Getting married during the biggest storm of the year should be a sign of good-luck, in our opinion. It certainly did not stop Casie & Ian from pulling off an amazing wedding. Their original plan to marry in the field shown below, was thwarted by torrential rains, and after some quick creative thinking (and a lot of hard work from friends and family present) they changed their plans to a cozy, intimate cabin ceremony. They exchanged their vows in front of the woodstove, as the rains played a tune on the metal roof above. It all turned out perfectly, and their dinner inside the ranch cook-house looked amazing thanks to the talents of Jessika at Lucky Heart Events. She and Casie spent hours putting together all the DIY touches including herb-infused salts and sugar for the guests, glittery-dipped feathers, lots of miniature golden figurines, and the outstanding brooch bouquet. Their rustic decor was a great fit for the space, and help lend a warm glow to the evening as the storm continued outside. Lucky for us, it subsided enough to get outside for a few photos and allowed the couple to plan the tree they had planned on for the original ceremony.

After Chris & Jestina’s wedding, we will gladly add “working Christmas tree farm” to our list of unique Oregon wedding venues. Merrywood Farm is a true gem, and somewhat “undiscovered” when it comes to the Portland wedding world. We would absolutely love to shoot here again. The owners were amazingly gracious, and not only do you have access to the entire forested farm, but they have multiple barns filled with an array of antiques and collectibles. It’s perfect for the couple looking for a laid-back venue with tons of vintage-rustic charm. Which is exactly what Chris & Jestina were looking for… that, and excellent food. Their dinner was catered by mobile bbq masters, Rip City Grill, and afterwards guests were treated to both Gelato, and a Liege Waffle station! Jestina & Chris, thank you for feeding me so well and for being such wonderful people.