When did you get engaged, and how?
January 2023 on a weekend getaway to Ashland, Oregon.
#WeddingGoals
We really wanted everyone to feel immersed in the cozy, rustic setting with the scenic view of Mount Shasta. The entire day was planned around golden hour, and the sun setting casting a pink hue on Mount Shasta, leading into a candlelit, twinkle light-filled evening of dancing and dessert. We added 1,000 feet of string lights inside the barn and outside in the reception space, and it all went off without a hitch!
How did the planning go?
Planning our wedding was fast and furious, and somehow we managed to pull it off in less than four months! We truly hit the jackpot with the vendors we were able to book in such a tight time frame. Our favorite part was seeing the barn area come together. Nathaniel (who goes by Marty) spent every weekend from January to April cleaning, building and fixing up the space, and it was by far the most satisfying thing we accomplished!
Budget Considerations
We started around $10,000, as we decided to use our own ranch property for the festivities. In the end, we spent approximately $16,000 between wedding costs and property improvements. The most difficult part of planning and budgeting was having a dollar amount tied to each guest. I trimmed my flower budget significantly, and really wish we had been able to spend twice the amount on really decking out the ceremony and reception space with more flowers!
#VendorRaves
Hot Lips Catering went above and beyond, and their food was absolutely delicious!
Biggest Challenge
The most challenging part was choosing reception seat assignments and dealing with guests changing their RSVP, adding family members we didn’t invite, and guests not showing up! In the end it all worked out, but we were shocked at how challenging it was to deal with – and how many people we had to contact multiple times to get their RSVP.
How would you describe the ceremony?
The ceremony was simple, yet special. We stood under an arch built by the groom, framing Mount Shasta in the background. Carl Lysgaard (the bride’s late father’s dear friend) performed the ceremony, and did so beautifully! We decided to forego a wedding party and just keep the main focus on us, as a couple. It was the best decision! It kept the ceremony short and sweet, but beautiful and meaningful.
Memorable Moment
The toasts were the most memorable part of the reception for us! So many close friends and family had special things to share. We laughed, we cried! It was spontaneous and so special.
Special Cultural Feature
The bride’s family is from Pittsburgh, PA, where there is a tradition to have a Cookie Table at wedding receptions. Guests bring homemade cookies to display on the table, and take-home containers are provided so everyone can take some home with them. The bride’s mom baked cookies for three weeks for our version of the “Pittsburgh Cookie Table” – it was a smashing success!
Funny Moment
We planned to “getaway” in our family’s 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible after the ceremony. It took a few tries to get the car started, leaving everyone with bated breath and comments of “Come on! You can do it!” After a few attempts, the beloved “Mr. Tubs” finally started and we took off down the road while everyone waved and cheered. It was so much fun!
Emily’s Best Part
My favorite part of the day was getting to see all of our hard work come to fruition – with everyone working together to pull it off! It was a gorgeous day, and I wish we could relive it! I loved the toasts and getting to soak up the special moments we experienced together in the beautiful setting!
Favorite Detail
I absolutely loved my flowers!
What do you think guests will remember most about your wedding?
The setting, the food and magical atmosphere!
Advice from the couple:
Work together, but also advocate for what you really want. I could have easily chosen to compromise on certain things and in the end, it would have been disappointing. Choose a few non-negotiables (within reason), and figure out how to make it happen. For us, it was adding lights to the barn; luscious, colorful flowers; beautiful dinner chairs; and real glassware and flatware table settings (not disposables). We cut corners elsewhere in order to afford those small details.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
We had a slight problem with wind early in the evening, preventing our coordinator from being able to put out decor, like greenery and lighting candles on each table. If I could go back, I would have had her use LED candles on all the tables so we could still have the ambiance, without worrying about candles going out in the wind.
