It was a beautiful September day for an Evergreen Gardens Wedding in Ferndale, WA. Tall trees, deep green moss, and warm light filtering through the branches made the perfect backdrop for the intentional and joyful wedding of Emilio (he/him) + Nathan (he/him). These two gentle souls aren’t ones for the spotlight, but surrounded by their chosen family, vibrant queer color, and the natural wonder of the Pacific Northwest, their celebration felt both deep and effortless.


We’re Alexis (she/her) + Katrina (she/her) of A+K Photography, a queer-owned wedding photography duo based in the Pacific Northwest. Capturing days like this, quiet in intention but rich in connection, is what we live for.


Getting Ready Together: Calm, Connected, and Full of Love

Rather than spending the morning apart, Emilio + Nathan chose to get ready together at The Lodge at Evergreen Gardens. The whole space was filled with a calm energy, laughter from family, and the cozy chaos of dogs underfoot. Their dog Jax played a special role as ring bearer, his collar carefully adorned with the wedding rings. Inside, Emilio + Nathan helped each other get dressed in their plan B outfits, sleek all-black suits with a purple tie for Nathan and a green tie for Emilio, after their custom suits didn’t arrive in time. Despite the unexpected wardrobe change, they looked incredible!

A sequence showing someone getting a red boutonniere pinned to their black suit jacket at a formal event.
A handwritten note lies beside a circle of vibrant red gerbera daisies and baby's breath flowers on a dark surface.
Close-up sequence showing someone in glasses pinning a deep burgundy boutonniere to a dark suit jacket.
A couple embraces intimately in a dimly lit room with warm lighting and wooden accents in the background.
A series of close-up profile shots showing a black dog's face with expressive eyes and features.

Portraits Among the Trees: Evergreen Gardens Charm

Before guests arrived, we took our time exploring the property with Emilio + Nathan for their portraits. From towering evergreens to mossy paths and lush greenery, every corner of Evergreen Gardens feels like a love letter to the Pacific Northwest. The two of them wandered hand in hand, taking in the quiet and grounding energy of the space. Later, during golden hour, we snuck away again for a few more portraits just before sunset. The light spilled through the trees with that dreamy, soft warmth that makes everything feel a little extra magical.


East Lawn Ceremony: Vows, Ritual, and Queer Joy

Their ceremony took place on the East Lawn, surrounded by the soft sounds of live string musicians from Blue Wave Band. It was officiated by their close friend Ilex, who also created all the stunning florals and decor. The ceremony included a deeply emotional handfasting ritual, heartfelt vows, and meaningful words from chosen family. Every part of it felt intentional and grounded in love.

A romantic wedding moment captured in a series of four intimate photos with burgundy floral boutonnieres and black suits.
A vintage car drives through a misty forest road with soft, dreamy lighting creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Two people in black suits with red boutonnieres hold hands while walking along a forest path.
A couple shares a romantic kiss in a forest setting with dark moody lighting and red floral accents.
Two people share an intimate kiss while holding red flowers in a dimly lit setting.
A romantic silhouette of a couple in golden sunlight creating a warm and intimate sunset portrait.
A romantic black and white wedding photo series showing intimate moments between newlyweds in soft lighting.
A series of photos showing a person in black clothing interacting with a husky dog on green grass outdoors.
A groom in a charcoal suit and emerald tie poses for portraits in an outdoor setting with bokeh lighting effects.
East Lawn ceremony space at Evergreen Gardens.
A brown wedding ceremony program card stands upright on a wooden holder against a turquoise surface with blurred background.
People gather outdoors in a line formation during a sunny day in a garden or park setting.
A fun sequence of wedding party photos showing playful poses with groomsmen and bridesmaids against a garden hedge backdrop.
Close-up sequence of hands holding a twisted rope against a blurred background.
A black and grey dog on a grassy hill wearing a red floral collar accessory in a natural outdoor setting.
An officiant in glasses and a suit conducts an outdoor wedding ceremony while holding a tablet in natural lighting.
A groomsman in a dark suit with red boutonniere laughs joyfully during an outdoor wedding celebration.
A couple shares an intimate moment under a wooden pergola decorated with vibrant red flowers during a wedding ceremony.
Wedding guests gather on a lawn beneath trees while watching a ceremony under a floral-decorated wooden pergola.

