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This Griffin House Wedding Played Off The PNW’s Natural Beauty

October 16, 2022 | justine

From the scenic views and cozy misty vibes to the earthy color palette and whimsical florals—Abby and Abby’s Griffin House wedding details perfectly tied into their natural surroundings, making it an ultra-romantic and dreamy affair. The pair celebrated their big day with their closest loved ones in the most picturesque location. 

Set amongst a quintessential PNW backdrop, the ceremony lawn made for a breathtaking setting for their ceremony. Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, the two exchange vows under a triangle arbor that mimicked the mountain peaks behind them. At the marquee reception, the guests dined and danced all night under glittering mirror balls, florals, and the golden glow of string lights. 

If you and your partner have your hearts set on tying the knot in the great outdoors, you’ll want to check out this Griffin House wedding. Whether you’re pulling out all the stops or opting for something a bit more laid-back, keep scrolling to see more amazing photos captured by Sarah Olivia for some of the best ideas to get you inspired for your big day.

The Couple:

Abby and Abby

The Wedding:

Griffin House ,Hood River, Oregon, United States

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How All The Details Of Their Griffin House Wedding Came Together

The vibe of our wedding came together throughout the planning process, but we knew we wanted to it to feel dreamy, romantic, enchanting, and elegant—unique to us. We knew that a destination wedding would make this occasion extra special and a fun vacation for our family. We looked online for about two weeks at venues across the country, but nothing spoke to us. And then Ab looked on Instagram and found The Griffin House in less than five minutes and nothing else even compared. The venue is absolutely stunning on its own, so we wanted to play off the natural elements around the property and feel authentic to the PNW. Our guest count also helped us make the vibe more romantic and intimate, as we could focus on ourselves and visit with our loved ones throughout the night. Ab and I have a special place in our hearts for discos, so we absolutely had to have disco balls in the reception tent. That got everyone out on the dance floor having a blast!

Making The Unpredictable Weather Work For Them

We had a few big surprises that day, and they made the moments truly magical. First was the rain, and although everyone would’ve expected us to panic, we were oddly calm and just enjoyed the weather. We do love the rain on normal days. PNW rain is more of a light mist, so since it wasn’t ceremony-ruining weather but we were prepared for it to go throughout the day. We had clear umbrellas for all our guests, which made for beautiful photos. The drizzle of the rain made it look extra dreamy and like it was straight out of a fairytale.

Proudly Showcasing Their Love And Baring Their Hearts To Each Other Through Their Vows

We’re most proud of how our vows turned out and how our love showed through to everyone. We could feel everyone looking at us with tears in their eyes and love in their hearts for us. It’s been a difficult road for two queer women growing up in the south, especially having the same name. But we persevered and got to be a representation of true love. We played rock, paper, scissors to decide who went first, which was another detail that made it unique to us (that’s how we always decide things). We both cried at our own and each other’s because we poured our hearts out to one another in front of everyone we love. Lastly, we proudly marked our love by combining our last names to make a new one together, her maiden name being Clark and mine being Nelson. We’re now the Clarksons.

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Working With An Experienced Vendor Team To Bring To Life The Celebration They’ve Always Envisioned

We wanted the details to be special and mean something, and I think we were able to accomplish that. And working with the most amazing vendors brought everything to the next level. Our advice for couples who have just started their wedding planning journey is to keep your love at the center of everything you do during this process- and in life, for that matter! Jokes aside, it can be a stressful process if you take it too seriously and stress over details. Remember that the whole point is to just get married and be with your love. As long as you two leave as happily married, all went well. 

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Recommended Reading: How To Create The Perfect Wedding Lounge Area

 

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Heartwarming Surprises That Made Their Griffin House Wedding Even More Special

The surprise came when I walked down the aisle, the rain stopped, and the sun came out. My mom and aunt had been praying to my Grandma all morning, asking her to be present at our ceremony from Heaven. Although I’m not religious, I felt in my heart that it was her giving us her blessing. Another surprise that we will truly never forget was from our DJ. Before our grand exit, our DJ Robby asked our guests to grab our twinkle light sticks and create a circle on the dance floor with us in the middle. He announced we would have one last special slow dance to Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love.” The song started as usual, and then we heard our voices reading our vows from the ceremony only hours before, line by line, over the instrumental bits of the song. Everyone cried happy tears again, especially us, as we soaked in the last moments of our wedding. 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Sarah Olivia
Event Planning – Luxe Event Productions
Venue – The Griffin House
Floral Design – Brier & Ivy
Catering – Reedville Catering
Cake – Papa Haydn
Officiant – Rooted and Wild
DJ – Event Team Entertainment
Videography – Michaela Mcintosh
Invitation Design – Ivory Invitations
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling- Jenny Bowker
Wedding Dress – ENAURA
Accessories – BHLDN + Sam Edelman
Party Apparel – Dear Cleo
Wedding Suit – Indochino
Rings – Olive Ave + Tiffany & Co.
Rentals – The Party Place
Transportation – Blue Star
Favors – Grand Exit Light Up Wands
Photobooth – Poppin’ Pix

 

Congratulations to Abby and Abby on their Griffin House wedding that perfectly played off the PNW’s natural beauty. And many thanks to Sarah Olivia for capturing all the special moments and gorgeous details that nature-loving couples can use as inspiration for their own celebration.

