Chris and Emily: Portland Oregon Temple Wedding

Portland Temple, Misty Alger photography, Orange dresses and lovely country romantics?
Yes please!

The Bridesmaid's hair is just too cute. I love the romantic curls and the side pony.

Some serious sun flare going on! So stinking beautiful. 

You want awesome Romantics? Multiple locations! Mix it up like Chris and Emily.

Look at Emily's details: The delicate lace around her neckline, the classic pearl earrings, the simple and lovely flower in her hair… she also sports and lovely bridal belt of ribbon around her dress. Details seriously make the BIGGEST difference. 

Beautiful china and wildflowers

See how fabulous and simple a creative center piece can be?

Photobooth time!

First Dance snuggles make me swoon.

Sparkler getaway!

And now a few words from the bride, Emily:

When Chris and I met my junior year of high school while I was visiting my sister at college, little did I know that our paths would cross again. Obviously I thought he was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. Yet felt slightly juvenile for having a crush on a freshman college student. It all seemed highly impossible that we would end up together. But a girl can dream right!

I started attending the university and after he returned from his mission, we had a class together. We were friends and got to know each other. The whole time I thought he wasn’t interested in me anymore, all the while him thinking I already had a boyfriend. Needless to say that time passed by before we ever started dating. Once it all fell into place, we had a wonderful courtship full of spontaneity, love notes, and laughter. These all became my sense of warmth in the winter wonderland we lived in.

We dated for 9 months before Chris popped the question. Excited to marry the man of my dreams and only having 4 months to plan the wedding, we got right to it. Working full time and living 12 hours away from where we were to be married, the Internet and e-mail became a great source of information and planning. My family was a great source of support in the planning process. The budget was tight so I made many things myself and decided on an outdoor reception after being married and sealed in the Portland Oregon Temple.

My dress was purchased second hand and had been found on a photographer’s website. I contacted the bride and she let me buy it from her. It was the first and only dress I tried on and it fit me like a glove. It was positively everything I was looking for and had wanted in a wedding dress. The bride’s maid dresses were found at Nordstroms and I even contemplated getting one for myself because I loved them so much! :) The flowers in their hair were made by me as a gift for each girl. The bridal party flowers were purchased from Forte, a local florist that I have worked with many times. I found that if you shop around, tell the florist how much their competitors are estimating your cost to be. Many times they are willing to take down the price because they want the business away from their competition. The flowers for the reception were purchased wholesale (along with pickings from friends‘ yards) and assembled by talented friends of mine. I found that pictures are the best way to get everyone on board with your ideas and inspiration. Especially since I was communicating with people in a different state. The food was made by a friend of ours who is a domestic goddess. Being from Europe, she has many fantastic recipes.

Chris and I aren’t fans of wedding cake. Since they cost so much money and don’t taste very good, we decided to make homemade ice cream cakes instead. Chris used to work at Cold Stone Creamery so he knows how to assemble them. It took us a day and a half to make all 10 of them, but it was a huge hit and everyone had more than one slice! The wedding cake that we cut was actually Styrofoam covered in fondant. The only real layer was the top tear which we ate from.

Making sure the guest had a good time was one thing I focused on while planning. We wanted a photo booth and decided to make it a DIY project. The backdrop was made from vintage doors, with a scrapbook paper streamer that I made. With a suitcase full of dress-ups and a Polaroid camera on hand, the guests had a great time! If that didn’t do it for them, then the croquet in the front yard, or the candy bar did.

The day could not have been more perfect! I was so happy to be married to the love of my life. I felt so beautiful and happy. The reception was everything I had imagined. It was whimsical, vintage, European and Anthropologie inspired, full of love and life along with fabulous colors set at a country home. Our wedding photographer, Misty Alger, did a fabulous job capturing the day. It was wonderful to spend this moment with family and friends. I will forever remember the look in Chris’s eyes and the way he makes me feel.

- Emily

-The Vendor line up-
*Temple: Portland, Or
*Florist: Forte
*Bakery: DIY
*Photography: Misty Alger
*Paper Goods: DIY
*Gown: Found on Photographer's website
*Decor: DIY