The Dalles Wedding at The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum
Laura and Chris's friends and family came to The Dalles, Oregon from all over the country: Texas, Florida, the Pacific Northwest... it was a destination wedding for all of us. Maybe I'm biased about destination weddings because I had one (lololol) but there's something SO special about having everyone in from out of town and being totally and fully present for the couple. There's no where else to be, nothing else to do, the whole weekend is truly about the celebration. This wedding was no exception.
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum was the perfect setting. It was pretty windy and chilly so the space provided the perfect 'outdoor feel but you're inside' (as Laura described it). The views were incredible; it's such an inspiring place to be (and those floor to ceiling windows are to die for). We started the day in an Airbnb: a perfect A-frame cabin with gorgeous interiors, great style, lots of wonderful natural light, and a stunning outdoor field and garden area. This whole wedding was a photographers dream and I am so thrilled about these images!! :D :D :D
On a personal note, I felt so welcomed, loved, and valued all weekend. I usually can't wait to get home after a traveling wedding weekend, but I was pretty sad to be leaving The Dalles on Sunday morning. I felt like I left with 10 new best friends and it felt like leaving summer camp. Laura wrote me the sweetest review I've ever received, and I'm going to share it here as well because it brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I REALLY DO CARE ABOUT THIS 'JOB' AND MY COUPLES SO MUCH! For me, wedding photography has always been about my couples first, art second. Laura, thank you for your kind words and for making me feel so amazing! Leave it TO YOU on your wedding weekend to bake cookies and also make everyone else around you feel so valued.
"If you're looking for a perfect day, you want Kami by your side. Kami is a jack of all trades and master of LITERALLY all of them. Her lines of communication are open from day one and she's SO easy to talk to. She's your support when you maybe didn't know you needed it, your voice when you aren't sure what to say or how to say it, and your eyes when you're worried about missing even the smallest detail. She guided us through the great, the good, the bad, and the weird, and she never faltered. She is talented, confident, and structured, yet can always adapt to whatever the day throws her. She makes you feel at ease in front of her camera - like working with an old friend. She will work really hard both with and for you to give you the best images of the best day. Kami got to know us, our wedding party, and our families and every one of those people are still singing her praises. She deserves it. The preview photos she's shown us from our wedding day are INSANE - more beautiful and perfect than we could have ever expected and we're still talking about how much fun we had with her. She is the total package; a gem of a human who is passionate about giving you the best experience, memories, and images possible. Of all the decisions we made about our wedding day, Kami was easily the best one. "
Vendor Credits:
Photography: Kami Olavarria
Dress: Charlotte’s Weddings and More
Florist: The Color Theory Collective
Venue: Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum
Brides Accessories: Romashka Bridal
Bridesmaids Attire: Adrianna Papell
Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Mens Wearhouse
Desserts: Donna's Macarons & Swirl Cheesecakes
