There are weddings where the venue is simply where the wedding happens, and then there are weddings where the building becomes part of the story. Timothy and Becca’s wedding at Hotel Leo in downtown Bellingham is definitely that. They wanted a classic wedding, but not a stuffy one. Their description was pretty simple: a fun, chill party with the people they love. And that really is what the day felt like. Hotel Leo, which many longtime Bellingham locals still know by its hist

This month took us all over the place in the best way. Here are just a few of the photography and videography services Sage and Soul Photography provided this month. (Not even including the Salmon Bake, 10 yr H.S. Reunion, Journeymen young men's outdoor experience, and bridal/boudoir session!) We ALSO photographed a 90s birthday party in Seattle, a full senior session at Point Defiance, an adult summer camp tucked into the woods, a full-day commercial branding shoot across mu

By now, you may have heard us talk about The Poet. You may have seen a photo. You may have read a post. You may have noticed the name and wondered what kind of space it is. But honestly? The Poet makes the most sense when you walk inside. Because that is when people say it. The sentence we keep hearing over and over: "Wow... it's so much bigger than I expected." And then the second thing happens. They start imagining. The Space Changes When You Picture Your Own People In It A

People may come for the occasion. But they remember how the event felt. And a huge part of how an event feels is food. The shared table. The first drink. The appetizer passed between conversations. The moment everyone stops to eat. The smell of something made from scratch. The ease of not having to leave the space to find dinner afterward. Food turns a room rental into a gathering. That is one of the reasons The Poet is so special. The Poet is a downtown Tacoma event venue co

Somewhere along the way, people got the idea that beautiful venues are only for weddings. But life gives us so many reasons to gather. Some are big. Some are quiet. Some are joyful. Some are tender. Some are long overdue. Some are simple, but still deserve to feel special. You do not need a wedding to rent a beautiful venue. You can rent one because your mom is turning 70. Because your best friend is having a baby. Because your child is graduating. Because your team worked ha

You know the events that feel easy? The room is ready. The tables make sense. The sound works. The food arrives on time. The candles are lit. The bar is flowing. People know where to go. The host is not sweating in the corner trying to find an extension cord. Guests do not know how much planning went into it. They just feel taken care of. That is the goal at The Poet. Not just to rent you a beautiful room in Tacoma. To help you create an experience that feels smooth, thoughtf

Most people do not start with the question, "What do I want this gathering to feel like?" They start with limits. My house is too small. Restaurants are too loud. Hotels feel too corporate. Community rooms feel too plain. Outdoor events depend on the weather. I do not want to coordinate a dozen vendors. I need tables. I need chairs. I need sound. I need food. I need parking. I need a space that feels special without making the whole thing complicated. That is where The Poet c

Sunshine arrived at the ceremony in a white 1950s Chevrolet pickup named Hank, with her dad behind the wheel. He walked her toward the aisle, but not all the way. Her children were waiting to take over and walk their mom the final steps to Josh. Her son wore his U.S. Navy dress whites. Her daughter wore a dress she had made herself—and had also handmade Sunshine’s veil. Sunshine and Josh were married on July 18, 2026, at the home of their best friends. They didn’t want a trad

Most businesses do not have a visibility problem because they need more random photos. They have a visibility problem because people do not understand them quickly enough. What do you do? Who do you serve? What does it feel like to work with you? Why should someone trust you? What makes your business different? Why should they choose you instead of the next option? That is where brand photography and videography matter. Sage + Soul Photography creates photography and video co

You know the kind of room. Beige walls. Fluorescent lighting. A sad conference table. A projector that may or may not work. Coffee in the corner. Everyone politely waiting for the event to be over. For years, companies have treated event spaces like a box to check. Need a training? Book a room. Need a holiday party? Book a room. Need a client appreciation dinner? Book a room. Need a fundraiser? Book a room. But the room matters. The space changes how people feel when they arr

It happens all the time. Someone hears "venue" and immediately thinks wedding. And yes, The Poet is a beautiful place for a wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, engagement party, bridal shower, or intimate celebration. But The Poet was never designed to be only a wedding venue. It was designed to be a place for every kind of gathering. That means if you are searching for a Tacoma wedding venue, you should absolutely come see it. But if you are planning a birthday party, a cor

Sage + Soul Photography has always been about people. The real moments. The meaningful details. The business owner finally stepping in front of the camera. The family that somehow grows and changes every time you blink. The wedding day that moves too fast. The event that took months to plan and deserves to be remembered well. The brand that needs more than a logo to be understood. The story that needs both photography and video. And now, Sage + Soul Photography has a new crea

Tacoma has plenty of places where you can reserve a room. But The Poet was created for something more meaningful than simply having a place to put tables. The Poet was created as a gathering place. A place where people can celebrate, learn, perform, connect, eat, laugh, remember, raise money, build community, share ideas, dance, listen, create, and experience something that feels personal. Located in downtown Tacoma inside Manuscript, The Poet is a flexible event venue design

There are venues that feel designed for weddings, and then there are places that seem to slow people down the moment they arrive. Twin Willow Gardens, tucked into the countryside outside Snohomish, is one of the most magical places to get married! Winding garden paths lead through mature trees and carefully tended flower beds before opening into wide lawns, towering evergreens, and a secluded woodland ceremony space. Although only a short drive from Seattle, the property feel

Still figuring out what to do today? If you don't have plans, you do now. Join us this afternoon for The Gentleman's Market at The Poet, my new venue/studio! Enjoy this free, all-ages gathering featuring A Fiddle In The Forest live bluegrass music, local vendors, cold beer and cider on tap, and a relaxed Tacoma vibe that's perfect for dads, families, and anyone who enjoys good music and good company. Bring the family. Bring a friend. Or just come hang out. No reservations. No

A new chapter is beginning. After more than 15 years of documenting people’s stories through photography, and years spent managing creative spaces and events, I’m so excited to finally share something that has been growing in my heart for a long time: The Poet — a new venue and creative space in Tacoma. Located inside Manuscript in downtown Tacoma, The Poet was created as a place for gathering, music, movement, creativity, and connection. A space designed to feel warm, flexib

Some places carry more weight than others. Tides Tavern is one of those places. It’s been part of Gig Harbor for decades—somewhere people return to again and again, whether they grew up nearby or just discovered it along the waterfront. So when ownership transitions, it matters. A Long History on the Harbor Tides Tavern has been a fixture in Gig Harbor since the 1970s under the Stanley family. Over time, it became one of those places people associate directly with the town it

Some events just feel different the moment you arrive. McLane’s annual employee appreciation dinner this year was one of those. It wasn’t just a company event—it felt like a genuine pause to recognize people, step away from the day-to-day, and enjoy being together. This year’s celebration took place on an Argosy Cruise in Seattle, which set the tone right away. Being out on the water, with the skyline in the background and that slower pace you get on a boat, created a complet

Last weekend, Stadium High School’s theater program in Tacoma brought something truly special to the stage with their spring production of Newsies Jr. — and it was nothing short of incredible. From the very first number to the final bow, the performance was filled with energy, emotion, and an undeniable sense of purpose. This year marked a record number of student participants, both on stage and behind the scenes — a testament to the strength and passion of Stadium’s performi

Chai Pyala Cafe is a newly opened Indian Fusion Cafe in Lakewood, WA