Nate and Brooke's September wedding was an event almost two years in the making. Like most couples who were planning weddings for 2020, they were forced to postpone their big day to keep all of their loved ones safe and healthy, and settled on September of 2021. When that day finally arrived, as you'll see, it was absolutely worth the wait. Brooke and Nate are both vegans, and every component of their day- from Brooke's strapless lace BHLDN gown to Nate's suit- was completely plant based and cruelty free. The day started with Nate getting ready in their home with some of his closest friends. Brooke met with hairstylist Taylor Dodson who turned her beautiful natural curls into an elegant updo, then she met her loved ones at their AirBNB to prepare for the rest of the day. From there, everyone headed to the venue for the first look and family pictures. Their wedding was held at Pomarius Nursery, a boutique sustainable nursery and unique event space right here in Portland, Oregon, and their reception was in the adjoining Blockhouse space, an intimate urban venue with an impressive chef-inspired kitchen. They had their first look surrounded by all of the nursery's gorgeous plants, their portraits in the greenhouse and on its stairs, and their ceremony and reception in the space called the Orangerie, as you'll see later.
The event came to life with the help of Alexis, one of the lead planners for the Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington based wedding planners Your Perfect Bridesmaid, whose team I've had the honor of working alongside many times. They had an elegant tropical theme for their day, and so much of that came from the talented woman-owned and sustainable Selva Floral Design House. Brooke's modern asymmetric bridal bouquet was centered around a giant cream colored king protea, and had white and orange orchids, vibrant pink flowering ginger, bird of paradise blossoms, and monstera leaves. These same florals, and many others, were on the circular wedding arbor, both installed and in an arrangement on the bottom, that they walked together towards for their ceremony. Their ceremony setup was fairly simple otherwise, just linen draping from the ceiling provided by the venue, and rows of black metal chairs rented from The Party Place and Bridgewood Event Rentals. Make sure you look for the special feathered wedding crasher below!
For their reception, the ceremony chairs were added to long farmhouse tables in the same greenhouse to create a classic reception space decorated with mismatched bud vases and lit by candles for an intimate and dramatic ambiance. While the couple was signing their certificate and getting a few golden hour portraits, guests young and old were delighted by the setup from Flash Photo Booth Portland, custom his and hers craft cocktails by the mobile bartending team at Merit Badge, and the completely vegan cheese offerings from The Vegan Caterer. Everyone sat for dinner, a vegan buffet also from The Vegan Caterer, and Brooke and Nate were toasted by some of their closest family and friends. Then they cut the gorgeous vegan and gluten free wedding cake from Petunia's Pies and Pastries, and went into their dance party!
For anyone out there who's been discouraged while planning with the current pandemic, we all see you. But trust me- and your other vendors- when we say it will absolutely be worth the wait, and think of how epic your own celebration will be when it's finally your turn. And thanks to Brooke and Nate for hanging in there and being absolutely amazing every step of the way, it was an honor to be there for your big day, and I'm so happy to have you as Clients for Life!
