Evan & Kaylin’s Rainy May Wedding at Summit Grove Lodge in La Center, WashingtonA Rainy Wedding Day at Summit Grove Lodge
Evan & Kaylin
June 10, 2023
When the forecast predicted rain for Evan and Kaylin’s May wedding at Summit Grove Lodge, we weren’t surprised. Spring weddings in the Pacific Northwest almost always come with a little uncertainty — and honestly, we’re always prepared for it.
Hunter and I keep three clear umbrellas packed in our wedding kits for exactly this reason. Pacific Northwest weather is unpredictable, but it’s never a dealbreaker. In fact, some of our favorite wedding portraits have happened under soft rain.
One of the best parts? Summit Grove Lodge is located just five minutes from La Center and Ridgefield, and about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR. Bonus for us — it’s only 1.4 miles from our house, which made for a very relaxed four-minute commute on wedding morning.
Why Summit Grove Lodge Is Perfect for Pacific Northwest Weddings
If you’re planning a Summit Grove Lodge wedding, this venue offers incredible versatility — especially for couples worried about spring or fall rain.
The property features:
- Lush greenery throughout the grounds
- Rock wall water fountains perfect for portraits
- Scenic outdoor ceremony locations
- Cozy indoor log-cabin architecture
- Large windows that flood the space with natural light
There are beautiful options for:
- First looks
- Family portraits
- Getting-ready photos
- Wedding detail flat lays
- Indoor ceremony backups
As experienced Vancouver WA wedding photographers, we always build a weather backup plan into the timeline. We’ve been rained out before — and having strong indoor photo locations makes all the difference.
A Thoughtful Start to the Wedding Day
The first thing we do at any wedding venue is scout for clean, dry portrait locations — especially after heavy rain. Kaylin had a stunning gown with a long train and veil, and there was no way we were dragging that beauty through mud before she walked down the aisle toward Evan.
Once Evan greeted us in the parking lot, we jumped right into wedding detail photos. We gathered:
- Rings
- Invitations
- Shoes
- Perfume
- Vow books
(And yes — we gave Evan his shoes back when we were done.)
Summit Grove Lodge has that warm log-cabin aesthetic while still offering dreamy natural light — truly a photographer’s dream venue in Southwest Washington. We found the perfect indoor location to hang Kaylin’s gown for detail shots that highlighted both the texture of the dress and the charm of the venue.
A Perfectly Planned Wedding Day
Evan and Kaylin are truly the sweetest couple — and Evan may have secretly been the most organized groom we’ve ever worked with. He created a wedding timeline down to 15-minute increments in a spreadsheet.
We’ve photographed weddings with full planning teams that still ran into chaos due to unexpected issues. But everything flowed smoothly according to “Evan’s Plan.” The weather cooperated, the ceremony was heartfelt, and yes — I absolutely jumped a fence to capture the altar kiss shot. Occupational hazard.
A Beautiful Reception at Summit Grove Lodge
Their reception space was glowing, filled with joy and celebration. Their first dance felt intimate and emotional — the kind of moment that makes you pause behind the camera for half a second.
At the end of the night, guests gathered to wave them off as newlyweds, officially sending them into their next chapter together.
Rain and all, it was a perfect Pacific Northwest wedding day at Summit Grove Lodge.
Planning Your Own Summit Grove Lodge Wedding?
If you’re dreaming of a wedding at Summit Grove Lodge — rain or shine — we’d love to help you document it in a way that feels honest, calm, and completely you.
As Vancouver, WA wedding photographers who know this venue inside and out (and live just down the road), we’re always prepared for whatever the Pacific Northwest decides to do. Clear umbrellas included.
If you’re planning a wedding in La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, or the greater Portland area, reach out and tell us what you’re envisioning. We’d be honored to photograph your day.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for supplying this info.
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own site now 😉
The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I really thought you’d have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.
Bahis siteleri deneme bonusu ile bedava bahis yaparak büyük kazançlar elde edebilirsiniz!
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which too few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I came across this in my hunt for something relating to this.
Your style is really unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.
Right here is the perfect web site for everyone who wants to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been discussed for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful.
Hi, I do believe this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit yet again since I saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.