Planning

From a Bride’s Lens
Choosing your wedding flowers

Oh my goodness! Our wedding is in exactly one month from today! It’s been quite the adventure, and I’m excited for September 28th, 2014!

Sometimes it feels like wedding planning is an all-consuming never ending to-do list! I had no idea how layered it was; figuring transportation, hotels, family coordination, table seating, ceremony readings, and all the other 38290684 details. However, It’s been amazing (and quite handy) to photograph all of the incredible weddings that I’ve documented throughout the years. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t and there are so many inspiring ideas from my 2014 brides that I’m seeing weddings in a whole new way! Vintage furniture lounges have been so cool, that we decided to add it to the budget!

I LOVE flowers! From the time I was a little girl, I’ve always loved gardens, trees, flowers and the woods. I have a magnolia blossom tattooed on my shoulder, inspired by the tree in front of my childhood home. Making small gift bouquets for friends is one of my pastimes and have taken classes in flower arranging. I see flowers as natures art.

Flowers and weddings go hand in hand and I always anticipate the bouquet of each bride, what color, what type of flowers, what shape… The bridal bouquet is always my favorite detail to photograph. Since we are getting married in late September, I’m going for an elegant, organic theme that hints at autumn, without being too Thanksgiving-y. A lot of these weddings have influenced me and I hope you’re inspired too! Please click on each image to see the full blog post and check out my inspiration board!

In love with the vintage tray Margaret and Drake used to display the boutineers. I think boutineers are an often overlooked wedding detail.

Organic, free form flowers in a gold compote make me swoon. LOVE!

Love the variety of blush tones and deeper earth tones. Such a pretty bundle.

Ted and Tresa had a gorgeous autumn wedding and used a lot of oranges and earth tones, along with wildflowers. It’s so earthy and inspiring!

Whenever there are berries in a bouquet I smile! The textures and colors are dreamy and happy!

The vintage doily and the deep blue lace dresses complete an elegant and timeless look with a little vintage flair.

This creamy and beautiful bouquet was made of of english garden roses and it smelled incredible! It’s classically beautiful and traditional.

Adding pinecones into winter bouquets is a great way to make it feel like winter, without being Christmas-y.

These ferns make me think of fairies and elves for some reason. Love them! Not too heavy, but so very whimsical!

A cool boutineer from my favorite mid-century modern wedding. We are adding our color (teals) into the wrapping ribbon, but in velvet.

Such great colors! Sadly, it’s not peony season in September- one of my favorites!

The dusty miller and eucalyptus leaves add a woodsy element that I like.

Adding hops into a bouquet is a fun idea for a brewery wedding! Love the textures here.

Dahlias! Yes please- so big and fun looking. I never knew dahlias could be so big until I moved to Portland! Love the oranges in there.

Vintage brooches on the stems of a bouquet makes it a little more meaningful. I’ve seen beautiful memorial lockets and small photos as well. Such a small, yet thoughtful detail.

Succulents in a bouquet are so incredible, as they can be replanted so you will always have a little part of your wedding bouquet.

Cute and rustic idea for a ring pillow- a wood section with a bow looks way better than those cheap white silk things.

Medicine bottles are the new mason jars.

Hand picked bouquet for a picnic wedding in the woods. Daisies and dahlia’s make a cute combo.

um. could this be any cuter? Hand picked bouquets in vintage vases and table names of their pets, painted by the couple! Remember to click on any of the pics in this post to see more from that wedding!

Lavender and roses for a provincial inspired wedding at Portland Art Museum. All the guests left with a sachet of dried lavender for a bath or a drawer.

Succulents as favors are a darling table addition and will last a long time, once replanted. Sadly, not so great for destination weddings.

flowers

 

Jessica Hill PhotographyFrom a Bride’s Lens | Choosing your wedding flowers
Wedding

Sneak Peek
Leslie and Mark at Castaway

Mark and Leslie’s wedding at Castaway was a perfect Saturday in August and a ton of fun. A great party, great friends and a beautiful bride and groom made this wedding a memorable night. Can’t wait to share more soon!

