Tag: Jane Green

celebrations, ceremonies, Couples, love, wedding alternatives

Celebrate Love – Not the Wedding

Jane Green

love storyI don’t celebrate wedding ceremonies. I celebrate the LOVE between two people. That is what lights my heart, the occasion and the world. Marriage is not the answer for everyone and can even be the wrong answer for some. If you are in a loving relationship and you and your partner choose not to get married, there are other ways to celebrate what is in your heart. An Affirmation of Love or a Commitment ceremony can be every bit as magical and meaningful as a wedding ceremony. The intention is the same – to bless your partnership and declare your love to each other and to everyone else. When your story is framed in love … marriage doesn’t have to be part of the picture. It’s empowering to make a decision that is right for you vs doing what is expected by others. Here’s a really good article about marriage as a cultural norm and the harm that norm can cause us.

certificateInterested in celebrating your love but don’t want a wedding? Contact me to find out about other options and how to create a celebration that fits your lifestyle. “Love is the tie that binds their two lives together in one accord before this company. Through their love this couple promises to share one another’s lives, materially, emotionally and spiritually.”

beach weddings, ceremonies, custom wedding gifts, summer wedding, weddings

Coastal Wedding Complete with Whales and Supermoon

Jane Green

ocean weddingGorgeous weather for whale watching and viewing the full moon set a perfect stage for Saturday’s wedding of Erika and Ruben. The Portland couple rented a spacious beach house in Seal Rock and invited their closest friends and family members to join them for a 3-day celebration. The intimate ceremony featured a poem composed by the groom’s father and a sand exchange ritual using sand collected by the couple earlier in the day. The altar was decorated with flowers, a handcrafted photo mobile and colorful stones painted by the guests. After the celebratory toasts and hugs, the wedding party traveled seven miles up the coast to enjoy dinner at the popular Local Ocean seafood restaurant on the Newport Bay marina. This was such an interesting mix of global influence. The groom’s father was from Argentina, his mother was from France. He was born in California. The bride’s mother was from New York. She was born in Canada. Is it any wonder that these two LOVE to travel? They plan a tropical honeymoon in November. Meanwhile, they reside and work in PDX where Ruben is a physician with Providence and Erika is a project manager. Congratulations, Dr. & Mrs. Halperin! May laughter and love be constant companions wherever your travels lead.

bride review, Reviews, Wedding Ceremony

New 5 Star Review!

Jane Green

review“My husband and I could not have been happier with Jane! We knew as soon as we met her that she was the right fit for us. Her personality and demeanor is amazing. She customized our ceremony exactly how we wanted it, making it beautiful, meaningful and fun. I was extremely nervous before the ceremony and she went out of her way to do everything possible to ease my nerves. I highly recommend Jane to anyone looking for an officiant.” Brittany

Brides, ceremonies, chapel wedding, Downtown Portland Wedding, Event Venue

LA Glitz Meets Historic Romance

Jane Green

wedding Alex and MeganHe hails from England, she’s a native Oregonian. They met eleven years ago in sunny San Diego and have been together ever since. Last Saturday, after months in the making, Megan had the wedding of her dreams.  The LA couple enjoyed posh accommodations at The Nines, as did Alex’s family who flew in from London for the event. The candlelight ceremony was held at the Historic Old Church and featured acclaimed cellist Hamilton Cheifetz. The groom had requested selections from Master and Commander and the bride walked down the aisle to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Following the ceremony, guests strolled down the street to the Portland Art Museum for a glamorous cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. The newlyweds hope to honeymoon in Italy in the near future. For now, after the celebratory weekend with friends and family in PDX, they returned to their home in Los Angeles where they run iFace, a digital mirror company. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Grange. May the sunny skies that brought you together continue to brighten your hearts and your new adventures as husband and wife.

bridal fashion, ceremonies, Event Venue, garden wedding, outdoor weddings, PDX wedding, portland brides, summer wedding, wedding ceremonies, weddings

Garden Wedding for Carpenter and His Princess Bride

Jane Green

Brit and RemyThe sun came out on cue for Remy and Brittany as they exchanged vows on Sunday. The ceremony featured a Pink Velour Crepe Myrtle for the tree planting unity ritual and a favorite passage from The Princess Bride. Brittany showcased her peacock tattoo with a simple yet stunning backless lace and tulle gown.  Attendants wore turquoise and gray. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed the Abernathy Center‘s winning appetizers including coconut shrimp and crab cakes. A full salmon buffet and a cupcake tower from St. Cupcake completed the event menu. Photographer, Kieran Morgan, captured beautiful moments in the garden setting and fun times on the dance floor. The newlyweds will honeymoon in Mexico before returning to their Portland home where Remy works as a commercial carpenter and Brit is a makeup artist. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Renwick! The world is enriched by your true love.

ceremonies, Event Venue, Food, outdoor weddings, PDX wedding, portland brides, summer wedding, Vendor, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Wedding Vendors, weddings

High School Sweethearts say “I Do”

Jane Green

Kathleen and auston weddingIt was perfect weather on Saturday as Kathleen and Auston exchanged vows in Abigail’s Garden at Abernathy Center. Sweethearts for seven years, the couple were cheered by friends, family, coworkers and their ten member bridal party. The ceremony, held in the garden gazebo, included a wine goblet ritual and heartfelt vows written by the couple. Tiffany blue was the dominant color of the day showcased in every lovely way from gowns to wedding cake (five layers of different flavors from Beaverton Bakery). The fabulous DIY centerpieces featured giant pompoms crafted from coffee filters and dyed what else? Tiffany blue. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a specialty soda bar and scrumptious appetizers including caprese skewers, crab cakes and strawberry/cheese/balsamic pastry puffs. Dinner was served under the big top followed by fun on the dance floor courtesy of the DJ from Bust A Move. The newlyweds will honeymoon in Cabo before returning to their Gresham home. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Haskins! May your marriage be graced with love and laughter.

