They were the front yard kids. When she was a young girl, Amanda and her neighborhood friends spent the long summer days and winter weekends playing outside in the yards and quiet streets of small town, Michigan. Amanda could have never imagined actually growing up and marrying one of the front yard kids – but that is exactly what happened. Childhood turned into teen years and then into college days, and as those years passed the friendship she had with Kyle also began to grow; from boyfriend and girlfriend to falling in love, all the way to buying their own front yard together.

Amanda and Kyle were married on a hot summer day in that same Michigan town, surrounded by all of their family and friends at Belsolda Farm. Under the apple trees they said “I Do” and they danced the night away inside of the twinkling barn. Congratulations Amanda and Kyle, we wish you the sweetest of married days as you continue to grow together (and who knows, maybe filling the neighborhood with your own front yard kids, *wink*)!

 

Wedding Vendors:
Bridal Hair: Summer Johnston at Salon Salon
Bridal Makeup: Scotti Oja
Flowers: Lutey’s Flower Shop
DJ: Double Trouble DJ’s
Caterer: Sweet Basil
Cake: Joe’s Cakes
Wedding Planner: Knots & Kisses
Venue: Belsolda Farm

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Vintage handkerchiefs were passed out in the morning, and by the evening toasts nearly everyone was in need of one. Megan looked up at her freshly-announced-husband while he spoke to the guests and thanked them for coming. It wasn’t just the moms crying, even the groomsmen were caught wiping tears. The tables were decorated with vintage items Megan had collected over the past year; tiny vases with a single stem, stacks of books wrapped in twine, little glass figurines. Outside the tent were even more gorgeous items that had been gathered for just this day, and it had all come together in the most beautiful of ways. A warm breeze blew across the lake and wrapped everyone up as they raised their glasses in cheers. Andrew leaned over and kissed his bride, knowing their promise of forever was, hands down, the most perfect part of the entire day.

When your bride surprises you with your favorite pies made by your grandmother…

And that moon just kept on getting better…!

 

A big thank you to everyone who made this day possible:

Hair: Third Street Day Spa & Salon (bridal makeup by bridesmaid, Ashley Fenlon)
Flowers: Bought wholesale and arranged themselves!
Entertainment: James Charles
Caterer: Midtown Bakery
Dessert: For The Love of Cupcakes
Decorations: Gathered by the bride, put together day-of by Panache Events
Signs: Made by the bride and her maid of honor, Kelsey Potes

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Nelda walked into the bar and scanned the room for the dark haired gentleman, trying to find a face that matched the one on the dating site she had been talking to. Charles moved his head to the side and his eyes stopped on her instantly. He watched as a petite frame came closer to him, her expressive eyes and bright smile directed his way.

The two continued to meet up, each date bringing new conversation, laughter, and friendship. It wasn’t until they had gone on a few dates that Nelda paused and thought “OH, this could be something real!” And “something real” is exactly what happened, their friendship turning into love and love turning into a proposal.

Nelda and Charles reside in Sacramento California, but chose to have a destination wedding with close family and friends, picking Portland for it’s landscape beauty and copious amounts of tasty food. They tied the knot at Leach Botanical Gardens, a lush plant-filled grounds tucked inside the city. Their reception followed at the Elder Hall of Nedd Ludd, a craft kitchen that sources local ingredients based on the Pacific Northwest seasons, and cook everything on a brick-faced, wood-fired oven (I mean, amazing).

We met up with Nelda + Charles the day before their wedding in the Alberta Arts District of Portland for an extra session of goodness. The day had been raining on and off, but we managed to squeeze in some photos when the rain held back – at least for a moment!

Leave it to Portland to have perfect wood constructed walls with an overhang we could snuggle into to get away from the rain!

Nelda and her ladies got ready for the wedding in an airbnb they were renting for the weekend, and the weather forecast for the day was perfectly warm and wonderful.

 

Wedding Coordinator: Liz Flaherty
Ceremony Venue: Leach Botanical Gardens (special thanks to the Venue Coordinator, Vanessa McMillin)
Reception Venue + Food: Elder Hall at Ned Ludd
Makeup Artists: Mitra Momtazi and Erin Toft Artistries
Cakes: Palace Cakes

 

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