We all know the phrase “Don’t Mess With Texas” right?  Well, I don’t mind messin’ with Texas when a wedding party crew is as fun and Holly and Brent’s gang were. The weather was a perfect fall day in the Northwest, so much so that a few of those Texans are considering relocating…

Just as they were about to see one another, the clouds parted and sunlight came streaming down on the shoulders of one beaming bride, and the tears flowed as our tough Texan groom allowed the softer side out.  Thanks for allowing me to capture your day and cheers to years and years of happiness. xo

For true Olympia natives, Lakefair is a week of carnival rides, fair food, parades and fireworks–and it marks the midpoint of summer.  For Haley and Rob, Lakefair will now hail their wedding anniversary! It was a perfect day, sunny and the right amount of wind.  Under the shade of ancient trees in the backyard of Rob’s family home, sweet promises were made. Once the formalities were completed, it was onto some serious celebrating! The fiesta lasted well into the night fueled by great music, delicious food, and maybe just a tiny bit of tequila…. ayyyyyyyiyiyyiii!!!  Love these two and the AWESOME friends and family!  Thanks for allowing me to capture the crazy fun of your wedding day : ) xo

It was such a gorgeous day last Monday.  Thankfully the happy rays continued right into the early evening for my engagement session with Collete and Ryan.  These two are so darling!  They love Discovery Park, so we planned to meet and explore.  Collete has the most amazing copper hued honey hair and skin that is literally luminous.  I couldn’t wait to photograph her!  And Ryan has this easy surfer vibe, mellow and agreeable–though he only surfs the snow…  We wandered through the park, leisurely making our way down to the beach.  What a treat.  With windswept hair and relaxed smiles, we wandered along the shore, taking in the ridiculously beautiful view.  Oh, just another Monday in the Northwest… Dang I love living here!!

Most little girls have visions of their wedding as a splendid day, where they look and feel like a princess.  Well, Chantell and Aaron had just that.  The setting was dramatically royal: the Thornewood Castle, simply incredible.  Chantell was completely dreamy in a voluptuous gown, with a little bit of hidden sass in her pink shoes.  The flowers, the cake, the candy buffet…all  hues of pink yumminess.  Every where I turned was another ridiculously beautiful scene.  The guests were treated to luscious fruits and appetizers, and a lighter luncheon buffet catered by Pellegrino’s.  All in all, perfection.  Congratulations you two!  Have a great time at Turtle Bay!! xoxo

Anny knew she wanted tropical colors for her wedding–but the perfectly tropical heat was a bonus for Washington! What a beautiful bride– a deep, rich brunette, she was striking with her luminous skin and dress. Alex is one lucky man! She had a team of creative family members helping, and you can see the delicious attention to detail throughout.  Cynthia from Capitol Florist, brought the most amazing flowers to life–the bouquets looked like tropical fireworks!  The day was lovely, we even happened upon the gelato cart from Mercato during photos. What a treat! Thanks to the entire wedding party for being such fun and up for climbing on an old caboose for a quick photo! So glad the State Patrol didn’t throw us off… Hope you two are enjoying Hawaii!!

It is such a delight to work with the same family over the years.  I have photographed seniors, engagement and families photos for this beautiful clan.  I was thrilled when Don and Jackie booked their daughter Christy’s wedding with me.  Christy now lives in Texas and had to rely on her parents for much of the logistical wedding planning.  I had only communicated with her via email until the wedding week when we finally had an opportunity to meet over lunch.  Brian and Christy are a lovely, humble couple who laugh easily and smile with their eyes.  And she has the most beautiful, shiny hair I have ever seen!  My only regret is that I didn’t have a chance for a barbecue lesson…from a REAL Texan!  hahaha  Enjoy your trip down the coast, you sweet honeymooners!

My younger brother Zachary was married this past Saturday–the baby of a family of six kids, of which four of those older siblings are sisters.  When he was little we would drag him around on our hips, put him in dresses and generally dote on him.  He was such a funny little kid, razor wit and humor, even at four. And he still is completely hilarious.  I know that’s one thing Desiree loves about him… we all do! Who doesn’t like to laugh?

