Wedding Details
Time of Year: Fall | Design Theme: Colorful & playful | Number of Guests: 115 | Wedding Party: 5
With family and friends traveling from all over the country, Laura and Eric wanted a venue where everyone could be together in one place for the entire wedding weekend. “We wanted to share the best of what Oregon had to offer for locals and traveling guests—tall trees, mountain lakes, and great food,” Eric said. Suttle Lodge holds a special place in the couple’s memory, with its relaxed, cozy vibe, delicious food and beautiful setting. “Between the food, the variety of different lodging, and a lake to cold plunge in on the wedding morning, the decision made itself,” Eric explained. “Even better, we get to look forward to future trips there and remember all the fun we had!”
Creating the Magic
As the exclusive wedding planner for Suttle Lodge in 2023, Events by Mint worked with Laura and Eric to make their wedding vision a reality. The floral arrangements were designed by Eliza Eaton, owner of Roots Wild Floral, a recommendation from their planner, and “they made our day shine,” Laura shared. “We’re total flower nerds, so getting to geek out with Eliza about flowers was a part of the planning process we really loved.” Katy Weaver recorded the festivities with masterful photography. “She captures micro-moments that happen in a flash but carry so much meaning,” Eric shared. DJ Cooky Parker brought the fun to the dance floor and VK Designs crafted their customized rings.
Laura drew illustrations of native wildflowers and Suttle Lodge buildings and incorporated them into all the printed materials. Taking their request for a disco ball to the next level, their planners “arranged a chandelier of different disco balls of varied sizes over the dance floor,” Eric said. In lieu of a wedding cake, the couple opted for donuts from Sisters Bakery to honor a nostalgic moment from when they first met. The whimsical alternative was a hit amongst their guests. To add to the festive flair, the couple hired the Bend VW Photo Bus. “Our guests loved it, there were so many fun props, and the photo strips we have are hilarious,” Laura shared. Ruth Furtado of Ruthless Beauty was selected for makeup and hair. “I’m so thankful to Ruth for making me feel glammed up, but at ease and totally myself,” Laura said.
Reflecting on their planning process, Laura shared how easy it was to get caught up in the overwhelm of all the details. “When we lost sight of the big picture, we reminded ourselves why we chose to have the wedding we were planning.” A lens into what she learned in the process, Laura offered words of wisdom, “Know yourselves, figure out what is most important to you both and ditch the rest. What you’ll remember the most is how it felt that day with your important people as witness.”
Highlight Moment
“We had a suitcase of wigs, costume pieces, and light-up jackets and gizmos
on the dance floor which was a blast. Seeing our parents and family dancing in wigs and light-up jackets was hilarious, and [photographer] Katy got some great shots to capture the memories,” Laura shared.
The Guest Experience
Guests gathered from Ohio, the East Coast and Portland to celebrate Laura and Eric’s special day. “Central Oregon has so much to offer,” Laura said. “Some of our guests went into Sisters, stayed and played at Black Butte, went for short hikes in the area and paddled on Suttle Lake. Others made the pilgrimage to the last Blockbuster in Bend and a bunch added trips to Smith Rock, Crater Lake, Portland or the Oregon Coast before or after the wedding as well.” With Suttle Lodge as the setting for all of the wedding festivities, Laura and Eric achieved their goal of maximizing time with their guests while being able to relax and be present to appreciate every special moment.
Laura and Eric’s Wedding Team
Venue: Suttle Lodge & Boathouse | Photographer: Katy Weaver | Planner: Events by Mint | Hair + Makeup: Ruthless Beauty | Florals: Roots Wild Floral | Rentals: Heirlooms & Co. + O’Brien Events + Elevation Tents and Events | Lighting: Illuminate Your Night | Dessert: Sisters Bakery | DJ: Cooky Parker, House of Cards Music | Graphic Designer: Studio Maura Lark | Fabric Backdrop: Jennifer W. Mark
