Jillian & Jonathon
Videography: Watertown Films
“Jon and I met at a bar in college (at University of North Texas) in July 2011. I was immediately drawn to him and told my friend who then went over and (without my knowing) let him know I thought he was attractive. Jon is a shy guy and didn’t know what to say so he said, ‘Oh really? Cool.’ My friend came back to me and told me that he was interested and wanted me to go talk to him (which was not true), so I went over to him and had an awkward but entertaining conversation. He added me on Facebook that night and a couple days later, we messaged with each other all night. We went on a date in October and instantly bonded over music, Chipotle, and strange movies. We lived right across from each other in the same student apartment complex.”
“Falling in love was easy and fast! We were inseparable from our first date and spent late nights at the library and my apartment studying and working on school projects. We took 15 minute breaks every 45 minutes to dance. While studying, he wrote on a notecard that he ‘loved my person’ – in other words, who I was as a person. We would tell each other, ‘I love u…2’ (the band), or ‘I love u…tensils,’ and used different words that started with ‘u’ to indirectly tell each other we were falling in love. Jon told me he was in love with me in December 2011 and I was so happy to finally tell him that I loved him too. He proposed to me in Austin, TX at a Christmas lights display at Zilker Park in front of my best friends and FaceTimed my family.”
“We had already seen 3 different wedding venues that we weren’t totally sold on but we immediately fell in love with Tin Roof Barn! The drive up to the wedding venue is beautiful, and we LOVED the views the venue had to offer. We loved Kelly (with Tin Roof Barn) and Stephanie (with Union Event Co), and also loved that the venue had a lot of decor and furniture already included! I didn’t plan on a barn venue but immediately saw my vision come to life during the visit.”
“In our design, we wanted neutral colors that wouldn’t overshadow the natural beauty of the barn and its surroundings. We also wanted to incorporate pops of fall color because there is nothing prettier than the fall foliage in the Gorge!”
Jillian wore a figure hugging ivory gown that was both stunning and understated. “The lace, the plunging back, and the subtlety of the neutral pink tulle complimented the overall colors and feel that I wanted. I just felt like a hot momma in it.”
“The Gorge is so beautiful and the surrounding towns are so cute and fun. I was so excited for the wedding weekend festivities and spending time with our favorite people.”
“We wrote our own vows but read them privately at our first look.” Jillian and Jonathon united their lives with a traditional ceremony, officiated by her uncle, in front of a beautiful macrame backdrop.
The best way to celebrate your wedding during cocktail hour? Definitely with a margi or two!
Sometimes it’s the unexpected and unplanned moments that you remember the most. “Our videographer, Craig with Watertown Films, asked us to go outside during our reception to record us dancing together. He played a song on his phone, ‘Lost In The Light’ by Bahamas, so we wouldn’t feel awkward. To this day, when we hear that song we still get butterflies.”
“Our exit was so fun! Running through the tunnel of light wands with all of our greatest friends to go dance the night away at the after party!”
Jillian’s advice for a memorable day? “Try to spend time with your friends and family before the wedding! It made our wedding day feel so much less stressful and relaxed. Base your decisions off what you and your fiancé want, remind yourself that this is just one day and laugh at any mistakes. Don’t take it too seriously!”
Catering & Bar: Boda’s Kitchen
Beauty: Olivia Hawthorne
Cake: Windflower cakes
Entertainment: John Ross Music
Floral: Lucy’s Informal Flowers
Videography: Watertown Films
Photography: Krysta Rownd
Chalk Art & Caligraphy Decor: Sprig & Fern
Transportation: Aspen Limo Tours
Coordination: Union Event Co
Venue: Tin Roof Barn
At Tin Roof Barn, we specialize in creating a bespoke Gorge wedding experience for you and your guests. Our beautiful Gorge wedding venue includes many standard amenities such as the graceful vintage wood dining tables and mismatched vintage chairs, antique rugs, and furnishings. For your ceremony, we provide ceremony seating for up to 150 of your favorite people in our ceremony patio as well as an optional covered ceremony location, because, at a Gorge wedding, it’s good to have a Plan B, just in case! Our modern restroom facility, the beautifully appointed Bridal Suite and Groom’s Room, the rustic tin covered Pavilion and massive stone fireplace are all part of the indoor/outdoor Gorge wedding experience. Scenic views of the mountains, forests, orchards, and valleys of the Columbia River Gorge are the background to this stunning Gorge wedding venue and will leave your guests celebrating late into the evening.
The award-winning Tin Roof Barn has been featured on Harper’s Bazaar, The Knot, Green Wedding Shoes, Sunset, The Venue Report, PopSugar, Oregon Bride, 100 Layer Cake, Borrowed and Blue, and Pendleton. If you’d like more details on how to have your dream Gorge wedding at Tin Roof Barn, or if you’d like to schedule a tour of our gorge wedding venue located near Hood River, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, please don’t hesitate to contact us here!