Real Weddings: Allison + Justin

Allison and Justin’s wedding proves that sometimes the best weddings are the simple ones – no fuss, no theme.  Just lovely flowers, gorgeous photography, and lots of love and celebration.  Their Portland wedding has all of the above, and it’s so completely charming that I just want to fall right into the images from You Look Nice Today Photography and join in the fun.

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Allison’s veil and fascinator were handmade by her mother, using lace from her grandmother’s 1934 wedding dress.  The Cicada gown that Allison chose also happened to be the same pattern of lace.

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A little about the day from Allison:

“We really wanted the feeling of just a large dinner party with all of our loved family and friends.  Amazing people, great food and drinks, good conversation and lots of love.  We chose to try to keep it simple with no bridal party, no theme, nothing extra that we didn’t need.  The day ended up being exactly what we wanted to be: a celebration of love, family and friends.  Every time I think back to the day I know how blessed we were to be able to have a moment in time when everyone we love was in one place in celebration with us.”

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The ceremony was held at the same small chapel where Allison’s sister was married 11 years prior.

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Held at The Landmark Saloon, a a neighborhood bar in an old converted house with rich wood interior, old school cocktails and a Western vibe, the reception featured DIY library card pocket escort cards (Allison and Justin are huge book lovers), lovely organic and rustic centerpieces created by Old Town Florist, chalkboard table numbers, and a vintage postcard guest book.

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Allison’s friend Jessica made the favors, meringue mushrooms, that are so realistic looking!

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In lieu of a first dance, they had a first song.  Allison shares:

“Justin has been a musician since he was a little boy and so instead of a first dance, we had a first song.  He is a very talented guitarist and singer.  While I’ve never sung publicly, Justin loves it when I sing and so for a gift to each other and a surprise to our guests, we sang two duets together.  It was such a great moment for us and I’m so happy he ignored my slight stage fright and plea to let me back out of it! :)  It meant so much more to us than a first dance ever would have.”

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The following Portland wedding vendors contributed to Allison and Justin’s wedding:

Photography – You Look Nice Today Photography
Ceremony Venue – Oaks Pioneer Church
Reception Venue – The Landmark Saloon
Floral – Old Town Florist
Stationery – PAPERjo
Gown – Cicada
Accessories – Anthropologie
Veil and fascinator – handmade
Catering – Simpatica
Hotel – Hotel Lucia
Rentals – Glassybaby

For more Portland wedding inspiration, visit the Portland local wedding guide!