Brides, ceremonies, Couples, Events, Flowers, Food, Green Weddings, outdoor weddings, PDX wedding, portland brides, summer wedding, Vendor, Wedding Cakes, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Vendors, weddings

Relaxed Elegance at Garden Wedding

Jane Green

Yesterday’s wedding was the perfect blend of elements for sweethearts Danny and Shannon. Held at a private home in the Irvington area of Portland, the celebration combined a lush garden with lawn games, DIY flowers with jeweled dresses and catered cuisine with s’mores by the fire pit. A dining room table at Restoration Hardware brought the couple together (she was buying, he was selling) so it was fitting that they include a salt ritual during the ceremony. The blended salt will be used in their cooking as a reminder of the zest of their wedding day. The bride’s three sisters, two-year old niece and newborn nephew were in attendance as vows were exchanged under the backyard trellis. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and beverages on the patio. The chefs from Art de Cuisine worked their magic in the kitchen creating a lavish dinner that included cedar planked salmon, tri-tip beef and roasted market veggies. In lieu of wedding cake, the couple served triple blackberry cheesecake with a chocolate crust from Papa Haydn. Yum! After a honeymoon in Belize, the newlyweds return to their Sellwood home and life in PDX where Shannon works in marketing research and Danny is completing his masters in statistics at PSU. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Duncan! May your life be forever flavored with joy and laughter.

ceremonies, Event Venue, Flowers, Food, PDX wedding, portland brides, summer wedding, weddings

Hot Fun at a Farm Wedding

Jane Green

Anna and SamYesterday’s outdoor wedding for Sam and Anna took place at Lolich Farm and was one of the hottest on record: 102 degrees! The only thing higher than the temperature was the spirit of fun among the guests. Everyone was smiling despite the heat. The groom’s Mom gifted the couple with the planning services of Allison Sims who, along with her trusted Reverie team, turned the blueberry gardens into an even more charming and colorful party venue. The ceremony was enhanced by gorgeous floral arrangements, acoustic fiddle and guitar and a processional across a wooden bridge. Bridesmaids wore varying pastel shades with groomsmen in matching pastel ties accenting their gray tuxes. The bride glowed in her champagne and ivory lace sweetheart gown. For their unity ritual, the couple created a keepsake box which included love letters and a bottle of Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir. Following the ceremony, guests cooled off with iced drinks including a mojito punch made by Anna that morning. Appetizers (scrumptious caprese skewers with the largest basil leaves ever) and a barbeque buffet were provided by Divine Catering. Following a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, the newlyweds return to their home in Austin, TX. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Elsass! May each day of married life enrich the love and joy that you hold in your hearts today.

ceremonies, Event Venue, PDX wedding, Wedding Ceremony, weddings

Wedding Unites Cultures at World Foresty Center

Jane Green

Javid and SonjaFamily members with roots in three continents celebrated the marriage of Sonja and Javid yesterday at the beautiful World Forestry Center in Portland, OR. The groom’s father was born in Iran and the bride’s father was born in France. The mother of the bride hails from Connecticut and Javid’s mom was born in Louisiana. Alumni friends and family made up the fourteen member bridal party which featured the girls in hunter green chiffon with pink rose bouquets. The guys wore elegant black tuxes with champagne ties and vests. Gifted pianist, Andrew Ross, enhanced the ceremony with heartfelt music. Afterward, guests enjoyed happy hour on the patio followed by a lavish buffet dinner served by Dalton’s NW Catering. The newlyweds will spend the weekend in Portland before returning to their home in Renton, WA. They plan to honeymoon in Iceland next year. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Yamin! May the joyful energy of your wedding day fill your hearts forever.

Brides, ceremonies, Event Venue, Events, Green Weddings, outdoor weddings, PDX wedding, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Ceremony, weddings

Rustic Wedding at Historic State Park

Jane Green

David and EmilyPerfect weather and acres of old growth trees awaited guests at yesterday’s wedding celebration for Emily and David. Held in the Pavilion at Historic Champoeg Park, the ceremony blended old and new traditions under the huppah including a Jewish circling, the seven blessings and breaking of the glass. The unity sand ritual featured a mason jar belonging to the groom’s grandmother. Following the ceremony, family and friends feasted on a buffet of homemade vegetarian specialties including three kinds of lasagna baked by the bride. The newlyweds will relax for two nights in a cozy park cabin before returning to their home in SE PDX. The groom works for UPS and the bride is completing her degree in psychology. They are planning a destination honeymoon in the fall. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Quinton … mazel tov!