John and Michelle actually eloped a year prior to their wedding reception, but that didn’t stop them from celebrating their nuptials at a beautiful outdoor venue in Monmouth, Oregon. Ron’s Pond was the perfect backdrop for this casual, yet elegant event. In addition to the large pond, the property also features 17 acres of wooded walking trails. Michelle’s bright bouquet featuring pink, fuchsia, purple, red, and orange dahlias was a true stunner! After dinner the bride and groom took a little trip around the lake in a row boat and then danced the night away with their guests. Kel Ward Photography is behind the lens.

From the bride:

We did things a little backwards. We found our dream home when we were still just dating. It felt like fate and we knew that we wanted to marry one day. So, we decided to elope on the beach and buy the house as a married couple. Our elopement was just the two of us, our officiant, and witnesses. It was a very short, sweet, and windy ceremony. We planned on having a more customary reception celebration at a later date. Still, John and I did not want to miss out on the traditional proposal and we had not gotten our rings yet. So, he did surprise me a couple of months later. We went to our favorite little Oregon town where we had our first vacation. While out at dinner, he surprised me with a bottle of wine from a local winery we stumbled upon on our first trip. The winery was special because it had the same name as John’s last name. Later on in the meal, the waiter came to the table with a ring on a silver platter. That was when John got down on one knee! It was very touching and special. And I was very excited to say “yes” again!

Photography: Kel Ward Photography / Venue: Ron’s Pond / Flowers: Salem Farmer’s Market / Bride’s gown: Maggie Sottero, purchased and altered by Simply Grand Bridal in Salem, Oregon / Groom’s suit: purchased and tailored at Nordstrom / Makeup artist: Amie LaPray of Beautiful Skin by Mimi / Hairstylist: groom’s mother, Judy Chapman (Hillside Beauty Shop) / Wedding rings: Hood River Jewelers / Engagement ring: Fred Meyer Jeweler / Catering: Capricorn Catering / Dessert bar & Brownies: Tandra’s Truffles (Turner, OR) / Cake: Gerry Frank’s Konditorei