This intimate wedding at Horning’s Hideout in Portland Oregon was a mossy dream come true. This venue is a secluded wonderland that feels far away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. There are acres of land here, and a few different gorgeous sites for weddings and elopements.

Getting Ready for the Intimate Wedding at Horning’s Hideout

Alyssa and her three bridesmaids got ready at a hotel about 20 minutes from the venue. They did their own hair and makeup. They looked absolutely gorgeous, and they better have because we were upwards of an hour late. Although, we allowed a lot of extra time before the ceremony for this exact reason. Intimate weddings are a lot less stressful than large traditional weddings considering there are far fewer guests to worry about. We arrived at the venue at about 4 PM, and the ceremony was set to start at 5 PM.

The Ceremony at Horning’s Hideout

This venue took my breath away from the moment we arrived. There were wild peacocks (including albino peacocks) running around the property. Our site location for the intimate wedding at Horning’s Hideout was located on a pond near a parking area. Once we arrived at the venue, Alyssa headed over to Joshua for the first look. They did this on the bridge of the pond and it was absolutely adorable. After I got some shots of them seeing each other for the first time, I gave them so space to enjoy their company. The venue was almost laid out like a mini switchback hiking trail. Below the parking lot, a short path lead me to the reception area, decorated with succulents, greenery, string lights, tables, and a dance floor. The sights at this intimate wedding at Horning’s Hideout were undefeated.

The ceremony site was down another path. It opened up to a large clearing between the mossy trees. As can be seen, it was breathtaking, to say the least. Alyssa and Joshua decorated it with florals, wooden signs, chairs, and a wooden arch. After their first look, everyone gathered to start the ceremony. All of the guests took their seats and it was time to get this show on the road. Joshua and the wedding party walked down the beautifully decorated aisle and waited for one of the most beautiful brides I’ve ever seen.

Here Comes the Bride

Alyssa started her walk down the aisle and she was so stunning and elegant. The officiant was a good friend of theirs and fully memorized what he was going to say to them. His words were beautiful and endearing, meanwhile, I was choking up behind my camera (like always.) They said incredible vows to each other and both told stories of meeting for the first time and know they were meant for each other. After they finished their vows, they lit a unity candle. After some troubleshooting, that is. Somehow our lighter got misplaced from the table. Luckily, a guest tossed us their lighter from the crowd. Following that, the couple exchanged rings and shared their first kiss. They walked down the aisle as man and wife while their closest friends and family cheered them on. I’d call their intimate wedding at Horning’s Hideout a raging success.

The Reception in the Mossy Wonderland

This reception was gorgeous. It felt like an elegant hideaway in the woods. The couple entered and made their first dance together under the string lights. The sun was starting to go down. After the dancing, the guests made their way to the taco truck to grab their dinner and enjoy some drinks. Next, I stole Alyssa and Joshua away for their bride and groom portraits. We found some rolling hills where the light was just shining on the tips of the trees. We had a freaking blast shooting their portraits. They were so happy and comfortable together, it was impossible to take a bad picture. We finished the portrait session with a three-person dance party. Joshua swung Alyssa’s veil in the air and all around her. It was hilarious and made for such unique photos.

Following the portrait session, everyone sat down for toasts. The wedding party told their favorite stories of the couple while the last bit of light sunk beneath the treeline. We finished up the toasts, and Alyssa and Joshua cut their cake. From there, I, and everyone else, assumed normal wedding activities would ensue. But Joshua had a bit of a surprise for Alyssa. He and his groomsmen got on the dancefloor and had performed a ridiculous, adorable, synchronized dance routine for Alyssa. To sum it up, they literally looked like Nsync. Incredible.

Ending the Intimate Wedding at Horning’s Hideout

Altogether, it was a perfect day. Alyssa and Joshua continue dancing and incorporated some traditional aspects into their intimate wedding at Horning’s Hideout. There was a bouquet and garter toss. At this point, the stars were out and everyone was mingling and getting down to some bangers being played by the DJ. 9:30 PM came quick and it was time to head home. This specific venue allows sparkler sendoffs, and that’s exactly what we did. The guests lined up and sent off the newlyweds with cheering and fireworks.

I found Alyssa and Joshua after the send-off and gave them both gigantic hugs goodbye. It feels so special and intimate to be invited to the most important part of a couple’s day, especially theirs. Their love for each other was so wholesome and heartwarming. I will remember this day forever, and I’m so lucky to help them do the same with their incredible photos. Consequently, if you’re interested in this venue or looking for a photographer for your own intimate wedding or elopement, get in touch with me below! I can’t wait to chat with you.