Coburg Commons Church

The Wedding of Kat and Dan

Armitage Park Campground

Family Photos

Guests Arrive

Ceremony

Reception

Speeches & Toasts

Dinner Buffet

Cut The Cake!

Celebrate & Dance

Send Off

Fall

Our Wedding

Two souls crossed paths in the most unexpected of places—amid the gleaming knives at REI. Dan had just moved to Oregon, carving out a fresh start after leaving Cleveland. Kat, recently returned to the Pacific Northwest from the Big Island of Hawaii, was also navigating a new chapter. Both were browsing pocket knives, each lost in thought, when Dan cracked a quirky joke about squirrel hunting. Kat laughed—and something clicked. It wasn’t just the joke. It was the comfort in the awkwardness, the unspoken understanding that life doesn’t need to be polished to be meaningful. In that spontaneous, offbeat moment, a connection sparked—one rooted in humor, openness, and the quiet thrill of possibility. From that day forward, their story unfolded like a favorite trail—unexpected, beautiful, and shared. They were two people at personal crossroads, discovering they didn’t need to have everything figured out. What mattered most was walking the journey together. Their shared love for the outdoors quickly became a thread that wove their lives closer. With each hike, camping trip, and weekend adventure—from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Rainier to the rocky shores of Yachats—their bond deepened. Whether wandering through the Portland Japanese Gardens or chasing sunsets on coastal cliffs, Dan and Kat found magic in both the epic and the everyday. Back home, their partnership blossomed in other ways. Together, they transformed their house in Eugene into a home—one DIY project, paint swatch, and YouTube tutorial at a time. In the process, they built not just walls and shelves, but a shared life filled with laughter, learning, and love. What began as a lighthearted exchange in an aisle of camping gear became the start of something real—an honest, joyful, beautifully imperfect love. Dan and Kat aren’t just partners in adventure; they’re best friends, co-builders, and soulmates, ready for all the trails still to come.

Kindred Spirits

Our Story

Registry

Moments In Time

Carena Phillips

Jake Hinman

Wedding Party

There’s a lot to do in Oregon’s second largest city! Cascade Raptor Center- EugeneHIGHLY Recommend! Raptor sanctuary home to injured owls, hawks, bald eagles, vultures.Website: <a href="https://cascadesraptorcenter.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://cascadesraptorcenter.org/</a>&nbsp; 5th Street Public Market<a href="https://www.5stmarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.5stmarket.com/</a>Recommendations for shops: Will leather goods, Pendleton, Euphoria Chocolate co, Provisions Market Hall. Eugene Saturday MarketWebsite: <a href="https://www.eugenesaturdaymarket.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eugenesaturdaymarket.org/</a> Whiteaker Community MarketWebsite: <a href="https://www.whiteakercommunitymarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.whiteakercommunitymarket.com/</a>Open every Sunday 10am-3pm, May 4th- Mid OctAt Scobert Park by 4th &amp; Blair 1180 West 4th Ave. Gardens: Alton Baker ParkWebsite: <a href="https://www.altonbakerpark.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.altonbakerpark.com/</a>Nice views, disc golf course, McMenamin's Pub with river view seating Hendrick’s Park - Rhododendron GardenWebsite: <a href="https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/80" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/80</a>Address: 1790 Skyline Blvd Eugene, OR 97403 Owen Rose GardenWebsite: <a href="https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/Owen-Rose-Garden-124" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/Owen-Rose-Garden-124</a> Local Hikes: Wild Iris Ridge Park.Website: <a href="https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/wildirisridgepark-160" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/wildirisridgepark-160</a> Spencer’s ButteWebsite: <a href="https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/spencerbuttepark-158" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eugene-or.gov/facilities/facility/details/spencerbuttepark-158</a> Mount Pisgah Arboretum.&nbsp;Website: <a href="https://mountpisgaharboretum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mountpisgaharboretum.org/</a> Museum of Natural and Cultural History - For the kiddos.&nbsp;Website: <a href="https://mnch.uoregon.edu/index.php/visit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mnch.uoregon.edu/index.php/visit</a>1680 East 15th Avenue Eugene, OR 97403Hours Wednesdays through Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursdays until 8:00 p.m. Eugene Science Center - For the kiddosWebsite: <a href="https://eugenesciencecenter.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://eugenesciencecenter.org/</a>2300 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene, OR 97401 List of nature spots we love to explore nearby-ish:Eugene is located about 2 hours from the coastline. We recommend driving west towards Florence then going north up the coastline to Yachats. <a href="https://www.yachats.org/ " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.yachats.org/ </a> Favorite spots along the coast: Hobbits trail, Tillicum beach, Thors Well, Sweet Creek Falls, Cape Perpetua, strawberry hill, bob creek. If staying in Yachats, we recommend "Overleaf Lodge" amazing spa resort on the coastline. <a href="https://www.overleaflodge.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=46495918&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD8TVHQjcprxjMBM12zbVtXCP91BK&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwiezABhBZEiwAEbTPGIK9P5SOl9srfEUkfV9gZSGCX8j-9J-SUeOk5MBcOsn7AXgQTBgh7xoCwksQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.overleaflodge.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=46495918&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD8TVHQjcprxjMBM12zbVtXCP91BK&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwiezABhBZEiwAEbTPGIK9P5SOl9srfEUkfV9gZSGCX8j-9J-SUeOk5MBcOsn7AXgQTBgh7xoCwksQAvD_BwE</a> Explore driving up the McKenzie River. Blue pools, Sahalie Falls, Koosah falls, clear lake. Nice little camp sites along the way. <a href="https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/blog/post/road-trip-mckenzie-river/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/blog/post/road-trip-mckenzie-river/</a> Bend/Sunriver: We loved visiting Smith Rock, Steelhead Falls, High Desert Museum, Blockbuster, Benham Falls, Amazing bagels at Mimi's Bagel Deli &amp; Pho Viet &amp; Cafe on 3rd Street for Vietnamese food!&nbsp;<a href="https://visitbend.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://visitbend.com/</a> Head over to Corvallis, we recommend Alsea Falls, Mary’s Peak and The Dizzy Hen cafe! <a href="https://www.visitcorvallis.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.visitcorvallis.com/</a>

