Last year was a rough year for so many people, and the wedding world was no exception. Couples had to postpone, reimagine, or dramatically downsize their celebrations. Vendors watched carefully laid plans change overnight. As a wedding photographer, I suddenly had far more time on my hands than I was used to—and when I have too much downtime, I get antsy and anxious.

Instead of sitting in that feeling, I decided to channel it into something beautiful. I reached out to a group of talented vendors I adore, chose one of my all-time favorite venues, and started dreaming up an editorial that felt soft, romantic, and a little bit unexpected. That’s how this pastel editorial wedding at Lairmont Manor was born.

The very first spark of inspiration came from a dress. I was scrolling Instagram one day when a blush pink gown stopped me in my tracks. It was floaty and romantic, with just the right amount of drama, and I instantly knew it was the one for this shoot. I’ve always loved the soft shade of pink, especially for brides who want to lean into romance in a way that still feels elevated and timeless, and this dress captured that vision perfectly.

Pink is such a beautiful choice for any couple wanting a little extra romance on their wedding day. Instead of feeling “nontraditional” or trendy, it can look incredibly elegant when it’s paired with the right details. For this editorial, we layered in pastel tones—soft blues, peaches, and delicate creams—to echo that blush gown and create a color story inspired by a summer sunset. The florals, designed in airy, garden-inspired arrangements, included those same tones so everything felt cohesive and dreamy without ever becoming too sweet.

Lairmont Manor was the perfect backdrop for this vision. Tucked away in Bellingham, this historic Italianate-style estate is one of my favorite venues in Washington. Between the manicured gardens, stately architecture, fountain courtyard, and elegant indoor spaces, there are endless corners for portraits and detail shots. Every time I work there, it feels a bit like stepping into a European manor for the day, and I wanted to highlight that old-world charm while still keeping the overall feel modern and approachable.

We imagined our bride spending the morning getting ready in one of the light-filled rooms, slipping into her pink gown, and then wandering the property to soak everything in before an intimate ceremony. I loved capturing her moving through the hallways, pausing on the grand staircase, and stepping out into the gardens as if she were exploring her own private estate. There’s something so special about that quiet window of time before guests arrive—when the bride can truly take in all the details and breathe in the moment—and I wanted the images to tell that story.

The tablescape and cake design were intentionally simple yet luxurious. We used a more neutral linen to let the pastel florals and the bride’s gown be the stars, then added gold accents and loose, relaxed napkins to keep everything feeling soft and romantic. One of my favorite details from the day was the cake, designed by Honey Crumb Cake Studio in Seattle. They are known for their elegant, meticulously crafted cakes, and this one was no exception—delicate sugar florals and beautiful texture made it almost too pretty to cut. The best part? After the shoot, the cake was displayed in their studio window for everyone to admire.

To tie everything together, we styled a playful bar cart with pink champagne, cocktails, and macarons. This little vignette added a fun, celebratory element and showed how couples can incorporate personality into their day with small, thoughtful details. The macarons came from the beloved Seattle bakery Bakery Nouveau, and they looked (and tasted!) as dreamy as they photographed.

At the heart of this editorial was a desire to inspire couples to think beyond tradition and lean into what truly feels like them. Maybe that looks like a blush wedding dress. Maybe it’s a pastel-filled tablescape, a bar cart rolled out for late-night cocktails, or a historic estate that feels like a storybook setting. Whatever your version looks like, I hope this shoot gives you permission to play with color, texture, and atmosphere in a way that feels joyful and uniquely yours.

This pastel editorial wedding at Lairmont Manor was such a meaningful project during a challenging season. It reminded me why I love what I do: collaborating with talented creatives, telling visual stories, and creating beauty even when the world feels uncertain.

I’m honored that this shoot was featured on Style Me Pretty. If you’d like to see even more images and read their take on the day, you can check out the full feature there.

And if you’re dreaming of your own romantic, pastel-inspired wedding at Lairmont Manor (or anywhere in Washington and beyond), I’d love to chat about bringing your vision to life.