Richard + Emily
A Stunning Vow Renewal at Tumwater Vineyards in West Lynn, OR
I must be just about the luckiest person alive because I got to spend not one, but TWO amazing wedding days with Emily and Richard!
Emily and Richard were originally married at an intimate ceremony in October in 2021 due to the pandemic creating some serious changes in their original wedding vision. (You can visit the blog from this wedding by clicking here!)
Having a full year to re-plan and come up with an ideal vision for a grand Vow Renewal ceremony, Emily and Richard created a stellar celebration in West Lynn, Oregon on the stunning grounds of Tumwater Vineyards.
Members of the vineyard, Emily and Richard loved not only the classic beauty of this venue, but also the relaxed vibe hacing the indoor/outdoor space provided.
“We really want this day to be all about the enjoyment of everyone coming together,” I remember Emily telling me. She laughed as well, as she divulged that after saving her stunning dress for 3 years waiting for this larger celebration, this was also in part “Emily’s Wedding Dress’ Wedding” and all morning you could feel her excitement for the big reveal!
After the necessary stop for breakfast and coffee, Dom and I pulled up to the quaint little Air B+B Emily had rented as a “home base” for the getting-ready portion of the day. Emily was already looking stunning as her hairstylist put the final decorative pearl pins in among her soft golden locks that had been given soft, romantic cirls and a low up-do.
Emily’s mom and Bridesmaids were busy putting floral arrangements in the custom center-pieces Emily and Richard had hand-crafted over the past few months, and Emily’s sister was enjoying dancing to all the Michael Jackson she could convince anyone to play over the speakers.
After stealing all the details into the gorgeously lit main-floor master bedroom, I remmeber an audible gasp escaping my lips as I pulled Emily’s dress from the garmet bag and I laid eyes on THE gown for the fist time.
Starting with a sweetheart neckline, every inch of Emily’s dress was covered with intricate layers of lace that seemed to take on an inner-glow as the mid-morning sunlight streamed in from the windows.
Having a lengthy train and a full skirt, the fullness of the dress was definitely worthy of a queen!
Emily had chosen a pearled cathedral-length veil to accompany her dress which perfectly accented the delicate texture of the lace and drew the eye all the way through the full lenth of the train.
As gorgeous as it was hanging in the light of the window, when Emily’s mom helped her step into it and buttoned up the backing, the aesthetics of the gown took on a whole other level! Emily is herself just a stunning spirit, and her smie and laugh is enough to brighten anyone’s day. But add in the splendor of this next-level wedding gown and you’ve got the recipe for literally the perfect bride.
Beaming as she saw her full bridal look all come together, Emily laughed and admitted that the nerves were starting to creep in, if only just a bit.
Richard and the groomsmen arrived and sequestered themselves upstairs in the cozy attic of the Air B+B to don their Cole Hahn shoes and Richard’s custom suit.
Emily’s bridesmaids, father, and a few select family members an emotional first look with Emily before Richard and she shared a “first touch” where Richard was under strict instructions not to peak and spoil the big surprise.
Heading over to the vineyard, guests had gathered and were milling about, enjoying sips of Tumwater’s award-winning wines while a surprisingly warm Fall day felt more like summer than anyone could have predicted for mid-October!
As guests took their seats, Richard entered the ceremony space with their beloved dog Gus right at his heels, perfectly matching in his own little blue tux and bowtie!
One by one the wedding party precessed down the aisle and took their places next to Richard, awaiting the long-awaited entrance of “Emily’s Dress.”
Emily had a trick up her sleve however, and for the briefest of moments the begenning chords of “No Scrub” could be heard playing over the DJ’s speakers, producing quite the smile on Richard’s face as he reacted to this private inside joke between him and his bride.
The music quickly shifted however, and out of the shadow of the tasting room came Emily, an absolute vision in her stunning dress, escorted by her parents, both beaming with happiness and celebration.
Emily and Richard planned a very quick Vow Renewal ceremony that included custom vows they wrote for one another, and two epic kisses to seal their first year of marriage.
Guests immediately flocked toward the happy couple to catch up, reuinte and of course compliment Emily on her incredible dress.
Appetizers and more delicious wine circulated before a scrumptious meal of Lemon Chicken and Tri Tip were served by the professional and accomodating catering team at Tumwater.
After dinner, Dom and I stole Emily and Richard for a few sunset portraits and then several toasts were given, Emily and Richard cut their cake and shared a true first dance (they had foregone this tradition in their first celebration) and everyone gathered to the dance floor for a lively danceparty to the classic “Shout” by the Isley Brothers.
A cozy fire with blankets and s’mores fixings kept the kids supplied with sugar as the sun set and the stars began to emerge. We gathered everyone outside for a group “twinkle light” photo and everyone was encouraged to eat cupcakes and delicious Crumpl cookies to their heart’s content.
It was an absolutely magical day and Dom and I couldn’t have been more thankful to have been a part of it.
Take a look at a few of the sneak peek images from Emily and Richard’s Vow Renewal below!
