Jupiter NEXT Hotel Wedding // Portland, Oregon

This past weekend I kicked off my 2020 wedding season with Hilary & Jamaal’s Big Fat Leap Wedding (#ourbigfatleapwedding) at the Jupiter Next Hotel in Portland Oregon. Amazing couple and a rad wedding venue right in the heart of Portland on the SE side of the Willamette River. What I loved most about this wedding venue was the versatility and modern edge. Portland, has really become a gem for unique places and the Jupiter NEXT Hotel is one … not only do they have a living chandelier and living ceiling in their Hey Love restaurant & bar … but the hotel connects you to the vibrancy of Portland’s urban life, and features spectacular, unedited views of the city.

I clicked right away with Hilary over the phone several months ago when she reached out looking for a wedding photographer who could photographer her wedding day in a comfortable and more candid style (totally ME). I listened to everything she said, I listened to what she was planning, what her concerns or pain-points were and then I made sure I was a great fit for her and Jamaal. Dang I am glad we were a great fit! To say I want to hang out with them more is an understatement but to be honest, I kind of actually felt like we had been friends for a long time.

In fact, a lovely bridesmaid came up to me in the evening (when I was no doubt stuffing my face with food in a corner) and she told me she had to ask Hilary when she & I met and how long we had known each other … haha. The bridesmaid had noticed how at-ease Hilary was around me and how we talked to each other like long-time friends. Said bridesmaid also gave me the most heart-warming kiddos on my ability to direct the 20-person wedding party for portraits and make sure everything stuck to the timeline (swoon, mission accomplished). I just really love my people and want them to enjoy their day to the fullest!

I know wedding planning is SO. MUCH. WORK but it is soooo worth it when you get to truly enjoy your day with so many incredible guests! I don’t know if everything went to plan but I do know they were LIVING their best life at their wedding along with so many friends and family. I watched their guests during the ceremony and saw how much these two meant to them, I listened to some seriously incredible stories during the toasts and learned that Hilary and Jamaal aren’t just a super cool couple but they are a very caring and attentive couple to their friend and family … they are DO’ers (and also NETFLIX and chiller’s)!

So have a look, and you decide … was all that wedding planning WORTH IT!?! I think it most definitely was!!!

Here is a list of their incredible vendors who helped bring this all together! I throughly enjoyed working with each and every vendor on this list!

Venue: Jupiter NEXT

Bridal Gown: A&Be Bridal

Floral: Tall Drink of Water

DJ: Mo Njoku

Coordinator: Abbott Coordination

Groomsman Ties: Dazi