Alexa and Jackson’s DIY wedding was held on his grandparents’ farm in Oregon. From the very beginning, the guiding principle behind the planning was emotion. Alexa focused on how people would feel throughout the celebration and on creating moments that would stay with them long after it was over. Drawn to the timeless, candid aesthetic, she intentionally avoided anything overly fluffy or extravagant.
The bride wanted the day to feel authentic, so she designed the wedding herself, without a planner, makeup artist, or florist. The one non-negotiable decision was photography, captured by David Ann Weddings. For everything else, loved ones stepped in, cleaning up the farm, arranging flowers, hosting the rehearsal dinner, filming the wedding video, and even officiating the ceremony. This collective, hands-on approach turned the celebration into something truly interactive, personal, and deeply rooted in shared effort.
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon, United States
Style: Timeless, Candid, Colorful
Time of planning: 10 months
Number of guests: 140
Setting: Backyard
Season: Summer
Alexa grew up in Southern California, while Jackson comes from a small town outside of Portland, Oregon. They met through friends on a blind date at a moment when both were just starting their careers, and very quickly realized they were serious about each other. As Alexa puts it, “When you know, you know.”
After ten months of dating, Jackson flew to Florida to surprise Alexa during a family vacation and proposed on a beach in the Florida Keys, just days before she returned to California to begin her first year of teaching.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
The morning of the wedding took place in a large Airbnb, where everyone got ready together at their own pace. Alexa loved how laid-back it felt. Even with nerves and tight timelines, the atmosphere remained calm and collaborative. She bought coffee for all of her bridesmaids, and from the moment she arrived, everyone naturally stepped into helping roles.
Including her friends in the planning process from day one made the morning feel seamless. Everyone knew where they were needed, and the sense of shared purpose added another layer of meaning to the day.
Alexa wore a simple, flattering, timeless wedding dress, paired with Betsey Johnson Nikki Ivory heels, featuring a Tiffany blue sole that added a subtle pop of color. Her jewelry was kept minimal with pearl pieces gifted by friends that morning. Her sister also gifted her Jo Malone Beach Blossom perfume, which she wore on the day.
One of the bridesmaids did her hair, as well as the hair for the entire bridal party. Alexa did her own makeup. Together with her sister, she made her bouquet the morning before the wedding, along with all of the men’s boutonnieres. Each bridesmaid also created her own bouquet and did her own makeup, reinforcing the hands-on, communal approach that defined the day.
Groom’s Fashion
Jackson wore a tuxedo paired with black Chuck Taylors, which was his one firm request. Alexa loved the choice, seeing it as a reflection of his personality and a reminder that it was his wedding too. The look balanced classic tailoring with an easy, relaxed edge that matched the tone of the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on Jackson’s grandparents’ farm, in a small grove of trees on a field that held personal significance for his family. It is a place where Jackson grew up and where several of his sister and cousins have also been married, making it a meaningful continuation of tradition.
The weather was sunny and perfect, and the backyard setting created the candid, nostalgic atmosphere Alexa had always imagined. The ceremony felt welcoming and intimate from start to finish.
Jackson’s grandfather opened the ceremony, and Alexa’s father walked her down the aisle before officiating. He told their love stories side by side, ending with the exchange of vows in a traditional ceremony format. Standing with Jackson and looking out at their guests, Alexa saw tears and smiles throughout the crowd, a moment that made it clear how deeply everyone was feeling the experience.
The ceremony dуcor was kept intentionally simple. The focus was on a few lush floral moments placed exactly where they mattered. The arrangements were loose and whimsical, gathered in rich, almost unreal shades of pink, blue, peach, and coral.
A surprise processional sign brought Jackson to tears, even if he refuses to admit it. Alexa walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of Video Games by Lana Del Rey, while the wedding party and guests of honor entered to a saxophone instrumental cover of Sparks by Evan Johnson.
Moments Together
Upon arriving at the reception venue, Alexa and Jackson took 15 minutes alone together before their grand entrance. It was a quiet pause that allowed them to process the day and reconnect after an emotional, fast-paced morning.
Another deeply personal detail was the inclusion of lockets made by Alexa’s mother, featuring photos from both of her grandparents’ weddings. With both grandfathers having passed away and her grandmother unable to travel due to illness, Alexa carried the lockets in her bouquet during the ceremony. The ribbon tied around the bouquet was made from the fabric of her mother’s wedding veil, adding another generational layer to the moment.
Kim of David Ann Weddings followed the newlyweds quietly, documenting the in-between moments exactly as they happened. Nothing felt posed or performed, and that was the point. The images feel honest, relaxed, and completely unfiltered.
Reception
The reception was held just down the road at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. Decorations were made and set up by Alexa, her family, and friends prior to the ceremony, reinforcing the DIY spirit of the celebration.
One of the most meaningful reception details was a table displaying photos from the weddings of loved ones, accompanied by a sign that read “Remember That Feeling?” Guests gathered around the table, sharing stories and emotions inspired by the images. The bride wanted everyone to feel included, recognizing that the couple’s story was built on the love and examples that came before them.
Signature cocktails reflected both personalities. Alexa chose a Cosmopolitan, while Jackson opted for a Tequila Sunrise. An open bar was provided for guests, a decision the couple felt was worth every penny as a thank-you to those who traveled to Oregon and contributed their time and effort.
The couple shared their first dance to Unchained Melody. The team at McMenamins handled dinner and drinks with care and attention, and venue director Paul Hansen ensured that every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed.
The lovebirds leaned into a vision that felt timeless, colorful, candid, and intimate, without trying to turn a family property into a formal venue. Instead, the wedding adapted to the land, the house, the garden, and the people who helped bring it to life.
In many ways, their wedding became another reminder of where things are headed right now. Alexa and Jackson proved that when you stop chasing expectations and focus on what you genuinely love, everything falls into place. It does not matter how big the budget is, what rules you follow, or which aesthetic you think you are supposed to choose. Feeling comfortable, grounded, and fully yourself is what makes a celebration feel authentic, and that kind of ease always reads as chic.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t waste money on a giant wedding cake, no one will eat it anyways. We bought ours for $11 and only ate it for the pictures!
PHOTOGRAPHER David Ann Weddings | VIDEOGRAPHER Luke Worsham | RECEPTION VENUE McMenamins Grand Lodge | VENUE DIRECTOR Paul Hansen | FLORALS Trader Joe’s | HAIR Chloe Smith | BRIDAL GOWN Anthropologie Weddings | BRIDE SHOES Betsey Johnson | BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES Azazie | GROOM SUIT Perry Ellis | GROOMSMEN SUITS Men’s Wearhouse | GROOM SHOES Converse | PERFUME Jo Malone London | CATERING & BAR McMenamins | CAKE Fred Meyer | INVITATIONS Canva | DJ Stumptown DJs
