Starting out near Portland, Oregon, at a Catholic Cathedral, Rina and Tim ended their wedding near Cougar, Washington with some fabulous friends and a stunning venue.

The beginning of the day was very special. Getting ready with Rina was very relaxed and happy. Vancouver’s Hilton Hotel was the perfect spot for a low-key getting ready morning. The Pronovias dress was the icing on the getting ready cake.

Rina’s mom gave a very emotional moving speech/prayer that even made me, the photographer, emotional. It was an amazing moment for everyone there!

After they were all ready, we left the Hilton in Vancouver to a ceremony just a few blocks away. The Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater. It is an amazing structure, sitting amidst the bustle of downtown.

Even just walking up you can see the amazing beauty of the building. Once inside, you are really awe-struck! The walls and ceilings are intricate and stunning, and like most Catholic Cathedrals, the wooden pews really showed the stories of previous generations. Speaking of previous generations, Rina’s parents got married in this very church over 30 years ago. That made for an extra special day!

After the pretty ceremony, they stepped outside to say their good-byes and hopped in a vintage red car. Channeling their inner celebrity status, their friends and family cheered them on as they drove off!

My amazing second shooter Ellie and I grabbed a quick bite from the one and only Burgerville, after a portrait session under the scorching August sun. She is one of my favorites to work with, and always uplifting me & my clients! If you get the chance to work with her, do not hesitate!

Arriving in Cougar, WA after an hour drive, Ellie and I met the couple and their guests at the Lone Fir Resort. After meeting Rina and Tim, we headed over to the private Lake House for their fabulous reception.

Vendor Team:

Coordinator: Najla Rose Events

Instagram: @najlaroseeventsdesigns Website: www.najlarose.com

Ceremony: The Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater Catholic Church

Instagram: @protocathedral Website: www.protocathedral.org

Reception: Private Estate on Yale Lake

Janis & Mike Richart, janisr@tds.net

Rehearsal Dinner: The Cove

Instagram: @thecovewa Website: www.thecovewa.com
Catering: Bear Country Catering

Website: www.bearcountrycater.com
Photography: Natalie Kysar Photography

Instagram: @nataliekysar Website: nataliekysarphotography.com

Live Band: Blue Wave Band

Instagram: @bluewaveband Website: www.bluewaveband.com

DJ: Premier Mobile DJs

Website: www.premiermobiledjs.com

Florist: Belle Flower Farm

Instagram: @belleflowerfarm Website: www.belleflower.farm

Cake: Chandelier Bakery

Instagram: @chandelierbakery Website: https://www.chandelierbakery.net/

Rentals: LGS Events & Party Rentals
Website: lgsevents.com

Transportation: NW Navigator

Instagram: @nwnavigator Website: www.nwnavigator.com

Hair and Makeup: Catherine Vega Beauty

Instagram: @catherinevbeauty Website: www.catherinevbeauty.com

Dress: Pronovias

Instagram: @pronovias Website: www.pronovias.com

Special shoutout to Najla Rose Events for helping in so many ways at this wedding! Hope we get to work together again in the future. And it was so great to work with Catherine V Beauty again!

The guests started arriving, as Rina and Tim were hidden away getting some private portraits done by the lake! It wouldn’t be the same if they didn’t get into the water, enjoying each other before greeting their guests back at the lake house. Yale Lake didn’t disappoint!

Chandelier Bakery delivered the cake while Bear Country Catering got the dinner started. It smelled amazing by the way!

The end of the night was just as great as the beginning, but just stay tuned for the final gallery! If you want to see Rina & Tim’s Engagement Session, click HERE.

For now, enjoy their sneak peek photos throughout this post.

Thanks for reading another blog post, I am happy you are here!

Natalie