A Wedding at Black Pearl on the Columbia | Washougal, Washington

Mar 21

Black Pearl on the Columbia sits right on the water in Washougal, Washington — a sleek, open-concept industrial venue with sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Columbia River and Mt. Hood. It's spectacular on a clear day and moody and cinematic on a grey one, and either way the backdrop does absolutely everything you'd want from a waterfront event space. The blue sequined tablecloths caught the light. Mini disco balls nestled into the floral centerpieces — peachy roses, lavender scabiosa, deep navy globe thistles — like little glittering surprises waiting to be noticed. The sweetheart table glowed with a neon sign reading The McGore's. The whole room felt thoughtful and alive before a single guest arrived.

Let's start with the dogs. The couple's dogs were in attendance — including a fluffy little service dog wearing a floral collar with a pearl leash. Warning, if you have dogs at your wedding there will be a disproportionate number of images of them in your gallery.

Logan was radiant — long blonde waves, bold pink lips, a stunning beaded cape over her gown, tattoos peeking out from under lace sleeves, and crystal sneakers beneath her skirt. Her bouquet was an abundant, wild cascade of garden roses, dahlias, hydrangea and trailing amaranth with — yes — a mini disco ball tucked right in the middle. It was perfect.

Anthony stood at the waterfront in his navy suit and pink tie, looking out at the Columbia River. What the guests didn't know was that at the ceremony he would walk out in a Darth Vader helmet. The ceremony itself was genuinely moving — Anthony on crutches, reading his vows into a microphone with his whole heart, Logan wiping tears, the Columbia River visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind them. The recessional through bubbles, both of them grinning and raising their arms, is one of my favorite frames of the year.

Inside, the reception tables were set with blue velvet linens and the most lush floral garlands I have ever seen — overflowing with garden roses, dahlias and the bouquet's same wild energy, those little disco balls winking throughout. The room felt like a celebration that had been planned with real love and real intention.

Logan and Anthony's favorite KJs kicked off the night. The crowd was ready. But nobody was more ready than Logan's mom and her crew, who took the stage in full feather boas — purple, orange, teal, black — and performed a completely committed, absolutely delightful rendition of ABBA's Dancing Queen. For Logan. While Logan screamed with joy from the dance floor.

The rest of the night belonged to everyone. The dance floor was packed, the Columbia River glittered through the windows as the sky went pink, and it was the kind of night where nobody wanted the music to stop.

Venue: Black Pearl on the Columbia | Washougal, Washington