Some wedding days are quietly romantic. Others are an absolute celebration from beginning to end. Megan and Zac's wedding at Aspen Lakes in Sisters, Oregon, managed to be both.
I first spent time with these two in May, wandering the Oregon Coast for their engagement session at Cape Kiwanda and Proposal Rock. Even then, one thing was abundantly clear: Megan and Zac have the kind of contagious joy that makes everyone around them feel like an old friend. They're playful, genuine, and simply a whole lot of fun. So when their wedding day arrived, I knew we were in for something special.
And as it turns out, they had a few surprises up their sleeves.
A September Day in Sisters, Oregon
Central Oregon has a way of showing off in early fall, and Megan and Zac couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Clear blue skies, mountain views, and that unmistakable golden light welcomed everyone to Aspen Lakes, tucked into the landscape just outside Sisters.
The morning unfolded with all the anticipation and excitement that comes before a wedding. Megan had arranged a special gift for Zac before the ceremony: a watch for him and whiskey to share with his guys. A thoughtful little moment before the celebrations began.
Their first look was something straight out of a film. Megan descended the staircase into the Central Oregon sunshine, where Zac was waiting to see his bride. One of those moments where everything else seems to fall away for a few seconds.
A Celebration Rooted in Family
Family was woven into every part of their day.
Megan's twin brother officiated the ceremony, while her sisters stood beside her as her maid of honor and bridesmaids. There is something particularly meaningful about having the people who have known you your entire life play such intimate roles in the beginning of your marriage.
And if the ceremony brought the emotion, the speeches made sure there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
Throughout the evening, family members shared stories, laughter, and the kind of heartfelt words that remind you just how much history and love can exist between people. It was impossible not to feel the closeness of everyone gathered to celebrate these two.
But beneath all that sentiment, there was a secret brewing.
A Very Special Wedding Guest
Now, here's where things got interesting.
Before the wedding, Megan and Zac had let me in on a surprise they were planning for their guests and wedding party. And when I say surprise, I mean a rather large, furry, orange-and-black surprise.
Benny the Beaver.
Yes, that Benny the Beaver.
As proud Oregon State fans, Megan and Zac had arranged for Benny to make a surprise appearance at their reception. Aside from the couple, only their planner, Stacey Kissler, and I knew what was coming.
During Megan and Zac's thank-you speech, Benny made his grand entrance, and the room absolutely erupted.
What followed was one of the most entertaining wedding receptions I've had the pleasure of photographing.
Benny hit the dance floor, joined Zac and his mom for a dance, and became the guest of honor nobody saw coming. Glow sticks appeared. Sunglasses came out. The dance floor filled, and at one point, Megan quite literally dropped into the splits.
I couldn't make this stuff up.
The entire evening was a celebration of exactly who Megan and Zac are: joyful, unapologetically fun, and surrounded by people who love them fiercely.
And the party didn't end there.
After a day-before golf outing with friends, a beautiful wedding, and a reception that kept the energy going until the venue shut down, the celebrations continued into Sisters.
The People Who Make It Happen
One of my favorite parts of photographing weddings is collaborating with people who care as deeply about the experience as they do about the details.
I had the pleasure of working alongside wedding planner Stacey Kissler, who was an absolute godsend throughout the day. From keeping everything running smoothly to helping pull off Benny's surprise appearance, Stacey was wonderful to collaborate with, and I'm so grateful our paths crossed.
Weddings like this are a reminder that a beautifully planned day doesn't have to feel overly orchestrated. The best celebrations leave room for the unexpected, the spontaneous, and the moments that become stories you'll tell for years.
Megan & Zac
From our windy spring adventures along the Oregon Coast to the golden foothills of Sisters in September, photographing Megan and Zac has been such a joy.
Their wedding was beautiful, certainly. But more than that, it felt entirely like them.
Full of family. Full of laughter. A little bit of happy chaos. And so much love.
And if there's one thing I'll remember about this day, it's that Megan and Zac didn't just throw a wedding.
They threw one hell of a celebration.
