It seems that I have to wait until my inspiration photo file is overflowing before blogging my favorites. Mine has been in a state of permanent overflow since late November, because I have barely even been following photographer blogs since Thanksgiving. (How can that be?!) So without further ado…

Four photos from Miss Amelia Lyon… The “headless” wedding party? Brilliant! And the fourth photo is one of my absolute favorite bride portraits to date.

Despite being so insanely busy she can’t see straight, Anne has still posted some swoon-worthy photos, like these two that both make me smile every time I see them.

A random find on Once Wed, via Oh So Beautiful Paper…

Many of the best things come from San Diego. One of those is Susan Yee.

Unsure of the photographer, but discovered via Fairmount Bride. Love the old window.

A few from our photographer, Jessica Hill. I get more excited about having her shoot our wedding every time I visit her blog. And one of the weddings she shot was just featured in Oregon Bride, which is pretty darn impressive if you ask me. This first photo is classic Pacific northwest. The lawn, the trees, the brick building, the soft glowy-gray sky… Those are the things I would use if I was creating a diorama of northwestern Oregon.

Another inspiration file post to follow…

Happy Sunday! First, two couples — Brittany & Brian and Jill & Istvan — from Sarah K Chen (who, by the way, just had the world’s cutest baby shower)… There’s an understated intimacy in the second photo that really draws me in.

Carmen, via Kelly Moore… Her eyelashes are beyond gorgeous and I love that they are in focus here.

Erin & Jeremiah, from Amelia Lyon… I love the tranquility and quiet humility communicated through this photo.

Tamara & Mike, photographed by Miss Jessica Hill. Portland is a beautiful city, but Jessica really makes it shine!

Grace & Raj, from Trista Lerit. I admit, I have a few too many dress shots in my inspiration file, but this might be the most gorgeous one I’ve seen. The angle is nothing short of brilliant and really shows off the intricate layers of the gown.

And Michelle & Scott, but I didn’t note where this one came from and now I can’t find it again. Oops! Just look at those dahlias…

I’ve been adding photos to my inspiration file like crazy for the last nine-plus months since Mr. R proposed. I tend to choose photos that:

• evoke a certain emotion
• showcase wedding details (all hail the shoe shot!)
• capture unscripted moments
• demonstrate the beauty of posed shots
• display a fantastic use of light, aperture, and other aesthetic techniques
• communicate love in all its wonderful expressions

From here on out, I’m going to feature my weekly additions — and some of my favorites from the file — on Sundays.

Let’s start with Mary & Matt, photographed by Anne Ruthmann…

Next up, a few from our wedding photographer, the fabulous Jessica Hill…

Melanie & Jefferey, from a photographer I just discovered this week, Amelia Lyon…

Kate & Keith, photographed by Kelly Moore…

And last but not least, Ashley & Kyle, photographed by Jonathan Canlas…

Okay, just one more — one of my favorite photos in the file, also from Anne Ruthmann…

I’ve had a rough go of things with the wedding planning these last couple of weeks. In one day, I was outbid on a very important eBay auction for supplies for making the boutonnieres, I missed Ann Wood’s new bird listings, and I lost the photographer I was hoping to snag for the big day. The next day, I found out that my wedding dress will be six weeks later than Gabrielle originally estimated. Since then, I’ve had some bridesmaid woes, a couple of disappointing vendor meetings, and a few prospective vendors who won’t get back to me.

But some amazing things have happened too, and I can’t let myself forget.

I visited our venue and took measurements so I can start on the floorplans.

Rebecca and I went bridesmaid dress shopping in downtown Portland, and I not only got to try on lucious Jenny Yoo at the English Dept., I received such good customer service that I can almost completely block out my horrid San Francisco experience. (Don’t let the cute logo fool you… Maybe I was just shockingly unlucky, but the salesgirls were disinterested to the point where it was like I was interrupting them, despite the fact that I had an appointment.)

I found an amazing array of vintage glass bottles for the reception tables. (More to follow on that…)

A few little pieces of my wardrobe fell into place, like the robe I’ll wear during hair and makeup.

And Anne Ruthmann was able to refer me to the insanely talented, and conveniently local, Jessica Hill.

I’m the master of letting the negative things overwhelm me, but I just wanted to take a moment to encourage other brides (and remind myself!) that it truly does all come together.

(P.S. If you ever want to buy paper goods from the nicest people in the whole world, check out Yellow Owl Workshop.)