Gabby and Eric got married at Beacon Hill in Spokane on September 14, 2025 — and as a Spokane documentary wedding photographer, days like this one are exactly why I do this work. Seven years together. A proposal on a nature walk with their two dogs. A bride wearing her grandmother’s garter. And two people who were so ready to finally be married that the whole day had this quiet, settled joy running through it.
Seven Years in the Making
They met online. Gabby’s first impression of Eric: warm, big smile, tall. Home. That last word says everything. Not “exciting” or “impressive” — home. That’s the kind of thing you can’t manufacture, and it’s the kind of thing that lasts.
She knew pretty quickly. “They felt like I already knew them,” she said. “I was comfortable, and they felt like home.” When you’ve been together long enough, the wedding stops being about the beginning of something and becomes a celebration of what’s already true. That’s exactly what this day felt like.
The Proposal
Eric proposed on a nature walk with their two dogs. He pretended to fall — Gabby was walking ahead of him, not suspecting anything — and when she turned around, he was on one knee with the ring out.
It was a long time coming, she said. And it still felt magical.
That detail gets me. Seven years together, and he still found a way to make it a surprise. The dogs were there. They were just out on a walk. And then everything changed.
Beacon Hill
They chose Beacon Hill for practical reasons — they loved the property, and the fact that it handled catering in-house was a bonus. Beacon Hill is one of those Spokane-area venues that just photographs beautifully no matter what you do with it, and having catering on-site meant one less thing to coordinate, which always makes for a more relaxed day.
Gabby wore her family pearls and her grandmother’s garter. Those small details matter more than people give them credit for — they’re the part of the day that connects you to the women who came before you, who felt their own version of this exact moment. It’s quiet, but it’s not small.
The Moments She Asked For
The moment Gabby wanted to make sure I captured: the two of them signing the marriage license. Then those first few breaths as forever partners & spouses. And then — my favorite part — a few minutes completely alone before family photos started. Just the two of them, finally married, getting to sit in it for a second before the rest of the day carried them along.
We made sure that happened. It always should.
A Note
Gabby’s advice for other engaged couples: give yourself time, and grace, when you’re starting to book. Once you have your vendors, things fall into place. That’s true — and it applies to more than just logistics.
Congratulations, Gabby and Eric. Seven years to this day — and now the rest of your life.
Planning a wedding at Beacon Hill or another Spokane-area venue? I’d love to hear about it — archandelmphoto.com/contact
Curious what documentary wedding photography actually looks like on a real wedding day? This post breaks it down.
