This Cathedral Park wedding holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. First of all, I find myself lucking out again, by landing a really sweet couple like Ali and Adam. Good people is what makes this job worthwhile and this day felt like spending the day with family. Second, this location is both humble and grand. The simplicity of getting married at a park paired with an epic, tall standing bridge; the juxtaposition is unique and if you get married here in the summer time, the light that filters through the trees is divine.
This Cathedral Park wedding day was slow paced with a loose timeline. Ali got ready with her cat, at home in North Portland and we took some regal bridal portraits on a treasured couch that was her grandmothers. The electric blue color and pattern of this family heirloom is unforgettable and I still think about it often. Following a relaxing morning, we drove to Cathedral Park for a private first look and an intimate ceremony. There were a lot of tears and sweet moments shared between these two.
The night progressed with dinner from Por Que No, as the sun blazed across a perpetual hazy sky and eventually guest lit sparklers and Ali and Adam initiated their first dance, surrounded by their people.
I photographed this special day, just before moving to Portland and it felt like such a fitting way of giving me a glimpse of this city. From start to finish, I was smiling from ear to ear, in disbelief that I would soon be living close by and fully immersed in new parks, new restaurants and working with Portland couples. The success of this day felt like foreshadowing for the upcoming years. It’s like Portland basically welcomed me with open arms and said, you’re really gonna like it here.
Venue: Cathedral Park
Ali’s Dress: BHLDN
Dress Boutique: Brides For A Cause
Catering: Por Qué No
Flowers: New Seasons
![vase and candle on fireplace](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/01_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-3-2-1024x683.jpg)
![portrait of bride in north portland home with her cat](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/02_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-2-1-1024x683.jpg)
![portrait of bride in north portland home](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/03_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-7-1-683x1024.jpg)
![portrait of bride in north portland home with her cat](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/04_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-5_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-4-2-1024x703.jpg)
![portrait of bride in north portland home](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/05_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-9-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride putting on shoes in her home in north portland](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/06_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-6-2-1024x683.jpg)
![portrait of bride in glamours dress and earrings](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/07_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-13-2-1024x683.jpg)
![cat in a bowl](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/08_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-12-2-1024x683.jpg)
![st johns bridge in the sun](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/09_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-33-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride walking down stairs to groom for first look](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/10_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-14-1-1024x683.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/11_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-15-3-1024x683.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/12_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-16-2-1024x683.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/13_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-18-2-683x1024.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/14_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-19-2-1024x683.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/15_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-17-2-683x1024.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/16_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-20-3-1024x683.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/17_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-21_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-22-3-1024x748.jpg)
![portraits of bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/18_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-23-1-683x1024.jpg)
![guest arriving at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/19_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-25-2-1024x683.jpg)
![mother and mother of the bride hugging](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-24-3-1024x683.jpg)
![portrait of bride with flowers at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/21_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-26_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-27-3-1024x747.jpg)
![portrait of bride with flowers at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/22_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-28-3-1024x683.jpg)
![portrait of bride with flowers at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/23_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-29-2-1024x683.jpg)
![welcome table at cathedral park wedding before the ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/24_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-31-3-1024x683.jpg)
![flower girl swinging her basket at cathedral park wedding before the ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/25_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-34-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guest mingling at cathedral park wedding before the ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/26_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-32-2-1024x683.jpg)
![family photo of mother and sister and bride at cathedral park wedding before the ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/27_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-30-3-683x1024.jpg)
![guest mingling at cathedral park wedding before the ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/28_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-35-3-683x1024.jpg)
![cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/29_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-36-3-1024x683.jpg)
![officiant and guests waiting for bride to walk down the aisle at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/30_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-37-3-1024x683.jpg)
![family walking down the aisle at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/31_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-38-3-1024x683.jpg)
![family walking down the aisle at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/32_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-39_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-40-3-1024x747.jpg)
![flower girl and ring bear walking down the aisle at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/33_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-41-2-1024x683.jpg)
![flower girl and ring bear walking down the aisle at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/34_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-42-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride walking down the aisle with her mom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/35_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-44-2-683x1024.jpg)
![groom waiting for bride at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/36_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-45-3-1024x683.jpg)
![bride walking down the aisle with her mom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/37_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-46-3-1024x683.jpg)
![bride hugging sister after walking down the aisle at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/38_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-47-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guests enjoying cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/39_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-50_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-49-2-1024x748.jpg)
![little boy standing in crowd at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/40_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-48-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride crying at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/41_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-51-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guest holding each other at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/42_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-53-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom reading vows during cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/43_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-52_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-55-3-1024x747.jpg)
![bride and groom reading vows during cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/44_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-54-3-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom reading vows during cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/46_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-58-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom reading vows during cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/47_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-59-2-1024x683.jpg)
![groom placing ring on brides finger at cathedral park wedding ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/48_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-61-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom reading vows during cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/49_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-60-2-1024x683.jpg)
![first kiss between bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/50_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-62-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guests clapping after the first kiss at cathedral parking wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/51_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-63-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom hugging at cathedral park wedding during the ceremony](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/52_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-64-2-1024x683.jpg)
![excited and happy bride and groom during recessional](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/53_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-66-2-683x1024.jpg)
