Category archives: Weddings

Jillian + MichaelClise Mansion WeddingRedmond, WA

A few weeks ago I had the honor of photographing a Clise Mansion wedding for Jillian and Michael in Redmond, WA alongside my dear and talented friend Kristen Tourtillotte. It was a soggy Pacific Northwest day that could not dampen our spirits.

Besides being 6′ 6″ and a former Seattle Seahawks tight end, Michael and his boys are huge lovers of Mountain Dew. I think there may be more Reservoir Dogs portraits of the lads with their Dew than traditional groomsmen images.

It turns out too that Jillian is a mighty good singer and as coincidence would have it, the male lead singer of the band was none other than James Cowan – A man I’m quite familiar with having spent hours and hours recording his sweet voice in the studio. The best part yet? Jillian jumped up and killed one song with the band. Awesome.

The Clise Mansion is best utilized for small, intimate weddings that are looking for a bit of a traditional feel. The floor plan is a little difficult with half of the action in one side of the building and the rest split to the other half, but not stuffing the place to the gills provides for great mobility and a nice experience. The surrounding grounds and Marymoor park provide excellent photo opportunities for portraits of the couple, family and wedding party.

Keep your eyes peeled on Kristen’s blog as she’ll be sharing tons of portraits, details and great moments as the primary photographer. Here are a few frames from my coverage that caught my eye and who doesn’t love a little rain hitting their lens when trying to hand hold a 70-200 1/6th of a second (Windmill shot).

Groomsmen having a laugh during preparations for a Clise Mansion weddingA groom beams while a groomsman laughs riotously during prep for their Clise Mansion weddingA view from the floor looking up at the vibrant green bottles of Mountain Dew being clinked together in toast after preparations at a Clise Mansion weddingA colorless silhouette of a bride and groom nearly touching noses before their Clise Mansion weddingA bride and groom share a casual laugh before their Clise Mansion weddingAn intimate black and white moment with a smiling bride gazing into her groom's eyes with his hands lovingly on her face just ahead of their Clise Mansion weddingA father kisses his daughter moments before they walk down the aisle at her Clise Mansion weddingThe first kiss from a Clise Mansion weddingThe witnesses signing the marriage license while the the new bride and groom look on at their Clise Mansion weddingA woman in the background cries on the shoulder of a man while the bride and groom have their 1st dance during a Clise Mansion weddingThe bride is bathed in blue stage lighting with arm outstretched and belting with the band during her Clise Mansion weddingA soggy, rain splattered night shot of a windmill on the property of and ajacent to a Clise Mansion wedding

Clise Mansion Wedding Details

Wedding venue:  Clise Mansion
Lead Photographer:  Kristen Marie
Second photographer:  Kip Beelman
Band: Oncore
Catering: Twelve Baskets Catering

Amy + MatthewSorrento Hotel WeddingSeattle, WA

Since I was also married at the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle, I am pretty familiar with all of the wonderful options for wedding photography here, and I always enjoy the chance to return to the scene of my wedding day. Sorrento Hotel wedding photography combines romance and elegance, history and the promise of the future.

This small, intimate wedding took place in a luxury Sorrento Hotel rooftop ceremony where guests enjoyed incredible views of the Seattle skyline along with the bride and groom’s touching vows.

The reception felt more like an elegant sit-down dinner with 40 great friends that just happened to be preceded by a wedding ceremony, making this a night to remember.

For more than a century, the chic and historic Sorrento Hotel on Seattle’s First Hill has been a place “where memories are made and traditions are born.” The hotel includes rich Italian architecture, warmth, music, beauty and activity. It is also known as one of the finest locations for Seattle wedding photography and I am thrilled to have my own Sorrento Hotel wedding photos to look back on and to be invited to share in the tradition with newlyweds celebrating their special day here.

Part of what elevated the event to Style Me Pretty status was the incredible flowers by Seattle event design and floral boutique Finch & Thistle by Rachel Bowes.

This was a wonderful day full of wonderful people at a wonderful venue… I’m so happy and honored that I was included in the festivities. Below is a brief selection of some of the images that set the tone and tell the story of the day. Please also visit Style Me Pretty and show your love in the comments section. Thank you!




