Jennifer and John’s intimate wedding at Deep Woods Events just makes me smile. I’m pretty open about loving intimate weddings and elopements, and this one is no exception. What a great little family. What a great little wedding. I’ll let Jennifer’s smile tell you everything you need to know about the day. So thankful for clients who brighten my day.
Live on the East Coast, elope in the Northwest… makes perfect sense to someone who is fiercely devoted to the PNW. For the couple who wants to make an adventure out of life, making an adventure out of the wedding is a natural choice. Custom rings, Saks dress (I mean, hello, look at her dress), a wide open park under the bridge, a tour of the best food in Portland, and a Tesla to drive you around. Not too shabby.
I know this is another intimate wedding slash elopement, and I have posted a good handful of them lately. It’s not that I dislike big weddings. I don’t. I’ve just found these small weddings incredibly inspiring, and they have been a bit of a safe harbor in the midst of busy months. If you were able to strip everything away at any given wedding, you would end up with two people who love each other and are committing their lives to one another for the long haul. These small weddings do just that to varying degrees, and it’s really beautiful to watch. This particular wedding consisted of five people and a park. Bride, groom, photographer/witness, officiant, and a second witness we found on a park bench. No joke. A wonderful girl who also happened to be on an adventure, just having gotten off the Amtrak to a new city… sitting on a bench because she had nowhere else to be. They wanted the wedding to reflect Portland, to be special, just for them. Color me jealous.
Is it the Wolfs? Wolves? All I know is that Wolf may be just about the coolest last name. Maybe they just need to move to PDX and start an indie band called, The Wolves. No matter what they decide, this is couple to remember. If you are having a giant wedding at a lavish venue, enjoy it for everything it’s worth… savor the community . Don’t let this post make you feel like your plan is anything less than the perfect way to get married. If you are considering an elopement, but you worry that it’s not fancy enough to be meaningful… remember that diamonds come from simple earth, if you squeeze it hard enough. An elopement may not be for everyone, however, that shouldn’t make you feel that it can’t be for you.
It’s an honor to be asked into people’s lives. Thank you, Colin and Jillian.
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing. ” – Camille Pissarro
Elayna Giordano-MurphyA modern day fairytale. Beautiful in every way!
Danielle FiorentinoJillian, the pictures are amazing. I love everything about all of this- it’s so uniquely you and your fairy tale.. Beautiful and real 🙂
Donna Burchnall CocciolilloAbsolutely beautiful,
Lindsay KorwinWoW! What a beautiful day!
Michelle Gies BrownEverything I LOVE about LOVE is in these photos…thanks for sharing your lovely day.
Eleanor Gwyn-JonesJust beautiful. And unexpected. And totally elegantly quirky.
Bethany Joy GilbertsonYour elopement photos always make me cry.
Although I crossed the bridge 15 years ago, a 6 person wedding in the middle of gorgeous Northwest nature is probably what I would do if I were getting married right now. The simplicity just hung over me, much like the wind in the gorge. A dad and his kids, a bride, her self-described “soul-sister” as officiant, and open sky. The modern elopement, for lack of a better term, has brought into sharp focus the clarity of why I love weddings. People, commitment, love. A movable, human home. That’s why I love weddings. And seeing as how the bride, groom, officiant, and I also all happen to be photographers and friends… this truly was a rare honor.
Dad trying to listen to whispered secrets with the officiant, a rock throwing contest, the vows as paper airplane sent into the gorge, wedding pie, the instant images, the tears and laughter, and that first dance at sunset as the kids looked on. I’ll will definitely remember them all with the greatest of fondness. Damn, I’m a lucky guy to do what I do.
A friend of mine wrote a song that was going through my head all through the ceremony, and I thought I would share it:
“Yes I’ll build a house inside your heart…”
Words of Advice from the Bride:
Our wedding was all about the 4 of us becoming a family. Having the privacy of an imitate wedding let us focus on each other, and that was really meaningful and special. Jay asked for my advice for other brides… The only thing I can say is celebrate what is most important to you. Have a wedding that feels right for you. Enjoy it, be present, and have a really awesome photographer so you can relive it over and over.
I did not pay her to say that last part 😉
Polaroids, iPhone, and digital are all mixed in, in case anyone wonders why some images look different.
Oregon CeremoniesSuch a beautiful family and such a privilege to marry John and Jennifer! Great job once again on the photos, Jay Eads!
Susan SanfordGreat job on the photos once again, Jay! It was a pleasure to work with you on this beautiful wedding.