Summer garden wedding with pink mismatched bridesmaid dresses

Missing the Summer? Me too. Longing for longer days and sunshine and this wedding from Amanda K Photography is full to the brim of DIY details, pink mismatched bridesmaid dresses and roses. You've got to read this sweet couple's story too... From the bride, Catherine: "Jack and I met as seniors at the University of Oregon. He played golf there and I played soccer. We had a mutual friend who led Jack into asking me out. About a month before graduation, Jack asked me to go to a concert with him and the rest is history! A month after graduation, I moved to Italy to be an au pair and Jack went up to Canada to play on the Canadian Golf Tour. I was in Italy for 6 months and flew home, with much difficulty, just before Christmas. I had canceled flights, major delays and finally reached the Portland airport about 24 hours later than I was supposed to. My family met me at the airport (no Jack, much to my disappointment), took me to lunch and then we went home. As soon as we arrived home my Dad told me to get cleaned up and he started cleaning the house (should have been a red flag!). I had showered and dressed and my friend and soon-to-be bridesmaid, Katy arrived at our house. My Mom sent us out to get something from the grocery store and on our way, Katy mentioned that her cousin's baby was downtown and wanted to swing by. At this point, it was cold, windy and pouring rain-a typical December in Oregon. We arrived at Salem's Carousel and could not find the baby. Katy convinced me that the baby was outside-in the rain and wind. Please keep in mind I had been awake for about 48 hours at this point, so I believed her. We went walking along the river until a tall man, with no jacket started walking towards us. It took me about 30 seconds to figure out it was Jack, which I assumed was just there for a welcome home surprise. As soon as he started talking, I realized that that was it. I don't even remember what he said except for the part where he got down on one knee, in the rain and wind, and asked me to marry him. I was so excited and jet lagged that I forgot to say yes, but just kissed him. He got the point." Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography "My Mom and I flew down to San Francisco to find my dress because I wanted Jack's Mom and four sisters to be apart of it. I made two appointments, hoping for the best. Finding my wedding dress was not like I imagined it to be. I have always loved watching "Say Yes To The Dress", so I thought I was going to have one of those 'this is my dress' moments. At Amy Kushel, I worked with the sweetest woman, who I immediately adored. I tried on 6 or 7 dresses and loved each of them-they were all truly beautiful gowns. We went to the next place, where I tried on a few more and left feeling extremely overwhelmed. I called Jack, stressed out and he just said "at the end of the day, we're getting married and thats what really matters, so just pick the one you liked best." So that night, I went back to Amy Kushel and purchased the first dress I had tried on that day. I never pictured myself in lace but I discover that I loved it. It was too beautiful to pass up." Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography "Our inspiration for our wedding day was to use the natural scenery that is my parents backyard. I had always dreamed of getting married in their yard and Jack loved the idea of it too. We wanted our wedding to be intimate, even though it was a rather large crowd. We served burgers with bacon on them because everything is better with bacon on it. We wanted it to be a day filled with our favorite things and everyone we love, on a warm summer night." Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography "Once we figured out the logistics of it all, my parents house was the only thing that made sense. Having it at their place gave us that intimacy we were looking for, making everyone feel welcomed and relaxed. Aside from the space to hold everyone, it is a beautiful setting on top of a hill. Really the perfect place to get married." Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography "I don't know if I'd call it DIY or just down right construction; my Dad built the pool cover that would be the aisle I walked down and dance floor. My parents did a ton of yard work and hung all the lights themselves. We did make all the chalkboard signs, spray painting them, sanding them and then adding the chalkboard paint. I made 200 cupcakes and my Mom frosted them. She also made all the had written name tags that we put in the cupcakes." Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography Photography ~ Amanda K Photography "We didn't have any traditions but we had a few meaningful components. I glued a golf ball marker to my bouquet, which was Jack's grandmother's, because she wasn't healthy enough to make it to the wedding. I also wore Jack's sister's veil. Jack wore his dad's shoes and grandfather's watch. My mom sewed handkerchiefs for both of us, which turned out to be necessary. So in all, we tried to integrate our families into the entirety of the wedding." Vendor details: Photography: Amanda K Photography | Event Planner: A Time for Memories | Florals: Stems by Sky |  Cake: Cake Creations by Kirsten | Caterer: Wild Pear Catering | DJ: NW Mobile DJ Service