Natasha & Owen
“Owen and I met in the summer of 2012 when we were both working as interns in Washington, D.C. We didn’t meet until the very end of July when I went to a party with my roommate, who was interning in the same office as Owen. We met on a Friday, went on our first date the following Monday, and were inseparable from there on out. Four years later — after moving back to D.C. to start our first jobs following out college graduation — Owen took me back to the spot on the Georgetown Waterfront where we had our first date, got down on one knee, and proposed.”
“As two Pacific Northwesterners (I was born in Oregon, Owen in Washington), we knew that we wanted to get married in a place that embodied the natural beauty of the region that had shaped our lives. The Gorge, in particular, holds a special place in our hearts because we both remember vacationing there as children. As lovers of the outdoors, we knew we wanted a setting that reflected our love of nature and showed off the surroundings of the area — something both striking in its beauty but intimate in its setting. We weren’t looking for a barn wedding, per se, but were looking for a venue that could be both rustic and romantic while still offering our guests amenities that would make for a fun, and comfortable, party. Ultimately, having our wedding at Tin Roof Barn served a symbolic purpose for us: we had our guests stay in Hood River, Oregon but cross the river into Washington for the wedding as a nod to both my Oregon heritage and Owen’s Washington roots.”
“When thinking about the design of our wedding, we were guided by one concept above all else: highlight the natural beauty of the region and, specifically, of the barn. We were so lucky to find a gorge venue with so much going for it naturally, from the way that light falls through the slats of the barn to the view of Mt. Adams from the ceremony site. Building on the venue’s natural features, we knew that we wanted to invest in design elements, like florals, that added to the feeling of rustic, natural beauty. That meant floral arrangements that reflected an organic shape and a color palate that was reminiscent of late summer in the Gorge — deep burgundy, delicate blush, and touches of greenery and berries.”
“I fell in love with my wedding dress as soon as I put it on; it was a beautiful Sarah Janks dress purchased from the English Department in Portland. The dress itself was two-fold: a sleek, ivory slip topped off with a gown made from French Chantilly lace. The front of it cascaded down in soft tiers around the knees, and it had a gorgeous train that I accented with a long veil. It was a dress that was both intricate and clean, romantic and modern. As much as I love my dress and veil, however, my favorite part of my outfit might have been the Twigs and Honey earrings that I wore for the ceremony and reception. Twigs and Honey make the most beautiful, intricate jewelry, and they are based out of Salem, Oregon (my hometown) which made wearing them all the more special. Owen wore a suit by Ted Baker which was a lighter shade of blue than the navy suits worn by the groomsmen. Accenting his outfit was a dark red boutonniere that complimented the palette of the wedding.”
“We had our first look under the big walnut tree outside of the Bridal Suite. It was such a special moment for the two of us. We had gotten up early that morning and gone for a walk together, but we hadn’t seen each other for hours and we were moments away from our wedding, so it was a mix of excitement, nervousness, and happiness. I remember thinking that Owen looked so handsome in his suit, and feeling so overwhelmed with love and gratitude at the fact that he was about to be my husband!”
Owen had some input for how he felt about the first look as well, “I remember fighting the urge to run over to her (I had been told by the photographer not to) as she walked toward me in the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. Once we met, all the stress and business of the day just melted away and all I could think about was how happy I was to be marrying this wonderful woman.” Awwww!!!
“It was very important to us that our wedding ceremony felt personal to us. We asked our good friend to officiate the ceremony, and we each walked down the aisle with both of our parents. We wanted our vows, which we wrote ourselves, to be the centerpiece of the ceremony. It was our favorite part of the ceremony, exchanging the words and stories we wrote for each other in front of our friends and family.”
“One of our favorite parts of the reception was the very beginning — Owen and I waited inside the barn, and our guests we asked to gather around the big doors. Then, the doors opened and we greeted our guests as husband and wife! It made for a dramatic entrance. Other favorite moments were the toasts from our friends and family, as well as the hours spent dancing. The venue was perfect because it allowed our guests to dance inside or sit and talk outside under the beautiful PNW stars.”
“We will always remember our wedding as the best party we have ever thrown. Our advice for brides (and grooms!) to-be is to remember that, at its core, a wedding is a celebration of your love, but it’s also a celebration of all the people who helped guide you to this point in your life. Wedding planning can be stressful, but don’t lose sight of just how much fun it will be!”
Photography: Sweetlife Photography
Catering & Bar: Celilo
Linens: The Details Department
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!