![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 1 Yakima Area Arboretum Wedding Photography 30](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-30-1024x683.jpg)
The Wedding Ceremony at the Yakima Area Arboretum
In August I made the drive from Seattle to Yakima, my first visit to the “Palm Springs of Washington”, for Aimee and Kevin’s wedding at the Yakima Area Arboretum. The Arboretum is a gorgeous setting for a wedding, with plenty of space for portraits, the ceremony, and small events area for a reception.
When I arrived, Kevin and I walked out to the Japanese Garden while Aimee finished getting ready. We began with a traditional first look, which went off beautifully. I like to leave it up to the couple as to whether or not we include a first look, and Aimee really wanted one — and I’m so glad she did. There was real emotion in this first look.
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 2 Bride walks toward the first looks as the bridal party adjusts her dress](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-6-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 3 Bride smiles nervously before the first look](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-7-768x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 4 Groom adjusts his cuffs before the first look](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 5 Bride walks up behind the groom](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-2-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 6 Bride places her hand on the groom's shoulder before the first look](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-3-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 7 Groom sees the bride for the first time during the first look](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-8-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 8 Groom smiles at the bride and goes in for the hug](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-9-1024x576.jpg)
After an emotional first look we moved to take a few informal portraits. While I work mostly in the documentary style, I still build in some time for portraits — those classic posed shot that will hang on the wall for years to come.
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 9 Bride and groom pose for a portrait](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-10-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 10 Bride kisses the groom under a Japanese pagoda](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-13-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 11 Close-up of the bridal bouquet](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-11-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 12 Bride and groom laugh during their portrait session](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-12-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 13 Bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-14-1024x768.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 14 Bride and groom pose on a bridge in a Japanese garden](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-15-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 15 Bride rests her head on the groom's shoulder](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-16-819x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 16 Bride and groom hold each other](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-5-768x1024.jpg)
With our portraiture time reaching an end we prepared for the ceremony itself, Aimee was whisked off in a golf cart by the Arboretum staff for a hair and makeup touchup which I took detail shots of the ceremony location. The bridal party hung around as the guests took their seats and happily chatted.
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 17 Bride applies lipstick](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-17-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 18 Groom and groomsmen pose for a group portrait](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-18-1024x768.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 19 Wedding officiant smiles at the wedding party](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-20-768x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 20 Bride looks off camera as the wind catches her veil](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-19-768x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 21 Wedding guests laugh before the ceremony starts](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-22-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 22 Bride catches a ride on a golf cart](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-21-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 23 Wedding guests laugh before the ceremony starts](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-23-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 24 Wedding officiant laughs with one of the groomsmen](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-24-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 25 Floral decor at the wedding ceremony](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-25-683x1024.jpg)
The ceremony itself was beautiful, officiated under a large tree with the bride and groom flanked by their wedding party.
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 26 Wedding guests look back as the bride walks up the aisle](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-26-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 27 Bride walks up the aisle](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-27-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 28 Wedding guest films the ceremony on their phone](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-28-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 29 Bride and groom look at each other at the wedding officiant speaks](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-33-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 30 Bride and groom bow their head as the officiant reads a prayer](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-31-1024x768.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 31 Bridesmaids watch the wedding ceremony](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-32-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 32 Bride and groom kiss at the end of the wedding ceremony](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-34-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 33 Bride and groom smile as the ceremony ends](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-35-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 34 Bride and groom walk back down the aisle](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-36-1024x683.jpg)
The reception followed immediately at the Arboretum’s event space. A seating area with tables and chairs was setup on the patio outside, and guests were able to enjoy food, drinks, and dancing as the sun set on a gorgeous late summer evening.
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 35 Mother of the bride and the mother of the groom ride off on a golf cart](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-37-1024x819.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 36 Emotional bride looks at the groom during the first dance](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-38-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 37 Bride and groom put their heads together during the first dance.](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-39-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 38 Bride serves herself food](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-40-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 39 Wedding officiant hugs the bride](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-41-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 40 Suit jacket sits on a chair](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-42-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 41 Two wedding guests try to kiss with pretzels in their mouth](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-43-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 42 Wedding guest holds up her champagne glass](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-44-683x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 43 Wedding guest laughs while talking with the groom](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-45-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 44 Bride laughs as the couple feeds each other the wedding cake](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-46-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 45 Bride and groom watch the wedding toasts](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-47-1024x683.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 46 Best man gives a wedding speech](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-48-768x1024.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 47 Groom launches the garter](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-49-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 48 Groom and wedding guest laugh after the garter toss](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-50-1024x576.jpg)
![Summer Wedding Photography at the Yakima Area Arboretum | PNW Wedding Photojournalism 49 Bride tosses the bridal bouquet](https://benwagnerphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/Yakima-Area-Arboretum-Wedding-Photography-51-1024x683.jpg)