of Technology to pursue his dream of becoming a video game designer. He made life long friends in Washington who share his passion for games and he met Emily there a few years later. 

If I were to dream up a girl for Hans, Emily would be even better than I could imagine. She is soft and gentle and I love how she is so full of joy. Where Hans is more serious, she brings out his silly side and they always seem to have so much fun together! He loves her so well and we are so grateful for Em and how she takes care of Hans! Especially because all of our family lives so far from him! Emily, I hope you know what an incredible blessing you are to us all!!

So last week my family and I packed up and headed across the country to Washington State where my brother and his now wife (!!) live to be a part of their wedding celebration. I hadn’t been to Seattle in over half a decade so I was really excited to get to explore it with my family and for my brother Hans to share all the reasons, the people, and the places that made him fall in love with life there! It was so much fun to see the city, but the best parts were connecting with the people who have grown to become my brothers family – his friends and Emily’s family! The first full day we were there, Emily’s family invited us over for dinner and it was such a blessing to get to know them! The rest of the week Emily whole family along with ours helped to finish out the wedding plans. Emily’s mom did an incredible job managing all of the helpers and bringing all of the details together! 

Both Hans and Emily are so artistic and creative and I love how that came out in the plans!  The wedding was held at a gorgeous state park south of where they live in Washington. The greenery there is incredible…I understand now why they call it the Emerald State! It was so refreshing to be in the middle of nature for the wedding…Hans and Emily’s friends and family came from all over and it was so much fun to see everyone arriving in their medieval costume!!  

As guests started to arrive we made our way over to the beautiful barn where the ceremony was held. We followed that up with a celebration in the tavern on the property…I loved hearing all of the toasts that were shared and getting to celebrate together as a family in a faraway place is something I will never forget!
Congratulations Hans and Emily! I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites!!