Some weddings are elegant. Some are long and trite. And then there are weddings like Kate and Neal’s—offbeat, heart-filled, joy-soaked days that just scream this is so us. From the gorgeous Bainbridge Island morning to a ferry ride wedding ceremony, to German beer halls and surprise celebrity author sightings… yeah, this one had everything.
We kicked the day off on beautiful Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride west of Seattle. Kate was getting ready at the cutest Airbnb tucked away in the trees. The vibe was relaxed but buzzing with that quiet, giddy energy that only wedding mornings have. Kate looked absolutely stunning—gorgeous dress, glowing skin, and a kind of confidence that made you realize, yep, she was ready to marry the love of her life.
We headed down to the water for their first look. Neal was waiting, hands slightly shaky but eyes locked out to sea, while he waited for Kate. The moment he turned around and saw Kate? Pure magic. There was a little laughing, a few sniffles, and a whole lot of love.
But these two aren’t exactly the type to stick to tradition. So naturally, our next stop was a giant troll.
Wedding Photos with a Troll
Meet Pia the Peacekeeper, a whimsical wooden troll sculpture created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. She’s hidden in the forest on Bainbridge and makes the perfect pit stop for adventurous couples who love fantasy and folklore. Kate and Neal’s shared love of dinosaurs, games, and fantasy stories made this location feel so them. We grabbed some sweet family portraits and, honestly, how many people can say they got married and hung out with a troll on the same day?
After that little forest detour, we strolled over to Eagle Harbor Book Co., one of Kate’s favorite spots on the island. She tried to not get her hopes up, because she heard her favorite author, Emily Rath, my be there on that day. But what are the chances, right? Well, Emily was in the store. On. Her. Wedding. Day. I swear the look on Kate’s face could’ve powered the entire island. Emily was warm and gracious, signing copies of her books and sending her well wishes to the couple. It was one of those moments where everything aligned perfectly, and being able to witness that joy was an absolute highlight.
Still floating from that surprise, we made our way to the ferry terminal. The boat was running about 20 minutes behind (classic ferry system), but honestly? No complaints here. That little delay turned into a golden opportunity. The guests were there, the vibe was relaxed, and I caught some of my favorite candids of the day during that wait. Chicken nugget stealing, Coke-drinking, dinosaur car-decorating – I loved this in-between time.
Bainbridge Ferry Wedding
Once we boarded the Bainbridge-to-Seattle ferry, it was go time. Kate and Neal stood on the top deck, wind in their hair, friends and family surrounding them as they exchanged vows. There’s something so simple and stunning about getting married on the water, surrounded by nature, the city skyline in the distance. And when they were pronounced husband and wife, the whole damn ferry cheered. Even better? The captain blew the ferry horn in celebration. Tell me that’s not the coolest way to seal the deal.
Back in Seattle, we continued the adventure. First stop: the waterfront near Pike Place Market. We grabbed some sweet, Seattle-flavored shots with the aquarium, the ferris wheel, and—bonus!—a peekaboo view of Mt. Rainier in the distance. Oh, and fun fact: Neal was one of the very first people to ride the Seattle Great Wheel when it opened, so of course we had to take a couple nostalgic photos there too.
By this point, everyone was starving. And that meant one thing: Dick’s Drive-In. This place is a local legend. Think In-N-Out meets indie burger joint—with locally-sourced beef, a straightforward menu, and great wages for employees. Kate and Neal hyped it up and it totally delivered. Also, pro tip: ketchup’s not free (20 cents a packet!), so don’t get caught off guard. But damn, it was good.
Renton Wedding Reception at the Berliner Pub
Burgers devoured, we rolled into the next phase of the celebration: the reception at The Berliner, a German pub full of life and character. The vibes were immaculate—beer steins clinking, a live band bringing serious Oktoberfest energy, and the tables decked out with DINOSAUR COLORING PAGES (yes, seriously).
Just when I thought the day had peaked, we made one final stop at Uncle Mo’s Karaoke Bar. You know how some karaoke bars are kinda awkward and quiet? Not this one. This was full-send energy all the way. And Neal—sweet, goofy, love-struck Neal—grabbed the mic and serenaded Kate. I’m talking full-on eye contact, dramatic hand gestures, the whole nine. It was funny and romantic and a little bit ridiculous, and honestly, it was the perfect cap to the kind of day that doesn’t fit into a box.
Kate and Neal’s wedding wasn’t about perfection. It was about love, laughter, fantasy, flavor, and a little bit of chaos. The kind of day where you take photos with trolls, cry over a surprise book signing, get married on a moving ferry, and end the night belting out ’90s ballads with your best people.
I was so damn honored to be flown in from Maui to capture this one-of-a-kind PNW lovefest—and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Neal and Kate – you two are gems. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me to capture all the chaos and love that was your wedding day!
A thank you to the following folks:
Thank you to Sherry P for being my partner on the wedding day. You were the friend Kate needed and the friend I needed! Thank you for being helpful and going on a looking-for-light mission with me during cocktail hour!
To Bryan P for being my transportation from the ferry to the AirBnB so I didn’t have to navigate Uber on a tight timeline.
A big thanks to the staff at the Berliner who treated Kate and Neal’s day with such care and consideration.
Author Emily Rath, thank you for making Kate’s day extra special.
And thank you Kate and Neal for trusting me to be there to document your wedding on the Bainbridge Ferry. I loved every second.
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More destination weddings I think you’ll love!
Peter and Priya’s Mackinac Island Wedding in Michigan
Luke and Genevieve’s Cavallo Point Wedding in California
Morgan and Melissa’s Grand Lake Lodge Wedding in Colorado
Stunning and perfect description of the day. All love and fun and whimsy!
Awesome, simply awesome! Many thanks for sharing your incredible day!