WEDDING BLOG

Utterly Romantic Portland Wedding at The Armory in Eucalyptus and Dusty Rose

August 26, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

Darcy and Joey’s wedding at The Armory had all the dreamy romance and the cool Portland vibes we just can’t get enough of! After their first look with a view of the downtown skyline, the couple exchanged vows in the historic, renovated lobby that featured a wall of twinkle lights and a lush floral backdrop created by florist Amanda Karam. After a round of sweet and intimate portraits with Laurken Kendall Photography, the couple then joined their guests upstairs for a reception that brought industrial elegance to a whole new level with neutral linens, soft pink and white floral arrangements, and gold accents. We love that this creative couple even took the time to name each table after places that were significant to them and to their guests. The highlight of the evening, though, had to be Darcy’s surprise flash mob dance, which she rocked in a sparkly romper! Every moment of this Portland wedding was filled with beauty and joy, and Laurken Kendall Photography captured it all brilliantly.

The Couple:

Darcy and Joey

The Wedding:

The Armory, Portland, Oregon

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Laurken Kendall Photography
Event Planning – Bridal Bliss
Venue – The Armory
Floral Design – Amanda Karam
Catering – ChefStable Catering
Cake – Salt & Straw
DJ – Event Team Entertainment
Videography – Haley Brooke Bateman
Stationery – Sarah Schultz
Hair Styling – Hair Done By Wyatt
Wedding Dress – Carolina Herrera via Ever After Miami
Groom’s Apparel – Bonobos
Rentals – The Party Place
Tinkle Lights – West Coast Party Productions

Our biggest congratulations to Darcy and Joey, and a special thanks to Laurken Kendall Photography for sharing this utterly romantic wedding at The Armory with Junebug! Love the urban vibe of this wedding and looking for more inspiration? This Luce Loft wedding is pure boho urban romance!

Enchanting Ecola State Park Elopement on the Oregon Coast

August 25, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

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Janay and Jono’s Ecola State Park elopement proved that all you really need for an epic wedding day is a lot of love, your closest family members, and a breathtaking location. This adventurous couple fell in love with the Oregon coast and decided to make it the place where they would start their life together as husband and wife. Two days before their wedding, they found the perfect quiet spot, nestled deep in the woods near the coast, blanketed in ferns and clovers that made it look as if they had stepped into a fairytale scene. After an intimate vow exchange, the couple and their photographers/videographers from Kensie Webster Photo + Video headed to the waterfront for a portrait session that can only be described as stunning. The moody vibes, the classic PNW weather, and the minimal details were all we needed to get completely swept away by this enchanting Oregon elopement!

The Couple:

Janay and Jono

The Wedding:

Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon

There were so many important factors in planning our wedding; however, the most important part of our day was being surrounded by our families in nature. Simplicity and intimacy were so important to us. We had no backup plan if the weather did not permit, nor did we have decorations or a big fancy venue. We wanted to be married in a forest and let nature’s beauty do her thing.

Originally we were planning on eloping with only the two of us. Some of our immediate family were dying to join us, and we were so grateful that in the end that we were able to include them. They went with our plans and what we shared together in that forest can only be described as magical. All of the stress that would normally be there on such a busy day wasn’t. We were able to celebrate our love and appreciate the real reason we were all there together. Keeping that authentic love and happiness, and celebrating in such an intimate way was the most important to us in planning our wedding.

We had drove to our special spot in the woods at Ecola State Park separately from Portland. I (Jono) had shown up a little earlier to scout out the best clearing in the area for our ceremony. Our photographer, Kensie and her husband had shown up and were getting their equipment ready at the gated entrance by the road. I could see my beautiful bride-to-be off in the distance. I suppose I technically took my first look at that moment. I was standing in the official spot where we were married when she showed up. It was perfect to see the contrast of white amongst the luscious ferns and greenery. I went to my spot and waited for her to make her way up the trail for our “first” look. It was the perfect place for all of us and such a magical day. That moment of arriving and seeing her as well as seeing the sunset peak through on the beach during golden hour were the most memorable parts of my day. I’ve seen many amazing sunsets, but seeing the sunset with my new bride gave me such an incredible feeling of peace and happiness. It was the perfect ending to our amazing day.

Wedding planning can be so stressful and can become very expensive. Our advice would be to splurge on the important things such as photos and video and to keep the simple things or small details just that: minimal. Have all of the important people in your life there and stop worrying about offending others or becoming stressed attempting to please everyone. After all, it is your wedding—do everything that is going to make the day special and what you want. Take time in planning and try not to stress the little things. In the end, everything will work out. Keep the day intimate and stress-free, surrounded by those who you love. Everyone’s wedding is so different, our advice is to not compare to others. Make your wedding your own.

