Embracing the wild of the natural landscape around us, every creative touch felt organic and alive.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with our little dog Ruby. We take full advantage of living in such a beautiful place and are both obsessed with getting outdoors. We’re madly in love with our pup, try to see one concert a month, and find the fun together every day.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We are a Hinge success story! Here we go, online dating! We were both pretty smitten after our first date and were head over heels by the fourth date. We often reflect on how lucky we feel to have found each other, and both being in our mid-30’s — at exactly the right time in our lives to recognise how special it was.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
As soon as we locked in our venue, Amaterra Winery in Portland’s beautifully forested West Hills, I had a very clear vision of the colours, textures and styles that would make this big day uniquely ours. Brendan really supported me in running with that vision, and I had so much fun watching it all come together. Embracing the wild of the natural landscape around us, every creative touch felt organic and alive. From the overgrown flowers that looked like they were transported from a meadow, to the winding S-curved aisle, it all felt like an extension of the nature around us.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
I loved the creative aspects of wedding planning, and it was so rewarding to see all the moving pieces come together in the last few weeks before our big day. Some things that really helped the process stay fun for me were hiring an amazing Wedding Coordinator, Elisabeth Kramer. I was also really choosy about who we hired to work with, looking for vendors and partners who were not only skilled in their craft but also aligned with our vibe and values. We were surrounded by people all weekend who brought amazing energy to the mix.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Yes! We truly had the best team. I searched for a photographer who shot film and whose style was more candid and organic. I love motion blur, candid expressions and detail shots. We found all that and more in Raina Virginia. She didn’t just capture moments, she captured emotions, depth and relationships.
I’ve mentioned our wedding planner, Beth. She is such a wealth of knowledge and works hard to make herself accessible to anyone and everyone. I highly recommend checking her out, no matter where you live, even if just for a consult.
And last, Christina from Novella Design absolutely crushed it. She brought my overgrown meadow/cottage vision to life expertly. The installations that lined our aisle looked like they had been growing there for years, complete with beautiful green moss at their base. And our hanging arrangements for the reception looked like something out of a fairytale. I really wanted to make my own bouquet and Brendan’s boutonniere, and she was incredibly generous in supporting me with an entire floral station complete with every bloom I could dream of to pick from.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
Brendan decided to rock a white tux jacket (with black pants), and it was such a cool look on him. His tux from Bonobos fit like a glove, and he wore a subtly floral embroidered bow tie, which was an excellent touch.
I always thought it would be cool to get married in a beautifully tailored suit! Once we fell in love with our venue, I didn’t end up feeling like a suit fit the aesthetic. Fast forward to my mid-reception outfit change, and I got my suit moment!
When I tried on my Saint wedding gown, I loved it instantly. The contrast in the structured bodice and pleated organza skirt felt so special. I loved the asymmetry in the organic wave-like structures in the skirt and the dropped waist.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
The food and music were both very important to us! Our venue has a fantastic restaurant, and the food couldn’t have been better. We really wanted to treat our guests to a memorable meal. We hired a 12-piece band with Blue Wave Band (IG @bluewaveband), and they brought the house down. Our dance floor was packed all night! Brendan’s brother is a professional musician, and he sang and played a custom piano arrangement for our first dance. It was absolutely magical.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
We opted not to do a first look, so the first time we saw each other in our wedding outfits was when I walked down the aisle. It was such a powerful and memorable moment.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
There are so many beautiful ways to celebrate your commitment to your person, and for us, getting married was a really fun way to do so. We loved getting to throw a huge party with all of our family and friends who have supported us along the way. Life post-marriage doesn’t feel all that different! We continue thoughtfully building a life that supports our growth both as individuals and as a couple. So, however and to whomever you choose to commit this chapter of your life to, may it run deep, make you feel special, and deserve one hell of a party!
LOCATION Amaterra Winery, Portland, Oregon, @amaterrawines BRIDE Lea, @lea_artz GROOM Brendan, @mchughb PHOTOGRAPHER Raina Virginia, @rainavirginia VIDEOGRAPHER Deyen Smith, @de.yen.smith PLANNER Elisabeth Kramer FLORIST ChristinaWachspess – Novella Floral, @novella_floral CELEBRANT Couple’s Friend – Matt Digel
ENTERTAINMENT Blue Wave Band, @bluewaveband HIRE Draping – Drew Bergerson – Runestone Events, @runestoneevents; Dance Floor, Chairs, etc. – Makayla Labuhn, Alli ApRoberts, and Cam VonClevenger – Arden Event Co., @ardeneventcollective CATERING Amaterra Winery, @amaterrawines ENGAGEMENT RING Bride’s grandmother’s BRIDE’S WEDDING BAND Vintage Jewelry Shop – Oko, @okoportland GROOM’S WEDDING BAND Groom’s grandfather’s BRIDE’S CEREMONY DRESS SAINT Bridal Couture, @saintbridal BRIDE’S RECEPTION OUTFIT Satin Suit – Mare Mare; Lace Corset – JLUXLABEL, @jluxlabel BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Aquamarine & Gold Earrings MAKEUP By the bride HAIR Alaina Armstrong, @1.800.alaina BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Indigo by NEST New York, @nestnewyork GROOM’S TUXEDO JACKET Bonobos, @bonobos GROOM’S SHOES Allen Edmonds, @allenedmonds GROOM’S HAIR Alaina Armstrong, @1.800.alaina
