Stefanee + Chason

How did you meet?

My husband and I have known each other for nearly ten years through our friend group. We had both been in different relationships when we had first met. Years went by, previous relationships ended and we were both focusing on ourselves for a couple of years before we were reconnected. He worked out of town, but was making more and more trips back home where his family and I both were. We started seeing each other during these trips home without our friend group knowing because we didn’t want to put the cart in front of the horse! Our home town is fairly small and eventually we unintentionally ended up at one of our best friends place of work at the same time. That friend (knowing us both really well) instantly had a feeling that we had been seeing each other and was so thrilled for both of us and encouraged us to take a jump into our relationship! We continued seeing each other off and on when he was in town for the next few months and it wasn’t until he asked me to go to his youngest sisters wedding with him that we really dove into our relationship. His sisters wedding was the first time I had met his entire family, and during that trip home he met mine and fit right in and from that point we knew it all felt right!

When did you know they were the one?

Early on, I had a feeling he was the one. The time we spent together was so easy and delightful, and pretty soon I couldn’t imagine spending days without him in them.

I have a pretty tough family to please and when he met them for the first time I knew right then that he belonged in our family forever. My parents and younger brothers all loved him immediately, which is no easy task to achieve!

After we got engaged, I (lovingly) asked him if he proposed so that he could hang out with my dad and brothers forever!

At our wedding in my dads toast he said “right away, I knew Chason was the one for me…I mean Stefanee”.

He truly could not be more of the one for me!

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

His patience, his work ethic, and his ability to always ease my mind and worries.

Who proposed and how?

My husband proposed to me about a year after we had been dating. I had absolutely no idea that it was coming, because he had been working out of town and I thought there was no possible way he could have gotten a ring in his possession before the weekend because he came into town late on a Friday night. Little did I know, he had my dad and brother pick up the ring for him so that he could propose while he was in town. He had just taken his journeyman test to become a lineman and move back home so I thought he was simply coming home to share the news with his family and our friends. Instead, we went kayaking on what felt like the first sunny April weekend of the year and while we were out floating, he stopped me and proposed! I was completely stunned and entirely excited! While we were out, he had my best friend decorate our house and surprised me with the most wonderful engagement party.

Where did you fall in love with your dress and why?

I fell in love with my dress Tommy at Bespoke Bride in Bend, Oregon. Since before even being engaged I knew I wanted a crepe Made With Love gown because I wanted something timeless and chic. When I was trying on dresses I tried on every Made With Love dress the shop had to offer and as soon as I put Tommy on I and everyone I was shopping with knew it was the one! The perfect mix of crepe and lace detailing to elevate the look. Having gotten engaged in April 2022 and getting married in July 2022 I knew I needed to take my dress home with me that day. To my luck, the dress fit almost perfectly, and I was able to walk out the door with it! Truly a match made in heaven!

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

Our entire wedding day was such a dream. Everything fell into place perfectly. In our short engagement, we made a mountain top wedding venue since none of our local venues offered such a thing and that was our vision. I will never forget walking down the aisle to see my now husband with the biggest smile on his face, our bridal party all standing by his side so happy to see us get married at our dream location and our officiant (one of our dearest friends) for the most beautifully officiated ceremony. Having all of our closest friends and family members at our small wedding celebrating our love with such joy and happiness is something I will never forget!

What were your favourite details?

Since my husband and I are both very simple and minimal people, we didn’t have many “things” or “details” at our wedding. Our details were in the simplicity of it all. Rather than an arch, we had floral pillars as our alter so that the view we loved wasn’t obstructed. We had simple wooden tables and chairs with twinkle lights above them in a u-shape so our guests were seated family style. The way in which everything fell seamlessly together is my favorite detail in all. The way my wedding gown looked next to my groom, bridesmaids and groomsman. The way our flowers were the perfect mix of elegant and wispy. How there were no wildfires (we live in rural Oregon) before our wedding. How the weather for late July was a perfect 80 degrees. We could not have asked for a better day and all of the “details” of our wedding could not have fallen into place better.

What advice would you tell other brides?

Wedding planning should be easy and fun. On the day of your wedding, make sure you stay hydrated, eat food and avoid drinks that will make you feel bloated. You want to feel your absolute best walking down the aisle!

Any standout vendors?

Our caterer Julio was amazing! He owns Taqueria La Guacamaya, a local Mexican restaurant and served the best tacos! Our guests were obsessed with our dinner and many have hired him for their own events since our wedding.

Our photographer, Gypsy Jane Photography did a phenomenal job with our photos, we could not be happier with how they turned out.

Bespoke Bride in Bend, Oregon made dress shopping a breeze and the girls there were so helpful and kind! They made my experience finding my perfect dress an absolute dream.

My makeup artist: Kinsey Cosmetics was the absolute sweetest. I found her about a month before my wedding and she did an amazing job on makeup for myself, mom, and bridesmaids. We all felt so naturally beautiful and elegant.

My hairstylist who doubles as my best friend and maid of honor, did a beautiful low bun that I felt elevated my look and each of my bridesmaids had a different hairstyle that they all loved.