Jessica Hill PhotographySneak Peek | Leslie and Mark at Castaway
Details

Christine and Kevin
A Brasada Ranch Wedding Bend, Oregon

“And I believe ’cause I can see, Our future days, Days of you and me.” Future Days by Pearl Jam

Wedding dress designer & boutique – Olia Zavozina at Kinsley James Couture Bridal 

Bridal shoes – Badgley Mischka

Men’s suit – Banana Republic

Men’s shoes – Cole Haan

Flowers – Mint Floral in Bend

Rings – Blue Nile

Hair/Makeup – Kate Tuma Make-Up Artistry 

DJ- Paradox Productions 

Cake – The Cake Lady 

Rentals – Ohana Party Rentals

Coordinator – Bridal Bliss (Lake Oswego, OR)
 

 

Jessica Hill PhotographyChristine and Kevin | A Brasada Ranch Wedding Bend, Oregon
Elopements

Laurie and Renee
Hip Chicks do Wine Wedding

I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy, I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love, Be everything that you need. Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden

Getting Ready Location: Couple’s Home
Wedding Ceremony and Reception: Hip Chicks do Wine Urban Winery
Wedding Dress Designer and boutique: David’s Bridal 
Hair-Rene Vargas/Makeup-Krista Wilson
Officiant: Daria Eliuk
Coordinator: Darcy Kochis
Jessica Hill PhotographyLaurie and Renee | Hip Chicks do Wine Wedding
Wedding

Sneak Peek
Laura and Edward – A Columbia Gorge Hotel Wedding

Laura and Edward’s wedding was a dreamy day of remarkable views, a beautiful couple and a ton of fun. The Columbia Gorge Hotel is a historic and picturesque spanish-style hotel right on the water, complete with it’s very own waterfall and it’s now one of my favorite wedding venues in the Gorge! Can’t wait to share the rest from this day!

Jessica Hill PhotographySneak Peek | Laura and Edward – A Columbia Gorge Hotel Wedding
Details

Margaret and Drake
The Nines and Bridal Veil Lakes Weddings

“You’re my end and my beginning, even when I lose I’m winning ’cause I give you all of me and you give me all of you.” John Legend- All of Me

Getting Ready Location: The Nines

Ceremony and Reception Location: Bridal Veil Lakes 

Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau from Anna’s Bridal

Brides’ Shoes: “Toast” Betsy Johnson

Men’s Suits: J Crew

Men’s Ties: Handsewn by Jeff Hinshaw with custom graphic designed by the groom

Flowers: The Green Dandelion

Catering & Bar: Dalton’s Northwest Catering

Hair: Amanda Strang

Makeup: Beth Level

Officiant: Roger Moore

Vintage Furniture: Classic Vintage Rentals

Graphics and Signage: Custom made by the Groom

Day of Coordination and Styling: Luxe Event Productions

Dog Transportation and Boarding: Central Bark

Videographer: Nate Baston

DJ and Emcee: Event Team Entertainment

Jessica Hill PhotographyMargaret and Drake | The Nines and Bridal Veil Lakes Weddings
Wedding

Sneak Peek
Christine and Kevin – Brasada Ranch

Christine and Kevin’s wedding at Brasada Ranch in Bend, Oregon was a perfect blend of rustic and elegant, not to mention a ton of fun. The flowers, the toasts, the emotions, the love and families. Seriously one incredible couple and one incredible day! More photos coming soon!

Jessica Hill PhotographySneak Peek | Christine and Kevin – Brasada Ranch
Wedding

Sneak Peek
Laurie and Renee at Hip Chicks do Wine

I’ll never forget Laurie and Renee’s wedding at Hip Chicks do Wine, their awesome urban winery in SE. It was an honor to document, as my first legal full same-sex wedding in Oregon! Their pure joy filled the room and beyond and their love for each other and their business was nothing short of inspiring. Can’t wait to share more!

Jessica Hill PhotographySneak Peek | Laurie and Renee at Hip Chicks do Wine
Details

Amy and Jeff
Castaway Portland and Versailles Gardens Wedding

“I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles And the heavens open every time she smiles” Van Morrison – Crazy Love

Wedding Dress Designer and boutique: Jinza couture in San Francisco

Brides Shoes: Macy’s with added antique broach and feathers

Coordinator: Day of only coordinator was Kelsey with Vanity Affair Events.

Men’s Suit: Mens warehouse

Flowers: Goose hollow flowers

Catering: Vibrant table

Engagement ring made by Jeff’s aunt, she’s a jeweler in Thailand, the wedding bands were made by Malka in Portland. 

Hair/Makeup:
By Kelli Thomsen

Cake:
The pastry girl

DJ:

Eric with All Wright Music

Rentals:
Furniture from classic vintage rentals and something borrowed pdx.

Jessica Hill PhotographyAmy and Jeff | Castaway Portland and Versailles Gardens Wedding