Keeping wedding plans local was
high on the couple’s list. They
choose a rustic beach theme.
Following the beach ceremony, a
reception took place at a private
residence in Surf Pines.
“We went back and forth about where to have our wedding.
Talking with our families, we felt that this was now our home and
they agreed,” Janet said. “We ended up with 40 guests from nine
different states. It was really special for us and for our guests. Our
family and friends arrived a few days before the wedding; the
majority of the wedding party all staying with us. It was, I kid you
not, one of the most wonderful weeks. We were with so many
friends we hadn’t spent any time with for a long time,” she said.
On July 18, under a perfectly blue sky, the bride’s father
escorted his daughter to her soon-to-be husband. The Rev. Christine
Irvine officiated, as Astoria photographer Heather Douglas caught
memories to last a lifetime.
The bride was dressed in a traditional white gown she found at
Brides for a Cause. The Portland bridal shop has a large selection
of overstocked dresses from various department stores along with
wedding dresses that have seen only one wear. “All proceeds go to
women in need: single mothers; women trying to get back on their
feet; things like that. It was really important to me to buy my dress
there knowing proceeds would go back to someone I could help,”
Janet said. The groom was dressed in a tux that he found at Party
Jesters in Astoria.
Keeping wedding plans local was high on the couple’s list. They
choose a rustic beach theme. Following the beach ceremony, a
reception took place at a private residence in Surf Pines.
“All of our friends helped, doing anything that was needed. We
tried to set a tone so our parents could relax and enjoy the beauty
of the area,” Janet said. “My grandfather, my mom’s father, was
one of our extremely special guests, the star of the reception for
sure.”
Sometime during all of this North Coast relocation, Janet
received an offer to teach art at Knappa High School. Again, as
fate would have it, Lenny was offered a position as educational
assistant at Knappa High. They have purchased a house in Astoria
and embraced their community. Their wedding photographer
taught with Janet at Knappa High, and the disc jockey at the
reception was Knappa Middle School math teacher, Bryan
Lempea.
They choose to take a road trip honeymoon, spending the
majority of their first days together as Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan
exploring the Oregon Coast. They may have started their union in
the eastern part of the United States, but they have settled in our
area, here to stay.
RIVER & SEA WEDDINGS 2016 | 11