This is a question I’ve heard from more than one person, so I figured a quick explanation of our ceremony location decision was in order.
As many of you know, Thomas and I met while living/teaching abroad in Seoul, South Korea. When we decided to move back to the States together, we were torn about where to settle. Thomas was interested in Portland since it’s only a 2 hour drive from his hometown of Eugene. I was interested in moving to a place with warm temperatures, ocean, sunshine, and a thriving job market (since I craved a career switch from teaching ESL). After talking things over and weighing our options, we agreed to try out the great state of California.
For the past three years we’ve been soaking up sun in Pasadena and couldn’t be happier about how the greater Los Angeles area has finally begun to feel like home.
Thomas proposed to me in my hometown of Jacksonville, FL during a vacation where he met my close friends and family for the first time.
Post-proposal, we had our work cut out for us when it came to choosing where to have the wedding ceremony.
We toyed with the idea of a tropical destination wedding in Costa Rica or Mexico. We considered Los Angeles. We contemplated having two separate weddings in each of our hometowns. We thought about eloping.
After lots of debate and a neck and neck tournament of Rock, Paper, Scissors — we finally agreed on Portland for the following reasons:
- Oregon is home to the majority of the Wiebe clan!
- Portland has all the perks and convenience of a big city without being too giant. It is quirky and smart — with lots to explore.
- During the summer months, the scenery is breath-taking, and the weather is pretty close to perfect. (minimal humidity, my fellow Floridians)
*Bonus*
It’s the inspiration for the brilliant show Portlandia (let’s keep things weird, people).
After a healthy amount of hunting around online for Portland venues, Thomas and I agreed that the Gerding Theatre at the Armory seemed the obvious choice.
The historic armory-turned-theatre marries Thomas’ love of history and his childhood fascination with guns with my own former-thespian, passionate admiration for all that is theatre/music/dance/performing arts.
Plus, it’s beautiful to boot!
To my friends & family making the trip out to the West Coast from the East: I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Anyway, that’s enough for now.
Consider your “Why Portland?” query answered.
🙂
-Bon
bonny and thomas 