Love in the Forest: Quinn & Marchelle's Nostalgic Wedding on Larch Mountain

Sometimes, the forest gives you exactly what you need—and for Quinn and Marchelle, it gifted them a wedding day filled with heart, laughter and just the right amount of Pacific Northwest magic.

I got to be a part of the wedding, located at Larch Mountain parking and trailhead in Cascade Locks, Quinn, and Marchelle's intimate celebration brought together 30 of their closest friends and family for four beautiful hours of love and storytelling. This artistic couple from Portland, Oregon had a dreamy vision from the start: a ceremony that felt a little vintage, a little cinematic, and deeply personal. And I was honored that I could be there to help make it all last forever.

Quinn and Marchelle are both wildly creative souls—they even tried to record the ceremony with an old-school camcorder to give it that home-video vibe. It was a fun idea... until the camera decided to rebel. Despite valiant efforts by me, the groom, and the best man, we just couldn’t get the thing to work. But that’s the thing about weddings—you have to roll with the love and let the moment unfold.

Thankfully, we had our photography gear ready to go. With a Canon RP, R6, and 5D Mark IV in hand, I adapted quickly, shifting the focus to capturing stills that honored their nostalgic vision. From the elegant ceremony under a canopy of evergreens to the sweet glances exchanged between guests wrapped in blankets, every moment was thick with emotion and warmth.

Quinn looked absolutely ethereal, walking toward the ceremony with a headpiece of pearls that shimmered against her red hair like morning dew. Marchelle stood steady and glowing in a tailored navy suit, his smile only growing wider as Quinn drew near. Their vows—held in trembling hands and soft voices—were spoken under a handmade arch, surrounded by a wedding party dressed in sunshine yellow and dusk blue.

One of my favorite moments was when the officiant (a dear friend of the couple) sang their words into a shared microphone, gently held by the couple in an impromptu triangle of connection. That moment said it all—this wasn’t just about the two of them, but about the community that held them up.

The entire day was soaked in intentionality. Every outfit, every flower, every laugh felt like part of a larger painting. And even though the video didn’t work out, the photos turned out stunning—honest and lush, like stepping into someone’s favorite memory.

Weddings like Quinn and Marchelle’s are why I love what I do. No matter the hiccup, love always finds a way to shine. Thank you both for trusting me with such a vulnerable and beautiful moment in your lives.

Here’s to stories told under trees, laughter shared by lantern light, and love that feels like home.