If you and your partner are looking to create a beautiful atmosphere for your wedding, then playing off and taking design cues from the venue is a great place to start. Mimicking colors, textures, and overall feel in your decor and florals will ensure that it all seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings. 

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Uniquely Enchanting Bali Jungle Elopement

October 15, 2022 | justine

Fania and Charis always knew that a getaway adventure and tying the knot in nature was the right fit for them. With that in mind, they found the perfect paradise for their “I do’s.” Set on the grounds of a hidden bamboo house, deep in the lush mountain forest, with vibrant tropical florals and eye-catching decor—their Bali jungle elopement was a breathtaking intimate celebration just for two.

Seamlessly blending the exotic natural setting with romantic elements, a floral mandala created a sacred spot for their vow exchange. After the ceremony, they turned the same spot into a romantic and cozy picnic with a low-seated table, pillows, and lots of candles. And tying everything together was the couple’s fashion-forward attire. Charis rocked a stylish lavender suit, while Fania was a stunner in her custom gown featuring a corseted bodice and satin ruched skirt, completing the look with a floral crown.

To top it all off, the pair added handmade touches throughout their special day, from the stationery and dinner setup design to their handcrafted wedding rings. If you and your partner feel like the tropical jungle is calling out your names, then this Bali jungle elopement is for you. Keep on scrolling and draw inspiration from these spectacular images captured by The Duo Photography. 

The Couple:

Charis and Fania

The Wedding:

Hideout Eco Bali House, Indonesia

How Their Bali Jungle Elopement Came To Be

We wanted a day that would feel completely our own without fulfilling someone else’s expectations. Mother Nature has always been our inspiration, so it felt only natural to tailor our dream day and celebrate our love outdoors. Something laid-back, whimsical, enchanting, and uniquely romantic. All of these words immediately spoke Bali to us! One day, while innocently scrolling through Instagram, we found the perfect spot where we hosted our elopement in Bali, the Hideout Eco Bali House. It was the most idyllic hideout in the mountains of Gunung Agung. Imagine a river flowing next to a lovely small bamboo house, nestled in the middle of the jungle, and having complete intimacy. Our hearts were immediately swept away and captivated by this tropical allure, and we couldn’t imagine our elopement happening elsewhere.

Mandala-Inspired Tropical Color Palette

When it came to our color palette, the first thing that came to mind was the flower mandala that the people from these lands consider sacred. Regarding the whole aesthetic of our elopement in Bali, everything embodied the colors of this flower mandala—red, purple, pink, yellow, and orange tones. It was a lovely contrast to the lavish tropical greenery surrounding us.

Exchanging Private Vows Surrounded By Nature

The most memorable part of our special day was definitely the moment we started reading our vows to each other. When it was time for our ceremony, we approached the colorful mandala, and our worlds collided into one. Overwhelmed by our emotions, we allowed our happy tears to flow freely. We were alone, and we could be ourselves.

Advice: Work With Professionals For A Seamless And Stress-Free Experience

Even though we designed and planned the ceremony and picnic setup in a couple of months on our own, we still needed some assistance from some talented vendors to curate everything seamlessly. With so much on your plate, stressing about every detail without help is difficult, and it doesn’t let you enjoy your special day as you should. Carefully selecting the right professionals will help you realize your dream wedding.

They Hand-Carved Their Own Wedding Bands

Our elopement in Bali was a beautiful medley of DIY projects. Each one was curated with so much love and reflected our personalities—from the stationery and wedding bands to the dinner setup design. But the most meaningful one was the workshop we attended, where we patiently worked on hand-carving our wedding bands. The fact that our celebration was small didn’t have anything to do with the determination to put so much thought into every detail, and we’re really proud of the overall result and for translating our dream into reality.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – The Duo Photography
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Hideout Bali
Floral Design – Sandat Floral
Cake – Butter Bali
Groom’s Apparel – Asos
Wedding Dress – V. Chapman
Rings – Agung Silver
Rentals – Bali Decor Rental

 

Congratulations to Fania and Charis on their uniquely enchanting Bali jungle elopement. The Duo Photography did an amazing job capturing every swoon-worthy detail couples can use as inspiration for their own intimate getaway adventure.

