Ashley & Dilson’s September wedding at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington was an amazing event. It was a blast being their wedding photographer.

Since this was a destination wedding for me, I didn’t have the opportunity to meet the bride until the day my plane touched down in Seattle. The love between Ashley and Dilson was immediately evident the first time I saw them together. When a couple is this much in love, it makes my job as a traveling wedding photographer that much easier!

Destination Wedding Photography

Spending time with the bride, groom and their wedding party at the rehearsal dinner gave me an opportunity to get to know everyone. I was lucky to sit next to the bride’s parents, Tom and Leanne, during the rehearsal dinner. They made me feel like family, which makes my job easier. When you’re traveling as a wedding photographer to capture destination wedding photography, it’s easy to feel like you aren’t as connected to the bride, groom and their family. But Tom and Leanne were great. They live on an island off the coast of Washington, which I think is the most awesome things ever.

Another awesome thing was Dilson’s bond with his Marine Corps buddies turned best men, Marc and Charles. Their friendship was authentic as friendships get. You’d think they were biological brothers. It’s true what they say about Marines being a band of brothers. Their unselfish commitment to each other and was inspirational. Thank you for your service, gentlemen.

Ashley and Dilson’s Woodland Park Zoo Wedding

Since most of my work as a fine art wedding photographer is in Boston, Seattle was such an amazing change of backdrop for me. Of course, it helps that Ashley and Dilson live in a gorgeous, newly built Seattle skyscraper with a 360-degree view of the city. They have a direct view of the waterfront, the Seattle Space Needle and the iconic Public Market Center. 

I mean c’mon, it was one of the most jaw dropping backdrops I’d ever seen. As a Boston wedding photographer, I am no stranger to waterfront views, but this was spectacular. The bride and groom got ready in adjacent sun-drenched somewhere in the clouds. It was unique, to say the least.

Probably my favorite part of Ashley and Dilson’s wedding day was their first look. This first look was probably the highest altitude first look ever. It took place on a footbridge connecting one part of the couple’s Seattle high rise building to another. I had my second shooter, Tamara Lewis, go the top of an adjacent building to shoot an amazing wide shoot of the first look. It was high end wedding photography at its finest. Or, more specifically, high up wedding photography.

I loved the creativity that Ashley and Dilson had in their wedding venue selection. Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo was such a unique location for a wedding ceremony and reception. With all the wild animals and tropical foliage, their ceremony backdrop was like something straight out of the Lion King. 

When it came to the reception, I was blown away. I’d heard that Ashley and Dilson met in the Kizomba dance scene, but I didn’t know how talented they were until they danced for the wedding video we shot. This popular genre of dance and music is slow and romantic, with a sensuous beat. It was unbelievable to see how these two danced together. 

Ashley and Dilson, thank you so much for asking me to be your wedding photographer. It was such a pleasure to document your unique Seattle wedding and I wish you both the best in your life together as husband and wife!

Wedding Vendors:

Brides Dress : Lovers Society (Designer) and was purchased at Lovely Bride (Boutique)

Hair Comb-Etsy (Store name: BestForBrides)

Cake Artist: Serenity Sweets

Shout out to Althauser Design for the beautiful Florals

A special shout out to Lancer Hospitality & Lancer Catering who proudly hires military veterans