How is it possible for this Oregon wedding to look so classic, chic, and pretty, yet feel so sweet and easy? I’m totally getting a “This is our big day, and we’re so excited to be married, but we’re so calm and collected” feel from the affair. Such poise radiating from this beautiful couple. Ink & Peat was the talent behind the floral design, and I’m going to have to give them a large portion of the credit of creating the perfect ambiance. Well them, and of course, Kim+Phil Photography, for capturing every sentimental moment. And speaking of every moment, click here to see the rest of them. It’ll make you wish you had this bride’s demeanor every day of your life.
I fell in love with John because of playfulness and his wit. After I accepted his proposal, he immediately gave me a card that said, “Congratulations on your engagement.” Then he cheerfully added, “Allow me to be the first.”
Our wedding was an opportunity to reconnect and revitalize our community. We chose local vendors from our home in Portland, Oregon and prioritized a lovely setting, delicious food, wonderful music, and a sense of humor. Family and friends traveled to Garden Vineyards in Hillsboro, Oregon for a garden party. We greeted guests with family wedding photos and included a snap of our favorite newlyweds, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Programs with apricot branches designed by Studio Olivine also welcomed guests. John’s mom made everyone beautiful handkerchiefs, which slid into the programs’ fronts pockets. Guests posed with silly props to snap instant photos they taped in a handmade guest book. It is hilarious to see how the pictures evolve throughout the evening. By the final pages, our cousins are posing with our college friends under wine-infused captions such as “new friends.”
John is a violinist and worked with Classical Revolution PDX to transcribe string music for our ceremony. We walked down the aisle to Radiohead, the Velvet Underground, and Nina Simone. Our dear friends Sara-Catherine Wheatley and W.C. Beck also sang tunes by Laura Veirs and Johnny Cash. The most meaningful part of our ceremony was when we explained why we wanted to marry one another. John once again cracked everyone up when he said, “I love how you challenge me in overt and subtle ways. You told me you were tired of cooking most meals, then you bought me a waffle iron.”
Pam Zsorsi, owner of Ink & Peat, designed breathtaking floral arrangements. Both our moms are avid gardeners and Pam’s creative use of seasonal flowers delighted them. Pam compiled full centerpieces with peaches and creams punctuated by bright and pale yellows. She incorporated Karamel Antik garden roses, Peach Avalanche roses, pale peach hypercium, unripe blackberries, peaches and dream dahlias, coxcomb, lemons, and feverfew.
Art of Catering prepared delicious dishes with fresh, local produce. We served baguettes with salmon terrine, tomato mozzarella on focaccia, and risotto cakes at cocktail stations so everyone could spread out and enjoy the vineyard. Our family and friends played croquet and drank estate-grown wines. Bakery Bar made five cakes in flavors ranging from orange poppy seed to red velvet, which we supplemented with miniature lemon-basil and chocolate cinnamon macaroons from Little Bird Bistro. Kate Greiner made the festive garland we strung as cake toppers.
Once my dad gave his heart-melting toast, W.C. Beck jumped on stage with the band and unexpectedly played Mary Jane’s Last Dance. You probably remember this as a goodbye love song, with a music video that features Tom Petty on a date with a dead Kim Basinger in a wedding dress. That didn’t stop anyone from getting on the dance floor, where we celebrated the rest of the night. It was magical.
Photographers: Kim+Phil Photography / Flowers: Ink & Peat / Dress: Elizabeth Dye, English Department / Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Suits: Duchess Clothier / Ties & Shirts: Collier & Brooks Brothers / Hair: Dosha / Makeup: Blush Beauty Bar / String Trio: Classical Revolution PDX / Singers: W.C. Beck & Sara-Catherine Wheatley / Reception Band: Swingline Cubs / Cake: Bakery Bar / Mini Macaroons: Little Bird Bistro / Sign In Book: Artist Katie Ries / Photo Props: The Funny Side of Life / Cake Toppers & Sign Garland: Kate Greiner / Invitations & Programs: Studio Olivine / Venue: Garden Vineyards