Earthy + Natural Oregon Fall Wedding

Bri and Justice didn’t play games when it came to growing their relationship together, but there was one game over three years ago that set their love story into motion.

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

"Justice and I first met while we were both working for the Parks and Recreation Department as referees when we were in high school. It was a part-time gig with weird scheduling so we didn't actually meet until the last game of the season, which happened coincidentally because we were both covering that shift for our co-workers."

HOW DID He PROPOSE?

When Justice and Bri knew they were ready to take the next step together in their relationship, Justice turned to some of their college friends to help pop the question!

“...Justice had proposed to me on my birthday...At the time, we lived together with a bunch of our college friends who helped set up the big surprise. It took place in the backyard with rose petals laid on the grass and a backdrop framing the moment it all happened. It was simple and sweet, exactly how I’ve always imagined it’d be.”

SAYING YES AT CHARLOTTE’S

Thanks to Pinterest, Bri had an idea of what styles she was drawn to when coming into Charlotte’s. Working with her stylist, Stephanie, she tried on a handful of gowns that were admittedly pretty but she didn’t quite feel the spark, that feeling, until she browsed some of the other gowns out on the floor.

“I sifted through countless dresses until I found one that checked off every box on my gown list. To be fully honest, I didn’t think this dress looked like it could be “the one” on the hanger – but when I put it on, I was in awe.”

Putting the gown on and falling in love with it sometimes comes as a complete surprise from when you saw it hanging up. Bri put it perfectly when she said “don’t judge a dress by the way it hangs…”

justin alexander beaded spaghetti strap crepe gown from charlotte's weddings portland oregon

bride in wedding dress with veil from charlotte's weddings in portland oregon

Bri wore Justin Alexander Signature “Danica” a beautiful crepe, fit-and-flare gown with a beaded, V-neck bodice.

ABOUT THE WEDDING DAY

Bri, being an interior designer, had a lot of fun pulling all of the details of their big day together that represented the “Kekahuna Parkinson’s.” They included elements such as a record player and vinyl guestbook for their guests to sign, earth tones throughout the wedding, and baby plant escort cards.

“Justice is a music lover and I’m a greenery gal so combining our styles made for a perfect decor opportunity.”

Justice, being a music lover, did have one thing up his suit jacket sleeve for Bri that easily became one of her favorite moments on their wedding day:

“Justice completely surpris[ed] me by singing and playing guitar of one of my favorite songs during our first look/personal vows (p.s. he’s never sang while playing guitar in public, ever)”

groom playing guitar during first look for bride in oregon city oregon

With an original destination wedding planned for Kauai, Hawaii, the two re-planned their big day from scratch and wed at the Abernethy Center in Oregon City on October 11, 2020 surrounded safely by their closest friends and family. Having to re-plan their wedding gave Bri a great takeaway that she felt was important to share with all of the other brides-to-be.

Advice for other brides

“My advice for other brides is to see it through. Whatever it may be, whether it’s choosing your venue or selecting your decor colors or deciding between your cake flavors, see it all to the end because it’s so worth it!”

“Justice and I’s big day was originally going to be on the beautiful island of Kauai, HI. And although that didn’t work out because of logistical relations due to Covid-19, I still saw it through to the end. We kept our original date and started everything else from scratch. With endless days of planning and coordinating, it all fell into place and turned out to be a very special night."

Congratulations Bri and Justice!