Zach proposed to his bride Desiree last year when we were all on holiday in Maui.  It was so special to be able to share that with them, and to celebrate their engagement in such a stunning place.

Their wedding day was glorious–absolutely perfect sunny weather.  One of those days in the Northwest that helps us to remember why we endure the long gray months of fall, winter and most of spring (ha).

It was a lovely ceremony and GREAT party!  I love being with all of my siblings–they are all creative, expressive and so dang fun.  It was A LOT of family time time this weekend, but surprisingly drama free! I hope Zach and Desiree are stretched out on a Mexican beach sipping margaritas about now…  Too bad I couldn’t convince them to take me along for Honeymoon photo coverage!   tle="DSC_7345-Edit" src="http://www.cortneykelleyphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DSC_7345-Edit.jpg" alt="DSC_7345-Edit" width="347" height="500" />

Like Buddy the Elf, I like smiling.  I can safely say, it IS my Favorite.  That, and laughing–I’m pretty good at both of them too.  But meet Dan and Gabi, two people who clearly also like smiling, and laughing, and just being adorably in love.

I first met Dan when he was a wild 18 year old soccer player with the Blackhills Football Club (BHFC).  I remember taking a team photo for them — Dan decided to embellish his look with a piece of wheat grass hanging out of his mouth, it really made the photo… yep, that’s Dan.  He’s still a bit wild. Thankfully, I think he’s met his match–maybe not as wild as him, but she seems like she can most definitely hold her own! Yay!

Gabi and I met at the holiday party for the BHFC coaches (my husband Philip is also a coach with Dan).  Part of the evening festivities was a white elephant gift exchange–always a hilarious and mildly inappropriate game…  Some people brought coffee baskets, some people brought used athletic gear and SOME people brought a fifth of delicious tequila and a darling PHOTO of themselves… guess who brought the gift and guess who fought to win it?!  Yep, Dan and Gabi brought the photo and yours truly, thoroughly enjoyed the tequila.  I have the photo on my desk right now, and every time a look at it, it makes me smile. Smile at two people who are really REALLY good a smiling… I can’t wait for their wedding.  There will be LOADS of smiling then!

It also didn’t hurt that they were leaving in the morning for Mexico.  Yeah, I’d be smiling too…

Meet Heather and Michael.  Not only do they have their wedding to plan for summer of 2012, but they have 20 acres to clear, a bridge to construct, and a house to build. And that’s happening before the wedding…  I don’t doubt for a single second that these two dynamos will pull it all off, with grace.  It doesn’t hurt that Michael is a bridge engineer and has an army of talented people ready to start working. They are going to create a stunning home–I can’t wait to see it.

It was a complete treat to visit their incredible property, envisioning their home, high up on a ridge over looking a valley of trees.  I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to live. Sigh…

We ended the session at the Spar for a mini bevvie sampling.  I pulled out my Yes/No coin–so much easier than actually making my own decisions (hahaha) -the coin and the beer both say Yes to this match : )

It was a sun dappled afternoon for Rebecca and Alex’s wedding, that though still close to 80 degrees, had cooled considerably from the low 90′s earlier in the week!  Thankfully there was plenty of shade to tuck into and every so often, a slight breeze would find it’s way through.  With their blond curls, they made the most adorable couple.  When Alex turned to see his bride for the first time, his smile was so unbelievably tender, eyes all around welled up.

The bright, happy colors of yellow and sage green were perfect– mimicking the happy attitude of the wedding party gang. The was certainly no lack of laughter in this group!  Newbury Bay ( http://newburybay.com/ ) provided the most vibrant floral arrangements, and Angela from Weddings with Joy  ( http://weddingswithjoy.com/ )was there to make certain the bridal party looked their best up to the last moment.

Thanks for allowing me to be part of your day!  Hope you have a wonderful time in Florida!