Sarah is a planner at heart. MAJOR planner. But she also realized that she wanted to enjoy the planning process and her wedding day and in order to do so she knew it would be a good choice to hire a planner/coordinator. Sarah was a birdesmaids in a wedding in 2016 that I coordinated and then a guest at another wedding I coordinated a couple weeks later! I was told at the 2nd wedding, by the bride and groom, that a little birdie told them that soon Sarah would be engaged and planning her own wedding. They were right and just a few short months later I received an email from Sarah. I was the first she contacted, before setting a date or a venue - she wanted to hire me and I felt so blessed that I had made such an impression.
Sarah + Chris spent about a year and a half planning their wedding. Sarah had a vision and was determined to create it. She wanted the ceremony to be “set” in a secret garden and for that same feel to flow over into their reception…but in the middle of a city {Portland}. As Sarah said it best in her blog “nothing too over the top with just enough pomp and circumstance to make it feel extra special.”
Sarah + Chris originally wanted to have their wedding in wine country but after looking into the logistics and keeping their traveling guests in mind, they settled on a roof top ceremony at The DeSoto followed by a reception at their favorite local winery, Coopers Hall, in Portland. In getting to know Sarah + Chris better throughout the planning process, I think this was a great choice. It really rounded out their personalities while incorporating everything they love in life, good food, good company, beautiful things and views, and love.
After working with Sarah + Chris for a year and a half on planning their special day, it was wedding week. Being a 3-4 hour commute from me, I headed down to Portland on a Tuesday evening and had a final meeting with Sarah + Chris at both venues on Wednesday. Just a final touch base and walk through to make sure we were set and ready to roll on Wedding Day. Wedding Day arrived and my team hit the ground running with set-up at noon and were wrapped and ready for the ceremony by 4pm when Sarah and party arrived.
I want to take a moment to say that all of the wedding vendors nailed Sarah’s vision. From her casual but formal hair and make-up style, the creative and intensive garden florals at both sites, to the delicious food and desserts. The photos turned out absolutely stunning and the band was phenomenal. Needless to say that they nailed it, they were also a dream to work alongside on their wedding day. It was a perfect day - a laid back black tie wedding of sorts.
The ceremony started at 4:30 and was short and heartfelt. Following the beautiful ceremony, Sarah + Chris signed the marriage license and then trapsed around town for the bridal party and couples photos. You see, Sarah + Chris decided not to see each other before the wedding. Sarah envisioned the first time Chris seeing his bride for the first time on their wedding day, was as she walked down the aisle towards him and their future together. While photos were taking place, the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the rooftop of The DeSoto with drinks and appetizers. When Sarah + Chris finished photos, they joined the cocktail hour for a little bit of mingling until guests were shuttled over to the reception space, Coopers Hall.
Sarah + Chris were welcomed into their reception with a lot of love and went right into their first dance before joining their guests at long farm house tables for a family style dinner. All of the food at their dinner was sourced locally and seasonally. Following dinner were toasts by lifelong friends and family and then on to the father-daughter and mother-son dances. Music for the evening was provided by a 7-8 piece band that was phenomenal. After the traditional dance, Sarah + Chris cut their cake. Sarah LOVES sweets. They had a small cake which was a vainlla cake with buttercream frosting and a mixed berry compote and fresh local berries inside. The dessert bar had strawberry cupcakes with vanilla cake and strawberry buttercream frosting and “Thin Mint Brownies”. Let me tell you, the desserts went quick and there WAS NOT a crumb left.
Then the real PARTY started! The band reved up and everyone danced the night away. Last call was at 11pm and the evening wrapped at 11:30pm with Sarah + Chris being wished off through a tunnel of sparklers and they drove off into the night is Chris’s dad's old classic car.
Sarah + Chris - it was so fun to get to know you both on a deeper level and am grateful for your friendship. I look forward to watching you continue to grow in your love and envy your travels! I can’t wait to come see you guys again in Portland!
VENUE// THE DESOTO AND COOPERS HALL, PORTLAND, OR
DAY OF COORDINATION// CASSIE RENAE EVENTS, LLC
PHOTOGRAPHY// MOSCA STUDIOS
CATERING// THE ART OF CATERING AND COOPERS HALL
BARTENDING + STAFFING// THE ART OF CATERING AND COOPERS HALL
FLOWERS// SEA OF ROSES
BAND// THE BLUE WAVE BAND
DESSERT// PETUNIA’S PIES + PASTRY
OFFICIANT// JOSH COBUN - NEW HEIGHTS
DRESS// NORDSTROM BRIDAL
