DEB & RICO'S EAST PORTLAND WEDDING

The first weekend of summer in Portland, Oregon. An intimate backyard ceremony. The takeover of Southeast Division Street. Deb and Rico, exchanging vows, rings, and an endless amount of love from family and friends. Stay tuned for the wedding day journal of the Zepedas, told from the point of view of their trusted photographer.

Saturday, June 22nd, 2024

Portland, Oregon, USA

2:00pm

AN EAST PORTLAND WEDDING

A forecast of 80-something degrees in Portland, Oregon with clear skies and plenty of sunshine? A great day to get married in your own backyard.

With my large backpack, tote bag, and assistant in tow, I headed to the first location of the day – a local, eclectic Airbnb in Southeast Portland – where our bride, groom, and loved ones were getting ready.

Right as we entered the home, we were greeted by Deb, our bride in the living room, finishing up her makeup and hair. Rico, our groom, loomed around the corner in the kitchen, waving hello before hiding away from Deb’s view.

As I gathered my bearings and parked my belongings, I took note of the space – natural light, hanging plants, seating room, lighthearted conversation – and immediately knew I was going to have a great start to this wedding day.

2:15PM

THE WEDDING DETAILS

Within minutes, we had the couple’s wedding details in hand and I set out to find a unique surface for the initial flat lay photos. There were lots to choose from and play with: Deb and Rico’s vows (folded closed and decorated with tiny heart stickers), wedding invitations, photo strips of the couple from various Portland bars, rings and jewelry, shoes, fragrance, and even sunglasses. We added in Deb’s bouquet – an arrangement of vibrant, colorful florals – for extra flair.

(Fun fact: Rico revamped Deb’s wedding ring and surprised her with the final result that morning. Deb was obsessed.)

One of the coolest spots in the Airbnb was the kitchen, specifically for the dramatic black-and-white tiled flooring. The flash photography made its rightful debut as I snapped away. While I was getting all the angles, Deb’s girlfriends passed by in loungewear then came back around in bright, gorgeous dresses ideal for a summer wedding.

With Deb still in the makeup chair and Rico upstairs, I secured a few doorway shots of the couple’s wedding day attire – all white for both the bride and groom, except for intricate red birds stitched onto Rico’s dress shirt.

As Deb made her way into the bedroom to start putting on her dress, I hurried to find more spots for detail shots: A liquor cabinet, shelves filled to the brim with trinkets, and even a spread of bagels on the kitchen counter. If there’s one thing I’ll always attempt for a wedding gallery, it’s getting crafty with the food!

2:45pm

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

Insistent on not seeing each other until both dressed and ready, Rico kept out of sight and took Deb’s place in the makeup chair for some final touches. I got up close and personal with Deb and her girls, capturing wide smiles and tight hugs in between zipping up her dress and adorning herself with accessories.

Rico snuck back upstairs to put on his ensemble and Deb evaded him once more, heading back to the makeup chair for her final touches. The couple’s loved ones gathered and conversed in the kitchen and foyer, awaiting the first look. I whipped around the space, shooting candid moments in anticipation. After a few moments, exclamations could be heard as Rico came downstairs in all white, stopping in his tracks before reuniting with Deb.

I guided Deb to the center of the living space, and let her give the go-ahead for her groom to enter.

3:00pm

THE FIRST LOOK

Rico entered the room with open arms at the sight of Deb, and she eagerly brought him into her embrace. They pulled away and fawned over each other’s outfits, holding each other close as everyone around them cheered and teared up in joy. 

(Spoiler alert: Tons of happy tears were shed this day. By everyone.)

After reading tear-jerking letters from Deb’s sister, opening pre-wedding gifts, and handing off the important details of vows, rings, and keys, everyone departed to the ceremony venue. I was excited to finally have one-on-one time with the couple to photograph their initial portraits of the day, and we seized every minute.

We began couples portraits inside, taking advantage of where Deb and Rico shared their first look, the staircase, and the front porch. It was time to depart by the time we made it outside, where a sleek black Escalade was ready to chauffeur us to the ceremony. Deb and Rico turned on the main character energy in the backseat, wearing matching sunglasses, rolling down the windows, and holding hands. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day to get married to your best friend – and these two were so ready to make it happen.

