Today’s cute bride + groom, Janette + Jeff, prove to us that sometimes small + simple can have the biggest impact of all. Originally planning to elope, they altered their plans just enough to ensure that some very special people could be a part of their day. Since the overall idea was still streamlined + simplified, compared to that of a larger-scale wedding, they were able to focus fully on style + making their day a true reflection of them. With ridiculously unique floral installations by SELVA Floral Design, breathtaking photos by Phil Chester, and a handful of very fun foodie elements (think tacos, doughnuts + custom craft cocktails), we think once you start scrolling through J + J’s celebration, you won’t be able to to look away!
From the bride, At first we both wanted to elope. We wanted our wedding to be simple, carefree, and romantic. Thankfully, a few family members and friends quickly talked us out of this idea. That’s when we decided to have a small, intimate wedding with only our immediate family and best of friends in attendance. We both grew up in Southern California and moved to Portland together last year. We are in love with this city! Though a majority of our guests live in California, we knew that we had to get married in Portland. We wanted all of our guests to join us in this beautiful place that we now call home. Union Pine was the perfect venue that matched our natural style and the simple ideas we had for our wedding. We made sure to include some of “our” places in Portland. We each got ready for the big day at our favorite spots, The Evermore Guesthouse and The Kennedy School. ¿Por Qué No? tacos for dinner and Voodoo Doughnuts as a late night snack were a must! Everything about the day was simply us.
Guys, are you ready for this? Jeff actually thrifted that tweed suit! Pretty killer find, right?!
We both agree that one of the most memorable moments of our wedding day was our “first look” in front of The Evermore. We knew from the start that we wanted to share that first moment together without an audience so that nerves didn’t get the best of us. Phil, our photographer, did an amazing job of keeping us in the moment and letting our emotions be authentic, rather than just smiling and going through the motions of your typical wedding day. We got teary, we talked, and we laughed a lot. Your wedding day can be overwhelming so we are glad we had that moment to ourselves before the real party began. It all goes by so fast. Ending your night on the dance floor with people you love is also very memorable, do that!
It’s quite possible we’ve never loved a wedding backdrop more. The mix of lush blooms + a totally industrial, sparse space is a juxtaposition worth swooning over.
Have you been looking for a little indoor wedding inspiration? We say you’ve found it with this feature, right?!
Smaller weddings are lovely for many reasons. They are personal, less stress, easier on the budget, and there is more time for the bride and groom to enjoy the company of each guest. However, keeping a small guest list can be extremely difficult during the planning process. There is really no easy way to achieve this. Jeff and I both come from large families and both have many friends from all different walks of life. It was very hard to narrow down our guest list to 45 people. My advice to couples planning a small wedding is to be true to what you really want for your day. Your wedding is about the two of you and the commitment you are making to each other. This can be very personal so try not to let too many people influence your decisions. I know, it is hard! It is best to be completely honest from the start about your plans to keep it intimate and hope that there are not too many hurt feelings. If they love you, they will understand.
photography: Phil Chester // venue name: Union Pine, Portland, Oregon // florals: SELVA Floral Design // catering: ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria // cake: Dream Cakes // music: A & J Event DJ and Sound Services // bridal suite: The Evermore Guesthouse // first look location: The Evermore Guesthouse // bar service: Merit Badge // rentals: Classic Vintage Rentals, Commonwealth Rentals // late night snack: Voodoo Doughnuts
this was nicely done. the simplicity is honest.
I would love to know where the cake topper and serving pieces are from!