Andrea & Christine were destined to be an R2 couple….just like every bride has an amazing engagement story, we have an amazing story about how we became A & C’s same sex wedding photographers for their amazing backyard Portland, OR wedding.
Andrea & Christine had actually hired a wedding photographer, who then realized they were a same sex couple and then refused to be their same sex wedding photographers. Andrea was so hurt and ready to give up on finding a Portland wedding photographer or wedding photographer in general ……it was then that our paths crossed! I (Renee), happened to see a beautiful same sex wedding that was blogged on 100layer cake. I was so moved by the post, I felt compelled to write a response and show my support. For those of us in the LGBT world, we know support is not always there and I wanted to praise this couple and this blog for featuring this beautiful wedding. It was there that Andrea found me. See, Andrea is a wedding blog stalker, and she happened to open the same post as me and saw the words I had written. She immediately contacted us, hired us, and after many skype sessions and a flight to Oregon this is the outcome!
The thing that moves me the most during weddings is the support a family gives during the day. With a same-sex wedding it is a million times more….how can you not be moved by the love a mom has for her daughter no matter who she is marrying!
One of my favorite moments of the entire day. Okay there is a ton of favorites but this is the first you will see in this post! We shot this frame by frame-the candid response to Andrea’s mother realizing her daughter is getting ready to walk down the aisle.
The girls had their initials and wedding date hand-stitched into Andrea’s dress. These cool, simple details are a photographers dream!
The girls were full of smiles and laughter on their wedding day ….makes me smile just posting these pictures 
Andrea & Chris were married in Chris’s familie’s backyard. More on that later, but the photo above shows Andrea taking a private moment to check out the beautiful backyard venue and her family below.
We met with A & C the morning before their wedding. They took us to this amazing, cute little local restaurant and that was our first official (now we can hug) meeting. It was there we found out how much of a DIY wedding this was going to be, Andrea and Chris were off to pick up their flowers after our breakfast, and this is the bouquet that Andrea made for herself! Amazing right???
A & C chose to do a 1st look. We were 100% YES!!! We set up their first look on a tiny little covered pathway in Chris’s parents yard. It was so private, and intimate. Check out the progression of their 1st look.
Tears….
Hugs, more tears, and the “Let me check you out.”
One of the best first looks we have done….love this candid moment!
Alright, so I mentioned DIY all over the place…right? Here you go! Details galore…enjoy these ideas.
The above were captured after their first look.
Andrea was so stinkin cute peeking around the corner to see Christine. Here is Christine’s reaction to seeing her bride walk down the aisle.
These candid moments are the best to shoot!
The new & improved Andrea and Christine!
Uhm….Crazies!
The reception was in a separate area of the yard. This yard was HUGE! and BEAUTIFUL! and AMAZING!
A & C had food catered in and it was quite delicious….don’t be fooled by the meat, we didn’t eat it!
Usually Robin shoots the first dance solo while I am setting up the same day slideshow. Since this was a destination wedding there was no slideshow….so we both were able to capture the first dance. Such an intimate & romantic moment.
Go momma….and brother….and best man….haha!
R2 and the new couple had a date for the day after their wedding. It was here we did their “vogue” shoot. This shoot is a new style we are introducing into our R2 collection. It is more fashion/editorial and NOT on the wedding day. It gives us a chance to take the couple where we think is best and rock out some amazing pics without a time constraint. We were not going to fly ALL the way to Portland and not have an opportunity for some urban, downtown pictures….so here you go….introducing our new Vogue collection with Andrea and Christine.
This is my personal favorite form their vogue shoot! So paparazzi-ish!
This is the exact spot A & C were engaged. Isn’t it interesting that this shot has the best light available that day! They were glowing!
Rockin’ one of the many bridges in Portland!
Robin & I were so proud to be the photographers for Christine and Andrea’s wedding! We could not have asked for a better couple….we are glad fate stepped in and that they are a part of our R2 family! To check out their own personalized site click HERE
P.S. We are already talking about our next trip to Portland….
P.S.S. Holy cow it was SO incredibly green and beautiful….and only a 2 hour flight away!
XOXO – The R2 Studio – Phoenix wedding photographers and same sex wedding photographers and, more recently, Portland wedding photographers!
Robin and Renee, you captured the day perfectly – a little zany, a little fun, a little intimate, a little personal, it’s totally all there. Your photography style and fun personalities were the quintessential element that completed this memorable celebration now encapsulated forever. Thank you for sharing with Andrea and Chris your talents, your smiles, your assuring attention to all the details that make this wedding collection the keepsake they hoped for and got above and beyond all expectations. I loved meeting the both of you and welcome you back to the northwest anywhere, anytime. Sam (Andrea’s mom).
Sam, this was the sweetest response. We are glad you feel like we did this wedding the justice it was due! Capturing all of the moments your family created is what we do! We will definitely be visiting again-R2