Backyard Wedding in Bend, Oregon with a Scottish Flair

Some weddings come to you. And then some find you in the most full-circle way imaginable.

I met Ronnekia years ago when I needed a strong photographer to assist me at a wedding in Hood River. I didn't know much about her going in — just that she came highly recommended and that I needed someone I could trust to show up and deliver. She did both, and then some. I was impressed by her work immediately, but even more so by her as a person. Ronnekia is one of those humans who just makes every room better. Sharp, warm, genuinely talented, and the kind of person you want in your corner on a high-pressure day.

When she asked me to photograph her wedding I was genuinely touched — and when I told her I had a conflict with her original date, she moved it so I could be there. I still think about that. Being chosen by another photographer is its own kind of honor. They know what this work looks like from the inside, and that trust means everything.

Ronnekia and Tyler's wedding was a beautiful celebration of both of their worlds — a multicultural day that wove together their backgrounds, their families, and everything that makes them uniquely them. They got married on a stunning family property in Bend, Oregon, and the whole day had this warmth to it that felt lived-in and intentional all at once. The golden Oregon light at sunset did things to their warm, glowing decor that no amount of planning could fully manufacture. It just happened, the way the best things do.

Tyler and his bridal party wore kilts — a proud nod to his Scottish heritage — and they wore them well. There's something about a groom in a kilt that carries a certain energy, a mix of history and joy and a little swagger, and Tyler had all of it. The ceremony was full of laughter and tears in equal measure, which is always the sign of a good one.

And then the reception happened.

Rumplemint shots made an appearance. There was a glittery outfit change that absolutely deserved its own moment. And the dance floor — that dance floor did not survive the night intact, which is the only acceptable outcome. At some point the line between dancing and full-on celebration disappears entirely, and that's exactly where Ronnekia and Tyler lived for the rest of the evening. Loud, joyful, a little chaotic, and completely, perfectly them.

Ronnekia — thank you for trusting me with this day, and for making sure I could be there for it. It meant the world. You and Tyler are so good together and I can't wait to watch what comes next.

Real Review:

I could write a book about Leah; or at least a very detailed blog post but I'll try to keep it shorter! As a fellow professional photographer, I got the opportunity to meet Leah and work with her as her 2nd photographer on a wedding. It took that one amazing experience and absolute blast of a time to know that whenever it was I got married she was THE photographer for me. Fast forward some years later it was finally my turn to tie the knot and my now husband and I chose our date based on when Leah was available, because there was no other option for me! I have gotten to work with dozens of photographers throughout my going on 10 year career, and I'm telling y'all, it doesn't get better than Leah. The photos - amazing! I love her eye for details, the crispness, the colors! Not to mention she is such a beautiful soul with the best personality and energy, with the professionalism to get a gallery worth of beautiful photos with you barely realizing she's there. While going through our gallery, I was stunned and overjoyed so many times to see things I had NO idea happened or even photos of people that I unfortunately didn't get to spend much time with yet seeing that they still enjoyed themselves. In my opinion, a photographer is the most important vendor you can choose for your wedding day. I am so thankful my experience in the wedding industry allowed me to cross paths with Leah because that made a really important decision very easy for me. And I hope my review can help other soonlyweds out there make a hard decision easier. You will not go wrong choosing Leah to photograph your big day!

Scottish Kilt Wedding in Bend Oregon | Backyard Pacific Northwest Wedding | Oregon Wedding Photographer