Matt and Jess’s Five Pine Lodge wedding was absolutely lovely, filled with style and the best of emotions. Matt and Jess are the types of people you quickly fall in love with. Their style and detailed thoughts translate into everything and everyone they touch. Their destination wedding happened on September 5th, 2010 in Sisters, Oregon surrounded by enormous Ponderosa Pines (their favorite tree), vibrant wildflowers, a small creek, beautiful cabins, and a crafty mix of urban style and DIY elements. Their focus was nature-based, spiritual, and family-centered. The design touches were a blend of creative Portland style and natural pines high in Eastern Oregon. The day was filled with beautiful blue skies and scattered stark white clouds and a gentle cool breeze.
Jess has a lovely presence and immediately calms those around her with grace. Matt is endearing and was the super talented groom who works as a brand designer for Nike and poured his heart into designing an elaborate collection of details for the wedding. Matt’s hand-crafted touches included hand silk-screened patterns and graphics on ties, invitations, wine labels, children’s activity books, and a framed drawing of a tree guests stamped with their thumbprints to create leaves. When they saw each other for the first time, Matt had a surprise picnic for Jess with fruit, cheese, champagne, chocolate, flowers, a wrapped present and a refinished tandem bike with custom embellishments. (A surprise picnic was also how he proposed, in a rose garden close to their home in NE Portland.)
Matt and Jess themed their Five Pine Lodge wedding with shades of aqua and green and used locally grown white flowers with accents of greenery and feathers. 172 people came from all over the states for their destination wedding and surrounded them under massive pines for a heartfelt ceremony. A reading from “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Matt’s sister was one of Jess’ favorite parts of the day. Matt and Jess spoke custom vows to one another making it feel as if time stopped. When Matt and Jess walked out, everyone burst into singing “All You need is Love,” bringing a heightened sense of joy.
Immediately following the ceremony they took their FIRST ride on the tandem bike that Matt had refinished, layering in details about their story by laser-etching designs into the leather seats and custom embellishments that created a narrative throughout the bike. They loved it when Jessica’s 67-year-old father gave them an extra push on their tandem toward the reception area.
Although they took weeks of lessons for a choreographed “first dance,” they opted at the last second to just wing it while their friend, Nancy, belted out “Fever” by Peggy Lee. Heartfelt speeches, toasts, and hugs filled the evening with tears of joy and laughter. Live music performed by friends filled the evening. One of my favorite shots was a back-lit image of the groomsmen bursting into laughter while lighting cigars. The evening was sublime.
Checkout what Style Me Pretty had to say about this wedding.
JLM Real Weddings out of New York also loved this wedding so much, and Jess’ Alvina Valenta bridal gown dress… that they used it on their new website. Be sure to look at all the gorgeous gowns JLM Real Weddings has to offer!
Photographers: Jos & Tree | Stylist: Tree Marie | Special Thanks to Wedding Consultant: Jennifer Thornton of Style 8.
Cinematography: Starlight Films | Flowers: Judy Peterson, Family Member of the Bride & Groom
Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: Five Pine Lodge | Catering: Chloe Catering | Bride’s Ring: Family Heirloom
Groom’s Ring: Shane Co. | Wedding Gown: Alvina Valenta | Veil & Accessories: The Bridal Loft + Lia Sophia + Family Heirlooms
Makeup: Friend of the Bride | Groom’s Attire: Custom by Duchess, Clothier | Wedding Cake: Brecke English, Friend of the Bride
Entertainment: Bryan Arakelian + Euphoria + Nancy Failla | Officiant: Andy Thornton, Brother-in-Law of the Bride | Wedding Invitations & Paper Goods: The Groom + Laura Trimmell of Curious Doodles + Donathan Crew of The Pull & Diskgrunt
Coloring Book: Donathan Crew of The Pull & Diskgrunt | Tie Design: The Groom
Ambassadors & Affiliates: MagMod | Holdfast Gear | Visual Flow Lightroom Presets | SLR Lounge | Superfeel | Fundy Designer | DVLOP | Fearless Photographers | International Society of Wedding Photographers | Worlds Best Wedding Photos