So…this couple officially wins for coolest wedding of the year. Don’t believe us? Well, maybe once you see the concert venue that they used as a ceremony backdrop, their effortlessly chic fits inspired by fashion icons, and essentially every detail, you will. Keep scrolling to see more of these cinematic photos by Alixann Loosle Photography, and you won’t want to miss the florist’s advice!
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their love story
Ali and Levi first met through Ali’s best friend, Mo, who happened to be working at the same campus bar in Eugene, Oregon. Depending on who you ask, you’ll get different answers as to who introduced themselves first! Ali’s brother, however, said it best when he officiated their wedding: “When you first meet a best friend, a partner, a soulmate, the details are often blurry, because it feels like you’ve already known each other for years, for decades, for lifetimes. You aren’t looking for the beginning of the story; you aren’t paying attention to the starting line. The conversation just picks up where it left off, as it has so many times before.”
the vibe: intention in everything
When Ali and Levi first started to plan their intimate nuptials at The Ruins, a concert venue that moonlights as a wedding venue, the best advice they received was to do things the way they wanted to. The two wanted guests to feel their love story throughout their wedding day, so their choices were heavily influenced by this sentiment. For Ali and Levi, this meant a cozy, family-style meal and lots of live music. The wedding was elegant but still honored Ali and Levi’s commitment to not just each other but their own authenticity. From the curated live music and the intimate family-style meal to their dedication to unique floral pieces, with the talented team of Bridal Bliss at the helm, Levi and Ali truly put together their dream day.
featured venue: the ruins
During their initial hunt for a wedding venue, a lot of places were ruled out because Ali and Levi knew they wanted live music—it was a non-negotiable! As soon as they found The Ruins, though, they knew they were in good company. Photos of Janice Joplin and other music icons were hung throughout the space, and the Built to Spill poster confirmed they had found their venue.
the flowers
Funny enough, another standout piece of advice Ali received from their florist, Chas with Wildflower Portland, was to stay off of Pinterest during wedding week. The abundance of inspo photos naturally left Ali feeling like she needed to question if her original design was what she wanted. Thankfully, come wedding day, the florals were everything Ali dreamed of, and the “what ifs” being fueled by Pinterest fatigue were a distant memory.
the fashion
Ali’s style leans more towards the “undone-done” look, and her style icons Kate Moss and Sienna Miller guided her choices when it came to her bridal look. She finally found her dress, a Bon Bride gown, at The White Door in Seattle. Nothing quite seemed like the one until this gown, and additional structure and boning added by Silhouette Tailoring in Portland were the icing on the cake. The most special piece of the look, however, was the handmade veil from One Blushing Bride on Etsy. Ali opted to wear the veil for most of the day, as the custom length and lace perfectly complemented her gown. Levi’s look was equally prioritized. He had his suit custom-made from Hall Madden in downtown Portland and opted for a classic, yet unique, look with a white coat jacket on top. The looks complemented each other beautifully, especially since, without a bridal party, the focus was fully on them.
forging new traditions
With her dad walking her down the aisle and doing the father-daughter dance, Ali wanted to find something special for her mom. For someone so important to us, they get a little left out of the traditions on the bride’s side! Ali decided to surprise her mom and have her sit next to her at dinner. Mom was thrilled!
the cake
True to the vintage vibes of the day, the couple went with a two-tiered Lambeth-style cake in a heart shape, complete with Maraschino cherries. In addition to the cake, guests were treated to chocolate-covered strawberries and fresh cannolis.
