Alex + Tim | Mountain Springs Lodge Wedding | Leavenworth, Washington

Alex + Tim | Mountain Springs Lodge Wedding | Leavenworth, Washington

Alex + Tim’s gorgeous mountain wedding

A gorgeous sunny day wedding at Mountain Springs Lodge in Leavenworth, Washington!! Alex and Tim, had the brightest happiest day filled with love and having their sweet pup there made the day complete! As a photographer and dog lover, I’m always happy when a couple brings their furry family members along. I highly recommend it!!

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.
— Maya Angelou

Malika + Emanuel | Still Water Hollow | Nampa, Idaho

Malika + Emanuel | Still Water Hollow | Nampa, Idaho

Malika + Emanuel’s Still Water Hollow Spring Wedding

Malika and Emanuel had their stunning wedding at Still Water Hollow in Nampa, Idaho. And let’s face it, at this point if you haven’t heard of this amazing venue, you might be living under a rock. Ha. But seriously, if you haven’t checked it out yet, head over to their website and find a time to go visit!!

I can’t quite express how special this day was for these two love birds! Speaking of birds, they had doves at their wedding. Doves!!!! I might have instantly started drooling as a photographer. I love when my couples bring in these special elements that make their wedding unique and personal. They designed pretty much everything themselves, their family and close friends supported them wholeheartedly by setting everything up and making it all look like the pros came in to make their dream wedding come to life!!

Every moment of their day really felt like perfection. Of course, the fact that they were committing their lives to each other (the most important part), but everything felt effortless and so fun! We managed to get it all in, use a lot of the SWH grounds for back drops, add in some smoke bombs, again the doves, her veil, the variety of light, all of it!! I can’t say enough. Enjoy sifting through Malika + Emanuel’s photos, it’s worth going all the way to the bottom!

My quote for the Bride + Groom

Malika and Emanuel, your love is so pure, sweet, genuine, and I know you will continue to bless so many around you because of this love!

“If you live to be a hundred. I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.” -Winnie the pooh

I mean, doesn’t Winnie the pooh have the best things to say! ;) Simple, yet incredibly sweet and I believe this is what you would say to each other. Wish you two the very best and many adventures together!!

Kind words from Malika + Emanuel

“The easiest decision of our wedding was made when we decided to hire Maija to capture our day! Her passion, enthusiasm and absolutely stunning photos made the decision a simple one. Knowing that we had Maija taking so much care documenting our wedding day in the amazing way she does really took the pressure off. With her wealth of knowledge, incredible eye for detail, friendly and approachable disposition we had rave reviews both on the day and afterwards from our guests and bridal party. Nothing was too much trouble and everything was done with a smile. It really felt like we had another friend there with us throughout the entire day.”

If you want to check out Malika + Emanuel’s actual proposal click here!

Malika + Emanuel | Engagement Proposal | Chateau des Fleurs

Malika + Emanuel | Engagement Proposal | Chateau des Fleurs

The Proposal

I remember when Emanuel contacting me about capturing the moment he would propose to the love of his life and told me he was going to ask her to be his forever with the back drop of the majestic Chateau des Fleurs. My heart immediately was so happy for their love story and that I would be there to capture the moment, putting myself into stealth mode keeping hidden while he surprised her with a question that would change her life!!

Emanuel picked her up for a “date night”, so of course Malika had no clue. They were going to go to the restaurant there called Roghani’s, it was the perfect way to surprise here. He got three of Malika’s best friends in on the surprise to help set up the most romantic setting to pop the question. As you will see in the photos, they did an amazing job!!

He started by sitting her down and reading some letters he had handwritten to her, hello heart swoon!!! And then he did what any gentleman should do and got down on one knee of which I was very happy to be sneaky enough to grab that moment without her noticing a thing. She was geniunely surprised…and said yes!!! Then her friends popped out from the closet they shut themselves in quitely and there was joy filling the room.

It was such a fun experience and let me tell you, if you are planning to pop the question to the love of your life, I highly recommend getting a photographer to capture this precious moment. If you have thought about it, stop thinking and just do it. You’ll be so glad you did and even more than that your partner for life will love it too!!!

Ashley + Derek | Willowbridge Event Center | Eagle, Idaho

Ashley + Derek | Willowbridge Event Center | Eagle, Idaho

Ashley + Derek’s Lake side wedding

If you look up Vibrance or Enthusiasm in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure you will find a photo of Ashley & Derek right next to them!! These two exude both of those things in spades, along with so much joy, laughter, silliness, and passion for life! Not one moment of their wedding was dull. Most weddings are full of energy, but they seriously brought a whole extra energy that I can’t quite put into words. On top of all that, they got married with the gorgeous backdrop of Willowbridge Event Center, which you literally can’t go wrong with everywhere you turn. As you go through the photos you’ll see what I’m talking about!!

My quote for this sweet couple

“Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm” -Samuel Taylor Coleridge

I mean, truth or truth?!!! Anytime I’m surrounded by humans who have enthusiasm for what they do, it’s a good moment and I start feeling the same vibe of excitement. Ashley + Derek, you have this kind of enthusiasm, (even in the days you might not feel it yourself) You impact and infect others! That’s one very good way to ‘infect’ someone and we need more of it in our world!! Don’t stop bringing your enthusiasm and love for life to all those around you, in whatever capacity the day brings to you. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to capture this joy and light within you to seal in time for those you love and show to anyone who is blessed to see it!!!


Maxine + Anthony Mountain Springs Lodge Wedding

Maxine + Anthony Mountain Springs Lodge Wedding

An intimate mountain wedding photographed by PNW Wedding photographer, Maija Karin Effinger of Maija Karin Photography, with a ceremony and reception at the Mountain Springs Lodge in Leavenworth, WA.

Sarah + Christian's Grand Teton Wedding

Sarah + Christian's Grand Teton Wedding

A rustic Moose Creek Ranch wedding with a Grant Teton National Park first look photo session captured by Maija Karin Photography in Victor, Idaho, and Wyoming.

Natalie + Logan | Italy Wedding

Natalie + Logan | Italy Wedding

A gorgeous dream wedding in Italy captured by Maija Karin Photography with a ceremony and reception at Castelvecchi in the heart of Tuscany.