Rachel & Mekala’s Eclectic Cottage Wedding in Port Townsend, WA 

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On a cloudy and overcast day in midsummer, Rachel and Mekala gathered with their families and friends and said their “I do’s” in a gorgeous, eclectic cottage wedding. When the sun came out just after the ceremony, every single person in attendance (including me) beamed with joy! I was so happy to have been here with Rachel and Mekala on their wedding day. 

Planning an Eclectic Celebration

When Rachel and Mekala first reached out to me, their plan right off the bat was a celebration that was fun and relaxed, where all their loved ones could enjoy a genuine celebration that felt true to Rachel and Mekala. These two are both artists and designers, and wanted to have a photographer that understood their vision for the day, and was just as excited to see them married as they were! 

The venue they chose was a private cottage owned by a friend that couldn’t have been a more perfect setting for a wedding. There was a big vegetable garden, a wide open field, 8 chickens, and lots of trees! (The chickens were definitely in charge, but they were perfectly agreeable guests for us!)

The decor elements for Rachel and Mekala’s cottage wedding were the pieces they felt really needed to stay true to themselves. They envisioned lots of eclectic pieces, as well as small tributes to their friends and family. The couple wanted to celebrate their partnership with marriage, but also celebrate the community around them that supported both their individual lives, and their life together as a couple. 

Vendors at this Cottage Wedding

In addition to these incredible people below who helped make Rachel and Mekala’s day come to life, a lot of the details were done DIY style by the couple and their families! The flowers, invitations, candles, pom garlands, Mekala’s belt, and the antiques were all collected and created by this talented couple. This just goes to show that higher expenses don’t always equal better results when it comes to your wedding decor! Sticking to what feels right for you is always the best route. 

Venue: Private residence in Port Townsend, WA

Photographer: TMinspired Photography (that’s me!)

Videographer: Friend of the couple, Caitlin (with super 8mm)

