Derrick & Ashlie | Columbia Gorge Hotel Wedding Photos
We have shot at the Columbia Gorge Hotel and have loved it for it’s beauty, but this venue also comes in handy when you have to change wedding plans last minute. Derrick & Ashlie were going to have an outdoor wedding and reception, but Oregon weather had other plans. With the signs of rain coming, they quickly pivoted and were able to fit all the wedding guests indoors with amazing accent lights. Honestly, I love indoor spaces for dancing parties; people seem to really dance and have more fun.
One thing I loved about Ashlie and Derrick’s wedding was their dancing party. If you want an epic dancing party, I have found that they all had these three things in common.
1. The bride and groom are often found on the dance floor. The bride and groom are the reason everyone is there in the first place. If they are off the dance floor, the rest of the guests just seem to not be as interested. But every time they get back to dancing, all the guests tend to gravitate back.
2. Smaller dance floor with darker accent lights. If you have a massive dance floor, you can feel very exposed and it makes people shy to dance. But the tight feeling adds more energy and excitement. Also, lower lights help make people feel bolder.
3. Sprinkled in performances and/or party items (think large inflatable light-up ball, disco light sticks, flashing glasses, bubbles, etc). Having a few of your guests have a dance performance planned goes a long way to instill confidence and more excitement in your guests. You got married after all, it’s time to celebrate, and your friends want an excuse to let loose. Having something pre-planned helps let your other guests know you are ready for partying. Also the fun extras keep the night going longer and the dance floor fresh. Not everyone “knows” how to dance, but after a shared meal together, the best thing you can do for your body and mood is to get up and get moving. If we don’t dance at weddings, then when?
4. Bonus item: hire Trevor Lund, a live saxophone player that add excitement to any dance floor.
All that to say, there is a larger amount of reception photos in this post, as this was a killer party. A huge shoutout to all the other vendors that made this day possible for Ashlie and Derrick:
Kasia Blackburn @kasiablackburn_mua
Mattie Quintero @styledbymattie
Danison @bowtieandbrush
Keawe @purepulseentertainment
Apple Core Farm @applecorefarm
Amy @blossom.baking
Trevor Lund @tlundsax
