Gorge Crest Vineyards Micro-Wedding in the Columbia River Gorge

Gorge Crest Vineyards Wedding

Lauren and Will had the sweetest and most intimate Gorge Crest Vineyards wedding on an overcast summer evening. The clouds meant we weren’t going to get that quintessential view of Mt Hood off in the distance that you’re used to seeing from Gorge Crest Vineyards. But what we did get was a vibrant sunset that was pretty unparalleled. But we’ll get to that. First, here’s some background information on their relationship before diving into their gorgeous Gorge Crest Vineyards wedding.

Lauren and Will met in Seattle in 2017. She had moved there from New York and he from Michigan. She was instantly struck by his thoughtfulness, integrity, playful but mature nature, and curiosity. He was nothing like the men she dated in NYC and it took her a minute to catch on. But once she did, it was obvious she couldn’t live without him.

They were engaged in Salento, Columbia while catching the sunset on a hilltop in January of 2020. They love to travel and they REALLY love to eat – all types of food – whether they’re experimenting in the kitchen or going out. They take advantage of the rare sunny Seattle days by getting outdoors with their Vizsla pup, Jasper, for a hike or a beach walk. But they’re equally happy on a rainy day on the couch watching a movie.

They had just bought a house in early 2021 and are learning how to fix (and sometimes break!) things together. It’s in those clueless, chaotic moments of building their closet system that they realize they’re a damn good team.

AFTER THE WEDDING

What was your favorite part of your elopement?

That feeling immediately after the ceremony ends – total elation.

Is there anything you wish you’d done differently?

I would have timed everything out more closely including asking the officiant how long he planned on speaking, and done a dry run of the zoom, both which took more time than I was anticipating and kinda started to cut into photo time.

Do you have any advice to give anyone who’s planning an elopement? Anything you wish you’d known going into it beforehand?

Yes – ensure the venue or location will be available for vendors to set up in advance of the ceremony. I had to negotiate this separately because “set up time” wasn’t included in my “small wedding/elopement” contract, and that time was critical for my family and I to show up early and pull of the ceremony the way I wanted it to look.