Peter & Hilary – Miranda Gardens Resort

Peter and Hilary were living out of state finishing their degrees at Oregon State University where they met. They planned the wedding for one week after graduation before a move to Denver where Peter would begin a doctoral program. They hoped for an outdoor venue among the redwoods where family and friends from across the country and beyond could stay and enjoy time with each over the weekend. Deep in their last year at OSU, planning a move to Colorado, and figuring out which belongings from their two households would make the move, finding a venue fell to Celebration Boulevard!

The weather in June isn’t always warm so we looked south to find somewhere that would fit their desires. Miranda Gardens Resort in Miranda fit the bill perfectly! With 16 cottages on the property, family and friends stayed onsite and the party started as people rolled in at noon on Friday. That meant even more hands to help unload and set up. The play area kept the little ones busy.

This couple values time with family and friends so much. A pedi party with the girls started earlier that week. Matron of Honor, Sarah, was surprised with a cake and the birthday song during the rehearsal! It was so convenient having everyone able to walk right to their cottages.

The wedding day beauty prep was so convenient with everyone already onsite. Mary Glavich from @Shear Designs has known the bride since she was a baby and it was special to have her for hair and makeup. Mimosas, music, and laughter created a joyful time for these friends. The girls all took such good care of the bride, including making sure she ate!

Muir Adams Photography wove in and out of all the activity capturing the beauty and the emotional moments. Muir took the couple to a stunning grove down Avenue of the Giants for their First Look. The love the groom has for his bride was so evident! The wedding party joined in for some stunning photos.

The bride’s father looked proud escorting his oldest daughter to her groom. The ceremony was officiated by the bride’s Uncle @Jim Cress. The couple wrote their vows and their first act as husband and wife was communion.

@Ms.M’s Catering had a beautiful and divine meal waiting! This couple loves breakfast so much that it was breakfast for dinner! Sliced tri-tip on scrambled eggs, fresh fruit topped with homemade whipped cream, silver dollar pancakes and berries on skewers, homemade granola to top the yogurt and so much more! A trendsetting couple.

The wedding party toasts were nostalgic, sweet and funny. Cake cutting was dignified and on to the dances! Heatwave Sound and Light kept the party going with great music all night.

Hilary had been a swing dancer for years and Peter was a quick learner. The guests loved it! And what is a bride to do about a Father/Daughter dance when there are several important men who have loved her like a father? You dance with them all! Hilary chose part of a different song for each of them and then it was time for Peter to dance with his mother. It’s especially poignant watching parents who are experiencing their oldest child’s nuptials.

Bouquet and garter tosses are always fun! The anniversary dance brought all the married couples to the floor. Peter and Hilary were the first excused and it was beautiful to see how many happily married couples there were dancing. The Chicken Dance brought out everyone’s silliness and then the dance floor came alive! Young and old had a blast until the very last song. After a quick change, the bride and groom said their goodbyes to family and friends, and loaded into the car for a night at Benbow before a honeymoon in Jamaica. The guests lined the path and cheered for the newly married McMillans as they drove into the night. Another beautiful wedding weekend and Celebration Boulevard was grateful to be a part.