This lovely Portland wedding is filled with the simple details that make an event like this so charming. You don't need a lot. A pashmina here. A cool tie there. Pretty centerpieces on the table. A stunning church. All of these little things added up to big beauty at Adam and Christina's event. Thank you to Powers Photography Studios for sharing this absolutely lovely afternoon with us!

Vendors: Photography: Powers Photography Studios Did your wedding location hold a specific significance to you? What was the most meaningful part of your day? Did anything funny or out of the ordinary happen? Tell us details of the events surrounding the wedding. Any advice you'd give new brides who are just getting started?

Venue: St. Mary's Cathedral, Waverley Country Club

Dress: Mori Lee style 1901

Shoes: Vince Camuto

Accessories: vintage earrings from shop on Portobello Road in London, England

Men's Attire: Men's Wearhouse, Vineyard Vines ties

Bridesmaids' Attire: J Crew; pashminas from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey

Cake: Lamb's Bakery

Flowers: Kim, Geranium Lake

DJ: Shawn Whittemore, Event Team Entertainment

Hair: Caitlyn Miller, CM Coiffure

Makeup: Katelynn Walker

Adam actually suggested the venue. Besides Waverley being especially beautiful, our first date was at a par three course in Eugene, OR, where we went to college. I only visited one venue because after Adam proposed I had just two weeks to pack up my apartment, quit my job and move to London to join Adam so I was thrilled to have the venue search wrapped up so quickly.

Our ceremony took place at St. Mary's Cathedral, the church I was confirmed in the Easter prior to our wedding. When he proposed, Adam planned a secret trip back to Portland from London where he surprised me at my door on Good Friday, the night before I was confirmed. Our families were waiting at his grandmother's house with an engagement dinner that his mother prepared.

The most meaningful part of the day was walking down the aisle with my dad towards Adam. We hadn't seen or spoken to each other since the rehearsal dinner the night before and the build-up intensified the moment.

In college, Adam loved to memorize and recite speeches from movies. One of his favorites was the president's speech from the movie "Independence Day" and the best man made a point to tease Adam a bit for this during his toast. Our brilliant DJ searched for the "Independence Day" speech online during the best man's toast and as the best man was concluding faded it in completely impromptu. Adam then delivered the speech as he would have to a room of his fraternity buddies in college, fist pumps and all, to our wedding guests. People are still saying it was their favorite part of the wedding.

Adam's mother and father hosted a beautiful rehearsal dinner at the Davis Street Tavern the night before and my family hosted a brunch at the Heathman the morning after the wedding for out of town guests.

Don't try to do everything yourself, trust the experts and try to keep it as simple is possible.

Planning our Portland, OR wedding from London was so much easier because we had the support of family and friends, along with the most amazing vendors that didn't seem to mind the distance. With some initial input from me my mom did the most incredible job with Kim at Geranium Lake to create gorgeous flower arrangements and table settings. I trusted the wedding experts - the coordinator at the church and reception site, the flower vendor, the DJ, the ladies that did my hair and makeup - for many decisions that needed to be made because they've planned and seen so many more weddings that I ever will and I'm so happy I did because things turned out beautifully!

It's so easy to get lost in the vortex of Pinterest when planning your wedding, but try not to. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to find the perfect little details and then making all those perfect little details the week before the wedding. Simple can and should be beautiful. We relied on the beauty of the venues, had no guestbook or crafts, and I was able to spend the week before the wedding with family and friends that I never get to see because we live so far away.