We wanted our wedding to be intimate, casual and simple. We were able to have pictures in the forest as well as along the beach. Ultimately we wanted a wedding both unique and different. My sisters helped me with my hair and makeup and I painted my own nails on the day of our wedding. We decided to be married at 5 pm, so there was no stress to wake up at the crack of dawn and scramble to get ready. We chose to keep things simple, have a good time and flow with whatever came our way. We knew this was our style and was what would be easiest in making our day stress free.

Our photographer Kensie was so great from start to finish! We are all from Southern Alberta, Canada, and I actually grew up with her husband who helps her film. It was so natural and the day was so easy with them. She captured all of our intimate moments and none of our “poses” ever felt forced or awkward. She made us feel comfortable and stress-free during our day.

The Wedding Team:

Photography and Videography – Kensie Webster Photo + Video
Venue – Ecola State Park
Floral Design – Hardcore Florist
Wedding Dress – Alta Moda Bridal

Congratulations to Janay and Jono, and a huge thanks to Kensie Webster Photo + Video for sharing this enchanting Ecola State Park elopement with Junebug! Can’t get enough of those moody PNW wedding vibes? This personal Treehouse Point wedding is pure PNW eye candy!

Jewel Tone Joshua Tree Wedding at a Secluded High Desert Homestead

August 25, 2018 | Junebug Weddings

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Between their ceremony under a Joshua Tree and their reception in the backyard of the Secluded High Desert Homestead Airbnb rental, Jamie and John’s wedding day in the desert was as romantic as can be. They kept the details simple, relying on the desert landscape to set the mood and their vintage-inspired decor to bring a level of laid-back elegance that was perfect for an intimate day. The bride channeled a classic, elegant, and vintage-inspired look with a long-sleeved lace gown from Dreamers and Lovers, which was so beautiful set against the desert landscape. From their emotional first look to their tearful vow exchange to their romantic wanderings through the desert, Brooke Miller Photography was there to captured every dreamy moment of this Joshua Tree wedding!

The Couple:

Jamie and John

The Wedding:

Secluded High Desert Homestead, Joshua Tree National Park

The most important thing for John and I was to be able to have our closest family and friends by our side. We didn’t want a large wedding because, to us, it wasn’t about having an “event” but instead witnessing two people truly become one.

I knew I wanted to be simply classic. I wanted to be able to look back at these pictures when I’m 80 and still be relevant and in-style. Personally, that’s why I didn’t want to show a lot of skin. Leaving more to the imagination! I knew I didn’t want to go with a bright white because it wouldn’t look the best with the desert background so I opted for a nude toned dress with ivory lace. Also, I knew I wanted lace but I didn’t want to overdue the lace making it a distraction. Like I said, classic.

We both agree that the most memorable part of the day was our first look. We didn’t speak the whole day but it was so special and built up because we both made a playlist for one another to listen to the whole day before we saw each other for the first time. Walking up to him with his back turned I was shaking the whole time. The moment he turned around we both started bawling our eyes out. For me, seeing John cry was such a surreal experience because I’ve only ever witnessed that maybe once or twice in the many years we’ve been together. I’ve never felt a more serene and happier than at that moment.

Take one day at a time! John and I were long distance until the day we married, so planning a wedding with him being miles away was hard. You aren’t going to get everything accomplished in one day, one week, or even one month. Remember to enjoy the process! You will never get to have this moment again so take it all in while you can. Give yourself the time to make your day exactly the way you envision it to be. You won’t regret that. Go with your gut instinct, even if other people are trying to tell you different. It’s your wedding and no one else’s. You’re the boss, babe!

We personalized our ceremony by writing our own vows. I’d say we did a pretty good job because there was not a single dry eye when we both read them. Best decision we ever made.

Our photographer knew we wanted a desert feeling. She visited Joshua Tree before and showed us pictures so that’s how we got the idea. Looking at the park alone was enough for us but what really sold it for us was when we looked up the meaning of why they call the trees Joshua Trees. They were given the name a long time ago by a group of Mormon settlers who were crossing the desert. The tree’s shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua raises his hands up to the sky in prayer. I got chills reading about it. The national park had the most beautiful sunsets and spiritual vibes so we knew that was the place for us.

Processional – “Make You Feel My Love” by Sleeping at Last
Recessional – “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oats
First Dance – “Latch” by Boyce Avenue Ft. Lia Marie