Clouds hid the full moon rising but not the smiles as the couple danced up the aisle. Family and friends gathered from as far as Washington D.C. to witness the wedding of Sandy and Terry last Friday evening in Sedro Woolley, WA. The backyard ceremony featured readings by the bride’s daughter and the groom’s sister; a unity plant ritual and messages of love written and shared by the couple. Afterwards, guests were treated to a large screen presentation crafted by the couple showing their favorite video scenes and top tunes. The backyard reception also featured a buffet of diverse menu items like teriyaki chicken, chili, chicken satay and the groom’s “must-have” cheeseburgers from McDonald’s. The dessert buffet included all kinds of goodies from brownies and cheesecake to cookies and trail mix (gluten free and sugar free options, too). Guests were invited to take home their pick from the large collection of teacups collected by the bride. The couple will enjoy a relaxing visit to Oceanshores, WA before returning to their home in beautiful Skagit Valley. Congratulations, Sand and Terry! May your married life be filled with magical moon beams.
Tag: outdoor weddings
Childhood Friends Marry in Mt. Vernon
Loved ones gathered under sunny skies last Saturday to witness the wedding of Michelle and Rudy. Friends in Anacortes when they were ten years old, fate took them in different directions until they reunited in 2003. The couple exchanged vows on the gazebo deck of their new home which is nested in a beautiful old growth green space in Mt. Vernon. The bride entered to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March escorted by her twin sons and was presented to the groom by both the boys and the couple’s two daughters. The ceremony featured a tree planting ritual and tribute roses presented to both moms. DJ Keenan provided music for both the ceremony and the reception. Guests enjoyed a backyard banquet topped off by an elaborate wedding cake with fountain and stairs; and hand dipped strawberries. The newlyweds are relaxing at home this week enjoying visiting family from New Mexico. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Diaz! May your married life be filled with health, happiness and all the laughter your hearts can hold.
Family Reunion Sweetens Wedding
Family and guests from Indiana, New York and North Carolina gathered at Sellwood Park on Saturday to celebrate the long awaited wedding of Nick and Courtney. Sweethearts for ten years, the couple’s green wedding included Hawaiian leis, a tree planting ritual and a shower of lavender buds. The temperature was in the 90’s so everyone appreciated the canopy of fir and oak trees. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a happy hour picnic in the park. A reception followed at the SMILE Station before family returned to their Airbnb lodgings. The week was a double celebration for the bride who just graduated from the Oregon School of Oriental Medicine. She’ll be taking a well deserved break before prepping for her boards and opening her practice as a licensed Acupuncturist. Congratulations, Courtney! Best wishes to you both for a lifetime of love and laughter.
A Grand Garden Wedding
Everything about yesterday’s wedding at The Oregon Garden was heartfelt fun! Almost 200 guests watched as the bride descended the grand staircase and strolled down the grassy green aisle to her beaming groom. Other than a few sprinkles, the rain graciously subsided for the ceremony which included a rose presentation to both sets of moms and grandmothers; and a tree planting unity ritual. Dinner and dancing followed in the Grand Hall which was decked out in shades of blue and a thousand twinkle lights. Lawn games were provided by the groom’s dad who crafted wooden bean toss sets in green and yellow (bride and groom are both U of O grads). Sets were also gifted to the groomsmen in their team colors. The newlyweds are planning a honeymoon to the tropics in the Fall and meanwhile are enjoying being new homeowners in Tualatin. First on the “to do” list: plant their ceremony pine tree. Congratulations, Jessica and Nathan! May the smiles from your wedding day warm your hearts and bless your home for years and years.
Japanese Songstress Weds Sweetheart
The temperature was frosty but the fog lifted and the sun shone for today’s intimate wedding along the Willamette. Chie (chee-a), lead singer with Japanese pop band, CICCAROLL, wore a crown of red roses to match her dress (brides wear red at traditional Japanese weddings). Bridegroom, Casey, arranged for family and friends to gather at the Oaks Park dog park for the ceremony which was followed by toasts to the newlyweds at The Lucky Lab Brew Pub. Raised in Japan, Casey, who is in the insurance business, speaks the language fluently. The couple is looking forward to making their permanent home in Japan. Their English Bulldog, Matilda Mae, will be making the journey, too. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Shelton. May happiness be with you and love surround you here and in the land of the rising sun. Yoi ryokō o!
Summer Wedding Season Ends on a Sweet Note
The only thing better than having sweet people in your life is having the honor of officiating their wedding. My friend, Amy, exchanged vows with longtime boyfriend, Jared, at Council Crest Park today. The simple and sweet ceremony took place in the shade of an old growth cedar in front of family members (including the couple’s dog, Bonsai). Amy’s Mom, Nancy, surprised her and flew in from Kentucky last night to be on hand for the celebration. The groom’s family drove up from Eugene and brought the champagne to toast the newlyweds. The last wedding of the summer couldn’t have been more special. And it was a perfect example of simplistic and heartfelt vs. elaborate and chaotic. At the end of the day, what matters most is the love. Congratulations, Amy and Jared! May the sweetness of today be in your hearts forever.
Council Crest Wedding
Five majestic mountains provided the backdrop as Jeff and Jaimee exchanged vows yesterday afternoon. Sunny skies afforded distant views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainer, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Jefferson. The wedding was held at historic Council Crest Park, said to be the highest elevation point in Portland. Jaimee’s 6-yr old daughter, Isabella, was all smiles as she escorted her Mom down the rose petal aisle. Jeff’s buddies wore their Timber fan scarves and both the bride and groom referenced their devotion to the team in their vows. A picnic in the park followed the ceremony. After a honeymoon in California, the couple will return to their Tigard home. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Johnson! May you continue to view each other as “infinimates” and create a lasting marriage of joy.
Wedding Thunder on Mt. Hood
Storm clouds gathered and thunder rolled during yesterday’s ceremony on the grounds of the Mt. Hood Bed & Breakfast in Parkdale. Talk about electric energy. It was a race against the rain which held off until just moments after pronouncing Eric and Arianna husband and wife. Guests who had traveled from PA, CA, NJ, SD and even Australia, retreated to the banquet barn for a joyful celebration featuring live music and Lebanese cuisine. After a honeymoon on the Amalfi coast, the newlyweds return to their home in Southeast PDX and their careers in nursing and mental health. And they’ll plant the hemlock tree used for their unity ritual during the ceremony. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. DiIlio. May your hearts forever hold the love you so beautifully reflected on your wedding day.
Sunflower Wedding in Camas
Sunflowers, smiles and sunny skies made for a perfect wedding yesterday at the Fairgate Inn in Camas, WA. Tessa and Jordan exchanged vows in a ceremony that included a walk down the yellow rose petal aisle by Tessa’s dog, Josette, and an Indian Wedding Vessel unity ritual. Guests enjoyed lavish appetizers and dinner amidst the sunflower bouquets and navy blue accents. Tessa and Jordan met on a roller coaster in Oaks Park five years ago and the groom proposed at a castle in Germany last year. After a honeymoon in Oahu, Jordan heads to Georgia for Army boot camp and Tessa will join him later this fall. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Potter! May all your travels be safe ones and your married life be filled with joy.
Ceremony Labyrinth
The Pin of the Week is a creative seating arrangement for your ceremony. This labyrinth style layout holds significance in the tradition of finding your answer as you walk the path AND allows the bride to walk past every guest. A lovely way to include everyone in a personal way. Works for both large and small weddings. Check it out and find other inspirations on my Pinterest boards.
Contact me for information on officiating your ceremony.
A FESTIVE HEART 