Wedding Planning Updates!

You guys are cracking me up.

I asked you on Instagram stories earlier this week what kind of content you’d like to see on the blog (I was having writers block) and everyone, literally, UNANIMOUSLY, messaged me and said “WEDDING PLANNING UPDATES!!!”

Here I am laughing because I am the WORST bride that I’m pretty sure has ever graced the earth and have literally gotten so behind on wedding planning–this is definitely not something I enjoy. More honest thoughts on that later, but, per request, here’s what we’ve got planned so far!

(I would also like to take this time to say MANY MANY thank to my wedding planner, Becky, of Event Crush, for helping move this process along and being so patient with me!)

The Location

Photo via Anna Jaye Photography

If you saw this post, you already know we’re getting married at Bridal Veil Lakes outside of Portland, OR! It’s one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever seen, and also happens to be located in Corbett, the little town I grew up in! (Technically it’s on the border of Corbett and a town called Bridal Veil–yes, that’s the name!)

Bridesmaids dresses

Photography by Brad & Jen Photography 

I’ve always wanted white bridesmaid dresses, and when my friend Meg got married and had her maids pick a white gown of their choosing, I KNEW that was going to be my vision, too. That being said, I’m pretty much ripping off her whole wedding. Okay not really, but basically. She also did all greenery for her centerpieces and she’s even letting me borrow her brass candlestick holders. I’m like–when in doubt, just copy Meg. You can see her whole wedding on Style Me Pretty here.

The Music 

Photo via Vintage Vinyl Events 

We are SO excited about these guys–Vintage Vinyl Events will be DJing our wedding. We were very back and forth about a band vs a DJ, but after months of searching, I really couldn’t find a band that I loved. Plus, we like such a variety of music–from classic rock to pop to rap to country–that theres’ no way one band could tackle them all.

As you may know, Neal and I love vinyl. We have a record player and love buying new records. When we found a DJ that spins vinyl, (yes, they actually spin records, but they can also play pretty much anything you’d find on Spotify or iTunes!) we knew it was meant to be.

Florals & Decor

Photos via 100 Layer Cake

We’ll be working with Sarah Renard Floral on our centerpieces and florals, which will be very simple greenery (I mean, we’re getting married in a forest–we don’t need a ton of flowers!), bridesmaids bouquets (which will also be mostly greenery) and my bouquet, which will be be mostly neutral blooms and greenery with deep wine accent and a deep wine ribbon.

Hair & Makeup

Photos found on Pinterest and Pacific Weddings

I still want to look very “me” on my wedding, so the plan is natural makeup with a bold, dark wine lip (like the accents in my bouquet!) For hair, I’ll be wearing it down (like I always do!) in loose waves. Kirstie Wight will be doing both my hair and makeup! For my bridesmaids, hair and makeup is optional. (I also don’t care if they wear their hair up or down!)

Groomsmen

Photo via Green Wedding Shoes

Neal will be wearing a navy suit, and we’re asking our groomsmen to wear their own navy suits. We like the mis-matched look, and then nobody has to spend money on an ill-fitting suit they’ll never wear again!

Rehearsal Dinner

After searching long and hard, we finally found a place for our rehearsal dinner–Kells Portland! Exactly what we always envisioned–considering the fact that Neal is very Irish, and one of our favorite spots to be is in an Irish pub! It’s going to be a really fun time.

Catering

Photos via Wedding Chicks 

One of the things I’m most excited about is our caterer, Tamale Boy! We really aren’t filet mignon and chicken type of people, so we wanted to make sure the food was not only great and different, but something that really represented us. Upscale Mexican food is the perfect balance between tasteful, tasty, and fun!

Photography

Last but certainly not least–perhaps the most exciting of all–our photographers! This was actually the very first thing we settled on MONTHS ago. (I mean, obviously. Do you know me!?) So excited to be working with 63 Films for both our photography and videography. Their work is just stunning, moody, and they do such an amazing job of capturing emotion. AND they recently got a drone–how incredible is that going to be over the trees!?

That’s all for now! More details coming later!

(Thanks again Becky! You’re the best!!!)