Inspired Photo Blog

When the Columbia Gorge Hotel was built in 1921, the world was a different place. The newly opened Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway was graced with this opulent “Waldorf of the West” and it quickly gained a reputation with Presidents and movie stars. This warm bluff overlooking the Columbia River is the setting Katy and Dan selected for their wedding day on August 2nd. There were at least 6 other couples celebrating anniversaries from 44 years to one year, then Katy and Dan who were newly inducted into the marriage club. Stepping into this hotel was like stepping back in time. You could almost hear the memories and laughter in the shadows.

The wedding day was interlaced with music. Katy is a music major and Dan is a research scientist in nano technology. Obviously, he pays attention to the small details and Katy sets the tone. The processional featured a song “Vows” written by Jeff Putterman, an accomplished jazz musician who was also Katy’s high school band director. The ceremony included a flute and violin performance and a reception showcasing the talents of their friends and family in musical toasts. One of the performances featured Alison Crossley who is a second round contestant on America’s Hot Musician.

One of the more exciting stories of the day was the forest fire that started up as we were photographing friends and family before the wedding. The clouds of smoke looked ominous and very close. The fire closed another wedding site across the highway and Katy and Dan offered to let the couple and their guests use the grounds of the hotel for their wedding. They also enjoyed an “Irish Car Bomb” (a potent mix of Bailey’s Irish creme and Bushmill’s Irish whiskey layered into a shot glass, then dropped into a pint of Guinness) with a group of their friends. I think Katy slammed hers down before Dan, but I could be wrong.

Congratulations to Katy and Dan and your families. The setting was perfect and it was a pleasure to share in your day surrounded by the warmth of family and friends and Irish Car Bombs. Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness, I’m sure we will hear a lot more from these two. But, for now, here is a piece they wrote for their guests.

“Thank you for sharing this day with us and please enjoy our astronomy themed chocolates. We met as officers in the Astronomy Club at Carnegie Mellon and we’ve shared many moments gazing at the sky (e.g. arguing about which constellatioin is which) and setting up telescopes (i.e. trying to get the telescope to track anything… the moon… the street lamp… anything…) We hope you take a few moments to look up tonight and enjoy what has been entrancing us for years.”