Seattle Wedding Photographer | Devan & Roxanne Backyard Wedding in Mt. Vernon, WA

MT. VERNON, Wash., — As the sun was setting over the garden patch across the street, Bob Dylan played over the speakers. Family and friends of Devan and Roxanne devoured chicken skewers and drank chilled Pyramid beer on the lawn. Little blond kids with bits of candy-colored wedding cake on their lips spun in shaky circles until momentum pinned them to the grass. About an hour after Roxanne became the new Mrs. Ballard she was on the dance floor with Devan. Her hot pink lips parted as she threw back her long brown hair, laughing with her husband as they swayed back and forth. The two exchanged vows under an arbor handcrafted by Devan’s younger brother. Hours earlier Roxanne’s older sister Stephanie was the first to greet me when I arrived. Throughout the day she coordinated the wedding with the tactfulness and calmness of a yogi. Walking onto Roxanne’s grandmother’s estate I discovered a huge garden in the back. Inside the home vintage wallpaper and the smell of fresh-cooked bacon set the tone for this down home wedding. If there’s one thing I learned about this couple beside how much they adore each other it’s that they REALLY know how to throw a party. Part of it may be that Roxanne and Devan’s laughter is contagious. Wherever they went the good vibes followed. Another ingredient to the party potion may have been that the newlywed’s friends and family aren’t afraid of getting bendy on the dance floor. At one point the atmosphere swayed me and I literally couldn’t help myself from dancing with my camera. Picture the bride’s brother-in-law, uncorked Cook’s bottle in hand, grooving to Michael Jackson. “I wanna rock with you.. all night.. dance you into the sunlight,” who can’t dance to that? There were so many hilarious moments– from documenting barefoot bridesmaid Bristol duke out Roxanne’s sister for the bouquet, to watching the groomsmen launch Devan five feet in the air for photo. The light and down-to-earth vibe of the whole night was enlivening. The day after the wedding Roxanne’s facebook status read something like, “Literally the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!” I’d agree, it was completely Devan & Roxanne, Roxanne & Devan. Thank you both for being so much fun to work with. I have no doubt Jamaica is another big celebration! Here are some of the moments that stuck with me most from the day.