Just off the Redwood Highway in Del Norte County is the town of Gasquet, CA. As you make your way down the winding road you’re greeted by the Smith River, boasted as the cleanest river in the United States, and the third cleanest in the entire world. Brett grew up with the river right in her backyard, so it only made sense to marry the love of her life in it.
It was a day so sweet, even the bees wanted to join us.
The reception followed with wood fired pizza and Nutella calzones courtesy of Rosie’s Inferno, plus a pinata made of PBR boxes, and about 20 pies baked by Brett’s mother.
Inevitably, the day ended where it began: Back in the Smith River. If I had access to such crystal clear, serpentine waters, I’d be eager to get my feet back into them, too.
Photos 23, 33, 41, 47, 50, 104 by Allyson Riggs.
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For real? This is the best wedding ever. Swimming + wedding = awesomeness. You killed it, Kimbo!
Wow, love it! Looks like a wedding I would enjoy :) Great photos and what a great couple, looks like everyone had a wonderful time.
Um, so how cool is it that they got married in the water!? I want a wedding do over!
I feel like this thought runs through my head every single time I shoot a wedding. “Why didn’t I think of that?!”
I agree with Jade – I want a do-over and someone like you to capture the magic. These are splendid. You rock!
That wedding looks like a blast. I love that they have a pinata!
Seriously the RADDEST couple ever. What a fun and truly unique wedding! I love everything about this.
This is stunning, and I pretty much want to live in this wedding. Amazing work!
one word: fabulous!!
I want to know these people. LOVE this set. I loooooove #s 26, 31, 39, 63, 79… too many to list. Really fantastic coverage!
phew i scrolled through this post twice because it so damn good. great work.
Kim! These are amazing. You and Allyson were such a pleasure to have shooting the day. You truly melted away and snuck in to capture the moments and fun details that were actually happening, instead of forcing shots. Thank you both so much!
- Brett (the bride)
I’m pretty sure getting married IN the river makes them officially the coolest couple ever to wed!
Wow this has to be one of the best weddings I’ve ever seen! I wish I was there!
Love everything about this wedding. Looks like the most fun you could possibly have at a wedding!
I LOVE this wedding! Your coverage of it is fabulous!
Simplicity. Joy. Energy. Love. You made all the things that really matter sing. Oh, Kim. One day I sure do hope we work together. You experience these with such an effortless and genuinely natural joy. Swoon.
ps: I can see the light was totally hard to work with, middayish? Anyway, totally pulled it off, lady!
Thank you, Jasmine! And isn’t it funny how the best weather that lends itself to the most fun on a wedding day also makes our jobs so much harder? Glad to know my effort wasn’t in vain. :)
Though, I have to admit, I recently decided to accept a truly documentary approach to weddings. In previous years, I might’ve tried to edit photos differently to create an environment or lighting that didn’t actually exist, if that makes sense. But now I think, if I aim to be strictly documentary, once I accept what is there and only try to work with it instead of against it, I’ll be much happier with the results. Chris half-jokingly calls this “The Taos of Photography.”
[...] month I got a small tour of Redwood Roots Farm near Arcata, CA before heading back to Portland from Brett & J.R.’s wedding on the Smith River. Visiting Farmer Janet, meeting her new baby chicks, and frolicking in the dahlia garden on a [...]
So so good! I agree with Jasmine, it didn’t seem to be the best time to shoot but you did such a fantastic job!