People gathered around a table outdoors during a casual or semi-formal event, with a woman in a white dress taking a photograph, and large trees in the background.

Mary & Tom at Historic Overlook House in Portland

Wedding ceremony taking place outdoors in a garden with guests seated on chairs facing an arch with flowers, under trees with green foliage.

Mary and Tom's wedding at Historic Overlook House was exactly the kind of garden celebration I love photographing. Their puppy was an important guest, with a dedicated handler to make sure he could be part of the day. Giant Jenga was surprisingly popular, and Mary even brought her own point-and-shoot camera. I don't often get to work shoulder to shoulder with the bride, so that was very special!

Historic Overlook House is a 1928 Tudor-style home in North Portland, surrounded by over an acre of beautiful gardens. Mature trees, flowering roses, a lovely old house, and plenty of space for guests to spread out. It's one of those places where you really don't need to add much to make it beautiful.

One of the best things about the venue is how much freedom it gives couples. You can bring your own vendors and make the space your own, which is something couples consistently appreciate in their reviews. The gardens are wonderful for an outdoor ceremony and reception, while the historic interiors offer plenty of character and some excellent spots for photographs.

And a detail I particularly love: the house is cared for by a local nonprofit, with rental fees going toward its preservation. A beautiful wedding venue that also gives something back to its neighborhood.