While the meaning of eloping has evolved over the years, many couples are choosing to tie the knot in a faraway location. And without a big reception to worry about, the whole world is open for the taking. Ready to start exploring destinations? Before you do, be sure to check out our destination planning and budget guides.

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13 Wedding Reception Chairs For Your Big Day

October 14, 2022 | kailey
wedding reception chairs

Image by Lara Onac

Take a seat—we’re talking about wedding reception essentials. During the wedding planning process, it’s easy to get lost in prepping the fun details like florals, fashion, and even cake tasting—yum! But, it’s important not to forget about the not-so-fun details like chairs. And newsflash, your chair choices matter. While we understand hunting down reception chairs might not be the most exciting decor element, it does play an oh-so-important role in your overall wedding design and aesthetic.

If you’ve been on the search for seating options that are both comfortable and stylish, consider one of these unique chair options to dress up your reception space.

Wedding Reception Chair Options

1. Marais Chairs

Tabouret chairs are an easy way to create a modern style on your wedding day. They pair perfectly with an industrial venue like a warehouse or urban space while providing a nice sense of contrast in a more natural setting like a farm or garden.

2. Wishbone Chairs

Sometimes simplicity is oh-so-much more. And this rings true for Wishbone chairs that are simple but in the most elegant way. On top of their sleek, minimalistic design they’re also incredibly comfortable and supportive which means you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style.

3. Bamboo Folding Chairs

Bamboo folding chairs may not be as versatile as other seating options on this list, but they serve an especially stylish purpose. If you’re having a tropical-inspired wedding or your style is influenced by Asiatic design, you’ll find that bamboo folding chairs flawlessly complete your look.

Image by Meraki Weddings.

4. Ghost Chairs

Even though they’ve been trending for a few years, we still find ghost chairs in weddings novel and exciting. Modern, elegant, and unexpected, these clear chairs lend themselves to most wedding styles as they serve as a blank (literally) slate. Pair them with a stark black-and-white combo or a colorful palette depending on your wedding style.

5. Cross-Back Chairs

Being such a popular reception chair choice, odds are you’ve seen this style many times before. This is because of the wide range of cross-back styles you can choose from. We’ve seen them used in rustic weddings, casual backyard celebrations, and even elegant garden receptions—this style is truly fit for any themed celebration.

6. Peacock Wedding Reception Chairs

Peacock chairs are a bit of a reception bonus for the wedding couple. While you wouldn’t likely use rows of peacock chairs in your reception, they do make for a great sweetheart table seating option. They make for a stylish accent and help draw attention to the couple of the hour.

7. Cane Back Chairs

Cane back chairs are dainty and whimsical, fit for those elegant greenhouse and garden celebrations. Usually a neutral color, these chairs are a simple, yet show-stopping addition to any reception without overpowering the space. They are the right choice for couples wanting a romantic aesthetic where eyes are drawn to the tablescapes.

Image by Lara Onac

8. Wooden Banquet-Style Benches

When we think of summer and outdoor weddings we immediately picture wooden benches. This is a popular seating choice for ceremonies, but incredibly underrated for receptions. Benches create an intimate, inclusive seating vibe while also potentially saving money. Cut costs by repurposing your ceremony benches and using them as your reception seating.

9. Chiavari Chairs

When we think of fine dining, Chiavari chairs immediately pop into our minds. Their dainty, bamboo-like design comes in wood and metal options, both bringing a different feel to a reception space. And no matter which finishes you decide on, this high-quality chair option is sure to add elegance to any affair.

10. Velvet Chairs

Velvet is having a moment in the wedding world with fashion, table decor, and even seating. And incorporating velvet into your wedding design is sure to give your wedding an extra unique touch all year long. We recommend using lighter color fabrics for spring and summer celebrations, and darker hues for fall and winter celebrations.

11. Folded Chairs

Laid-back couples planning a casual celebration will be drawn to folded chairs. This style is perfect for backyard weddings, DIY celebrations, and really any outdoor event. Being such a simple style, they can be beautifully paired with a variety of different color palettes and themes.

12. Bentwood Wedding Reception Chairs

13. Slotted Chair

Image by Saje Photog.

After picking out your tables and chairs, the foundation of your reception space is complete. Now it’s time for the fun planning to begin, decor. We’re talking about everything from place cards to table numbers, and even flora arrangements. And with so many decor elements needed to transform your reception space, it can be hard to remember them all. Before searching Amazon, start by going through our wedding decor checklist that’ll make sure you nail every detail.

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