Some couples, when you ask how they met, give you a tidy little story. Ashley and Brad are not those people. They met during Covid — which means they built something real before they ever got to share a room. No crowd noise, no distraction. Just two people figuring out whether they actually liked each other.

Turns out: they really did.

Ashley’s first impression of Brad was that he was the coolest, funniest, most interesting person she’d ever met — and she’ll admit she was a little intimidated by his veteran background. (Her words, not mine.) Brad’s read on Ashley: funny, whimsically interesting, easy to talk to. The kind of person you don’t have to perform for.

She knew he was the one when she started noticing a pattern. He’d drop everything for his family. He’d pull over for a stranger with a flat tire. That kind of consistent, quiet goodness — it tells you everything. Brad’s moment came during one of those 4am conversations where nothing feels surface-level and you’re not afraid of the uncomfortable topics. When you can talk like that, you’ve found something.

He proposed at the arboretum — the same spot as their first in-person date. A full-circle kind of moment. Ashley walked in feeling nervous and walked out moved and completely happy. Brad describes it as pensively fearful, then serene. I love when grooms say things like that.

For the venue, Arbor Crest felt like the only choice. Greenery, stonework, that feeling of stepping somewhere just outside ordinary time. Ashley and Brad both love a bit of history and a bit of fantasy, and Arbor Crest delivers both. It looks like a castle. It basically is a castle. On a hill. With wine. I’m not sure what else you need.

Watching Ashley and Brad together, you get the sense that they chose each other on purpose — not just the good-day version of each other, but the 4am, pull-over-for-strangers, drop-everything version. That’s the kind of love that photographs beautifully, because it doesn’t need to perform.

If you’re newly engaged and curious what it’s like to work with a documentary photographer who won’t make you feel like you’re posing for a catalog — I’d love to hear your story. Let’s talk.

And if you’re wondering what documentary wedding photography actually means (or whether it’s right for you), I wrote a whole post about it: https://archandelm.com/2026/05/05/documentary-wedding-photography/

Vendor Credits

Venue: Arbor Crest Winery Videography: Flower & Oak Photography: Arch and Elm Photography Catering: Inland Northwest Catering Cake/Desserts: Birdie’s Pie Shop · Suzy Q Florals: Every Detail Matters PNW Planning: Every Detail Matters PNW Hair & Makeup: Kiss and Makeup DJ: Ruby Frog Entertainment