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This was one amazing wedding weekend, and it was especially meaningful for us for a number of reasons. First off — Courtney & Nate planned their wedding as an amazing destination getaway for a small group of their closest friends and family at the gorgeous and secluded Roche Harbor resort on San Juan Island, WA. The weekend started off with a group of guests taking an incredibly beautiful ferry ride from the mainland out to San Juan. Everyone enjoyed the amazing views as the boat meandered the myriad little coves, bluffs and hidden harbors of the neighboring islands along the way. Another group of guests took a slightly more adventurous mode of transportation out to the island and arrived in the harbor by sea plane — which we’ll definitely have to try next time! As friends and family trickled onto the island over the next few days for the rehearsal and festivities you could really start to feel the sense of joy and celebration start to grow.
One thing that made this wedding especially unique and meaningful for us is that Courtney has been a dear friend of ours for many years. She and Lisa were roommates back in the day when we (the Rasers) were still just newly dating, and there is so much rich and great history there. Lisa was also so honored to serve as Courtney’s maid of honor, which meant we had the unique experience of being able to be a part in this wedding together, but from different sides of the camera — which was so much fun!
Courtney & Nate are small business owners together, adventurers together, and they share a deep partnership. They use this special bond to care for and encourage others in incredible ways, and they have a truly special heart for the friends and family surrounding them in their life together. Being around them is life-giving and joyful and being a part of this wedding celebration was something we will always cherish. We hope you enjoy these moments from a very special weekend with an extraordinary couple in a stunning place!
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Courtney & Nate really had a passion for making their wedding as local, sustainable and personal as possible, and we wanted to share a few of their fun details from the day. One really fun thing they chose to do was to get all the flowers for the wedding day in bulk from an amazing little organic flower farm on the island. I am also so proud of Lisa, who took all the buckets of flowers that we brought home from the flower farm and created the most amazing bouquets for Courtney and all the bridesmaids, the boutonnieres for the groomsmen, and all the table arrangements for the reception. She is so gifted and talented outside of her work with the camera, and it was so much fun to be able to see her totally rocking a very different creative endeavor this weekend! The owners of the flower farm also process local San Juan Island salt, which Courtney & Nate gave as a flavorful little wedding favor to guests. Also, Courtney carefully chose much of what she wore on the wedding day from a number of talented small businesses and artisans — including her handmade wedding dress and wedding ring!
Bulk Flowers — Blooms San Juan
Salt Party Favors — San Juan Island Sea Salt
Venue — Roche Harbor Resort
