Hellllloooooo, lovelies! How goes it? … Good, good that’s good. Uhhh so HEY, hey…. you…. pssssst…… you…. yeah, you, over there…. hey you wanna see a wedding?
AWESOME. I mean really? REALLY?! Ohhhh man, that’s awesome. Awesome awesome awesome because I got one. So this is PERFECT. Man I’m, I’m just so glad you said so! This really worked out well. Also, I think this means we’re besties now…? Also also, I’ll be turning in my Not Yet 100% Ridiculous membership card later. Because all of that-ness that just went on earlier in the paragraph was just RIDIC ulous. I’m worried though that they might not have alumni pins for when you’re out of the NY100%A club, because they probably don’t want to be associated with the people who aren’t in it anymore… seeing as we’re weird in a weird way now, instead of a cute way. … Yeah. Dang.
While I was writing that useless uselessness just now, “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child came on and The Bambino gave me the most judgmental look. And so I changed it. Bambino’s look, it said everything, and I knew what I had to do. Because he was write and did I just say “write” instead of “right?” Did I just do that? WOW. WOW, Alison. WOW.
Ok ten more seconds have passed and so we’re safely listening to Adele now and I feel confident and cool enough to share this wedding with you now. Submitted by the fabulous Erica of Erica Ann Photography and Fine Art, this rustic wedding “out in the middle of nowhere’sville” as Erica puts it, is the best something someone has slammed into my face’s eyes in the past what, day or two? Sorry I see a lot of weddings; I know writing “I’ve EVER SEEEEN” is more effective, but you have to put it into perspective. But a DAY is a lot of time and a lot of weddings in my world so that means this wedding is effing BRILL, as my British colleagues say (or don’t say, I don’t know. Actually I hope British people don’t think Americans use “psychedelic” or “hip” anymore or ever… so maybe I’ll stop generalizing slang words onto an entire population).
Aaaaaaaand we haven’t even talked about the wedding yet. Let’s do that. Ok so THIS WEDDING is killer. Why? Well, for starters, here’s how one of you hilarious members of wedding parliament (that sounds better than*Twitter followers*) responded to a sneak peek of wedding on le Twittaire:
“@alyssas: @theknottybride Can’t wait to experience this amazepunch of awesomeness. To the face.”
That word. ”Amazepunch.” It is… it takes my breath away. It takes my breath away, Miss Alyssa. But beyond that, here’s what I’m so excited to share with you guys… I adore the simple but perfectly perfect way that they decorated their ceremony space/altar. It’s small, and it’s lovely, and it makes their photos bring a tear to mine eye. In addition to their beautiful, beautiful love which does that, too. What else? HER DRESSSSSSS. Next? The simplicity of the decor, which proves you really just need the RIGHT touches, not a gazillion touches, when it comes to making a visual impact with your decor.
Before we get to the point you came here… check out some words from Erica:
Last month I photographed a perfectly rustic, laid back country DIY wedding! And when I say country, I mean, out in the middle of nowhere’sville. (There’s not even cell reception, gasp!) The Dalles Ranch is a stunning wedding venue – with an amazing view of Mt Hood. Ashley and Curtis decorated with their beautiful DIY projects and garage sale finds. They filled empty windows with lace, sawed the legs off of tables to make their candle holders and collected tea tins to fill with flowers. (I can definitely get more info on the DIY project from the bride) Their family made all of the food with pulled pork, beans and salads. I can’t imagine a more personal, hand-crafted wedding! Oh, and even the bow-ties were handmade by their friends at Harding and Wilson. Seriously – way too cute.
And now heed the lowdown from our gorgeous bride, Ashley:
Curtis and I met during our spring breaks, I was in Nursing school in Portland and I came down to visit my Brother and Sister-in-Law in Corvallis where Curtis was going to school. My brother actually had a plan to set me up on blind date… but it wasn’t with Curtis. My mom accidentally spilled the beans about the blind date, we’ll just say I was completely opposed to this idea and it was obvious. However, later that night I met Curtis, he was a friend of my brother’s coworker. From that night on, the rest is history. I made the trips from Portland, he made the trips from Corvallis, and we just made it work.