![excited and happy bride and groom during recessional](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/54_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-67-2-1024x714.jpg)
![private moment between bride and groom at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/55_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-68-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and grooms grand entrance after wedding ceremony at cathedral park](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/56_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-70-3-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding guests sitting on stairs at cathedral park](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/57_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-71-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride greeting friend at cathedral park wedding reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/58_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-72-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guests mingling at cathedral park reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/59_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-74-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guests mingling at cathedral park reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/60_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-75-2-683x1024.jpg)
![por que no catering on a table at wedding reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/61_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-77-2-1024x683.jpg)
![friend of bride serving por que no to a kid](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/62_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-78-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guests mingling at cathedral park reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/63_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-79-3-1024x683.jpg)
![mother of the bride and a guest laughing at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/64_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-80-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guests eating por que no in cathedral park at sunset](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/65_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-81-3-1024x683.jpg)
![st johns bridge at sunset](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/66_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-82-2-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding guests walking up hillside to attend dinner at cathedral park](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/67_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-83-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guests mingling at cathedral park reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/68_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-84-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guests mingling at cathedral park reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/69_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-85-2-1024x683.jpg)
![wine and mixed drinks on table](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/70_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-86-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride hugging her friend during cathedral park reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/71_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-88-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride kneeling down by flower girl at cathedral park](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/72_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-89-3-1024x683.jpg)
![cathedral bride glowing in the sunset](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/73_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-90-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guest clinking glass at cathedral park reception](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/74_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-92-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guests eating dinner at sunset at cathedral park](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/75_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-93_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-91-2-1024x748.jpg)
![white wedding cake on a white table with red flowers](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/76_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-73-2-1024x683.jpg)
![white wedding cake with red dahlia flower on top](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/77_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-76-1-683x1024.jpg)
![bride taking topper off of cake](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/78_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-94-3-1024x683.jpg)
![bride cutting the cake](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/79_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-95-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom kissing after cutting the cake](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/80_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-96-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom getting cake at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/81_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-97-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guests eating at cathedral parking wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/82_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-98-2-683x1024.jpg)
![cathedral park at sunset with hazy sky](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/83_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-100-3-1024x683.jpg)
![bride looking at groom at cathedral park wedding at sunset](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/84_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-104-2-1024x683.jpg)
![bride and groom hugging at cathedral park](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/85_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-102-3-683x1024.jpg)
![bride and groom kissing at cathedral park](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/86_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-103-2-1024x683.jpg)
![scenery shot at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/87_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-106-3-1024x683.jpg)
![bride walking at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/88_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-107-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guests lighting sparklers at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/89_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-110-2-1024x683.jpg)
![sparklers at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/90_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-109-2-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple at cathedral park having first dance](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/91_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-111-3-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple at cathedral park having first dance](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/92_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-113-2-683x1024.jpg)
![wedding couple at cathedral park having first dance](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/93_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-115-2-1024x683.jpg)
![guests dancing at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/94_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-116-3-1024x683.jpg)
![guests dancing at cathedral park wedding](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/95_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-117-3-1024x683.jpg)
![wedding couple at cathedral park having first dance](https://alexandracelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/96_cathedral-park-wedding-portland-oregon-112-3-1024x683.jpg)
Some sweet words from Ali + Adam to conclude this post!
“We met in a very modern manner – online dating. Her profile was quite unlike the others, with detailed descriptions of who she was and who she was looking to meet, and photos demonstrating her whimsy (oh, and stunning beauty). I immediately began to craft a message to her. It was clear that “hey, how are you doing” simply wouldn’t be well-received by Ali. After much time and deliberation, I sent to her what must have been the right note, because she responded and we had a brief back and forth through the dating site. We quickly reached the point where we abandoned the dating app and began to text, and soon thereafter were prepared to meet for a date. I pondered various romantic restaurant options, but Ali (who I now know to be a “planner”) took the lead and proposed meeting at Circa 33. I arrived well before the date, moving tables several times to find the spot most conducive to a deep conversation. I watched the front door intently awaiting her entrance. Then she was there. I remember nothing of what she was wearing, how she had done her hair, etc.; I remember only her warm smile and beautiful eyes. My nerves were racing but I was quickly put at ease by her calmness. We talked for a couple hours, but it felt like only a fraction of that, and I knew rather early in the conversation that I definitely wanted to spend more time with Ali, but had no idea if she felt the same way.”
“What sets my relationship with Adam apart is our ability to grow together through both the beauty and tragedy of life — he is the person I want to share happy times, and sad times, and mundane times, and joyful times with. It feels like we are fundamentally compatible in the most important and meaningful ways, and like we are always a team. I have always felt that we’re equally invested in our partnership and willing to do the work to reflect that, and I’ve never questioned us both genuinely wanting and desiring to share our lives together. We are also very different, and in those areas we have been able to challenge one another, to support one another’s growth in empathy, patience and compromise, and to expose one another to new ideas and interests.”
If you love this Cathedral Park wedding, you might enjoy reading about my top 5 favorite indoor weddings in Portland.
Oh my flipping goodness! This cathedral park wedding is so beautiful! I love her dress too, so unique and full of glam! You captured their love so beautifully ????????
This was such a perfect story! You captured the whole wedding day in such an authentic way, love it!!
Great job on this Cathedral Park Wedding. That said, I won’t like, the cat in the bowl shot was probably my favorite, ha ha. Love your edits.
This is such a beautiful intimate ceremony you captured at Cathedral Park. The bride’s silver wedding dress is stunning! I especially loved your eye for texture, color, and patterns in the indoor shots at the beginning.
Such a beautiful Cathedral Park wedding!! I love the photos of her cat too omg. Such awesome work!!