Gallery

Mid-pandemic proposal and Cabo elopement, where we said our vows as a placeholder while big gatherings were still off the table:

...and a few of the birthday boy over the years:

Gifts

We acknowledge the oddness of holding our official wedding four years after getting legally married (and in tandem with a birthday!) This celebration is long overdue since its covid-era postponement, and we’re simply happy to finally be gathering together! Please do not feel any social obligation to give a gift.That said, enough of you have asked about a registry that we figured we’d address it plainly: if you’re inclined to give a gift, the most practical kind is a financial one. Our next goal as a couple is saving for a down payment on a home. We’re not using a traditional registry, but if you’d like to contribute toward that savings fund, you’re welcome to Venmo us at @Lance-Orton-7, or reach out to us directly.

RSVP

Please complete the RSVP form by Monday, June 30 or sooner. (We know, it's quick!) We kindly ask everyone to respond, even if you can’t attend the event.

Attire

We will be in full bride and groom regalia (think wedding gown and formal suit). Dress to impress, but keep weather and your own comfort in mind. The reception is outdoors. Anywhere on the spectrum from garden party chic to black tie is appropriate. Aesthetically speaking, we’re hoping to curate soirée vibes like this*:

*minus the budget for fireworks

Parking

Ceremony: The church has a parking lot with enough space for everyone.Reception: The reception is at a private residence with no street parking available. Guests are kindly asked to walk one block from the ceremony to the reception (about 6 minutes). We’ll have signs and a few friendly faces stationed along the way to point you in the right direction. If the walk is unmanageable for you or your party, please contact us so we can pre-arrange transportation for you.

FAQ

What day is Lance's actual 50^th birthday?

Wednesday, July 30

Is this more wedding or more birthday?

We’d love for it to feel equally weighted as both! The ceremony is the wedding-centric part, and the reception is the birthday-centric part. This will be the first time we’re saying our vows in front of immediate family (and the first time our parents are meeting each other!) It will have all the bells and whistles of a formal ceremony, so we’re viewing this as our "real" wedding and hope it’s received with that kind of significance.The birthday reception will celebrate Lance’s 50th with a more chill cocktail-party-esque vibe. We’ll keep the fun stuff, like music and dancing, but skip the wedding protocols like the bouquet toss, feeding each other cake, and a seating chart. Lance has vetoed singing "Happy Birthday", but we may honor him with a distinguished alternative. Also, the dancefloor might serve up a few nods to his favorite music genre: ’80s hits.So there you have it: half wedding, half birthday bash.*

*In light of this: yes, there will be two cakes.

Food? Libations? Gluten?

Yes, there will be all of those! While we won’t have an endlessly open bar, we’ll be serving champagne and festive non-alcoholic beverages so that everyone can raise a glass with us. Dinner will be a self-serve buffet, satisfying herbivores and carnivores alike! The wedding and birthday cakes will be gloriously glutenous, but if you’re gluten-free, let us know now so we can plan enough GF backup desserts.

What if I'm an introvert who prefers to avoid people?

Are you an introvert? Small talk averse? Easily overstimulated at these kinds of events? Fear not! 50% of the two people hosting this event can relate! If you’re the kind of person who needs regular social breaks or who’d rather hang out with their partner than meet strangers, we want to hear from you about what would spark joy for you at this event.Would you like an Introverts' Corner with jigsaw puzzles and board games? Any particular creature comforts you'd appreciate? Use the request form to let us know if this AI-generated scene is ridiculous or amazing. (Naturally, you can submit your ideas anonymously...)

Any recommended accommodations?

We don't have a hotel block reserved anywhere, so choose your own experience! If you're coming for a longer stay and want to experience the city, considering lodging in Portland proper. If event proximity is your priority, consider staying closer to Lake Oswego (and skip ahead to Proximity Picks). There is a plethora of noteworthy hotels in Portland, but here are a few recommendations:

The Nines • Iconic, Upscale, Destination Dining

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A unique combo of luxury and whimsy, the Nines is well-known in Portland for its restaurants Urban Farmer (a steakhouse with a cool loungey area) and Departure, with its rooftop views of downtown. Located by Pioneer Courthouse Square, this hotel offers easy access to food carts, MAX lines, and downtown shops. It also holds a special place in our hearts as a spot where we had a rather mischievous adventure early on in our relationship.*

*Full story to be disclosed in a video at this event. 😏

The Duniway • Downtown, affordable, walkable to The Nines

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If The Nines is too spendy, this Hilton hotel is our favorite nearby budget-friendly alternative! It's only a short walk to the beloved restaurants inside The Nines — and to Pioneer Courthouse Square, food carts, MAX lines, and downtown shops. There's also some great dining in the lobby restaurant; we pop in for crème brûlée here when we're in the neighborhood.

Kimpton Riverplace • Waterfront luxury

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You can’t get better riverfront views! While there are other hotels near the waterfront, this is the only one that sits directly on the waterfront path and looks out over the water. The path loops across nearby bridges, making it a scenic place for a run or a walk, with plenty of shops and restaurants along the way.

The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport • Close to event, good shopping

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This is about a 10-minute drive from our event. (Disclaimer: We haven’t actually stayed here.) It’s less Portland-y but sits next to one of our favorite shopping centers, Bridgeport Village — which, to our California souls, fondly reminds us of Stanford Shopping Center (minus the Palo Alto attitude 😉).

Anywhere in Lake Oswego • Suburban & Pristine

If you just want to be close to the event and prefer a homey vibe over a hotel, consider starting your AirBNB or VRBO search in the Lake Oswego area. Downtown Lake Oswego puts you close enough to the event location, with lake views and shopping in the Lake View Village plaza. The Lakeshore Inn is also right there—it looks quite humble from the outside, and we’ve never been inside, but it is right on the water.

Requests

We want you to have a great time! Please inform us of any deathly allergies, creative suggestions to boost your fun, or guilty-pleasure music that you’re too embarrassed to request in person (Ke$ha? Kokomo? Anything goes). This is a safe space for bold ideas!

Event Countdown

Lance: [email protected] • 503.498.1648
Andrea: [email protected] • 408.888.4606