From our very first wedding planning consultation, Sally & Travis told me they wanted ice cream served at their wedding. I also learned Sally’s favorite color was yellow, that she loved (LOVED) flowers, and that Travis was hoping for a string quartet during the ceremony. We incorporated all these elements into their special day - and I couldn’t wait to see it all come together.

A colorful, sustainable summer wedding at Mount Tom House in Eugene, Oregon — Niki Louise Photography

A wedding ceremony at Mount Tom House is decorated with locally grown sustainable wedding flowers — Niki Louise Photography

Serving Ice Cream at Their Wedding

The couple’s vision began as an ice cream truck at their reception, but due to the steep and winding driveway of Mount Tom House we realized it would be difficult for the truck to maneuver. Thankfully, we discovered the cutest little mobile ice cream cart from Gracie’s Sweets & Treats (based out of Salem).

Gracie’s specializes in hand-scooped, locally-sourced ice cream from Oregon brands like Tillamook, Umpqua, and Cascade Glacier. Their mobile ice cream cart is a huge hit with wedding guests of all ages!

Newlyweds enjoy handscooped local ice cream from a mobile cart at their wedding in Eugene, Oregon — Niki Louise Photography

Cake or No Cake?

Though ice cream was a non-negotiable for their wedding day, Sally & Travis still envisioned having a small cake for the two of them to enjoy. We ensured they had a formal “cake cutting” moment together, and the rest of the cake was sliced and offered to any guests who couldn’t live without wedding cake. ;) The caterer Branch Road Farm (one of my favorites!) crafted a beautiful two-tiered cake for the couple, decorated with yellow frosting and lots of flowers for Sally.

Sustainable Wedding Flowers

Hope Reese with Wrong Number Floral was hired as the floral designer for this wedding, which aligned with Sally’s vision perfectly. Wrong Number Floral emphasizes sustainability, ensuring that no traditional (and nonbiodegradable) foam is used and that as many flowers are sourced as locally as possible.

Unique sustainable locally sourced wedding florals at a wedding ceremony in Eugene, Oregon — Niki Louise Photography

From the ceremony arch to the aisle arrangements and table decor, our florist ensured that Sally’s love of flowers was felt by every wedding guest. Hope and her team stayed after the ceremony to move the aisle arrangements up to the reception lawn, so that they could decorate the head table and be enjoyed all evening.

Sunlight spills across richly decorated tables at a summer wedding at Mount Tom House in Eugene Oregon — Niki Louise Photography

Expressing Personality through Accessories

Sally’s braided hairstyle was accented with tiny daisies, and she wore heels in her favorite color. Allowing herself to accessorize with items that aren’t strictly “bridal” gave her more freedom to express her personal style.

Keep this in mind for your own weddings: you don’t have to wear white shoes (or any shoes!) if it doesn’t feel right to you. And your hair can be styled in any way that’s comfortable (although it helps to have a hair style that will stay in place and look beautiful throughout your celebrations!).

A bride wears yellow shoes for her nontraditional wedding in Eugene Oregon — Niki Louise Photography

A String Quartet

Live music is a powerful way to set the tone for your wedding day. We hired Generations Band to provide a string quartet for both the ceremony and cocktail hour afterwards. The musicians were so talented and it was a delight to hear the sweet music spreading through the beautiful gardens at Mount Tom House.

A HUGE thank you to Sally & Travis for hiring me as their wedding planner. I loved every moment of building this event with the two of you, and I’m still a little sad it’s over. Thank you for trusting me with your amazing day!