I was honored to photograph the wedding with Narayan Mahon, a fellow ‘Cuse grad and an accomplished commercial and editorial photographer. (Look for his piece in Harper’s on illegal gold mining in French Guiana.) Narayan was doing double-duty: wedding photographer and groomsman too!

The wedding flowers were cream colored roses and hydrangeas.

Toby is a cycling coach, and the officiant is one of his students.

The ceremony took place in the amphitheater of the music center. Toby and Amy’s vows were heartfelt and sweet as could be.

 Amy looked absolutely radiant, and wore a megawatt smile all day.

Two cute-as-a-button flower girls, one Toby’s niece and one Amy’s niece.

Wick, one of the groomsmen, congratulates Toby. The reception took up the upstairs of C.I. Shenanigan’s in Tacoma, which offered a sweeping view of the water and lots of room for dancing.

Memo and Gali, 8, walk down the aisle together. Gali wore a beautiful gown from The Frog Princess.

Kristin’s dress featured intricate beadwork.

Kristin’s dad, Patrick, walks her down the aisle.

The couple’s wedding rings. In lieu of a guestbook, Kristin and Memo invited guests to write their good wishes on river rocks. They brought a small, potted maple tree, which they will plant at home and surround with the rocks.

During the ceremony, Kristin and Memo recognized their parents and their daughter, Gali, who received a special surprise. Gali peeped inside a flap in the wrapping paper  – it was fairy doll from the Tinkerbell movie!

A warm, sunny day.

Mr. and Mrs. Diaz make their entrance at the reception.

The cake-topper versions of Mr. and Mrs. Diaz.

Kristin’s sister, Andrea, with a gorgeous bouqet. Left, Kristin wore a ring that had belonged to Memo’s mom.

The reception hall offered stunning views of the sound.

Kristin and Memo share a dance.

There were a lots of kids for Gali to play with.

 Kristin dances with her godsister’s daughter, left, and her dad, right.

 Kristin’s family cheers on the new couple as they drive off after the reception.

Juicy? Check. Savory? Check. AMAZING?! Check. These are men who take their meat seriously.

It was a great time for the bride and groom’s families to meet, and for everyone to stuff themselves silly on Californian hospitality.

The French bread was toasted on the grill, then dunked in plenty of melted butter. It was insanely delicious.

Memo’s brother, David, drove a U-Haul all the way from California with the family grill and a load of firewood.

Wedding guests came in from near (the Tri-Cities) and far (Nevada).

Memo and Kristin’s daughter, Gali, 8, sits with Grandpa Jack.

Memo’s extended family came up from California for the wedding. Memo’s dad, Javier (wearing apron), supervised the grilling.

Kristin’s mom, Karleen, has had a busy summer, with two weddings between her three children.

Memo’s uncle Carlos made an amazing fresh salsa.

Memo serves up pieces of tri-tip to his brother-in-law, Scott, and uncle-in-law, Mike.

Kristin’s stepmom, Chris.

Karleen passes around a platter with two kinds of cake, baked by her niece Amy.

Ethan pauses to give Princess Kitty a rub. Gali says Princess Kitty has lived up to her name.

So when 4 o’clock on Saturday drew near, we pulled out our umbrellas and parkas and gamely stepped across the wet grass for a beautiful wedding ceremony.

From doing engagement photos for Monica and Jason in July, I knew this couple was super photogenic. Look at Monica’s great smile as her dad walks her down the aisle.

The bridesmaids joked that their bouquets brought some sun to the day.

 Monica’s mom, Maria, lovely in purple.

Monica gets a kiss from her dad, Bernardo.

Lace detail on her veil.

Monica says she came to peace with the rain by focusing on its aural quality. She closed her eyes and listened to the drops strumming on umbrella tops.

Congratulations, Monica and Jason! Have a great Tahiti honeymoon!

Chris and I attended the wedding (Scott is our cousin) and I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures.

 Bundles of delicate flowers decorated the seats.

Elissa’s mom watching her daughter walk down the aisle.

 It had been overcast all day, and miraculously, the sun came out just in time for the ceremony. The rain held off until right after Scott and Elissa finished with group pictures. Perfect.

The ceremony was offbeat and fun, but nothing topped the hilarity of the officiant’s slip of the tongue. She accidently asked Scott to give the ring to Elizabeth (Elissa’s mom). Oops!

Scott’s sisters, Andrea and Kristin, tag-teamed on a reading for the ceremony.

Husband and wife!

Scott’s sister Andrea and mom, Karleen.

The bridesmaids bustled up Elissa’s dress after the ceremony. I loved, LOVED her dress.

Some young guests.

Congratulations, Scott and Elissa!

Peter’s parents on the dance floor.

It’s not hard to see where Peter gets his good nature and easy smile.

 John shares a dance with my friend Chi. Earlier, he’d pulled off a terrific guitar performance of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”

Jing changed into a beautiful chipao that her mom bought from China. She looks AMAZING.

The party went on until 11 p.m. — super late, considering Peter had to be a work the following morning!

Congratulations, you two! May you have a lifetime of happiness together.

Live orchids decorated each table in the conservatory.

Passed hor d’oeuvres included beef wellingtons, mushroom and goat cheese strudel and chicken skewers. A seafood station offered shrimp, oysters and lobster claws. Yum!

Peter’s mom at the reception.

A detail from one of the beautiful centerpiece arrangements.

My friend Chi, whom I’ve also known since middle school, flew up from Florida for Jing’s wedding! She’s a newlywed too — just got married in December.

Peter’s aunts and uncles during the reception.

On the right is best man El Hadi Jazairy.

Jing and Peter’s wedding rings, photographed on one of their altar arrangements. It was a little breezy, and I was terrified the rings would fall and … . I made the best man (a responsible adult) stay RIGHT NEXT to me while I made this picture.

Jing’s dad walks her down the aisle.

The lilies are from one of the altar arrangments.

The officiant spoke movingly of what it meant to be a couple.

This little girl couldn’t sit for the ceremony, so her mom carried her off to the side. Mom and daughter both have perfectly back lit curls.

Did you ever read Make Way for Ducklings? It’s one of my favorite children’s books, and I got to ride the famous swan boat!

A horse (carrying a police officer) stopped for a quick smooch.

Jing and Peter’s parents, aunts and uncles.

This Guatemalen family insisted on a group picture with the bride and groom. They were so excited and friendly Jing and Peter couldn’t say no.

Just an amazing couple.

The light in the hallway was absolutely perfect, like a Vermeer  painting.