Riverview Restaurant Wedding Rehearsal with Chelivah & Riley

There is truly nothing like a Riverview Restaurant wedding rehearsal dinner. Rehearsal dinners are extraordinarily special to photograph because they give me the chance to capture a truly special moment in time—the anticipation of your wedding day that is very soon to follow.

Wedding rehearsals are about so much more than just rehearsing. It’s a time to celebrate, in an intimate atmosphere, alongside your closest friends, family, the wedding party, and out-of-town guests that you don’t get to see all the time. It’s also a more relaxed atmosphere than the actual wedding day. As your guests kick back and relax after rehearsal, they’ll be sharing stories and giving toasts. These moments will make for some of your favorite wedding memories. It is my great honor to photograph them. Chelivah and Riley’s Riverview Restaurant wedding rehearsal was no exception!

Chelivah and Riley’s Riverview Restaurant Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Venue

Picking the optimal spot for your rehearsal dinner is so important. Not only for pictures, but it is also important for setting the tone for that moment in time.

Chelivah + Riley chose Riverview Restaurant (in Troutdale, Oregon) for their Wedding Rehearsal Dinner.  This beautiful waterfront restaurant is nestled next to Troutdale’s Sandy River and surrounded by Oregon’s natural beauty, is absolutely stunning. Riverview Restaurant combines natural beauty with sophisticated elegance with exceptional food and atmosphere. The perfect venue choice for Chelivah + Riley!

Why a Riverview Restaurant for Your Wedding Rehearsal:

1. Optimal Natural Lighting:
   Most waterfront restaurants have the most spectacular natural lighting. This is because their space is designed to allow their guests to see the outstanding view from their restaurant with the greatest of ease. This all makes for fantastic natural lighting for photos! So, try to plan your rehearsal dinner at a time when the lighting is just what you’re looking for.  Think golden hour – beautiful pictures with the lighting from the golden sunset radiating through the windows, making your photos shine!

Pro Tip: Tell your photographer you’d like to take pictures both inside and out. Doesn’t hurt to mix things up a bit.

2. Elegant Atmosphere:
   Like any other occasion, we don’t have control over the weather. So, if you can’t photograph outside, it’s great to be celebrating in a venue that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to photograph inside. And even if the weather isn’t what you were looking for, the natural lighting in the space will still shine through.
   
3. Be Comfortable:
   At the end of the day, the most important part is that you and your partner are comfortable and that you’re having fun! So, try not to be too nervous. This will allow your photos to look and feel natural, and you’ll enjoy the party even more, too!

Tips For Planning a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

Planning your rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few essential tips to help you stay organized and make the most of your celebration.

Plan Ahead:

Book your Riverview Restaurant wedding rehearsal 3-6 months in advance, at least. This will give you plenty of time to coordinate with your venue, your photographer, and any out-of-town guests that may be attending.

Guest List:

Traditionally speaking, usually immediate family members, the wedding party, and any close out-of-town guests are invited to the rehearsal dinner. But keep in mind, this is your rehearsal dinner and you and your partner should consider inviting those you feel comfortable with.

Toasts and Stories:

Your Riverview Restaurant wedding rehearsal is a great time for your closest friends and relatives to make toasts or tell stories. This is a more intimate and relaxed setting (compared to the wedding day). So it will be great practice for the Maid of Honor or Best Man, or just a great time for them to share stories they may not want to share on your actual wedding day. Also, it provides a relaxed space for all other rehearsal guests to share their favorite stories, too. This will undoubtedly lead to laughs or even some happy tears!

Venue:

Pick a venue that reflects you and your partner’s personality. You’ll also want to pick something that is fitting for the amount of guests that you will be hosting. So, be sure to have your guest list is squared away before selecting your venue. Whether it’s the actual Riverview Restaurant itself or another intimate venue, make sure that you have ample space for your wedding rehearsal guests.

Communication with your Photographer:

As a photographer, the more we know the better. So if there are any specific posed photos with family members you and your partner are looking for, do let us know! Make your photographer a list, or let them know as much as you can ahead of time. Do not be afraid to let us know exactly what you want, so we can give you just that!  It is our job after all. 🙂

I hope this post is helpful for anyone planning their wedding rehearsal. And if you’re looking for a photographer for your Riverview Restaurant wedding rehearsal, let’s talk! Email me here, I’d love to be a part of your special day!