4:00pm

THE BACKYARD CEREMONY

Deb and Rico decided to get married in their own home. A full circle moment, since it was nearly two months to the day when I shot their engagement photos in the very same place.

Deb & Rico's Engagement Shoot

Upon arrival, the two snuck inside the front door, grabbing a quick bite of a banana before preparing to share vows. As they got settled, my assistant and I made our way to the backyard to get a lay of the land.

Red and pink streamers. Rows of wooden chairs on grass. Flower petals lining the aisle. Extravagant trees and greenery. Floral bouquets. Strands of flowers hanging at the altar. A guitarist strumming soft melodies. A small group of guests grabbing last-minute drinks and conversation. The scene mirrored the cool, easy-going nature of Deb and Rico, with a rainbow dress code and no shortage of excitement in the air. It was evident that there was no need for over-the-top dramatics, minus kids playing Jenga and Connect 4 off to the side.

After finding a home with each other, all Deb and Rico needed was their families gathered in the one place they called home. The wholesomeness? Ten out of ten.

4:15pm

Everyone found their seats as the officiant slash friend of the couple made their way up to the altar and the guitarist began playing a tender song. Two flower girls walked the aisle with baskets of petals, two boys followed suit with rings in hand, and then Rico made his grand entrance into the ceremony, with his parents on both arms.

Everyone rose to their feet as Deb began walking down the aisle, also arm in arm with her parents. She made sure to hug everybody in the front row before taking Rico’s hand at the altar. As the guests sat down and introductions began, I started capturing the ceremony from every angle possible.

Before any of the formalities took place, the officiant urged Deb and Rico to turn to the crowd and soak in the moment with their loved ones. Soon after, Deb and Rico exchanged their handwritten (and lovingly tear-jerking) vows for the very first time. The love between these two was palpable and felt by everyone in the vicinity, including me.

Following vows, the couple exchanged rings and sighs of relief – and were pronounced husband and wife. With one final kiss sealing the deal, the couple turned and walked into the crowd for the first time as the Zepedas.

4:30pm

Immediately following the ceremony, Deb and Rico grabbed celebratory bottles of beer and greeted everyone with hugs and excited conversation. I weaved in and out of the crowd snapping photos of candid moments, extra detail shots inside the house, and even the children having a flower petal fight. Deb and Rico made sure to show everybody a generous amount of attention and love – especially after the beautiful tribute of a toast from the mother of the bride.

Beers in hand, Deb and Rico eased into mingling and the signing of their marriage certificate – a daunting situation made light by cracking jokes and urging the other not to mess up. Family photos were a breeze – perks of a small, intimate wedding ceremony with only family – and soon everyone began departing to the reception venue, leaving the newlyweds to my care once more.

5:15pm

THE COUPLES PORTRAITS

To start, I got straight to taking individual portraits of Deb adorned in her veil and bouquet. In their backyard, the evening sun was shining just right through a small walkway between greenery. I gave Deb a backlit moment before I pulled Rico into the shot as well. 

In a spur of spontaneity, we headed back inside the house and recreated Deb and Rico’s engagement photos on their living room couch. It was a touchpoint of their love captured then, meant to be captured just the same on their wedding day.

Before we knew it, it was time to be chauffeured down to Division Street for a wedding day takeover.

5:45pm

Deb and Rico shared beforehand that they wanted gas station photos for their couples portraits, and I could not have been more excited to make it happen. So, you can imagine my game face once the chauffeur dropped us off at the 76 on the corner of Division and Cesar Chávez Blvd.

The newlyweds boldly strutted hand in hand into the gas station, heading straight to the slushie station. I brought out the flash and went to work, guiding them through the aisles to checkout and then to the curb outside. Not one bystander had any objections to these two taking over the scene.

