I was so excited for Serena and Matt from the very first time I met them. They were planning a classy Lord of the Rings-themed wedding at the beautiful Jenkins Estate outside of Portland, Oregon, and they had all the little details to make it completely their own.
The best part of all that they had been planning for years: wedding swords!
A Fantasy Wedding With a Lot of Personality
Serena and Matt worked Lord of the Rings references into their vows, but they kept the theme feeling elegant rather than turning the whole day into a movie set. Instead of a traditional bouquet, Serena walked down the aisle carrying a sword covered in flowers. Matt had a full-sized Andúril, which obviously meant we had to get some epic wedding photos and videos with it.
As a fantasy wedding photographer, these are exactly the kinds of details I love getting to photograph. Give me a couple who is willing to have some fun with their wedding day and I am very happy.
One of my favorite details was Serena’s dress. Her mom spent an entire year covering it with hand-placed rhinestones. She also decorated the dozens of goblets Serena and Matt had collected for their guests. It was an absolutely massive labor of love, and the finished results were gorgeous.
A Hobbit Feast, Swords, and a Whole Lot of Laughing
The reception included a full-on Hobbit-style feast, which was pretty much perfect for these two. And when it came time to cut the cake, naturally, they used a sword.
I also loved getting to capture video and drone footage around The Jenkins Estate. The property is beautiful, with plenty of greenery and historic architecture that made the whole day feel a little bit magical without needing much embellishment.
Their Lord of the Rings wedding video was especially fun to put together because there were so many details and moments that felt uniquely them.
The Couple Themselves
Serena is known by everyone who loves her for her vibrant, completely unbridled personality, and Matt couldn’t love her more for it. They were very obviously madly in love, and that made their wedding an absolute joy to photograph.
They weren’t trying to create some perfectly polished version of themselves for the camera. They were just having an incredible time together, and I got to document it as it happened.
That is always my favorite kind of wedding.
If you’re planning a wedding that’s a little outside the usual—and you’re looking for a fantasy wedding photographer who will actually have fun with it—I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
Planning a Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding in Oregon or Washington? Let’s make some ridiculously fun photos.
Love these photos and looking for authentic storytelling photography or videography on your wedding day? Reach out on my website for a for a free consultation! ^^
Now it's your turn!
Now it's your turn!
I want to hear all about you! Show me the person that your friends and family love. Show me your quirks, your in-between moments, your smiles and your tears. I'm here for it all!
Whether it's your wedding day or a portrait session, being able to relax and truly be yourself makes all the difference in the experience you have. It's a gift to yourself so you can get lost in the moment!
Come as you are and let's make some magic together!
So excited to hear your story!^^
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