Casandra & Kyle
Casandra reached out to me to book and plan a surprise wedding ceremony with her partner Kyle. He knew the plan, but their family didn't! They wanted to gather their families for a camping weekend near Pilot Rock, Oregon, on private family property. They told everyone that it would be a weekend to celebrate Casandra's graduation from a Master's program. Our plan was to introduce me as a friend of Casandra's, there to take some grad photos for her.
On the day of the ceremony, I drove from La Grande over to the camping site. It was up a beautiful, quiet stretch of land accessed by a backcountry road. When I arrived, I found Casandra in her camper and photographed their beautiful rings while chatting about the ceremony plans.
Grad Photos
While Kyle gathered their friends and family, Casandra and I took a few graduation photos. She handmade the sweet grass braiding on the edge of her cap, which was such a lovely detail. Her daughter helped her put on her Masters hood (and wore it afterwards).
As a few more friends and family arrived and gathered, a few courage drinks were had and hugs exchanged. A few family members were in on the surprise by now, and others were starting to suspect something was up!
With all their loved ones gathered, Casandra removed her graduation gown to reveal her white ceremony dress! Everyone cheered and there were a lot of happy tears for this couple and their kids becoming an official blended family.
Their ceremony was sweet and simple.
After the ceremony, we spent some time taking group photos and making space for hugs/congratulations.
And of course we took some time to photograph Casandra and Kyle together against the beautiful landscape!
Before the end of our time together, Casandra and Kyle gathered everyone around again for a "toast" image, with a lot of cheering and laughter. We even had a special insect friend join the festivities!
When I'd arrived to the camping site, we discovered that my tire went flat. Luckily Eastern Oregon guys know exactly how to handle that - and while I was photographing, several of their friends patched and filled my flat tire so I could get home. Kyle's dad followed me back to the highway to make sure all went well with the tire. As we arrived at the highway, I looked back to see the most beautiful sunset over their camping location. It felt like the most beautiful nod to a love-filled, intentional, caring evening.
