A St. Johns Wedding at The Colony in Portland, Oregon set the scene perfectly for Katie & Roy’s magical day. Interestingly enough their original venue had a clerical error and ended up double-booking them. This resulted in their original venue cancelling on them a month before the wedding while Katie and Roy were living and working on the opposite side of the country. But Katie and Roy are just the kind of couple that know how to roll with it and remember what truly matters most to them. The couple said – “Whenever we thought something wasn’t going to come together (or a caterer stopped responding or a venue cancelled…), we kept reminding ourselves that, at the end of the day, we’re getting our favorite people all together in the same place at the same time.  The worst case scenario is we order a ton of pizza just hang out with our best friends and family — that’s a pretty awesome worst case.”

The Details

Through the help of their family and a whole lot of luck, Katie and Roy were able to book The Colony a month out and boy, did this venue deliver! Upon entering The Colony, you feel yourself drawn to the industrial light fixture in the foyer, and are then meandered through cozy rooms and vignettes for lounging. Upstairs are two apartment-type suites that the couple and their wedding parties were busy getting ready in. While downstairs, a relative had built a custom wooden shelf to serve as the arbor that each of the wedding party members would set a lantern or a flower hoop on when walking up the aisle at the start of Katie & Roy’s wedding ceremony. This took place in the grand ballroom which had tall ceilings and golden chandeliers that elevated the grandiose feeling of this moody and romantic wedding. The space was easily transformed from dreamy ceremony spot to magical dinner reception – that I found myself comparing to the Hogwarts dinner banquet hall (Harry Potter fans put this venue on your list)! Sizzling-hot paella from Crown Paella was served up in the BIGGEST pans I have ever seen in my entire life. It was definitely a meal to impress all the senses!  Stunning florals assembled by Small Yard Flowers brought the magic into the ballroom and lined the ceremony aisles and reception tables with romantic and moody blooms fitting with the vibe of Katie & Roy’s Portland Wedding perfectly!

George the Magical Suit Guy

With the bride & groom looking both fine & divine, Roy nods to who they call the “magical suit guy”. “I got my suit from Sak’s Fifth in Chicago. It was my first time getting a higher-end suit, and the guy who sold me the suit was named George. He sized me up by looking me up and down while wearing a puffy jacket, and got me a suit that fit perfectly without ever pulling out the measuring tape.” Katie adds, “He also was able to guess Roy’s job (which is rather obscure) and shoe size (even when Roy told him the wrong size)!”

Their Proposal Story & Why They Made Their Own Wedding Rings

“When Roy proposed, he sent me on a scavenger hunt around our apartment (hiding things in special mugs, the washing machine, suitcases, board games…). The final note was about how we’ve built a home and accumulated so much together (I think he used the term slug sludge), and asking me to marry him. He then gave me a paper ring that he made (it was even adjustable) and a promise that we would make our own rings. When I told people we were going to make them, everyone responded with something along the lines of “That’s so Katie.

Roy wanted a perfect circle that had a good weight to it, which he felt symbolized marriage well. I wanted a twist instead of a gem — this mobius strip had a nice never-ending feel to it.  It was also two toned, so it has two pieces of white gold (different mixtures) joined with a rose gold seam. It was a really amazing experience too. Allison from Ringed PDX was really great and fun to work with. I think one of the best parts is that the rings aren’t just a gift or symbol and they don’t just carry the happy memories of the wedding or the proposal, but remind us of the super fun experience of making something together.”

Piñata King

As the reception ramped up, guests were able to listen to heartfelt toasts, watch a father-daughter dance, listen to the karaoke mother-son duo (Roy and his mother), get their wild dance moves on while DJ Casey was mixing tracks, and take a swing at the candy-filled piñatas! I may be a little biased, but I think Roy scored the winning swing – let me know if you agree in the comments!

All in all, it was a wonderful St. Johns Wedding at The Colony – congratulations Katie & Roy!

Vendors

Main photographer: Marissa Solini Photography (aka Me!)

Second photographer: Micky Bones Photography

Venue: The Colony

Dress: Almond Tree Wedding Boutique (permanently closed)

Hair: Blow and Go PDX

Suit: Sak’s Fifth Avenue (Chicago)

Florist : Small Yard Flowers

DJ: Casey with Stumptown DJs

Rings: Handmade w/ Allison at Ringed PDX

Caterer: Crown Paella

Cake: Papa Haydn

Kind Words from the Couple