A Camp Wedding by Destination Wedding Photographer: ME+HIM Photography

The way Daphne and Nick celebrated their marriage taught us so much about celebrating in an intimate, intentional way. For all of us that have been married for many years, we look back on our own weddings and think about what we would have changed. What we would have done a little bit differently?

Daphne and Nick live in Portland, Oregon now, but their family is from all over the USA. So when it came time to celebrate their marriage they had some decisions to make. At the end of the day, what was most important to them was to celebrate with family and friends in a meaningful, personal way. So they rented out the entire Lakes Family Retreat, the Lodge and all the onsite cabins and planned a weekend of festivities with their loved ones. Over these three days they relaxed and they worked hard, they ate paella and drank wine, they laughed and they cried, and most importantly, they celebrated one of the most important decisions in their life with those people that matter the most.

Much of the preparation for the wedding was DIY, except the “Y” was everyone, so it kinda DIE (that acronym doesn’t work does it?). But everyone really pitched in to make this a beautiful weekend of conviviality. Family and friends put together market lights, set up chairs and decorated tables. But things started even before that, Daphne’s mother spent two years collecting antique plates and tableware from garage sales and antique shops. One of their close friends spent 6 months creating over 1,000 paper cranes for their ceremony backdrop. Rather than using a DJ, they curated their entire wedding playlist on Spotify with help from family and friends. And the food was catered by a Bigalora Food Truck serving brick oven pizza (it was delicious!). Then they ended the night in the honeymoon suite: a 1955 Detroiter camper trailer named “The Motown Motel”.

We really appreciate the trust they put in us to document their beautiful wedding. From the moment we arrived on day 1, it was clear that working for Daphne and Nick was going to be something special and they immediately gave us their full trust. For instance, when we suggested shooting their portraits at the abandoned mini golf park (Whispering Lakes Adventure Resort) they immediately said “YES!” You can’t beat that attitude and we love them for it.

—— Vendors

Photography (and awesome dance moves): ME+HIM Photography

Venues: Lakes Family Retreat (Whispering Lakes Adventure Resort: permanently closed)

Day of Coordination: Pineapple Union

Hair & Makeup: Paulette In Kzoo

Bride’s Gown: BCBGMAXAZRIA

Groom’s Suit: J. Crew

Catering: Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina

Invitations & Map Design: Daphne (Bride)

Florals: Aunt Teri

Backdrop: 1,000 Handmade Paper Cranes made by friends

Cake: Gwen’s Cake Decorating Etc.

Honeymoon Suite Camper Trailer: Retro Rentals

Day 1 – Guests arrive, rehearsal, campfire paella and sangria

Day 2 – Setup, Wedding & Reception