Tracy & Sara

August 6, 2016 / Sarah Babcock Photography

Q: How did you meet?

A: We met at work. We worked at the same hospital and ended up assigned to the same unit. We found that we worked really well as a team in our work environment and became fast friends both on the job and outside the hospital.

Q: How long have you been together?

A: We have been together for three and a half beautiful years. It may not seem like a very long time, but when you meet your soul mate, it just feels like you have been waiting forever to begin your life together. When you know, you know.

Q: What is the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome as a couple?

A: The biggest obstacle we have had to overcome as a couple was when Tracy was away for 4 months fighting wild fires in 2015. It was a challenging time for both of us to be apart for so long, especially not knowing when we would be able to speak on the phone or see one another next.

Tracy was traveling between Oregon, Washington and California with her crew, never knowing what to expect from the fires or where they would be stationed next. Sometimes they wouldn’t have cell service for days, while out in the middle of the forests. We learned very quickly that this would be a truly nerve wrecking for both us. However, it turned out to be an amazing experience for building our relationship together and to work on us individually. Did we mention that this time when Tracy was away is when she was able to plan and make all the arrangements for proposing to Sara? She had a lot of time to think and developed not only a beautiful proposal weekend for us, but she also designed the most beautiful engagement ring. The wild fire season of 2015 turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Q: What do you love most about your spouse?

Sara – I love Tracy’s passion for adventure, her determination to always do her best and her incredible heart. When we discuss going on adventures and getaway trips, whether out here in the beautiful PNW or elsewhere, she is always the first to begin making a game plan, mapping out the sites to see and the excitement to find. I can ALWAYS rely on her for a map or sense of direction (because I would quite physically be lost on my own with my lack of directional sense). She will always lend a helping hand to anyone in need and she loves harder than anyone I have ever known. Tracy’s love is the most incredible feeling I have ever experienced.

Tracy- I love Sara’s smile. Whenever I see that incredible smile it just makes me melt. She lights up a room every time she walks through the door. She makes me feel like I’m invincible and that together we could take on the world. That is one thing that I have never had before her, a sense of belonging and partnership that seems unbreakable despite the challenges life throws at us. We are the perfect team. We compliment each other and really push each other to be the best versions of ourselves. Sara has an amazing way of bringing out the best in people and allowing them to shine.

Describe your wedding day: Our wedding day began very serene and intimate with the two of us waking up together, in our beautiful hotel room and venturing out for coffee in the quiet of downtown as the sun was beginning to rise. Our sisters (Tracy’s younger sister and Sara’s younger sister) and 3 of our closest friends arrived along with Sara’s mom to begin getting ready for the magical day. Toward the conclusion of morning Tracy and Sara were separated until they both had completed the finishing touches and experienced their first look, which was very special. Tracy was both beautiful and dapper in her suit and so cute when she first saw Sara. I remember the words she said to me “I am afraid to touch you! You look so beautiful!,” as she hesitantly went in for a hug. Before we knew it we were off to the venue to begin taking photos and just a short time later we were walking down a path in the woods to a song by our favorite musician. We would finally meet on the magnificent redwood deck among towering trees and surrounded by warmth of our loved ones. Our ceremony was perfect. It was officiated by a close friend, everyone laughed, we exchanged promises for the future that we wrote together, rather than traditional vows, and then sealed it with a “pinky-swear” and a kiss.

Q: What was your favorite part?

Sara – My favorite part of the whole day was the ceremony. I think it was the one true time that day during which I briefly forgot that anyone else was there. It was just Tracy and I standing on the stunning redwood deck, staring at one another with huge smiles, exchanging promises for our future together and then we would say something funny and the guests would giggle… making us aware we did still have company.

Q: Were there any surprises (good or bad) that happened?

A: At the conclusion of the night our family formed a tunnel of sparklers and, as we were running through it, to my surprise my dress came unhooked and started to unzip itself! I popped upright really quick, dangerously, in a tunnel of sparklers! Everyone was chanting for us to kiss at the end, while I just stood there laughing with a look of surprise on my face and shouted “I can’t!” while thinking “Oh no! I guess this is a sign the night has come to an end,” haha. -Sara

Q: What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?

A: Stay true to what you want on your special day. It is way too easy to fall into the trap of other people’s advice and suggestions. It is your special day and, no matter what, you want to be able to look back on it and know that it was truly yours, not someone else’s dream. The only other advice I would give is, if you’re going to splurge on anything, make sure it’s your photographer. This is the person that is capturing the memories of a lifetime and you want them to be amazing. They spend so much time with the couple and the families that it is really important to find someone that you click with and trust. Our photographer, Sara Babcock, was incredible. She not only took the most beautiful photos, but was the creative genius and event coordinator to many of the details that we hadn’t even thought about. Do not skimp on your photography budget!

Q: Now that the wedding is over, what are your goals or future plans as a married couple?

A: Remodeling our house and, of course, babies! Tracy has her fingers crossed for twins!

Photographer: Sarah Babcock http://www.babcockstudio.com | Ceremony Site: The Redwood Deck, Hoyt Arboretum | Reception Site: Stevens Pavillion, Hoyt Arboretum - hors d’oeuvre and dessert catered by family | Dinner: Henry’s 12th Street Tavern | Wedding Cake: Wedding Pie made Tracy’s godmother Pam Van Scoyk | Florist: Adam Foote Clothing/Gowns/Suits: Tracy’s suit – Banana Republic / Sara’s gown – Charolette’s Weddings and More http://www.charlottesweddings.com | Hair/Makeup: Hair by Kelsey www.facebook.com/hair.by.kelseyp | Music: Margaret Wehr http://www.margaretwehr.com | Linens: The Party Pros http://www.thepartypros.com | Invitations: Designed by Tracy and printed by Oblation Papers & Press https://www.oblationpapers.com | Videographer: David Schmaus http://www.davidschmaus.com