Officiant: Family member, Gabi

Catering: La Cocina Port Townsend

Cake & dessert: Matcha and Rose

Makeup: Natasha

Rachel dress (black stars): Annah Bridal

Mekala's dress: Baltic Born

Alterations to dresses: Friend, Jenn

Wedding party outfits: Baltic Born & LuLu's

Wedding bands: Ruby Tynan Jewelry

Rentals: NW Event Rentals & Olympia Party Planning

This wedding was featured on Dancing With Her

Cottage in Port Townsend before Rachel and Mekala's wedding.
View of the cottage garden with old wood fence and pergola.
Colorful flowers on the table.
Picture out for guests to sign on table.
Wooden tray display with crystals, glass animals, etc.
Collage framed of Rachel and Mekala as kids.
Sign for cottage wedding reception reads "no admittance except party business"
A custom candle with Rachel and Mekala's label sits at each place setting at reception.
Golden unicorn decor on reception table.
View of reception table under the tent with large vase of flowers.
View of reception table under the tent with large vase of flowers.
View of table outside Rachel and Mekala's cottage wedding with collage of them as kids, flowers, colorful cloth, and meaningful pieces of their relationship.
White chairs are set up at ceremony site facing a triangle ceremony arch between two green trees.
Close up of flowers on ceremony arch.
White chairs are set up at ceremony site facing a triangle ceremony arch between two green trees.
Close up of flowers on ceremony arch.
Family helps bride get ready for cottage wedding.
Close up on black wedding dress decorated with glittering stars.
Dog lays on the ground, wearing a kerchief that reads "my humans are getting married"
Family member pins a hairpiece into bride's curled hair.
Close up of golden unicorn, with both bride's wedding rings and bands dangling from its horn.
Flat lay of cottage wedding details: daisies, wedding rings, golden unicorn, and racoon keychain.
Wedding rings perch on the rays of a brass sun.
Flat lay of cottage wedding details: invitation, Washington postcard, wedding rings, jewelry, and Port Townsend mug.
Bride puts earrings in before ceremony.
Bride puts earrings in before ceremony.
Bride's mother helps her put necklace on before ceremony.
Bride puts her earrings in before the ceremony.
Bride walks toward her partner for their first look before cottage wedding.
Brides stand back to back just before their first look. Their dog stands between them.
Brides stand back to back just before their first look. Their dog stands between them.
Brides share a glance and conversation during their first look.
Brides hold hands during first look.
Focus on dog, who licks his nose. Brides in the background hold flowers and gaze at each other.
Brides kiss while dog stands in front of them.
Black dog wearing Hawaiian print shirt looks up, ears perky.
Bride looks back at camera as her bride leads her through the cottage grounds before their wedding.
Brides smile at each other under the cover of lots of green trees and plants before their wedding ceremony at the cottage.
Brides smile at each other under the cover of lots of green trees and plants before their wedding ceremony at the cottage.
Brides share a kiss under the cover of lush trees and plants.
Close up on colorful pink bouquet, with touches of orange, blue, white and purple.
Bride smiles off camera, holding her bouquet, wearing a black starry dress.
Bride smiles off camera, holding her bouquet, wearing a black starry dress.
Bride wears a long sleeve white dress and custom made belt, holding a colorful bouquet.
Bride wears a long sleeve white dress and custom made belt, holding a colorful bouquet.
Bride wears a long sleeve white dress and custom made belt, holding a colorful bouquet.
Brides stand side by side in field, laughing together.
Brides share a glance on the cottage grounds before their wedding ceremony.
Brides lean in to touch foreheads during wedding portraits at the cottage.
Brides embrace and laugh. Black and white portrait.
Wooden sign reads "ceremony" with an arrow pointing left in front of bright orange flowers.
White ceremony chairs with little orange flowers on the seats.
Bride walks up the aisle with her parents.
Bride walks up the aisle with her parents, black and white.
Officiant reads from a book white brides smile during wedding ceremony at cottage.
Wide shot of wedding ceremony at the cottage.
Brides smile at their guests during wedding ceremony at the cottage.
Brides hold hands during wedding ceremony at the cottage.
Bride laughs as she reads her vows.
Officiant holds bowl, directing the smoke, near both bride's heads as they hold hands.
Officiant holds bowl, directing the smoke, near both bride's heads as they hold hands.
Officiant holds bowl, directing the smoke, near both bride's heads as they hold hands.
Brides bend down to pet their dog during wedding ceremony at the cottage.
Brides lift arms in celebration at the end of their wedding ceremony on the cottage grounds.
Brides share a kiss at the end of the aisle after their wedding ceremony on the cottage grounds.
Brides pose in front of the triangle ceremony arch, smiling.
Bride leads her partner across the cottage grounds after their wedding ceremony.
Close up on brides holding their bouquets.
Bride rests her head on partner's shoulder, both smiling.
Bride rests her head on partner's shoulder, both smiling.
Brides laugh in the cottage field after their wedding ceremony.
Couple cuddles close during wedding portraits on the cottage grounds.
Brides raise their bouquets in celebration during wedding portraits on the cottage grounds.
Brides hold hands and walk toward the cottage after their wedding ceremony.
Wedding guest plays cornhole.
Wedding guests play a game of Giant Jenga.
Rachel and Mekala enter the reception tent at their cottage wedding.
Bride dances with her father during the reception.
Bride dances with her dad during the reception.
Brides share their first dance together at their wedding reception on the cottage grounds.
Brides share their first dance together at their wedding reception on the cottage grounds.
Brides share their first dance together at their wedding reception on the cottage grounds.
Close up of reception table with flowers, candles, place settings.
Close up of the drink menu with a "sunset lemonade" and "blackberry mint julep lemonade"
Brides sit at their reception table and smile for the camera. Black and white.
Dessert table at Rachel and Mekala's cottage wedding reception.
Wedding cake features two frogs on top, with pink and green icing.
Brides cut into the wedding cake at their cottage wedding reception.
Brides hold the frog cake toppers together in a "kiss."
Bride holds her partner's hand, giving it a kiss. Black and white.
Couple holds hands, standing forehead to forehead in a field of orange flowers.
Couple shares a kiss while holding hands in a field of orange flowers.
Couple wears sheets over their heads and sunglasses as 'cool ghosts' after their cottage wedding.
Couple wears sheets over their heads and sunglasses as 'cool ghosts' after their cottage wedding.

After some juggling with covid, I was so happy to be present with Rachel and Mekala on their wedding day, in the most beautiful eclectic cottage setting ever. Whether it’s me or a member of my associate team, we are always so excited to see your vision come to life! You can reach out to me here for wedding and elopement photography. 

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