It could have been a plotline from a movie. Matt Miller and Krystal Wu happened to be teachers at the same high school when their lives crossed paths. The two quickly became friends, and after going out one night, decided to date. They kept their secret hidden from their respective classes (and most of the faculty) for quite some time. But when the couple announced their engagement they received overwhelming love and excitement from their students.
Krystal and Matt knew that their wedding had to be more than just a party—it needed to be an intimate gathering and celebration of love for the people in their lives that they are grateful for. “We are both introverts and homebodies, so thinking about hosting this event seemed so out of character for us,” says Krystal.
Krystal’s family had faced a traumatic event prior to the wedding, and the U.S. was also struggling with a handful of violent hate crimes at the time. “Matt and I really thought about what it means to have this luxurious party for ourselves when there was so much suffering going on. It really came down to community, and breaking bread together.”
Shelly Kane from Moxie Events, helped the couple plan their wedding and bring their vision to life. Krystal’s grandmother officiated the ceremony. “We wanted someone we love and who knows us really well. She’s a woman we really admire,” says Krystal.
The couple strayed from a typical reception of drinking and dancing, and instead hosted a dinner party where guests could come together over food and conversation starters that were compiled on the backs of the menus—Krystal had requested the icebreaker info when their guests submitted their RSVPs. They chose to host their wedding at Jasper House Farm, which inspired the motif of their wedding. The farm had an abundance of Queen Anne’s lace growing, and the couple used the bloom of the flower to design their website, invitations, and menus. Inspired by the way the flower looks, Matt built lighting structures that served as the wedding arbor and resembled the way light looks coming through Queen Anne’s lace.
Don, the owner of Jasper House Farm, helped create the flower arrangements that were sprinkled throughout the venue. Dirty Spoon, a bluegrass band from Eugene, provided the music during the ceremony and reception. “For me, I felt really strongly about having a dinner party feel. I love food and eating as a way to build a community with people,” says Krystal. Party Downtown provided the personalized menu of delectable plates that were eaten and passed around.
Family and friends came from every part of the country to attend—some even drove 24 hours straight to make it to the wedding on time. “It was so surreal to have people from all different parts of your life come together,” says Krystal. “I felt very overcome with how lucky we were. We had all of these people there to say, ‘yes, I support you two and am here to witness the commitment you two have.’” The newlywed couple spent the rest of the night dancing with friends and family at Cowfish Danceclub in downtown Eugene. At around 3 am, Krystal, Matt, and one of each of their good friends shared slices of pizza at Sizzle Pie, reveling in nostalgia and good memories from earlier. It was a fitting closure to a day that celebrated love and compassion during dark times. “Hope comes from the connections we can make and empathy we can create,” says Krystal.
DETAILS
Name: Krystal Wu & Matt Miller
Wedding Date: July 16, 2016
Venue: Jasper House Farm
Number of Guests: 130
Music: Dirty Spoon
Officiant: Karol Hardin (Krystal’s grandmother)
Photography: Anne Nunn Photographers
Guest Favors: Bud vases via Army Surplus Warehouse
Catering: Party Downtown
Drinks: Party Downtown
Rings: Skeie’s Jewelers (Krystal) and WedgeWood Rings (Matt)
Dress: Maggie Sottero dress from Ania Bridal
Shoes: Louise et Cie
Hair: Makeup By Reina
Makeup: Makeup By Reina
Groom’s Outfit: JoS. A. Bank Clothiers
Wedding Parties’ Outfit: Maid of honor wore Club Monaco and best man wore own suit
Florist: Don Chase of Jasper House Farm
Wedding Planner: Shelly Kane of Moxie Events
Decorations & Setup: Shelly Kane of Moxie Events
Transportation: Mahi Chowdhury with Transporter Tours; and Experience Oregon
Invitations: Couple’s own design
Save-the-Dates: Couple’s own design
Rental Equipment: Parties to Go
