*Wedding by Ashley*I am SO excited to finally share the details for Jordan and Alison's 8.19.2012 wedding! They were both from out of state, and fell in love with everything about Youngberg Hill from what they could see online...so they decided to have a destination wedding here in Oregon! They invited all of their most cherished loved ones to join them in the celebration. I worked with Alison and Jordan with full planning assistance, and loved helping them find all of the vendors that would make their day perfect and fulfill their vision. I didn't meet them until the day before the wedding, but I felt like I'd known them for years by the time we met! I was so excited to finally meet them, and I was even more excited to share in the joy of their wedding with them and their guests. Plus, it was great to watch them as they experienced Youngberg for the first time! Nicolette and her crew take such great care of their clients - and were a total blast to work with. They were so helpful, and always had smiles on their faces. We love working out there! Plus, that view is simply breathtaking! Oh, and endless supplies of good wine too!
Most of their guests stayed at the Grand Hotel in Salem. We organized, packaged, and delivered little welcome bags to the hotel for their guests - complete with Oregon information, wedding itinerary, and local grown hazelnuts covered in chocolate! We love the Grand Hotel - they take great care of their clients, and delivered each bag to the guests as they arrived. What a great way to say thanks for coming!
Alison looked stunning. The first time I saw her I got teary. It wasn't just the dress, and the hair, and the makeup, and the accessories...it was all of that combined with her beaming personality and overflowing love for Jordan. She loves Jordan SO much, it showed in every ounce of her being all day long. That type of love and joy is infectious! She had amazing Jimmy Choo shoes and her makeup and hair was by the talented team at Face Body Beauty - we love all those ladies! Alison had a really good idea of the vision and look she wanted for their wedding, and we knew just the vendors to make it happen! Denice of Distinctive Designs make all of the bouquets, centerpieces (pears included), and decorated the aisle.
Rentals came from lots of amazing places such as Barclay Event Rentals (chuppah), Crossroads Fine Linens (overlays), and the rest (including the amazing food), came from Willaby's Catering and Event Design. We love Jean and her crew! And to top it all off, Jordan's own sister made the wedding cake - what a special gift!
This wedding was also deep with Jewish tradition. I love traditions, and I loved the programs that they designed that explained all of the traditions, and their meanings. They signed a Ketubah, got married under a chuppah, circled three times, exchanged rings, Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings), breaking of the glass, and the Yichud! The Ketubah expresses the idea that marriage is a partnership based in love and commitment. This is an intimate setting with family, and is usually displayed in the couple's home after the wedding. The chuppah is a wedding canopy held up by four poles. It symbolizes the new home that Alison and Jordan are building together. There are no walls in this new home, encouraging the couple to follow Abraham and Sarah, whose tent was always open to guests. The chuppah also had the tallis (prayer shawl) of Jordan's grandfather. After arriving at the chuppah, the couple circles each other three times to symbolize their unity as they begin their life together. The rings used during the ceremony were Jordan's grandparents, who wore the bands when they were married in 1939. These very special rings have been used in many family weddings such as Jordan's parents and sister. Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) offers thanks for 1) the fruit of the vine, 2) the creation of the world, 3) the creation of humanity, 4) the wisdom, intelligence, and free will with which every person is endowed, 5) the joy and happiness of Zion, 6) the love between the bride and groom, and 7) a wish for the couple's delight, cheer, love, harmony, peace, and companionship in their life together. The breaking of the glass has many interpretations, one of which is a symbol of how fragile life and love can be. The glass is broken to protect the marriage with the implied prayer, "as this glass shatters, so may your marriage never break." The final ceremony tradition was Yichud. Immediately following the ceremony the couple has an opportunity to spend a few minute's in each other's company. Yichud means "alone together," and it gives the couple the opportunity to share privately the power and importance of this moment in their lives.
During the ceremony they had an extremely talented string quartet, Duo Con Brio. This was our first time working with them, and we hope to work with them A LOT in the future. Not only talented, but highly professional as well. Kevin from NW Mobile DJ Service was also there and helped the event run smoothly, and kept the party going long into the night. Jordan and Alison had taken a dance lesson from a local professional, and their dance was amazing! It was like out of a movie...the twirls, the dips, the kiss at the end....*swoon.* Oh, and the bride? Also talented in playing the clarinet and belly dancing! She played a song during the cocktail hour, and did a belly dance later in the reception.
So many fun, amazing memories from this couple and this wedding. Thank you to all of the vendors, and thank you Alison and Jordan!
P.S. Jordan, you picked out one GORGEOUS ring for your wife!
*Photos by Brittany Wong of 5th and 59th Photography.
