Imagine having your wedding atop Astoria’s Pigeon Steps overlooking the city and the river with your nearest and dearest. That’s exactly what this adventurous couple did, opting for a renegade style wedding that was as intimate as it was unforgettable. They skipped the traditional venues and embraced the spontaneity of an outdoor setting that spoke to them.

Wedding Atop Astoria’s Pigeon Steps

Getting Ready at the Y Dormitory

Nestled in the heart of Astoria, Oregon, the Y Dormitory set the stage for an unforgettable start to this couple’s wedding day. This used to be an old YMCA, and has since been remodeled into a large guest house, with lots of rooms, large windows, and great views over the city. This historic space, with its vintage charm and character, was the perfect backdrop for the bride and groom to prepare for their intimate wedding ceremony. As the afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation. Friends and family gathered, sharing laughter and stories as they helped the couple get ready. The bride slipped into her dress with the help of her friends, while the groom adjusted his tie, surrounded by his family.

Personalized Wedding Details

This day was filled with so many personalized and handmade details. One of my favorite details were the “florals”. They were handmade from old faucet handles that the couple had collected. The groom used them to create a bouquet for the bride, a boutonnière for himself, and a single floral stem for each guest. These handles were also used to decorate the cute cake, made by the bakery that is just below the dormitory.

The faucet motif carried over into their wedding invitation design as well. They created their own invitations, and included a paper cutout of a faucet flower that each guest could color and cut out to wear for the big day. Such a sweet and unique touch!

Another unique detail were the wedding rings. The bride purchased a ring she loved that was made out of a spoon. Since the groom is handy at metalwork, he decided to create a spoon ring for himself as well. Then he decided to make himself a whimsical bolero tie with a spoon attached to play more into the spoon theme! Finally, he actually made spoon boleros for all the guests as well!

The Renegade Ceremony Begins

As the afternoon sun began its descent, everyone made their way to the iconic Pigeon Steps, a hidden gem in Astoria, Oregon. This isn’t your typical wedding venue, in fact it isn’t an official “wedding spot” at all, but that’s what made it perfect for them. Everyone just swooped in quickly and quietly and did the thing. The natural beauty of the location created a breathtaking backdrop for their vows. There was no traditional altar, just the simplicity of nature and the love between them. This ceremony was a testament to their adventurous spirit and commitment to crafting a wedding day that was truly their own. And serendipitously, we discovered a sticker at the top of the steps that said “wedding spot”. So, I guess it is an official wedding spot after all!

Pizza Party Reception at Fort George Brewery

After the ceremony, I walked with the couple down the stairs and we made our way to Fort George Brewery. We took portraits along the way. Once we arrived at Fort George, everyone celebrated with pizza and brews late into the night.

The Vendors:

Getting Ready Venue – The Y Dormitory | The Y Astoria

Cake – Gathered Bakeshop

Reception Venue – Fort George Brewery Astoria

Photographer – Crystal Genes Photography

See More Photos From this Wedding atop Astoria’s Pigeon Steps

Scroll down to see more photos from this wedding. Also, check out this link to see the full wedding day gallery. And, please leave a comment for the couple down below to help them earn some free prints!

See More Photos From this Wedding atop Astoria’s Pigeon Steps

Don’t forget to check out this link to see the full wedding day gallery. And, please leave a comment for the couple down below to help them earn some free prints!