Welcome

Christ + Cory

Officiant: Wendy Duncan / Reception: Ranch House at Brasada Ranch / Ceremony: Smith Rock / Hair: High Maintenance Salon / Dress: Cordially Invited / Transportation: Bend Trolly / Flowers: Flowers by Katie / Cake: Foxtail Bakery / Mens Suit: Men’s Warehouse / Brides Ring: Artifactum / Jewelry: Kendra Scott

“Knowing you’ve got a best friend for life and someone who loves you for who you are is the best feeling in the world. There is no one I adore or cherish more in life and I cant wait to spend forever together. We accept each other, encourage one another to try new things and talk about everything.” – Christi

When we first met Christi and Cory, I knew we would get along. We had kids the same age and Christi and Josh both coached girls soccer. Also, I could see how much they have already grown together as a couple and as a family. I could see how much they truly love each other.

They are a couple who likes to try new things together and who love hiking, camping and anything outdoors. When they moved to Bend 2 years ago, they went out and tried something new. Smith Rock was the first place hiked together and was really the place they started their Bend adventure. Although they had some trouble deciding on a wedding location, Smith Rock quickly became the winner and now the place where they will start this new chapter of their life together.

The main thing Christi and Cory wanted for their wedding was to celebrate with the most important people in their lives. 31 of their friends and family surrounded them on their wedding day for an intimate ceremony overlooking Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. Cory’s daughter and grandson, as well as Christi and Cory’s son, stood with them at the altar to show that they are all coming together as a family. Christi said, “At the end of the day we realized we wanted to have a simple wedding here in Bend with the people that matter most to us”.

When the Bend Trolley meets you at Brasada Ranch to take your whole crew out to Smith Rock for the ceremony, of course you use it for your first look, right? The trolley provided a bright backdrop for Christi and Cory’s first look. Before they came around Christi sneaked a peek at Cory through the window to try to see her man waiting for her. After the first look the entire group piled into the trolley for a fun ride to Smith Rock for the ceremony and back again for the reception.

When we got to Smith Rock their was another wedding taking place in the spot we wanted to use for the ceremony. Both brides were very sweet to each other and even posed for a photo. t could have been super awkward, but Christi and Cory were calm and looked to me to find a way to keep going. We found another beautiful place for family photos while we waited for the other couple to finish their portraits.

Looking back on their day, my favorite thing was all the amazing gifts they used to show how much they loved each other. The beautiful blue Rosary beads Christi held tight in her hand throughout the ceremony as her something borrowed and something blue and something old, were borrowed from Cory’s mother. Christi’s mom, stepmom and mother in law all provided her with things to wear on her wedding day. Even her stepdad gifted her a set of earrings and a necklace by Kendra Scott which she wore down the aisle.

Christi had a daddy daughter moment all of their own where Christi gifted him with a special tie that read, “Daddy, Thank you for walking by my side today and always,. I loved you first.” Although her stepmom couldn’t make it to the wedding, she did get to spend a few moments on the phone with Christi while she was getting ready. The whole day was filled with so much love!

Congrats to Christi and Cory! And thanks for letting us be part of your day!

I didn’t know raw diamond rings were a thing, did you? I love raw stones and Christi’s 3 rock raw diamond by Jill with Artifactum is one of the most unique rings I’ve ever seen.

     

I’m loving Christi’s fitted lace dress she found at Cordially Invited. Christi said her dress was everything she thought it would NOT be but she absolutely loves it! It’s elegant and makes her feel beautiful. When a bride feels beautiful she glows just like Christi is here!

Her bridal bouquet, by Flowers by Katie was filled with white roses and peonies which made it so simple yet stunning with all white flowers and greenery. The little hints of pink on the edges of the peonies perfectly matched Christi’s reception dress.

            

My favorite part of the day was sitting with Christi’s dad on the Bend Trolley on the way back to Brasada Ranch for the reception. He told me a story of how each year as a tradition, he and Christi would pose for a photo with a heart in the sand that read, “I love you”. She started on his knee looking up at her dad and throughout the year has stood taller, now looking down. Since this is the official day that she leaves her mother and father to become one with her new husband, we thought it fitting that they pose one more time for this photo, completing the tradition. Now it’s up to Christi to continue the tradition with her son.