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.