Unique Locations

If I tell the truth, I wanted to hold the ceremony in this place. But there was just no way that we could cut the guest list down to the fifty or so that might be allowed. I have spent so much of my life in this particular place that it would have suited me perfectly. But I am not the only one getting married, and Mr. Robin has a lot of amazing people in his life that deserve to be a part of our big day. But I still wanted to spend some time there on the big day.

What place am I talking about exactly?

Powell’s City of Books. The largest independent bookstore in the world. Which happens to be right across the street from the Portland Armory, where our wedding is taking place.

Don't get me wrong, I love our location with all my heart now, but this was my first impulse. I didn't even mention it to Mr. Robin because it was so off-the-wall, but I am a big fan of weddings in personal places. I really like this wedding from Offbeat Bride that took place in a library. The aisle is so sweet.

But if like me you can’t fit that unique location into the reality of your plans, don’t give up entirely. I wrote the following somewhat begging-toned letter to the Public Relations department at Powell’s asking them to let me include the store in my wedding in some way:

Hello to whomever it may concern:

I would like to inquire (beg, really if we are being honest) whether it would be possible to take some photos inside of the Powell’s City of Books location.

Some background perhaps: I am getting married on Sat. January X, 2008 at the Portland Armory. Being somewhat obsessed with books I spend quite a lot of time in the Powell’s location on Burnside over the years. It is where I used to go on my birthday (woohoo birthday loot to spend), after school once I got my license, late at night when I lived alone and needed people, on days off to browse during my first job, and was the first stop every time I drove home from college. I love to walk the stacks, and guess what I found myself a man that likes to browse and sip coffee as well. Though, he is down in that strange and foreign rose room I have heard rumors about (blue room, red room myself).

So long story short, I would like to have a few pictures taken inside of Powell’s City of Books on my wedding day. If need be it can simply be myself, my groom and one photographer so as to cause as little disturbance as possible. It is a place we spend time together in our real lives, and I would like to have it in our photos. I understand this may not be possible for myriad of reasons, but if it is even remotely possibly, I would be willing to jump through some hoops to make it happen.

Thanks for considering my silly wedding photo dream.

All the Best,
Miss Robin

And they have agreed! So the Robins' pre-ceremony photo session will be taking place in Powell's, the reveal (where Mr. Robin will see me for the first time) as well as other silly photos. This way I get to include a place that means a lot to me, even if I can’t have the wedding there.

Anyone including a non-traditional site that is personal to you in some way?

Powell's photos from the New York Times.