Can I take a minute and just acknowledge that this year has been just downright discouraging? Not even just from a business perspective although that hasn't been great either. But this year in general has been hard on most everyone. First the shutdown. Minimal social life for 2 months. Then the slow reopening and reconnecting. Now the masks across everyone's faces. The fear lurking behind someone's eyes. The stark reality that what we knew as normal may never come back. Now a

This lovely couple met through Bottled, an international messaging app. When they first started corresponding, she was in Germany and he was in Oregon. Now here they are, 3 years later, and they were planning a wedding for 5-23-2020. Then Covid19 happened. Like many others they rescheduled their wedding for a later date. Mostly due to family who would be traveling internationally. So instead of a wedding; they took a long weekend to Florence, Oregon; and decided to have some

Recently I had a wonderful opportunity to work with a bunch of talented vendors to create this boho styled shoot! I am always intrigued as to the gifts that others have for making goodies, writing beautiful penmanship, crafting jewelry, etc. There are so many details and choices that go into making a wedding day. And I am honored each time I am chosen to be the photographer who gets to capture those details. Vendors who collaborated to make this shoot possible: Photographer:

In effort to help brides who are looking for specific types of venues, I am creating an ever-growing list of venues that I have personally visited/photographed. If you have questions about these venues from a photographer's point of view, feel free to message me. Indoor: Portland City Grill - Portland, OR https://portlandcitygrill.com/ Outdoor/Indoor: The Water Oasis - Newberg, OR http://thewateroasis.com/ Ainsworth House - Portland, OR http://ainsworthhouse.net/ Gray Gables

In effort to help brides who are looking for specific types of vendors, I am creating an ever-growing list of vendors that I have personally met. I also keep an updated list on my website at: stephaniefordphotography.com/preferredvendors Cake & Cupcakes Sewell Sweets - Catherine Sewell https://www.facebook.com/SewellSweets/ Chalkboard Artist Artful.Virgo - Lisa Peppard https://www.facebook.com/artful.virgo/ Desserts Tres Belle Cookies - Michelle Barnes https://www.facebook.co

I have known this couple individually for little over 2 years. Ron personally trained me at my previous day job. Once I was trained though, I didn't see or talk to Ron on a daily basis as he worked out of another location. Elizabeth and I met when she and her team rotated through the office where I worked and became good friends who communicated online during and after work. Then one day, she said "I have a crush on someone" and told me who. And she asked my opinion on whethe

Had a blast celebrating with these two lovely ladies! Some time ago when they visited Florence, one fell in love with the small town, the quaint gazebo and shops on Bay St. Since then she has been planning the decorations and details of their wedding. They encorporated fall colors, pumpkins and paper lanterns to make the gazebo and surrounding pathway enchanting. The timing was also perfect as the first look, portraits and ceremony took place in the couple hours prior to suns

March: I second shot a wedding where details were part of my role to capture. As the couple were getting ready in a hotel, there weren't a lot of options to set up details for photos. I shot a majority of the detail photos in the elevator as I liked the wood planking floor as a flatlay backdrop versus the distracting carpet in the hallway. Yes, I got some interesting looks as people saw me when the elevator door opened. Lol. April: For this wedding, I arrived a little before

This was my first Romanian wedding. It was a great learning experience as there are several differences between most of the weddings I've shot and a Romanian wedding. First thing to know is that the ceremony is much more ceremonial. There are several mini speeches interspersed with musical performances. The ceremony can last 1.5 to 2 hours. Second thing to know is the reception is about the food. It is considered rude to not eat. And you will not leave hungry. It is a feast t

During the toasts, the bride's daughter (age 14) shared the story of the proposal. After the groom asked the bride to marry him, he asked her to be his daughter. She explained what a special moment that was for her and her mom as she hadn't had a father figure. Later, these two also shared a very special father/daughter dance where they entertained everyone with an ongoing synchronized dance. This celebration was a full-on reminder that on a wedding day only one thing really

This sweet couple met through Ok Cupid. After a year of dating, they moved in together and a couple months later, he proposed! They visited the Oregon coast on a vacation and determined it to be the perfect place to get married. Surrounded by family, glorious weather and laughter, these two vowed to each other forever. Dear Sarah & Dev, Thank you for making me feel like a family member on your special day! You all were truly wonderful. May you never forget the beauty and love

This celebration was full of love and family. It started with a family dinner of barbeque followed by a small ceremony on the lawn, and finally pictures on the beach mere feet from the back lawn. Loved doing these pictures during sunset and seeing this couple laughing, kissing and smiling so easily! Dear Donna & Terry, Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your celebraiton! Your happiness and love for each other showed brightly on your faces. May you never lose that. A

These two grew up in the same area, traveled the world solo before reconnecting and becoming a couple. As a couple they traveled even more before settling in Bend. During their travels, they even lived in their car, Gary, for about 3 months. Now there is a test of a relationship. Being able to live together in close quarters! Dear Audrey & Sean, I so enjoyed being a part of your special day! You two have already had so many adventures but now you will have so many more! Enjoy

All weddings are special but it isn't everyday that I get to do a lifelong friend's wedding. The groom and I have known each other since birth. Our mothers grew up together. And while we weren't always close, we became friends again as adults. Because of our history, this wedding was a bit nastalgic. But I am so happy for him. He found a good match! Dear Josh & Adrian, I am so happy for both of you! You have found someone who appreciates the humor of the other. You complement

Nestled in the countryside, this spot was made for celebrations! These two met while playing golf with bride's brother. Within a few months of dating, he knew he had found someone special. While on a cruse with family in the Caribbean, he proposed to her. Their day was perfect! The sun was shining and weather was warm. Family and friends there to celebrate with them. Dear Christina & Scott, It was an absolute pleasure to celebrate your wedding with you! I hope you will embrac

It was an absolute please to get to know these two and see them just get wrapped up in the moment and each other. The most natural pictures sometimes come when it isn't a pose that I as the photographer put them in. But instead is somethign that happens when they are just being with each other. Vendors who made this day possible: Venue: Clackamette Park Invitations: Letters & Dust Florals: Red's Creations Makeup: Aubrey Kaye Evans Hair: Kendall Peters Deserts: Tres Belle Cook

These two met through Eharmony. As their friends and family retell their story, they were quick to find common interests. One of those commonalities was a love for Disney! And they chose to incorporate a bit of this into their wedding day. Dear Katie & Allen, Embrace this next stage of married life as you move forward as a family. Hold each other close and cherish these moments. George and Olivia are so lucky to have you both! May you live happily ever after, Stephanie #weddi

These met several years ago and one of the first trips they took as a couple was to Oregon where they fell in love with the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Three years later, they revisited and Michael proposed. Danna said yes. Now they are back to say their vows in this place that has special meaning for them surrounded by those closest to them. Dear Danna & Michael, I hope you had a wonderful trip along the Oregon coast! May the memories here always warm your hearts and be cherishe

This couple did something unique during their first look. They exchanged handwritten notes! This brought laughter, tears and even more special memories during this special moment on their wedding day. Definitely something I would recommend to other couples to consider, whether you are considering a first look or not. Dear Presley & Zach, You two are so much fun! So down to earth and joyful. I hope you two always have fun laughing at each other and sharing your life together.

This sweet couple met at work. And today the most important thing about their celebration was their family being around them. Some family came from the corners of Oregon. Other family came from Germany to be here today. Dear Brittany & Nathen, Thank you for the privilege of beign part of your wedding day. May you always hold each other close, giggle when you look at each other, and treasure family time. Many blessings, Stephanie #wedding