46.1879° N, 123.8313° W
a classic winter wedding
"True love is not about perfection, it is hidden in flaws, vulnerabilities, and in finding peace in each other’s hearts."
- UNKNOWN
the castaway
portland, Oregon
Jake and Ashley’s winter wedding at The Castaway in Portland, Oregon, beautifully blended romantic charm with cozy elegance. The venue’s industrial yet intimate design set the perfect tone for their celebration, while the winter season added a magical touch. To enhance the cozy atmosphere, the couple thoughtfully incorporated warm lighting, elegant florals, and seasonal details that made the day feel intimate and inviting. Ashley carefully chose details and elements that elevated the ambiance, adding a fun and vibrant energy to the evening as guests danced the night away.
The day was filled with moments of joy and love, and it was evident in every photograph how much Jake and Ashley love each other even after 10 years together. Their heartfelt vows, paired with the lively reception, created a celebration that was as beautiful as it was unforgettable. The playful addition of the checkered floor and disco balls brought an extra layer of fun to the night, while still keeping the atmosphere elegant and refined. Capturing these special moments—filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable details—was an absolute privilege.
We decided to get married in Cancun and there was no one else we would have wanted to come and take pictures of our big day and party with us. We had the best week ever and having the best photographer is just the cherry on top. We love Mel and are so grateful for her. I've looked through our gallery several times already and I could cry. I love our photos and I felt like I was right back in Mexico with my best friends marrying the man of my dreams.
- Jackie C.
We decided to get married in Cancun and there was no one else we would have wanted
Melissa has been my go to photographer for the last 5 years (from casual photos, to engagement photos, to our wedding photos!) and I cannot put into words how thankful I am for her capturing some of the most precious moments. Especially thankful for her on our wedding day, one of the most stressful days of my life and she made things SO smooth. Plus, she’s a girls girl and will ALWAYS make sure you look your absolute best in photos. A few photos from my wedding attached. The best human and the best photographer.
- Samantha M.
Melissa has been my go to photographer for the
last 5 years
Mel is just PHENOMENAL to work with!! My husband and I have used her several times and could not sing her praise enough. She makes us feel so comfortable and relaxed and we get so many STUNNING photos that really capture our energy. She is our first recommendation to friends & family… everyone for that matter!
- Selah T.
Mel is just phenomenal to work with
I absolutely love our photos and cannot wait until next year to shoot together again. Melissa is so great and it just felt so natural. She was so positive and made it so much fun for us, we felt so comfortable. I want to post them all, we can't stop looking at them! I always wanted pictures in my dream Pinterest outfit and Melissa made my Pinterest Board dreams come true!
- Jordyn C.
Melissa made my Pinterest Dreams come true
Mel is hands down the most professional and kind hearted photographers I have ever worked with! It is truly like hanging out with a friend! She prioritizes making sure you feel comfortable during your shoot, and is the ultimate hype girl! She made me feel so confident, and the images are ones I will treasure for a lifetime. Mel is truly a gift, worth every penny. Could not recommend her enough!
- Emily P.
she made me feel so confident
I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about Melissa. She has captured our most important life milestones, that I will cherish forever. She’s extremely detailed oriented, punctual, cares about what you genuinely want, but also has the most amazing way of capturing pictures (candids) when you least expect it! She truly has a gift for photography, wonderful ideas, and the only person I will ever use/trust for my photography needs! Highly recommend!
- ASHLEY M.