Things to Do

Coffee &amp; Bakeries:Palace BakeryLox, Stocks &amp; bagelGlass House CoffeeNoisette Bakery-TreatsVero CoffeeMeraki CoffeeDark Pine CoffeeSweet Life Patisserie - Amazing treats and slices of cakesMagpie Coffee shopPortal Tea Food:Bon Mi - Banh Mi (vietnamese sandwiches) Tofu or grilled porkSushi Pure - Our favorite sushi spot!Oishi Sushi - fast casual track sushi&nbsp;Morning Glory Cafe - Great Vegetarian spot for breakfastIzakaya Meiji - japanese tapasTiger Mama - Korean&nbsp;Brails - Diner BreakfastSpice N Steam - Dim SumChao Pra Ya - ThaiRoyal India&nbsp;5th Street Eatery - multiple options - Marche has a great happy hour!Mezza Luna - whole or by the slice pizza.Coburg Pizza Company - get the thick crust!Fuji Japanese Steakhouse - great sushi or hibachiThe Bier Stein - great beer selection, pretzel and bier cheese, burgersFishermans Market - for the seafood lovers!Newman’s Fish CompanyRyeToxic Burger or killer burger&nbsp;Mucho Gusto - better version of ChipotleVitality bowls - salads, wraps, bowls Grocery Stores:Trader JoesWincoWhole foodsFred MeyersKiva - local small health foods grocer&nbsp;SafwayAlbertsons Bookstores:Tsunami booksCoburg commons - our wedding venueJ Michael’s booksBooks with pictures EugeneSmith family bookstore&nbsp; Shopping:Passion flowerHirons - whimsical gift shop, its a lot!Down to earth home, garden &amp; gifts&nbsp;5th street public marketFlux crystals

Eating & Shopping in Eugene

Q + A

Travel

Kat & Dan

Kat & Dan

Registry

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. We’re so grateful to have built a home filled with everything we need, but if you feel inclined to give a gift, we’d be thrilled and thankful for a contribution to our honeymoon fund. Thank you for your love and generosity!