We got engaged in March 2 days before our one year anniversary and we didn’t really think about a wedding date, we just enjoyed being engaged. Curtis is somewhat of a Type A personality and I am more of a fly by the seat of your pants, spontaneous kind of gal. So when we decided to set a date and it was only 2 months away, everyone thought I was clinically insane! Curtis and I didn’t want a Fancy pants wedding. We were both set on it being laid back, fun for EVERYONE and not extremely expensive. The one thing we agreed to adequately budget for was a photographer. We wanted someone who could capture the experience and not the poses. Someone who could surprise us with those photos that could actually take us back to those moments in time. It was, and it couldn’t have been captured any more perfectly!
The brainstorming began and much of it was based around sentiment opposed to extravagance. The decorations were simple yet beautiful. We went to rebuilding stores and used table legs to make candle holders (which is something my grandfather did back in the day). We also bought old farm windows and attached lace or chicken coop to them and had simple sayings or pictures attached. Our backdrop was a huge tree with one of the lace windows and the words “with all my love” attached. This saying was very special to me because my grandfather surprised my grandmother with her wedding dress and this was the simple note he placed on top of the dress. He then signed every card he gave her that way. Other decorations were bought at yard sales and second hand stores, old English tea tins and a collection of random clear glass candle holders.
The Groomsmen looked handsome in their custom made bow ties by Harding and Wilson- one of Curtis’ dear friends. As for the gals, each had of them have a very distinct and unique personality and I wanted them to feel comfortable in their dresses… so they got to pick their own and I was absolutely happy with that. As for my dress, I knew I wanted a cap sleeved, keyhole back all lace dress, and i found it! Flowers were put together by my mom’s good friend and most of them were out of her yard.
A couple of things I absolutely LOVED, we had a 2 story high bonfire to end the night. It was unreal, I had never seen anything like it. Also a friend of Cutris’ who was supposed to be in the wedding was deployed to Afghanistan, so we bought a cardboard cut out of Edward from Twilight and glued his face to it! Lastly my family was incredible. They made all the food, pulled pork, salads, baked beans. Everything was perfect.
I feel like I could go on and on just because I loved our wedding day SO much
My advice to brides… Take a chill pill, your wedding will be so much more enjoyable if you are able to be calm and collected, not to say there will not be bumps in the road, but it is all in how you handle these bumps that makes the difference in the experience. Also look into other options besides strapless dresses, there are many wonderful, not to mention affordable dresses out there! Lastly make your wedding unique to you, it doesn’t have to be exactly like someone else’s, it’s an expression of YOUR love! - Xoxox Ash
↑ I. Love That Picture. ↑
What do you think? As usual here are some questions, muh friends, if you’re at a loss for words:
1. Are you digging that altar situation? I love the decision to put quotes relating to love behind the ultimate exchange of love. Seems, I dunno… what’s the word? Let’s see– ‘fitting?’ Seems ‘fitting?’ Yeah that’s it. ’Fitting.’
2. How do you feel about braided bridal hair styles? Fan? Not-a? Ambivalent? On the fence? Oh wait that’s what ambivalent means.
3. What’s 1 + 2? Sorry that’s just my spam catcher.
4. Do you adore how she looks in that dress as much as I do?
xoxo! - Alison
Photography: Erica Ann Photography and Fine Art / Venue: The Dalles Ranch / Flowers: Karen McGunnis (Family Friend) / Bride’s Dress: Bridal Exclusives/Allure / Bride’s Shoes: Moxy / Hair: Sadie Tidand of New Vintage Beauty Lounge / Groom’s Suit: Billy London / Bowties: Harding and Wilson / Cake: Sidekicks in Albany, OR