On a quest to venture to the reception venue on foot, we began walking down Division Street for some candid sidewalk moments. The presence of these two alone, dressed in all white with Deb’s veil flying in the wind, earned an award-winning amount of honking and cheering from strangers on the road. Even while I seized a moment to take individual portraits of Rico, the drivers and pedestrians of Portland were falling in love with the Zepedas at first sight.

To add more flair to the day (and attract more attention for the newlyweds), my assistant and I stopped traffic over four times for Deb and Rico to jog, spin, and dance in the middle of the road. If you know me, you know that as a Portland, Oregon wedding photographer, I will never pass up a crosswalk moment for my couples. We will make it happen, no matter what!

After some final street-side photos, we wrapped up the official couples portraits and let the newlyweds take a much-needed break before making their grand entrance into their reception. My assistant and I then ventured into the large crowd gathered at Someday, the alleyway patio bar hosting their wedding day celebration.

6:30pm

THE COCKTAIL HOUR

The air erupted with applause as Deb and Rico made their grand entrance, all smiles and excitement to celebrate with friends and family. The casual occasion turned lively as guests relished in the festivities: lining up for a grazing table of Mediterranean cuisine, heading to the bar for a signature cocktail, or simply grabbing a Polaroid camera and snapping photos.

Of course, the kids oversaw Jenga and Connect 4 at the game station. 

As the cocktail hour went on, I ran around the patio to capture the reception’s details: Red and pink streamers, an oyster station, a photo backdrop made up of pink hearts, custom playing cards designed by the couple (featuring their queen Bonnie), and the His and Hers cocktail drinks of the night. 

If there was one thing the Zepedas knew how to do, it was to throw a party that every single person could enjoy… including themselves.

7:45pm

Everyone eventually found a comfortable place for toasts, and I found my spot within the crowd to get good shots of the couple throughout. From their siblings' heartfelt words to the sound advice of their fathers, there was no shortage of happy tears, quirky banter, and raised glasses for Deb and Rico’s union. 

Photographing moments like these, where people come together out of a collective love for two individuals in love, is what makes all the work worth it. For Deb and Rico, my heart was doing backflips with every shot.

8:15pm

THE ZEPEDAS

After toasts and a quick announcement from the DJ, the reception turned into a dance party. Deb and Rico took to the open patio for their first dance as husband and wife, lip-syncing and twirling to Stars Are Blind by Paris Hilton.

Guests flooded the dance floor by the end, singing along as the DJ played the song one more time before spinning hits from all decades. It was obvious everybody wanted to move and groove, and so I happily obliged with tons of flash photography and moves of my own.

Before Deb and Rico could get too swept up with dancing, I grabbed them for more portraits at their photo booth. Calling in the energy of a JC Penney photoshoot and prom pictures, these two committed to the bit happily.

By the time I got back, the dance floor was electric and fueled by hits from Whitney Houston and Pharrell. Ice cream was getting passed through the crowd. A cheeseburger station was being set up in the alley. Developed Polaroids were strewn on almost every available surface. So many stories to tell with my lens.

9:15pm

When there’s a bar involved, you can count on me to convince my couples to make use of it. Once I mentioned this idea to Deb and Rico, they were all for it – matching sunglasses included. With espresso martinis in hand, the Zepedas posed for my camera and their guests cheered them on… especially when Deb sat on the bar.

The scene was the perfect send-off for Deb to change into her second outfit of the day: A short, sparkly dress with feathers on the cuffs of her sleeves, ideal for dancing the night away with her husband.

With one final photo left on the film camera, I found Deb and Rico to ask what picture they would like to take. Hearing this within earshot, the kids ran to their side begging to be part of the photo. I backed up to get the whole group in frame and with a “1… 2…. 3!” I snapped the last photo of a truly epic wedding day.

Deb and Rico’s wedding was as full circle as it gets, from shooting their engagement photos in their home to capturing their first married moments in their backyard. Their trust and love for one another was felt in every moment and photo of their wedding day, and was such a blast to take part in.

If you are searching for a wedding photographer in Portland, Oregon, California, or New York who showcases your love in a cinematic, storytelling way, look no further. Feel free to check out my Services page for my current offerings before inquiring about your special day. Let’s make some magic!