Table with pink feathered clutch purse and two glasses of orange-colored beverages with lemon slices, a small vase of mixed purple, pink, and white flowers, and a blurred background.
Two women looking into a mirror; one woman is adjusting her earring, and the other is smiling.
Two women, one older and one younger, smiling as they take a selfie together near a window; the older woman has gray hair and is wearing a red patterned dress, and the younger woman has brown hair and is dressed in a light-colored outfit.
A woman in a light-colored dress with long sleeves bows her head as a man in a suit stands with hands clasped near his face, smiling in a garden with lush green bushes and trees, and decorated with white hanging lanterns.
A woman in a white, embroidered dress and a man in a black suit embrace and smile in a garden setting with green foliage and a white paper lantern hanging overhead.
A woman in a white dress and a man in a dark suit holding a small, happy dog wearing a blue floral bandana, outdoors among green foliage and flowers, during daytime.
A couple in wedding attire sharing a kiss outdoors while holding a golden doodle dog, with greenery and trees in the background.
Close-up of a woman with long, wavy brown hair adorned with a delicate gold and pearl hair accessory, standing outdoors among white flowers and greenery.
A man in a suit and a woman in a white dress are standing on the front porch of a brick house, smiling and talking to each other.
A couple standing outside a brick house, with the woman holding papers, possibly during a wedding or formal event.
Close-up of a woman in a light pink, embroidered dress with floral and leaf patterns, holding a folded piece of paper or card, with a ring visible on her left hand.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a pearl and gold leaf headband, adjusts a stack of small white cards with handwritten notes, standing against a brick wall.
A man in a dark suit and a woman in a white embroidered dress are standing under an arched brick entryway. The woman is smiling and wiping away tears with a tissue, suggesting an emotional moment, possibly at a wedding.
A close-up of a person's tan cowboy boots with embossed patterns and double buckle straps, worn with dark dress pants.
Six women smiling and laughing together in a room during a celebration or gathering
Close-up of a woman with brown hair and blue eyes, resting her head on her hand, wearing a light-colored blouse with a buttoned sleeve.
Guests mingling outdoors at a garden party with round tables covered in green and pink tablecloths, surrounded by tall trees.
Close-up of a peach-colored dahlia flower with soft, layered petals, and a cluster of small white daisies with yellow centers in the background.
Four elderly women socializing outdoors, some holding small handheld fans and wearing colorful dresses and jewelry.
A baby with a pacifier resting on an adult's arm, with a second person in the background making a bunny ears gesture behind the baby's head.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with guests seated on chairs in front of a floral archway, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A man and a woman holding hands outdoors in front of a flowering bush and house, dressed in formal attire. The man wears a light-colored suit with a floral shirt. The woman wears a red floral dress and high heels. A table with a green tablecloth and
A couple getting married outdoors under a decorated archway with pink, red, and white flowers, with an officiant standing between them holding a book and speaking into a microphone in natural lush greenery.
A group of people attending an outdoor wedding or celebration, sitting on grass with a house in the background, some holding fans, flowers, and smiling.
A wedding ceremony taking place outdoors under a floral arch with greenery surrounding it. The bride and groom are standing in front of an officiant, exchanging vows. Guests are seated and watching, some using fans. The atmosphere appears joyful and
People seated in an outdoor garden setting, attending an event with a building and trees in the background.
A man in a suit is emotional and smiling during a wedding ceremony, holding a tissue to his face while reading vows, with a woman in the foreground and greenery in the background.
Outdoor wedding ceremony in a garden with guests seated facing a couple exchanging vows under a floral arch.
Two people embracing and smiling at each other outdoors, framed by an archway with greenery in the background.
Couple walking down aisle at outdoor wedding, bride holding bouquet, guests throwing confetti, floral archway backdrop, surrounded by greenery
A wedding ceremony outdoors with a bride and groom walking hand-in-hand under an arch decorated with flowers. Guests on either side throw flower petals and take photos, smiling and celebrating.
A wedding celebration outdoors with a couple holding hands and smiling, surrounded by friends and family, under a decorated archway with flowers.
A bride and groom walking hand in hand through a cheering crowd at an outdoor wedding celebration, with guests throwing flower petals and confetti around them.
A group of people, likely at a wedding or special event, sitting together in a cozy, well-lit room with large windows and wooden accents. They are engaged in a signing or writing activity at a wooden table, with a bouquet of flowers nearby.
A wooden table sign decorated with a floral arrangement on top, displaying a list of names and table numbers for an event, with the heading "Find Your Table."
People socializing and enjoying drinks at an outdoor event, possibly a garden party, with a decorated table in the foreground and a house and trees in the background.
A woman in a red floral dress is playing giant Jenga outdoors, smiling as she removes a block from a tall wooden Jenga tower, with two women watching and cheering in the background.
Three people playing giant Jenga outdoors, smiling and laughing, with green trees in the background.
A pink feathered clutch purse with a crystal decoration and pink strap, two glasses of orange drinks with straws and lemon slices, and a vase of purple and white flowers on a pastel green tablecloth.
Group of people smiling at a wedding, standing under a decorated arch with flowers, surrounded by greenery.
Two women hugging each other and smiling in a garden with flowers and greenery, one wearing a white dress with embroidery and the other wearing a reddish-orange dress, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Two women hugging and laughing at a wedding or celebration, surrounded by blooming flowers and greenery.
A decorative hand fan with floral design, a wedding invitation with the message "We are so glad you're here", a peach-colored cloth, and a small bouquet of flowers on a glass plate.
Group of people laughing and socializing outdoors at a gathering or party.
People gathered outdoors enjoying a party, smiling and laughing, with a woman holding a popsicle labeled 'STOP'.
A woman with blond hair wearing a green sleeveless blouse with ruffled details at the collar and sleeves, looking emotional and wiping tears from her eyes, with a smartwatch on her left wrist, during an outdoor event with people in the background.
A woman with gray hair in a red patterned dress is speaking into a microphone while holding a piece of paper, standing outside during daytime. Two people, a man with dark hair and a mustache and a woman with brown hair, are sitting at a table, listen
An outdoor celebration with a woman in a pink floral dress speaking into a microphone and handing drinks to guests at a table decorated with pink and white tablecloths and hanging paper lanterns.
A bouquet of various flowers including roses, dahlias, and other greenery in a glass jar on a concrete surface, against a white textured wall.
A woman in a coral dress giving a speech with a microphone, holding a notebook, at an outdoor event during the evening with paper lanterns hanging in the background, while two guests sit at a table, one drinking and the other out of focus.
People sitting at a garden party or outdoor wedding reception under a floral archway with greenery and blooming flowers in the background.
People celebrating at an outdoor gathering, cheering and holding drinks at a social event or party.
A couple is dancing and smiling at an outdoor celebration or wedding reception, with guests and tables in the background.
A couple kissing at an outdoor gathering with seated guests and standing people in the background, surrounded by trees.
A man and woman sharing an intimate moment outdoors at sunset, with trees and bokeh lights in the background. The man gently holds the woman's face as they look into each other's eyes.
A couple sharing a kiss outdoors during sunset, with trees and sunlight creating a bokeh background.
A couple with their foreheads touching and smiling at each other outdoors during sunset, with blurred trees and warm sunlight in the background.
A couple dancing during sunset on a residential street, with houses and trees in the background.
A couple jumps and kisses in a driveway at sunset. The woman wears a long, embroidered dress, and the man wears a patterned shirt and dark pants.
A couple walking outdoors on a grassy area, smiling and looking at each other. The woman is wearing a light-colored, embroidered dress and the man is wearing a patterned short-sleeve shirt and dark pants.
A couple walking outdoors, the woman is in a white dress with floral embroidery and the man in a floral shirt, with the man kissing the woman's forehead and both smiling.

Let’s chat about your wedding?

Tell me about you two, what is most important to you, and what you are looking for in a photographer. I’ll get back to you within 48hrs!