Katherine and Stefan originally planned a big Portland wedding at Wonser Woods Estate. Everything was coming together smoothly, then COVID-19 hit and everything came to a halt. The Corona Virus was a nightmare with so many unknowns causing them extreme anxiety. They were devastated to have to cancel their joyous occasion. After many talks over the phone, we assured them if we take time to brainstorm ideas together we might be able to redesign their wedding into something great. By planning a small intimate Portland elopement this year and a larger wedding reception next year they could have the best of both worlds. This way they could satisfy the immediate desire of getting married this year while creating excitement and anticipation for next year. Spreading out the experience over a larger span of time suddenly became more and more attractive.

So we visited Stefan’s mother’s Portland home and began brainstorming ideas about how to orchestrate a backyard elopement. They were concerned about the backdrop not being as lovely as their original venue and the photography would suffer. We shared with them that from all the weddings we’ve seen, the photography isn’t solely about the backdrop so much as it is about how the moments and light are captured. For us, the best landscape is the light and not to worry, let us take on that task. Instead, we encouraged them to free themselves from worry and instead focus more on how they want to “be and feel” for their wedding. Also, as far as any concern about inside photography we would wear masks and also creatively photograph outside through doorways and windows. At that point, a weight seemed to lift as ideas began to flow. Their homes and backyards would become spaces for memories. Katherine and Stefan’s home would be the place for their ceremony and cocktail hour, then they would ride Stefan’s motorcycle over to Stefan’s mother’s home for their reception. By spreading out the activities they would diversify photography opportunities and also usher people through a variety of unique outdoor backdrops making this a fun, safe, and meaningful experience for everyone. Since Katherine’s immediate family and friends are from Venezuela they would use an iPad for a virtual ceremony. Ideas kept flowing. Their dog Chama would be the “dog of honor” and the ring bearer. Children would walk to the ceremony, outside chandeliers, string market lights, and, and… Once the bigger decision was made to have their wedding at their homes all the small details smoothly fell into place. Their elopement was absolutely unique, meaningful, and beautiful. We think it goes without saying, “necessity is the mother of invention.”

Happy bride and groom laughing in warm sunlight backlight flare during their Portland Wedding elopement Bride preparing for her Portland Wedding elopement Groom and mother watching hockey before his Portland Wedding elopement Bride with a beautiful dog while getting ready for her Portland Wedding elopementBride laughing and crying near her dress before her Portland elopement during COVIDGroom with his dog while getting ready for his Portland Wedding elopement Groom putting on shirt and tie for his Portland Wedding elopementBride getting on dress for her Portland Wedding elopementGroom laughing with his dog during his Portland Wedding elopementBride putting on shoes for her Portland Wedding elopementGroom tying shoes for his Portland Wedding elopementExcellent photo of groom getting ready with his dog of honor for his Portland Wedding elopementGroom and sister getting ready for his Portland Wedding elopementBride and groom holding hands around a corner moments before their Portland elopement Bride and groom exchanging a note around a corner before their Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom reading notes around a corner before their Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom emotional moment while reading letters around a corner before their Portland Wedding elopement Bride with a dog before her Portland Wedding elopement Bride emotional with sister before her Portland Wedding elopement Bride putting on veil before her Portland Wedding elopement Nervous groomsman before his Portland Wedding elopementSmall bridesmaid girls in Portland wedding ceremonyMother and groom walking into ceremony for a Portland Wedding elopementBride walking into a Portland Wedding elopement bride and groom standing and looking into one another during a backyard Portland wedding ceremony during COVIDEmotional groom reading vows during a Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom emotional moment during their Portland Wedding elopement Bride and Groom exchanging rings during their Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom excited while exiting their Portland Wedding elopement Happy bride during her Portland Wedding elopementBride signing marriage certificate during her Portland Elopement during COVIDBride and groom kissing their dog during their Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom walking in warm sunset light during their Portland Wedding elopementBride and groom laughing in beautiful light during their Portland Wedding elopement Gorgeous photo of bride and groom during sunset light for their Portland Wedding elopement Bride getting on motorcycle with the groom during their Portland elopementBride and groom on a motorcycle headed to their wedding reception during their Portland wedding during COVIDBride and groom on motorcycle during their Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom on motorcycle during their Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom reaction to speech during their Portland Elopement Sister of the bride speech during a Portland Wedding ElopementBride and Groom emotionally responding to Bride's sisters speech at their Portland backyard wedding during COVIDBride and groom cutting a cake under a chandelier during their Portland Wedding elopement Kids with cake on their faces during a Portland Wedding elopement Bride and groom laughing in a photo booth during their Portland Wedding elopementwomen laughing with cell phones during wedding reception in Portland Oregon Epic bride and groom night portrait during their Portland Wedding elopement Last dance photo of bride and groom during their Portland Wedding elopement

Photographers: Jos & Tree | Venue: Family Homes
Dress: The White Dress Portland | Hair and Makeup: Caitlyn Holmboe
Shoes: Converse | Suit: Men’s Warehouse
DJ: Cale Keawemauhili Anderson. Entertainment / DJ. Pure Pulse Entertainment
Catering and Cake:  Cheryl’s on 12th | Flowers: Twin Vines Floral
Rentals:  Northwest Rental | Motorcycle: Triumph
Photo Booth: StumpTown Booth 

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