Sorrento Hotel Wedding Details

Venue – Sorrento Hotel, Seattle
Flowers – Finch and Thistle
Favors – Fran’s Chocolates
Cakes – B&O Espresso
Hair & Makeup: Intermezzo Salon
Jewelry: EE Robbins
Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Officiant: Len Smolen
Pianist: Jerry Frank
Photography: Kip Beelman Photography
Wedding Boutique: La Belle Elaines

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Allison + MarkVictoria WeddingVictoria, British Columbia

A little bit of magic unfolded as my wife, daughter and I boarded the Victoria Clipper out of Seattle early one morning and joined the fabtalented Christine Pobke in Victoria, British Columbia to photograph the wedding of Allison and Mark. While I hump cameras for 15 hours with Christine, my girls planned to hit downtown for some shopping and high tea at the Empress Hotel. That sounded hard to beat, but I won.

Allison and Mark. Yowzah. What can I say? You two are so easy going and effortlessly cool. I had such a thrill joining you for your Victoria wedding day and am still glowing as I think about all the wonderfully warm people you surrounded yourselves with. Hats off to a beautifully simple and elegant wedding with plenty of time to make portraits and one of the nicest receptions I’ve ever been to. Not a surprise really considering Mark is a killer wedding photographer himself.

And then there is Christine. Christine is originally from the Seattle area, but now hails from mean streets of Canberra, Australia. The previous weekend she had enlisted myself and others to participate in the Shore 10K, my first such effort in any kind of run. Her energy and spirit are infectious. If you meet her, you will love her.

Please check out their portraits along Dallas Road / Beacon Hill / Beach Drive, the ceremony at the stunning Glendale Gardens & Woodlands followed by their warm and intimate reception at the Fireside Grill. Thank you to Christine for inviting me along and especially for the wonderful chocolate and Vegemite all the way from Oz. See Christine’s Mark + Allison (Victoria Wedding Photographer) too. Enjoy!













Neenah + AndyCentury Ballroom WeddingSeattle, WA

It was a true pleasure to join Neenah + Andy for their vintage-inspired Seattle wedding as it spanned three unique venues: The University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center in the shadow of Husky Stadium on Lake Washington, Mars Hill Church in the University District, and finally for their gorgeous Century Ballroom wedding atop Capitol Hill. And what a beautiful day! Rarest of the rare in March around these parts.

The couple readied at the Waterfront Activity Center with Andy’s modern take on the vintage groom decked out in black with a vest, striped tie, caramel brogues and boutonniere of astrid, pussy willow and silver coins. Neenah had an elegant Vera Wang gown crowned with a birdcage veil and a unique, dried bouquet of pussy willows, astrid, wheat, baby’s breath, silver coins, and status with the wrapped stems adorned with a gorgeous Victorian ivory broach.

First look, details, wedding and bridal party photos were made here before moving over to Mars Hill Church for the ceremony and family formals. As a relatively recent acquisition in the Mars Hill family, the church needs some TLC and is currently under renovation. Some of the pocked walls upstairs proved to be an excellent backdrop for making artistic modern wedding photos of the bride and groom.

Our final stop of the day was the amazing Century Ballroom, currently one of my favorite Seattle wedding and reception venues. The hardwood floors surrounded by the mezzanine and stage provide unique opportunities for any party or celebration. Neenah + Andy’s was no different with some truly moving speeches by the best man, father of the groom and father of the bride.

A testimonial from the beautiful bride..

Oh let me just start by saying THANK YOU!
We are LOVING the photos! I can’t stop looking at them and we’ve gotten so many compliments! We love you work! Thank you for being there that day to help preserve the memories!

Holga photo of sailboats from an University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center wedding in Seattle


Pinning wedding boutonnieres at the University of Washington Waterfront Activities CenterCool wedding photo of groomsmen at the University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center in Seattle

Gorgeous vintage wedding style and bouquet photo consisting of astrid, silver coins, wheat, baby's breath, status and adorned with an ivory Victorian broach




Eye fire bride and groom wedding photo on film at the University of Washington Waterfront Activities CenterWedding party bouquet photos at the University of Washington Waterfront Activites CenterModern wedding and bridal party photos on film in SeattleFilm wedding and bridal party photos at the University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center with a fresh and modern look.modern bridesmaid and groomsen photos from a wedding at the University of Washington Waterfront Activities CenterA modern look at bridal party photos from a Seattle weddingWedding photojournalism of a captured moment with a bride and her bridesmaids