A Celebration Rooted in Community

After the ceremony, guests explored the grounds, played lawn games, and sipped cocktails under the trees. Along one of the winding paths, a trail of rainbow-colored lanterns added a quiet but powerful nod to queerness and belonging, a subtle but beautiful layer of pride woven into the space.


The cocktail hour was lively and full of connection. Signature drinks from Kitsap Bartending were named after the couple’s two pups, the Diablo Duke and the Jungle Jax, a detail that had everyone smiling. Guests dressed to impress, from floral suits to sparkling gowns, with textures and color everywhere you looked.


Dinner, Dancing, and All the Joy

Dinner was served beneath a canopy of trees at long farm tables from Van Wyck Farm, perfectly accented by pieces from Grand Event Rentals. The whole layout created a warm, communal feel that brought everyone together. Taylor from E.G. Event Collective kept everything flowing effortlessly and with so much heart. Even while pregnant, she hustled all day and night with the most grounded, intentional energy.


Emilio + Nathan welcomed everyone with a toast that set the tone for the rest of the night. Their first dance felt like a quiet exhale, followed by a sweet mother-son dance between Emilio and his mom that left more than a few people misty-eyed. The cake from Grains Artisan Bakery was as beautiful as it was delicious, and the energy on the dance floor was pure joy.


Blue Wave Band kept the celebration going strong with their full band lineup. From heartfelt slow songs to a spontaneous conga line, the dance floor never let up. Guests snapped fun, goofy portraits in the Reel Mobile Photo Booth trailer, which added the perfect playful touch to the evening.


Firelight, S’mores, and a Sparkler Send-Off

As night fell, everyone gathered around the firepit for s’mores and stories, bundled up in the cool evening air and soaking in every last bit of joy. The night wrapped with a sparkler send-off beneath the stars, the perfect ending to a day that felt both deeply peaceful and wildly full of love.

Decorated wedding reception space at Evergreen Gardens in Ferndale, WA.
Two people in dark suits dance together on a rustic outdoor dance floor at an evening event.
Close-up view of vinyl records arranged on a dark textured surface with hexagonal patterns.
A romantic outdoor wedding ceremony setup with a floral arch and red roses against a moody forest backdrop.
Lively dancefloor at an Evergreen Gardens wedding.
Rustic wooden snack bar display with s'mores ingredients and red floral decorations at an outdoor event.
A lively dance party scene at a wedding reception with guests dancing under warm lighting and decorative elements.
Two people dancing joyfully together under colorful lights at what appears to be a celebration or party.
Four sequential photos show a person in a dark suit dancing and moving expressively at a nighttime event.

Emilio + Nathan’s Evergreen Gardens Ferndale wedding reminded us of why we do this work. Not every celebration is loud or showy. Sometimes it’s in the quiet, thoughtful moments, the chosen family who show up fully, and the spaces where two people can simply be themselves, surrounded by love. This day was all of that and more.


If you're dreaming of your own Evergreen Gardens Ferndale wedding, one that’s intentional, affirming, and full of heart, we’d be honored to tell your story. Head to our Experience page to learn more or browse our Portfolio to see more love stories like this.

A series of four photos showing someone lounging and reclining on a dark couch in a room decorated with framed artwork.

Meet Alexis + Katrina


Partners in life, photography, and way too many dad jokes. We connected online over our love of creativity, cats, and everything a little weird, and now we get to spend our days photographing love stories that feel just as real and honest as ours.


For us, photography isn’t about stiff poses or perfect timelines. It’s about connection, the way you laugh together, the quiet moments in between, and all the energy that makes your day yours. We want your photos to feel like you: vibrant, emotional, and full of life.


When we’re not photographing weddings, you’ll usually find us wrangling our three dogs (Koji, Pixel + Winnie), working on house projects, or trying to convince each other that ice cream counts as dinner.

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