Serena and Jacob's wedding embodied an exquisite blend of comfort, warmth, and simplicity, all wrapped up in a classic yet refined aesthetic. From the bride's tastefully accentuated attire to the delicate floral arrangements, every element was thoughtfully curated to create an ambiance of effortless beauty. We talked to Serena to get an insider's glimpse into the planning process and the touching love story behind their special day.
Tell us a little about yourselves.
Jacob and I had several mutual friends, as we grew up in the same area, although he’s five years older. He used to come into the pizza shop I worked at, but we never formally met. One day he messaged me on Instagram and we haven’t gone a day without talking since! A few weeks before our wedding, my mom realized that she had photographed Jacob’s sister’s wedding 16 years earlier. As a little girl, I would look through their album all the time. Little did I know, my future husband was in those photos.
What do you do for a living and for fun?
Jacob works in digital marketing and I do admin for an investment firm in the area. We spend our time with our dear friends, at church, with our dog, Roux, and trying a new coffee shop every Saturday morning.
What was the concept behind your wedding and how did you find your inspiration?
I was very indecisive about what I wanted at first – I loved some of the trends of 2022, but I also wanted to keep it classic. I settled on a romantic feel, with gold and pastel colors. I took inspiration from the show Bridgerton and English garden party weddings.
Where was your wedding? Why did you choose this venue?
We chose to have our wedding at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon in the Administrators House Yard. Jacob and I have been to Edgefield several times, one of our favorite places. It’s a beautiful property that has so much to offer. The ivy on the brick buildings is just to die for!
How many guests did you have?
75 guests. A little larger than we originally wanted, but it was a great size! We were able to talk to most of our guests throughout the night - which is exactly what I wanted.
Tell us about your outfits.
My wedding gown is the Hazel Gown from Chosen by Kyha. At first, I had purchased a dress from BHLDN. When I came home and looked at the pictures of me in the dress, I regretted my decision. I was just browsing through a bridal gown resale website and found my dream dress (a dress I had pinned so many times). She was only 2 hours away from me, so I asked if I could try on the dress at her home and she said YES. The dress had never been worn or altered and she was selling it for half the price. A dream come true! My reception dress is Amanda Uprichard x Revolve Stassie Dress. The shoes are Loeffler Randall in the Mikel style. My earrings are Untamed Petals and my sunglasses are Saint Laurent. Jacob got his custom tux from Indochino and velvet dress shoes from Nordstrom.
What was your first dance song?
“Joy of my Life” by Chris Stapleton.
What flowers did you choose for the bride's bouquet and why?
I let my florist, Eden Major, do whatever she pleased. I showed her some inspirational photos but didn’t request anything specific besides an all-white bouquet. I’ve known Eden since sophomore year of high school and I trust her with my life, let alone my wedding florals.
What was your wedding cake like? And where did you order it?
I ordered our wedding cake from Kyra’s Bake Shop in Lake Owego. I am gluten-free so I had no question as to who would make my cake. I have been buying their cupcakes for almost 12 years now.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
The stand out to me is my photographer. Casi Yost was a dream come true! She gave me above and beyond what I had imagined. She is a true master of her skill and I am so eternally grateful for her and the magic she captured. But all of my vendors were so wonderful. I knew most of them from throughout my life and it felt so right to have those people be a part of my wedding. It made it that much more special!
Photo @casiyostphoto
Venue @edgefieldmcmenamins
Planning @bellsbowsandvows
Florals @edenmajor1
Cake @kyrasbakeshop
Gowns @thehazelgown @chosenbykyha
Suit @indochino
HMUA @beauty_by_abirose
