When Meg and Sami first reached out to me through their wedding planner, Emerald Engagements, they made one thing clear: their wedding wasn’t about perfection—it was about feeling. They wanted something intimate, organic, filled with laughter, and just the right amount of weird. And honestly? They pulled it off effortlessly. Held on their family’s property, Novella Farms, their wedding was a blend of connection and joy. It was the kind of day where the unexpected (hello, Seattle rain!) only enhanced everything.
A Wedding That Was Unapologetically Theirs
From the moment I arrived, I knew this wedding would be something special. The forecast? Rain. The vibe? Unbothered. 2024 was the wettest wedding season I’ve ever experienced in Seattle, and Meg and Sami’s August wedding was no exception. But instead of bringing the mood down, the rain only added to the magic.
Their dog, Nagi, doubled as the world’s most enthusiastic flower girl, sprinting down the aisle in a full-blown case of zoomies. Sami, the groom, handmade custom pieces for the wedding party—tie clips, earrings, small details that made every person in their party feel seen. Their wedding party, decked out in vibrant colors, radiated joy against the gray sky. I LOVED all the color. Especially in contrast to the rainy day.
Moments Over Perfection on Family Property
Meg and Sami were never about overly curated, posed moments. They wanted the kind of photos that felt like memories—raw, real, filled with movement. My husband Nathan, of Ochoa Films, and my second shooter Kris (he/him) from my associate team, helped document The day. Some of my favorite moments: the way Meg’s face lit up every time she looked at Sami, their silliness during portraits, and the moment Meg took the stage during cocktail hour to perform with her Japanese drumming group. This was a wedding that rejected tradition in favor of something more real and we loved it.
There is a lot of work that goes into family property weddings, more than at at traditional venue! But I felt lucky to capture all the magic for Meg and Sami who desperately wanted to keep things real and avoid too many of the staged moments of a typical wedding day. There were vendors who helped make that happen.
Love Blooms Weddings did all the bright and colorful florals with Grand Event Rentals and Seattle Farm Tables helping to complete the look of the event!
K. Marina Beauty and The Dress Theory Seattle helped the bride look her best! While Un-cuffed Clothing dressed the groom.
Need a photographer experienced with private property weddings that knows how to pivot in rain? Let’s chat!