Fall Farm Wedding on Whidbey Island

Get ready for one of the most beautiful days I’ve photographed, full of light, love, and dancing despite the storm awakening outside. Beyond grateful to have had the honor of capturing Clay + Sav’s fall Whidbey Island wedding last year.

“God is in the pots and pans, and your love is in the gourmet dinner you make out of what’s left in the fridge, the thermos of tea you bring for me, and in the way you’re always willing to be the one to drive.”

No, that’s not a line from a famous poet – that was the first line of Sav’s vows to Clay. I mean, I’d be ready to marry you on the spot if you said that to me, too.

That line is just a quick glimpse into the intentionality and genuine love that their wedding was made up of, from the small details of their decor to the way they invited their loved ones to celebrate with them. Allow me to take you on a journey through their full wedding day from start to finish through the stunning photographs that came out of it!

Clay + Sav’s beautiful Whidbey Island fall wedding day

The Whidbey Island wedding venue: Sleepy Bee Farm

Clay and Sav held their wedding at the family farm, Sleepy Bee Farm on Whidbey Island. It made for the most perfect venue to host all their loved ones, and to be able to fully craft & customize their dream day in this gorgeous space. Farm weddings are always a favorite of mine, since farms typically have plenty of room for couples to get ready, to take family portraits in front of a wide-open backdrop (or under luscious trees), and to tie the knot in a unique, rustic space like this.

Getting ready with Sav & her girls

Sav spent the morning getting ready with her two beautiful bridesmaids, who absolutely killed it in their deep red-burgundy dresses. You truly cannot go wrong featuring burgundy as a primary or secondary wedding color, especially in the fall, when the trees around you are turning shades of red, orange, & yellow. Especially if you’re holding your wedding at a farm with plenty of fall foliage nearby!

I adore the jewelry Sav chose to pair with her intricate lace dress. A multi-layered pearl bracelet, simple rustic earrings, and another beaded bracelet on the other wrist. These minimal yet elegant accessories, along with her lengthy veil, added the perfect flairs to an already gorgeous dress on the most stunning bride.

Clay looked just as incredible in his wedding attire, rocking a full brown tweed suit with white buttons & a white undershirt. He kept his look minimal, yet the neutral color palette & lack of accessories (other than his unique ring) were the perfect match for the simplicity of their day. The beauty of the farm landscape was a perfect back drop to go with it.

The rustic barn wedding ceremony

One of the things I loved most about Clay + Sav’s day is how they held their ceremony. Sav told me before the wedding day that their ceremony would be Quaker-like. In that folks would settle in, and everyone who wanted to would have a chance to say something. This made for one of the most special ceremonies I’ve witnessed in my career as a wedding photographer. Traditions like this are something I would love to see more couples do!

Instead of simply reciting their vows and listening to their officiant. Clay + Sav invited their guests to speak if they wanted to, and so many of their closest family members & friends got up to say kind words about the couple. It was truly the most special ceremony they could have asked for. Inside of a beautifully-decorated barn, the voices of their loved ones echoing through the space and filling the hearts of everyone in the room.

Fall wedding inspiration + decor galore

In case you couldn’t already tell through the photos you’ve seen so far, this wedding was absolutely filled with incredible fall-themed wedding decor every step of the way. The ceremony arch was covered in orange & yellow fall foliage, highlighted by two large pumpkins and a few smaller ones at the bottom. Every table was topped with ribbons, plates, candles, and foliage showing off the fall tones that everybody loves; reds, burgundies, oranges, yellows, you name it.

Not only was Clay + Sav’s wedding decor impeccably fall-themed. It was also all stunningly rustic, and was kept very simple + minimalistic. We’re talking woven placemats, lightbulbs in mason jars, strings of fairy lights, and wooden creations galore! Their wedding day was a top-notch example of how you can really create so much from the most simple items and designs.

Sunset wedding portraits with a rainbow overhead

We transitioned into evening festivities with some sunset wedding portraits of Clay + Sav on the farm. The storm we’d endured during the day made way for a perfectly-timed rainbow over the fields for these two. A purely magical way to end the official part of the day and head into their celebration with loved ones.

Sweet words from Clay + Sav

A review from this stunning couple, who are so dear to my heart. . .

“Makenzy is just what folks serious about getting married want. When vendors start bailing or making excuses, family and guest demands are high, and it’s all more stressful than you’d expected, Makenzy is solid.

The phone calls in preparation are matter-of-fact, to the point, and thorough, all while you can hear her balancing a newborn on her knee.

Day-of, she is there where you need her, and a helpful voice, rather than another person asking you to make a decision when at that point you’ve hit decision fatigue.

And the photos deliver. Beyond what you imagined. Crisp, clean, artistic. Our day was blustery and cold, our family put through the ringer in having to pose while being soaked through with rain, and yet the photos are glorious, capturing the moments of grace in the storm.

This is all to say, if you are on the fence about Makenzy, get the hell off it.”

Washington Wedding Resources & Inspiration

Need some guidance when it comes to planning your wedding day? Plus are wanting to make sure it’s just as beautiful and meaningful as Clay + Sav’s? Take a look below at some of my recent wedding & elopement-related blog posts for all my best tips. Get some inspiration from real-life past couples I’ve worked with.