A bride and father in the aisle during a wedding at a church venue in SeattleA photojournalistic captured moment of the bride, groom and wedding party in a church venue

Black and white wedding photojournalism photo during a ceremony in a church venue
Artistic wedding photo of a bride and groom kissing at their Seattle church venue



A photo of chocolate covered and raspberry cakes from a wedding at Century Ballroom in Seattle, a fantastic venueWedding reception venue decor and details of a cake and cupcake tower from the Century BallroomArtistic reception pinwheel decor and wedding cake details from Seattle's Century BallroomWedding photojournalism bride and groom first dance photos from the fantastic wedding venue of Century BallroomA wedding photojournalism and creative photo from the fantastic Century Ballroom venue

artistic wedding black and white portraits of a bride and groom on instant Fuji fp-3000b film taken by a Contax 645

Wedding Details and Vendors

Getting ready venue: Waterfront Activities Center
Ceremony venue: Mars Hill Church, University District
Reception venue: Century Ballroom
Dress: Vera Wang
Shoes: Steve Madden
Veil: Brenda’s Bridal Veils
Hair: Kristin Rowles
Make-up: Kim Adam
Flowers: Pike Place Market
Florist: Bride & Friends
Jewelry: Neenah’s Nana
Cakes: Nica & Sebastian Falcon of Twin Sheets
Officiant: Pastor Nick Bogardus
DJ/Music: Family
Decor: Thrifted for the win!

Erin + DavidHotel 1000 Wedding PhotographySeattle, WA

She was a girl that followed a girlfriend to Abu Dhabi for adventure.  He was a bright career man from the UK that happened to work with the husband of Erin’s friend.  Social events were scheduled.  Sparks flew.  Logistics were worked out.  People in love made commitments.  A wet Seattle wedding happened.

This is the first wedding I’ve photographed at Hotel 1000 and I hope it’s not my last.  Erin + David’s affair was an intimate and elegant soiree that lives on in a beautiful album for generations to come.  So honored to be a part of this.  Love you guys.

Seattle wedding photojournalism of a bride and bridesmaids getting ready with shoe, dress and jewelry details included. Photojournalism of Seattle's Hotel 1000 of groom, groomsmen, bride and bridesmaids getting ready. A photojournalistic look at an intimate First Look between a bride and groom at Seattle's Hotel 1000. Beautiful Seattle wedding photography exhibited as a great bride and groom portrait. Fun, fresh, and candid portraits of a wedding party with bride and groom in Seattle. A beautiful Hotel 1000 wedding ceremony in Seattle. An intimate and beautiful Seattle wedding ceremony at Hotel 1000. Photos of the fun and elegant Hotel 1000 wedding reception in Seattle.

Extra special thanks to Jonathan Steinberg for ROCKING the 2nd photographer gig. He is frighteningly talented and quite a few of the images in this post are his. Check out his post from the day here.

Technical note – This ceremony was DARK!  I use a Nikon D3s as my primary body and am SO pleased with its performance.  Most of the shots you see for the ceremony are ISO 12,800 with my 50mm lens at f/2.0 at 1/250th of a second with NO NOISE REDUCTION.  I’m not a Nikon vs. Canon or Mac vs. Windows guy, but c’mon… This kind of low-light, high ISO performance is legendary.

And the icing on the cake… I got the blog comment below from the mother of the bride.  It’s things like this that make me love what I do:

Every time I see your photos, I am transported back to the day itself – all the joy and fun, expressed love, anticipation of the lives joined together, and the many emotions. My favorites are: the dress hanging on the arbor above the rock pathway (and the “hope” rock), the generations of women gathered for a toast before the wedding, the hotel shot with the street sign, the rainy city through the ceiling, the tender moments of welling emotion shown in faces, and the joy of dancing and celebration. The story is in the DETAILS and you have a gift for getting the right details at just the right time. Thanks you for preserving this day!

Hair/Make-up – Erin Skipley for Bellatrix Studio
Event Decor – Aria Style
Photography – Kip Beelman Photography
Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Gown – Paloma Blanca
Rings – Tiffany & Co.
Officiant – Joe Springer (Bethany Community Church)
Music/Entertainment – Good Times DJ Service

And if you’re loving up on Erin and David to the Nth degree, why not check out their Pike Place Market Engagement Photography session?  Do it.

Copyright © Kip Beelman 2024