Intimate Destination Wedding at Hoyt Arboretum

This one holds a special place in my heart. My best friend had a beautiful, intimate ceremony among the breathtaking redwoods of Oregon. Whimsical and idyllic don’t even begin to cover it. Shannon and Jonathan invited only their families and a handful of their closest friends to witness their vows in the peaceful, ethereal setting of the Hoyt Arboretum. I had the immense honor of not only standing by her side as they said ‘I do,’ but of capturing every moment of their day as well.

Despite it being early April in the Pacific Northwest, the weather held and the celebration moved to a charming backyard reception at a VRBO just outside Portland. Speeches flowed freely, each one painting a picture of the journey that brought Shannon and Jonathan to that moment. The love that fills a room when only your innermost circle is present is something entirely its own.

A small guest list did nothing to slow the party down. The music pulled everyone to their feet, the dance floor stayed full, and the night ended exactly the way it should: with big smiles, full hearts, and the kind of joy that only comes from being surrounded by the people who matter most.