Intimate Wedding Celebration on the Oregon Coast

Surrounded by their close-knit group of friends, Renée and Katlyn exchanged vows on the Oregon Coast, followed by a laidback pizza dinner.

Renée and Katlyn's wedding was a testament to their love, resilience, and the power of friendship. Their journey started long before they officially became a couple, with shared friend groups and late-night conversations. And when Renée was faced with a breast cancer diagnosis just a month into their relationship, Katlyn stayed by her side through every doctor's visit and grueling chemotherapy session. “This experience was definitely unlike most relationships. But when you know someone is your person walking away isn’t even something that crosses your mind,” says Katlyn.

Their love grew stronger as they faced this unprecedented challenge together. After a year and a half of treatment, Renée entered remission, and it was during a romantic trip to a tree house in Langlois, OR that Katlyn surprised her with a proposal. With rose petals strewn around an outdoor bathtub, they basked in the post-engagement glow, cherishing those precious days of uninterrupted bliss before sharing the news with loved ones.

The couple's intimate wedding ceremony was a reflection of their close-knit group of friends. “We wanted our wedding to to be about us. And for us that meant not focusing on a big wedding where you have a whole to do list to worry about,” says the couple. With their closest friends by their side, the ceremony was filled with heartfelt moments. The personal touch extended to every detail, with flowers lovingly arranged by their friend, who happened to have created the first bouquet that Katlyn ever sent to Renée. “Having her do the flowers for our special day was a real full circle moment. We wanted some dark moody flowers but otherwise gave Heather full power to design what she thought she’d love and she knocked it out of the park,” says the Katlyn. And with their community by their side, they exchanged heartfelt vows and performed a symbolic ring exchange that represented their eternal commitment.

The romantic and moody vibe of their wedding was accentuated by the elegant colors of champagne, forest green, and black. Katlyn stunned in a black suit, embellished with gold chains and a unique pocket watch chain hanging from her vest. Renée wore a wedding dress adorned with a sweetheart neckline and a flowy cap sleeve.

The beautiful arrangements of dark moody flowers added a touch of elegance to the event. Each detail was carefully thought out, from personalized vow books to a personalized cake cutter and fancy champagne glasses that could be cherished as keepsakes.

Their reception, located at a long table adorned with black tablecloths and glass vases filled with eucalyptus, exuded a sense of intimacy. A specially curated menu of pizza reflected their desire to break away from tradition. With their eight guests, they dined, talked, and celebrated among friends. The magical moment of their first kiss as wives, surrounded by their loved ones, brought tears to their eyes.

While the challenges of planning a wedding were not unfamiliar to Renée and Katlyn, they faced unique obstacles such as limiting the guest list to only eight people and ensuring they had everything they needed for their destination wedding. However, their determination and unwavering love overcame any obstacles, as the sun shone down during their ceremony despite the initial fear of rain.

Renée and Katlyn's wedding was not just a celebration of their love, but also a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the beauty of creating a wedding that truly reflected who they are as a couple.