Morgan & Zach | Monte Cristo Ballroom Wedding

We met Morgan some 6 years ago. She was one of the first people I had ever photographed. When she got engaged to Zach she asked if we would be willing to fly out to Washington. Of course combining our love for travel and weddings was a definite yes.

We spend a week riding ferries, exploring Pikes Place Market, and enjoying what the gorgeous state of Washington had to offer.

I love Morgan & Zach’s story, so I’m going to let Morgan tell it. Enjoy.

“Zach and I have known each other since infancy but we grew up in different states. Our story wouldn’t pick up again until we were 17 and met at a reunion in Cannon Beach, Oregon the summer of 2007. We were both a little bit smitten, roasting s’mores on the beach, late nights filled with stories, piecing together the last 12 years. Then senior year of high school came for both of us, Zach was accepted to the prestigious United States Military Academy and I went off to Azusa Pacific in Southern California. We spent hours on the phone and I made annual trips out for the academy balls but the timing wasn’t right for us yet.

Then in the fall of 2013 Zach deployed to Afghanistan and we reconnected. We began corresponding as often as we could and on December 26th, 2013 we decided to try a very long distance relationship. When Zach got back to the states we started to plan my move from Colorado to Washington, where he was stationed at Ft. Lewis. After 12 months of being long distance I made the move to join him. Then on February 28th we planned a trip back to Cannon Beach for the first time together since 2007. As we were watching the sunset Zach got down on one knee and proposed and then we roasted smores together again.

My inspiration for the wedding centered around our historic venue and the dress uniforms worn in the Army. I wanted something romantic and elegant, a magical night that could whisk everyone away for a few hours to celebrate love and enjoy good music and lots of dancing. The wedding was a formal affair, floor length Navy dresses for the bridal party and dress blues and tuxedos for the men. Our color palette was navy, gold, and blush. My uncle was our florist and he transformed an already beautiful venue into an enchanted fairy tale. We gave a nod to the Army by having the saber arch, which is comprised of 6 officers in uniform creating an arch out of sabers. The bride and groom walk through until they are stopped at the end where they must give a kiss to pass. As the bride and groom exit the final saber bearer taps the bride and says “Welcome to the army ma’am.” It was a night to remember because I got to enter into a lifelong commitment with my best friend, the man who surpassed my wildest dreams. All the other details were just icing on the cake.”

Vendors:

Venue: Monte Cristo Ballroom

Florist: Swanky Bastard

Dress Shop: The Wedding Bell

Cake: Mike’s Amazing Cakes

Monte Cristo Ballroom Wedding.