1. The Gorge is known for its ever blowing and peevish wind. All summer season, kiteboarders and windsurfers flock to the Gorge to catch gnarly swells, but for weddings it can be more of a deterrent than fun. On the most blustery of days, tablecloths need to be pinned with thumbtacks, or clamped with table clamps. Local florists prefer to use lower profile vases and displays for table centerpieces to insure flowers are not knocked over in a gust of wind. A few items to have on hand: Thumbtacks and Table Clamps will help hold down your tablecloths to insure elegant aesthetics. A bag of clean river rocks comes in handy when flower vases don’t have enough weight on their bottom, causing the potential water spill on your table and bruised flowers.

2. Although the Gorge sees a plethora of tourists during the summer months, the growing popularity of weddings in the area has left hotel bookings scant. Hotels do offer group rates and deals for wedding parties, but most often your chances of finding availability close to your date are slim. Always communicate to friends and family during the inviting and planning process to book their hotels as soon as possible. If the wedding is based in Hood River and local hotels are booked solid, there are a few places to the East and West that are more likely to have rooms available. Skamania Lodge is great for group bookings and is a pleasant 20 minute drive west from Hood River on the Washington side. The Dalles Inn and Celilo Inn are both located in The Dalles and are 25 minutes east of Hood River. The White Salmon Inn is located across the river in White Salmon, Washington.

3. The weather in the Gorge can be unpredictable at times. During the early and late summer months, rain can sour a beautiful outdoor wedding if a tent is not rented. Rental companies have tents of all sizes for this exact purpose. Always check the weather the week before your wedding to see if there are any rainclouds in your future. If so, calling up your event coordinator or the rental company directly to place a tent on hold can save you and your wedding guests from an otherwise wet experience.

4. The daytime heat is lovely in the summer months but come nightfall, temperatures can lower 15 degrees. A light jacket or scarf is always recommended for you and your guests. Patio heaters can also be rented around the reception area to keep your guests warm and cozy. For weddings closer to autumn, small hand warmers can be bought for your guests and can even used as wedding favors.

5. Most venues in the Gorge are open air and beautifully landscaped and lawned. When attending a Gorge wedding or informing your own wedding guests, it would be courteous to explain that high stiletto heels will sink into most venue sites’ ground and make it impossible to walk. Dressing comfortably and in style is always a must while attending or hosting a Gorge wedding.

6. The Gorge lures people to visit with it’s wildflower hikes, hidden waterfalls, wine tasting and it’s stellar views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and the mighty Columbia River. Most wedding parties host their special day in the Gorge for this exact reason. There are quite a few hikes throughout the Gorge that your friends and family can do the day before. Some showcase stunning wildflowers from late spring through the summer, some have stunning waterfalls greeting you to the end of the trail, and some culminate with breathtaking views. The Columbia Gorge is also becoming known for it’s award winning wines and unique grape growing region. A group hike or wine tasting with your wedding party is highly recommended.

After working so many elegant, fairytale weddings, I felt like I had already fulfilled my childhood fantasies through my client’s weddings. I wanted our wedding to be a “kick off your shoes, and walk in the grass” kind of affair. We had beer in pint glasses, kids running around naked, and people pitching tents for the night. Everyone had a great time; people who didn’t go heard that it would have been the best wedding of their lives. And for some it was! Not to brag…our cousins from Los Angeles said that from all the weddings that they have attended, they thought ours had the best character, and was the most fun. Maybe it was someone sneaking a little extra booze in the sangria…

The benches and tables were made by Tom from the fence that surrounded the now grassy field where the wedding was held. The isle was a simple bolt of linen fabric, held down by Columbia River rocks, polished from the Missoula Floods.
Achieving beauty in simplicity is easy when you have the Columbia Gorge as your back drop.

Flowers were done by an employee and gardener Mollie Wenger, who grows an array of beautiful and native flowers on her farm. My bouquet featured white Peony with soft spring Lamb’s Ear. It was so beautiful and soft in my hands.

Our band throughout the day was Coin of the Realm. They play traditional Eastern European Folk music, and helped represent my Hungarian ties.

The Details of the Table: Simple glasses bought at Ikea. We used these for wine as well. Collected flatware from thrift stores. Collected napkins from thrift stores. I bought vases at the thrift store and made terrariums a week ahead of time, each with river rocks and succulents. Our wedding favors were a tin of Pacific Northwest wildflower seed mix.

My dress and Tom’s suit were vintage. Tom wore a 100% silk vintage Italian suit purchased at Decades in Portland, with colorful vest and turquoise bolo tie given to him by our longtime family friend, Albert. His shoes were from an Italian leather shoe designer. I wore a Victorian lace “lawn dress” that I purchased at Avalon in Portland. The dress was originally used for lounging around and drinking tea on the lawn. Such elegance! I wore a 100% silk slip underneath, and strutted in my John Fluevog vintage inspired pumps. I wore pearls from my great-aunt, and had blue bachelor buttons in my hair.

Hair of all of the brides maids, mother and bride was done by a Cork & Bottle employee Monica. She works at Today’s Chalet in White Salmon and can do day of hair styles for the entire wedding party. Here’s a peek at the beautiful and elegant hair.

Other Details: Flags were hand sewn to be strung along the inside of the tent and along the dance floor that Tom also built. My aunts painted signs that said “Mule Sniffin” with arrows taking guests on a loop around the property. The same talented women made squirrels to be tossed for a bean bag toss game. Where did “Mule Sniffin” and “Squirrel Tossing” come from? A great vintage fair great poster that Tom edited with PhotoShop.

Beer was served in Mason Pint jars. We used Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon. I highly recommend their beer. We had AniChe bottles on the table, Arygle Sparkling Wine for toasts, Old Crow in a fancy pouring contraption and an AniChe Rose` spritzer. We also made Sangria with AniChe wine, and served Lemonade, Iced Tea, Hibiscus Tea and Water for Non-Alcoholic beverages.

The food? Done by us, except the beautiful Hawaiian roasted pig by Lilo’s BBQ. Family and friends chipped in and helped make our delicious menu.

The Wedding Menu:

Hors D’oeuvres

-Sweet Creamcheese, Dancing Moon Strawberries and Marcona Almonds

-Cheeseboard with delicious PacNW Cheeses and Fruits

Dinner

-Mixed Green Salad

-Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Almonds

-Classic Cabbage Coleslaw

-Dirty Farrow with Cajun Seasoning

-Pesto Pasta with Kalamata Olives, Goat Cheese and Tomatoes

-Nana’s Macoroni & Cheese

-Lilo’s BBQ Hawaiian slow roasted pork

Dessert

Tom’s grandma made 15 pies, all different flavors for the wedding.

Guests were also encouraged to bring a pie. We had 25 pies to eat that night!

We had Pampered Palette employees pass hors d’oeuvres and serve our food. They helped keep the flow of the event going, made sure there were enough beverages, and helped with clean up. Thanks to the staff!

And thanks to everyone that helped make our special day spectacular! Cheers!