I have a lovely heartfelt Oregon wedding for you today from OLIVIA ASHTON PHOTOGRAPHY. The inspiration for Stephanie & Neil’s wedding was exactly as it should be, their love, and the idea of bringing two families together into one. The couple focused on how best to represent themselves, and went about creating a romantic, nostalgic atmosphere for their guests ééò one that also showed off the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They ensured they’d all have a great experience, with a stunning view on offer, excellent drink, food and music and course a thoughtful ceremony.
HOW DID YOU MEET? Neil and I met when we were both traveling. I was on my own, and Neil was with a couple friends. We both ended up being a part of a grassroots tour that helped organize our travel from Bangkok, Thailand to Singapore. Technically, we met in a small village outside of Bangkok.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: Neil proposed as we were backpacking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness in Washington during the late-summer of 2012. It was kind of wonderful to be so excited, and not be in cell reception to share with anyone else for a couple days.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR WEDDING DRESS: I went to a three different boutiques in Portland- two when my mom was in town, and one with a couple girlfriends. I was at the boutique with my girlfriends when I found my dress. Then I found it on sale from the designer directly! It was a little big, but I worked with a great seamstress to make it my own.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Olivia snapped a beautiful photo that captures it all for me ééò it’s the black and white one of Neil and I embracing just after the ceremony. We walked out the aisle together into this wooded cove-like area; a moment away from everyone (the wedding party and all other guests filtered out another way). We were so overwhelmed with emotions at with what just transpired, we just embraced and took it all in. We felt so incredibly loved by each other, and our community that day.
ANY DIY/BUDGET ELEMENTS: Neil and I chose the venue because we felt that would say so much about what we valued: being outside in a beautiful, mountainous, garden setting. There was natural d cor everywhere. Nothing I DIY did could top that, but we attempted to add pieces that would add to the day. These additives were created with the help of the amazing community we have and included; programs we made & a borrowed instamatic camera for guests to photo-document their arrival, all table centerpieces were terrariums hand-made; most succulents for the center pieces were purchased from our local Sunday farmers market; some were from our own garden.
DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: Succulents! We made our own centerpieces, and gifted flowers to guests as well. We did have bouquets made for my sisters (the “bridesmaids”) and I; as well as flowers for our parents and brothers (the “groomsmen”) to wear.
FAVOURITE DETAIL OF THE DAY: My favorite part of the day was our ceremony. We took time to work on it, but also didn’t previously share with each other what exactly we were going to say to each other. Our friend and officiant had a surprise for us too ééò he surprised us with gifts during the ceremony. When he was recently traveling in Asia, he bought us two Doremon watches, which he had Neil’s little cousin bring up the aisle to us. This watch was the topic of Neil and my very first discussion, when we met in Thailand. His friends were all talking about Neil’s cool, new Doremon watch, and I chimed in across the lunch table we were sharing with my honest opinion: I thought it was stupid.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? Let it be about you. Focus on your most important priorities, and make them happen. The rest will fall into place.
Photographer OLIVIA ASHTON PHOTOGRAPHY | Florist LUCY’S INFORMAL FLOW
ERS / Stationery PAPER SOURCE / Venue MT. HOOD ORGANIC FARMS / Dress Designer ROSE & DELILAH / Shoes MACYS / Hair & Make-up /BRIDE’S SISTER IN LAW / Grooms Attire MEN’S WAREHOUSE / Caterer CULTIVATE CATERING /Day of Coordinator CASSANDRA CASS / Pie FLEUR CAKES
