Embracing the Beauty of the PNW With Wildflowers Galore at the Griffin House

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]We didn’t have “set” colors but instead picked a variety of sunset and pastel shades throughout! [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]For our wedding, AJ and I wanted to bring a little piece of our favorite Pacific Northwest summer vibes to life. We love the mountains when the wildflowers are in full bloom, so that was the look we wanted—bright, colorful florals everywhere! An outdoor wedding with an epic backdrop was a must, and we aimed for a vibe that felt just like us: easygoing, laid-back, and a touch of elegance. It was all about creating a day that celebrated the beauty of nature and our love in a way that felt true to who we are.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]AJ popped the question on a road trip through Vancouver Island, Canada, and it couldn’t have been more perfect! We were out on a hike, surrounded by amazing scenery, when he surprised me with the proposal. It was such a special, unexpected moment that made the trip unforgettable.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]I’ll admit, I was extremely picky when it came to my wedding dress. After trying on what felt like 50 gowns, I finally found “the one”—the Belvedere by Lela Rose. The moment I put it on, it just felt right. It’s covered in modern lace, giving it this whimsical, romantic vibe that I loved. The dress itself was perfect, but Nyanza Bridal’s seamstress tailored it to absolute perfection and even crafted my custom veil. To complete the look, I wore white Manolo Blahnik heels that were not only elegant but so comfortable I was able to wear them all night. My sweet aunt lent me some gorgeous earrings and a diamond pendant, giving me “something borrowed.” [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]I wanted my bridesmaids to feel like themselves, so I let them choose their own dresses and colors. My only guideline was floor-length dresses in a pastel shade. Each of my friends ended up picking something unique, which was perfect—it really captured how special and distinct they each are. The mix of colors and dress styles added this beautiful, “effortless” elegance to the day, which was exactly the vibe I was hoping for.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom and groomsmen kept with the theme by wearing navy blue suits, each paired with matching ties featuring wildflowers. It was a perfect nod to our love for Pacific Northwest wildflower blooms and tied everything together beautifully.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Our food and drink were a big part of bringing the Pacific Northwest vibe to life. As guests arrived at the ceremony, they were greeted with sparkling wine decorated with flowers. During cocktail hour, we served bites like skewered shrimp with cherry tomatoes and basil, brown butter steak canapés, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, and oysters on the half shell. For our signature drinks, we chose a jalapeño margarita and a cucumber lime gimlet, which were both huge hits. Dinner offered a choice of salmon, steak, or gnocchi, but the real standout was the locally roasted vegetables that accompanied each dish. It was the perfect way to showcase the flavors of the region we love.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Our wedding planner and designer, Tamara, truly knocked it out of the park with her design. After working together for more than two years (thanks to a long engagement!), she knew our taste even better than we did. Everything turned out beyond our expectations. Following our Pacific Northwest wildflower theme, the florals at each event were absolute showstoppers. My bouquet was filled with colorful ranunculus, dahlias, and peonies—it was the most beautiful arrangement I’d ever seen. The bridesmaids each carried white bouquets, each featuring a different flower, which tied their colorful dresses to my white bridal look perfectly. Tamara also designed the groom and groomsmen’s boutonnieres with wildflowers, seamlessly bringing our entire bridal party together.

We had two separate inspirations for the ceremony and the reception. For the ceremony, we wanted a natural vibe to blend with the breathtaking backdrop, especially since both our guests and the bridal party were in colorful attire. We went with lush “meadows” of green and white flowers lining the aisle and surrounding the ceremony space. The mix of greens, whites, and touches of red perfectly complemented the natural setting and our colorful guests, creating a simple yet stunning effect.

Since we love color, we had a lot of fun with the reception decor! Tamara created a stunning entrance to our reception tent with hanging florals that had an organic, natural vibe. Inside, the tent was filled with hanging lights and floral “blooms” that added a touch of whimsy, while drapes gave the space an elegant yet laid-back feel. Our tables were decorated with vibrant flowers in sunset shades, and to keep things natural, we chose table runners instead of full tablecloths. The stationery by Trellis Creative Co. complemented the floral decor with pressed flowers in each guest’s place card. Flowers truly filled the space, bringing our love of color to life everywhere![/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]We kept our cake simple with a small cutting cake, decorated with—you guessed it—more flowers! Instead of serving full slices, we decided to offer mini cupcakes, which was perfect since our special touch for the reception was a gelato cart. It was a fun way to mix things up and give guests a variety of sweet options to enjoy![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]One of the absolute highlights of the day was our band! They set the perfect tone with beautiful ceremony music, including “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles and “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. Then, they brought incredible energy to the reception, filling the dance floor with everyone from start to finish. It was so special to see all our loved ones having the time of their lives, dancing and celebrating together.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The night before our wedding, we hosted our bridal party and immediate family at Grateful Vineyard, nestled at the base of Mount Hood. It was the perfect spot to give our guests a feel for both sides of Hood River—the stunning Columbia River Gorge and the mountain views. We served wood-fired pizza and fresh salads from the farm, and several of our closest friends and family gave heartfelt toasts to kick off the celebrations. It was a beautiful start to the weekend![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]One of the hardest parts of my wedding day was not having my mom there, as she had passed away in 2022. A few of my friends, along with my sister, gave me the most thoughtful gift—a bouquet charm with a photo of my mom to wear on the day. You can imagine the tears when I received it (thankfully before makeup!). It was such a special way to feel like she was there with me, and I’ll always cherish that gesture.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]One of our special touches for the wedding was having a gelato cart in honor of my late mother, who absolutely loved gelato. Some of my favorite memories with her are from our travels in Italy, where we would stop for gelato at least once a day—sometimes more! We brought in Pinolo Gelato from Portland, complete with their adorable gelato bike, and offered our guests a choice of four flavors. It was a meaningful way to remember her, and our guests loved it.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]

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