This west coast wedding is one part vintage, one part whimsical and a whole lotta gorgeousness wrapped into one adorable outdoor fete. Erich McVey Photography captured the day to absolute perfection and I’m still trying to figure out what my favorite details are…but rounding out the top three are definitely the blush colored bridesmaids dresses (can we ever get enough of that gorgeous hue?), the adorable DIY backdrop for the dessert table, and those pretty-pretty invites. Find your favorite detail here in the full gallery!
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From the Bride…Chris and I worked at the same high School. We both had just gotten out of long relationships (he was married, I was engaged). At the time I worked in the attendance office and Chris was (and still is) a teacher. Chris isn’t really someone that stands out in a crowd, he’s pretty quiet and when he does talk it’s very thought out and important so when I started seeing him appear in the office I definitely noticed him, it was kind of out of character for Chris to be in the office so much. He started randomly popping his head into my office to say “good morning Kristy” or “hello.” I was thinking to myself “who is this guy and how does he know my name?” It started to happen more and more frequently but I started to like it and one day while I was at work I emailed a co-worker and expressed my interest in him and told her what he had been doing. A couple days later Chris and I both were in the main office at the same time, we were talking with a few other ladies and Chris touched my hand, as soon as he left my co-worker turned to me and said, “he is going to ask you out!” I asked why she thought that and she said it was because he touched me. I was thinking you’re crazy! Later that day I went over to another office to cover someone’s lunch. Chris stopped by while I was there and asked for a piece of paper, I said “sure” and went about my way with answering the phone. As soon as I got off the phone he handed the piece of paper back to me. I unfolded the paper while he was standing there watching me. The note said….”Will you go to ice cream or coffee with me sometime? Circle Yes or No.” Just like the notes you pass when you’re in middle school or something. I circled yes (of course!) and handed it back to him with a big grin on my face. And that’s how our love story started. To this day, I carry the note in my wallet with me every day. Little did I know that one day that note would be the start of our happy life together.
The day started off to a very calm relaxing start. I stayed the night along with my three bridesmaids at The Grand Hotel Salem, Oregon. My matron of honor Alisha Burgett was the hair stylist and make–up artist for the day (her salon: Haute Society Salem, Oregon). We spent the morning getting ready, drinking our Starbucks, and appreciating the beautiful blue sky and sunshine that was upon us. At about 1:00pm we headed out to the venue still very calm and relaxed. I was just happy the day was finally here! When we arrived to The Log House Garden, Mindy was getting the tables set up- laying out the crushed gold linens, Rebecca was setting up the beautiful floral centerpieces, and things were in full swing. Before I knew it I was in my wedding dress, the bridesmaids were looking gorgeous in their soft pink chiffon dresses and we were toasting in our room just minutes before it was time for the “first look.”
Chris and I were able to share a very special moment alone in a shaded area that was surrounded by beautiful scenery. For a moment it felt like there was no one else around but just the two of us. Within a blink of an eye (or at least it seemed that way) we were walking back and forth on a gravel road to get the perfect shots with the wedding party and family- in front of a red barn, metal shed, and a beautiful bright green yard surrounded by dozens and dozens of flowers with an orchard behind us. From there it all seems like a blur. I remember standing at the end of the altar with my father, looking down the aisle covered in beautiful white and pale pink rose petals, and the entire wedding party standing under the large gazebo. Chris had a huge smile on his face and I felt like I was glowing! In front our closest friends and family Chris and I said our “I do’s” in a beautiful garden ceremony, set in Keizer, Oregon on July 9, 2011 at 4 O’clock in the afternoon.
The reception started with guests being escorted to their table with a custom bottle of wine that matched all of the stationery leading up to the wedding. As you walked into the open air reception site you heard either Tom Petty or Country music playing in the background and saw hanging candles, flowing ribbon, gold crushed linens, and beautiful soft blush toned flowers on each table. I wanted the wedding reception to be calm and relaxing, not over done so people could take in the beautiful scenery around them. My wedding was a complete success.
My theme was very whimsical, soft, with elements of vintage. I got a lot of my inspiration from wedding websites (June bug weddings and Style me Pretty) and really went running with my theme when I came across a picture of a bouquet I loved on one of the websites. My one DIY was the back drop for the cake/sweets table. I wallpapered a large piece of wood and my matron of honor helped by spray painting the items we glued to it. We were literally finalizing this piece up until the day before the wedding. At one point I almost bagged the idea but I had already come so far that we weren’t turning back and I’m so happy we didn’t. It was one of my favorite pieces of the wedding. I loved that I was able to create a theme with the save-the-dates to the invitations, and then it carried into the wedding. It was very important to me that people could pick up the theme of the wedding when they received their invitations and everything just flowed so well. The flowers were phenomenal. I ended up spending more than I had wanted but it was worth it in the end. I was pleased with the outcome and they really made the reception site look stunning.
Wedding Photography: Erich McVey Photography / Wedding Dress: Marisa Bridals / Floral Design: Rebecca Butler of Belle Fleur Floral Designs / Venue: The Log House Garden / Wedding Planner: Mindy Woodard of Class Act Event Coordinators, Inc. / DJ: Northwest Mobile DJ Service / Ceremony Music: Brandon Correa (string quartet) + Madison Hall / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Groom’s Shoes: ECCO / Bridesmaid Shoes: Dolce Vita / Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Morgan / Stationery: Megan Ward of Red Pearl Designs / Wedding Cake: Kalie Cannon of The Cake Shoppe / Necklace: Mother of the Bride / Headband: Friends / Belt: Marisa Bridals