Laurel Creek Manor Wedding
Elissa + Ben
A Laurel Creek Manor wedding was the perfect setting for Elissa and Ben because these two souls would connect in any universe. Their wedding day at the gorgeous Laurel Creek Manor in Sumner, Washington was nothing short of a fairytale, filled with joyful moments, meaningful details, and a dance floor packed with people who love them almost as much as they love each other.
The day began with both of them getting ready at the venue before seeing each other for one of the biggest days of their lives. Elissa wore a gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown that truly made her feel like a princess, and we absolutely took advantage of every beautiful corner of Laurel Creek Manor for portraits. One request they had before the wedding was to capture lots of portraits together in different locations, including the grand staircase inside the venue, and it ended up being one of my favorite places to photograph them. They also wanted solo portraits of each of them and plenty of candid moments throughout the reception, and their gallery became the perfect mix of timeless portraits and genuine celebration.
Their story began ten years ago when Elissa made the first move and messaged Ben on a dating app while he was away at college. They met for their first date at a Thai restaurant near the University of Puget Sound, and as Ben put it, “my life changed permanently, positively forever.” From college to careers and eventually moving from the Pacific Northwest to St. Louis together, they’ve spent the last decade building a life side by side.
Their engagement story somehow manages to be even sweeter.
Well… stories.
Ben technically proposed twice. The first happened beneath suspended holiday lights at Shaw Nature Reserve after he spent more than two laps walking the trail trying to decide if the moment was perfect enough. A week later, he surprised Elissa again after choir by transforming their home with Christmas decorations, music playing on the record player, a seasonal cocktail, and even a Ring Pop. Then Elissa proposed to Ben by attaching his ring to the collar of their cat, Stellie, and sending him over to find Ben. It couldn’t have been more perfectly them.
Watching them together throughout the wedding day, one thing became incredibly obvious: Ben and Elissa are two souls that would connect in any universe. Whether they were laughing during portraits, quietly taking in the moment after the ceremony, or making each other smile on the dance floor, they have a way of making every moment feel effortless.
One of the most emotional moments of the day came during their first dance. Before the music even started, guests listened to a recording of Elissa singing a song for Ben. It was such a beautiful surprise and made an already special moment even more meaningful.
Then the reception kicked into full gear.
There were tons of theater nerds in the room, so naturally the playlist was packed with musical theater favorites. Before long, guests were singing every word, filling the dance floor, and turning the reception into one giant celebration. It was beyond fun to watch, and the energy never slowed down. One especially sweet moment was seeing Grandma out on the dance floor enjoying every second right alongside everyone else.
Their spring-inspired details were just as thoughtful as the rest of the day. Soft shades of pink, sage green, and yellow filled the reception space, creating the whimsical garden feel they envisioned. They even incorporated their beloved cat, Stellie, into the details with a custom figurine of him wearing a suit and a ring dish inspired by him, along with an heirloom family bowl for their ring photos. Those little personal touches made the gallery feel even more like them.
As the evening came to a close, family and friends gathered outside for a bubble send off before Elissa and Ben climbed into a gorgeous teal vintage car and drove off into married life together.
Congratulations, Elissa and Ben. Thank you for trusting me to capture such an incredible day. Wishing you both a lifetime of theater nights, adventures to new places, quiet days at home with Stellie, and every one of the little moments you’re already looking forward to sharing together.
Vendors:
Venue: Laurel Creek Manor / Wedding Planner + Coordinator: LCM Weddings / Bride’s Gown: Maggie Sottero / Groom’s Suit: StudioSuits / Florals: JVC Flowers / Photography: Works by Sarah Jane Photography / Hair: Rochelle Rose Hair / DJ: Orion Entertainment / Catering: ACT 3 Catering / Cake: Corina Bakery / Wedding Rings: Clayton Jewelers //
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