'Embracing the Elements' Rustic Beach Meets Pastel Wedding Inspiration in The Pacific Northwest

Today I have a super pretty and laid back styled shoot straight from the Pacific Northwest to share with you. It comes from a collective of like minded wedding suppliers who all got together to create this gorgeous shoot. The shoot took place on 14th April 2023 at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington. It is filled with rustic beach details, along with natural ceremony decoration and a super pretty pastel table scape. Big thanks to Beginning and End Photography for the lovely submission.

Embracing the Elements: A PNW Styled Shoot Celebrating Love in All Seasons at Fort Worden

Ashley the photographer tells us more about the shoot

In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, where misty forests meet rugged coastlines, a simple idea born from a sea shanty has blossomed into a powerful statement about love, inclusivity, and the raw beauty of nature. This styled shoot, inspired by “The Wellerman” and the wild, windswept beaches of our region, evolved into something far more profound: a celebration of underrepresented love through all seasons at the historic Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington.

The Vision: “Love is for all seasons…not just Earthly seasons but for all stages and walks of life,” says Adina, the visionary behind this shoot. This powerful statement became the driving force of our project, pushing us to look beyond conventional wedding imagery and explore the depth and diversity of love in all its forms.
Our goal was clear: to highlight an overlooked couple against the backdrop of the PNW’s often overlooked beauty, specifically the stunning and versatile landscape of Fort Worden.

As we look at these images, we’re reminded that love, like the landscape of Fort Worden, is endlessly diverse, stunningly beautiful, and worthy of celebration in all its forms and seasons. Fort Worden stands not just as a backdrop, but as a symbol of endurance, transformation, and timeless beauty – qualities that resonate deeply with the essence of enduring love.

Challenging Conventions
This shoot challenges the notion that PNW winter and spring weddings need to reflect the holidays or masquerade as summer events. Instead, we chose to embrace the elements in all their unpredictable glory. We wanted to show that love, like nature, is beautiful in all its seasons – be it in the gentle mist of a spring morning at the fort’s parade grounds or the wild winds of a stormy afternoon on its beaches.

Bringing the Outside In
Our vision extended beyond just outdoor shots. We sought to bring the essence of Fort Worden and the PNW spring indoors, creating a harmonious blend of interior and exterior spaces. This approach allowed us to showcase how couples can incorporate the natural beauty and historical charm of the fort into their celebrations, regardless of the weather.

Celebrating Diversity
At its core, this shoot is a celebration of diversity – in love, in nature, and in wedding aesthetics. By featuring an underrepresented couple at Fort Worden, we aim to broaden the landscape of wedding imagery and inspire couples from all walks of life to see themselves reflected in the beauty of the PNW and this historic location.

The Result
The final images tell a story of love that is as diverse and dynamic as Fort Worden itself. From moody beach shots that echo “The Wellerman’s” nautical themes to intimate moments set against a backdrop of the fort’s historic architecture and budding spring foliage, each photo captures a unique facet of love and nature.
This styled shoot is more than just a collection of beautiful images. It’s a testament to the power of love to weather all seasons, a celebration of Fort Worden’s year-round beauty, and a call for greater representation in the wedding industry.