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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 2017)
They did, however, invest in 200 clear ponchos for their guests, and it was a good thing they did. The day dawned with beautiful blue skies, but it began to rain shortly before the wedding. The couple’s two “dogs of honor,” Malamutes Osa and Jasper, escorted the groom’s father and sister, and by the time Kelsey walked down the aisle to stand under the wedding arch built by her brother, Robbie, it was pouring. Everything was damp but the spirits of those attending this truly Oregon wedding. When friend Mauri read an Apache wedding prayer that began, “Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other,” everyone burst out laughing. “We wrote our own vows and our best friend officiated,” Kelsey recalled. The highlight of the wedding? You’ve heard of a unity service done with candles or sand, but how about 18 RIVER & SEA WEDDINGS 2017 with the bride and groom each pouring a shot of tequila for the other? “Everyone has their special thing,” the bride said. “It was a very responsible and sweet use of tequila.” The ceremony over, Kelsey and Ry and their guests hurried off to The Loft at the Red Building to celebrate where it was dry and warm. They had chosen The Loft for the reception because, Kelsey said, “We’re outdoorsy, and with The Loft’s big windows you almost feel like you’re outside.” She also said Jessica Newhall at The Loft, “is a delight to work with. It all felt collaborative, and everything just fell into place.” The couple wanted a dinner that, like Shively Park, was a true Oregon experience, so they chose chef Chris Holen of Baked Alaska to do the fresh and local food they wanted to present. The flowers created by Erickson Floral contributed to the ambiance, and friend designed a logo for the couple that incorporated the bridge, which was printed on tin camp mugs as gifts for the guests. Music was provided by “the many talented music lovers in our lives,” and a cake by Pink Poppy Bakery in Long Beach, Washington, crowned the festivities. Kelsey said, “We really put the whole town to work. The folks at the Commodore were so accommodating, the bartenders at the inferno lounge were gracious, and the party jesters blew up 100 lighted balloons.” They loved Olivia Ashton’s photography, too, and the Glam Tram transported the wedding party around Astoria. The newlyweds have plans to return to Astoria to visit, again and again.
