Tell us about your wedding! Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette? Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?
Our wedding was a woodsy boho dream! From the start, we wanted a day that felt like a true blend of our personalities. Sean is connected to nature; with an earthy, woodsy style. I bring a whimsical, lighthearted touch. We chose to get married in a forest during the fall, which perfectly captured both of our vibes. Our color palette reflected this harmony: deep green to echo the forest, complemented by lighter green hues, rich browns, and timeless gold accents.
One of our favorite details was the celebratory ribbons gifted to us before the ceremony, which we hung around the trees. It added a magical, personal touch to our outdoor setting.
While we didn’t incorporate cultural or religious traditions, we wrote “love notes” to each other, which we shared publicly during the ceremony. It was a heartfelt moment that truly encapsulated what the day was all about—our love and commitment to each other.
Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?
When it came to decor, we focused on creating a space that reflected our style while being both sustainable and affordable. We partnered with Better Together Event Rentals for most of the decor, which provided beautiful, reusable pieces that aligned perfectly with our vision.
For the rest, we went thrifting, finding unique items that added a personal touch.This approach not only helped us stay within budget but also felt more meaningful, knowing we were using items that could be repurposed for future events. It was rewarding to see everything come together in a way that was both intentional and eco-friendly.
What were the florals like in your wedding? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?
Our florals perfectly complemented our woodsy boho theme with a simple, charming style. I created the centerpieces myself, focusing on a minimalistic approach.
For my bouquet and my bridesmaids’ bouquets, we chose dried floral arrangements from a shop on Etsy, which added a unique and timeless touch. To tie everything together, I sourced bulk eucalyptus and baby’s breath, dried them a few months before the wedding, and incorporated them into the centerpieces. The dried eucalyptus and baby’s breath added a subtle yet elegant element that paired beautifully with the natural decor. It was the perfect blend of simplicity and charm, enhancing the overall ambiance of our day.
Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?
We had an intimate wedding with 50 guests, and as private individuals, we personalized the day in ways that felt true to us. Instead of traditional bridal party photos, we opted for “rapid fire” pictures with our guests immediately following the ceremony. This allowed us to greet everyone personally, capture meaningful moments, and have photos ready to send with our thank-you cards. Afterward, we spent just 15 minutes with our photographer, Christina, who managed to beautifully capture the magic of our forest wedding in that short time.
We also chose to skip the traditional first dance and instead saved our dance for the last song of the night. By that time, most guests had already left, making it an intimate and special moment for just the two of us.
Although our wedding was largely DIY and budget-conscious, we made catering and dessert a priority. Wild Pear in Salem, OR, worked with us to create an incredible culinary experience, from appetizers to desserts. The feedback from our guests — many of whom still rave about the food — made it clear this was the right decision. Sharing such a memorable meal with our loved ones was definitely one of our favorite parts of the day.
Let’s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.
I’m originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and having my family and friends involved in the dress-shopping experience was really important to me. We went to NOA Bride in Downtown Omaha, where I found my dress — a stunning off-the-rack consignment silk gown. It was simple yet timeless, with a classic silhouette that I instantly fell in love with. To make it uniquely mine, I added mesh arm pieces that gave the look a vintage, whimsical feel. I completed the ensemble with homemade earrings and a delicate pendant necklace for a personal, elegant touch.
My wedding ring is a consignment ring, which felt so perfect and meaningful to me, while Sean’s was a $20 band. They are both simple and the right fits for us!
Sean had a vision for his look but struggled to find the right suit. While on a fire assignment two months before the wedding, he came across a photo of a model on Studio Suits wearing a brown tweed suit. He immediately said, “I want everything he’s wearing!” We ordered the exact outfit, then coordinating a brown belt, and matching shoes. After submitting his measurements, it arrived perfectly tailored. The final look was classic, earthy, and perfectly suited to the woodsy boho vibe of our wedding. In the end, our outfits reflected us beautifully. They were timeless, meaningful, and seamlessly tied to the style of our day.
How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.
We’re a Tinder success story! I asked Sean to grab drinks with me over President’s Day weekend in 2020, and we ended up closing down the bar, completely engrossed in conversation. From that night on, we’ve never stopped wanting to talk with each other — even five years later, our conversations are still endless.
Our proposal is a funny story that requires a bit of context. The year Sean decided to propose, I was dealing with a spinal cord injury that eventually required surgery. (Fun fact: we planned our wedding during my recovery—let’s just say some decisions made under the influence of pain meds had to be revisited with our wedding coordinator later!) Sean had several proposal plans lined up, but each time, my back would flare up, and we’d have to cancel.
A few months later, Sean returned home from a two-week fire assignment but learned he’d have to leave again for another. One afternoon, he unexpectedly came home from work early, which was unusual and left me confused since I work from home. As we sat chatting about why he was there, he suddenly said he wasn’t leaving on another fire assignment without proposing first. Right there in our living room, with our two fur babies by our sides, he asked me to marry him. It was completely unexpected, subtle, and entirely us. Looking back, we wouldn’t have had it any other way. It was perfect!
What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
The most special moment of our wedding day was simply being by each other’s side, surrounded by our two families and closest friends. Our marriage feels particularly meaningful because it brought together two families who might never have crossed paths otherwise, with mine being from the Midwest and Sean’s from Oregon.
When I made the decision to move to Oregon for a job, I never could have imagined how it would change the trajectory of my life. Meeting Sean was the start of something incredible, and our wedding day was the culmination of that journey. Feeling the love, support, and union of our families and friends together in one place was indescribable. It was the kind of moment that reminds you how truly special life can be.
Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
We have two key pieces of advice. First, your dream wedding doesn’t have to be expensive to be perfect. We worked with a very limited budget and still managed to create a day that felt like a true reflection of us. The key is to focus on what’s most important to you as a couple and let those priorities guide your decisions.
Second, remember that no one else’s opinions about your wedding day matter except yours and your partner’s. This day is about celebrating your love and your unique story. Don’t get caught up in trying to please everyone. Own your choices and make them unapologetically yours!
