What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas — unless you meet your Lady Luck. Samantha and Allison know this well, because it’s part of their story. Both being sales and marketing professionals, with Samantha in California and Allison in North Carolina, they had worked together remotely but never met in person. Fate brought them together at a conference in Las Vegas, and they decided take what happened there and make a life together out of it.
Falling in love and settling in Portland, Samantha and Allison loved to spend their Sundays exploring the city, finding cool shops and ending their adventures with a couple of beers. They were Sunday regulars at Portland’s brewpubs. “Nothing beats that!”, said Samantha.
One such adventure lead them to Council Crest Park. Watching the sun set over downtown Portland, Allison whispered to Samantha “I’ve got a secret to tell you.” She got down on one knee and popped the question. Samantha responded, “Are you seriously doing this right now?” Finally, she gave an enthusiastic “Yes”.
Samantha’s yes lead them to say their vows in front of family and friends at a beautifuul vineyard in the Sierra Foothills. Their ceremony was officiated by Sam’s Grandpa, known as Pop Pop, who become ordained in order to marry them. This made the ceremony especially meaningful for the ladies. “Having him perform the ceremony, someone who knows us so well, and someone we loved so much, made it so much more special than we could have imagined,” they said.
Allison walked down the aisle first, then watched as her bride started down the aisle. Both remember feeling jittery, and that their nerves were calmed the moment their eyes met. “The first moment we saw each other…it was like nothing else in the world existed. We still talk about it now,” recounted the brides.
Unexpectedly, dark storm clouds rolled in 30 minutes before the ceremony. Thunder booming throughout, it began to sprinkle just as the ceremony concluded. The rain came harder and harder. This was no time for rain – there were wedding photos to be taken! Fortunately, their photographer took advantage of a situation that could have been a disaster, and produced something spectacular. Sam says that “We got some Ah-mazing shots with cool lighting and dark clouds, and thirty minutes later, the storm rolled through and we got to enjoy a crystal clear evening and a sunset that was absolutely breathtaking.” It was one of those times when it seems like something has gone wrong, but a good wedding professional turns it into magic.
Samantha and Allison’s advice for other couples reflects their experience. “Breathe, relax, and enjoy the day! Don’t be too stressed out by the little things, or if something goes wrong, or off schedule. Just enjoy every minute of it, because it will be over before you know it! And from a planning standpoint, one of the best decisions we made was outsourcing all of the decorating and little details to professionals. They made all the details so much more beautiful than we ever could have imagined, and in the end it ended up costing a lot less and looking a lot better than if we would have bought and done everything ourselves. Not to mention the time/stress we saved!”
Allison and Samantha were introduced into the reception room decked out in white and black which evoked an informal romantic elegance, accentuated by centerpieces of Hydrangea, Calla Lilies, and Tulips. The DJ got the party started as the brides stepped onto the dance floor for their first dance to “You + Me” by You and Me.
Dinner followed with a delicious menu including seasonal vegetables, roasted red potatoes with rosemary, salad with walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette. Entrees included tender filet mignon and a light lemon chicken in a white wine sauce. Chocolate covered strawberries accompanied the lemon and raspberry filled white wedding cake with buttercream icing for dessert. Yum!
Having time to reflect after their honeymoon in Playa Mujeres, Mexico, they felt the only thing they would have added to the whole experience was a videographer. “We got a lot of snips that people took on their cellphones, but we wish we would have hired a professional so we could have had the full ceremony recorded.” Happily married, Allison and Samantha used three words to describe the wedding: Love, love, love!
[Venue] Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center At David Girard Vineyards [Photos] Meagan Lucy, Christopher Kight Photographers [Cake] Way Back Bakery [Flowers] Camino Flower Shop [Rings] Blue Nile [Makeup/Hair] Artistic Hair Boutique [Equipment/Decoration Rental] Cocomont
