The Empress Estate

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Our love story began the way many modern ones do, with a simple online match that quickly became something more. From the moment we connected, conversation came easily, and we found ourselves talking nonstop.As fate would have it, the very weekend we matched, we both already had tickets to the same rave! We were seeing Rezz! Madison isn’t usually the rave type, but thanks to an invite from friends, she just so happened to be going. We decided to meet up there, and what started as a fun night out turned into something unforgettable. Surrounded by music and energy (and just one day before Ben’s birthday), we met in person for the first time and the connection was instant.From that night on, we kept talking constantly and not long after, made things official. Over the past four years, we’ve built a life together filled with shared passions, growth, and a lot of love.We’ve discovered a love for plants and have grown quite the collection of houseplants (along with a few crystals). In our free time, we love visiting the wildlife refuge to relax, take photos, and enjoy being in nature together.We’ve also been lucky enough to travel together, starting with our first trip to Washington, D.C., followed by adventures in Hawaii, Las Vegas (twice!), and California, with an Arizona road trip coming soon.Our little family has grown too! Madison already had her cats, Phoebe and Suki, together we adopted Merlin, who has become such a special part of our lives.Along the way, we’ve supported each other as we’ve grown in our careers—Ben as an executive chef and Madison as a bakery manager.What started as a chance match and a spontaneous meeting at a rave has grown into a life we love, and we can’t wait to continue building it together.

How It All Began

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Portland International Airport

Travel

If you have a morning free, we highly recommend heading to the Refuge. It’s where we go to recharge. You can see everything from river otters to bald eagles across the lush wetlands and forests. It’s a stunning spot for a quiet walk or some great wildlife photography before the wedding festivities begin.

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Ape Cave Interpretive Site

Ben is the Executive Chef at Gustav's, where he's spent the last five years doing what he loves most, creating great food and making people happy. Whether he's perfecting classic German dishes or putting his own spin on something new, the kitchen is truly his place.

Gustav's

Madison runs the bakery at Brewed Awakenings, a local coffee shop she's been part of for five years. She loves creating new specials, and finding a little bit of calm in the rhythm of baking.

Brewed Awakenings Coffee Roasters

Things to Do

Registry

We’re excited to celebrate with you! Our dress code is cocktail / semi-formal. We kindly ask that guests avoid jeans, shorts, and sneakers. We’d love to see everyone in their favorite cocktail dresses, elegant jumpsuits, or suit and tie combinations.Our ceremony will be held outdoors, so please keep that in mind when choosing your outfit—especially shoes (think grass-friendly heels or stylish flats/boots).Since our wedding is in late April in Washington, the weather can be a bit unpredictable. We’re hoping for beautiful spring sunshine, but it may be chilly, especially in the evening. We recommend bringing a light jacket, shawl, or layer to stay comfortable.In the event of rain, we do have an indoor backup plan—so you’ll be covered either way!Most importantly, we want you to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to celebrate with us.

Dress Code

benjaminandmadison2027.com

Madison & Benjamin

Madison & Benjamin

Travel

Portland International Airport