Oregon tree house rooted in wedding fun

Anita Bolin literally went out on a limb when she decided to create an unconventional wedding venue.
Bolin, 58, and her husband Mike, 76, erected a 10-by-20-foot tree house on their five-acre property just outside Rainier. The "Tie the Knot Treehouse" offers a modest way to wed.
The couple, who both were widowed, said they were inspired to build the venue when they had difficulty planning a simple ceremony for themselves.
They didn't want a big wedding, Bolin said, but they didn't want a shotgun wedding in Vegas, either. They ultimately married at Lake Tahoe, but said it required substantial planning.
"We didn’t want a big wedding. We wanted something comfortable and small and intimate."
The couple, who is hosting their first wedding for a friend this week, charges $175 per ceremony. Bolin, a certified chaplain and minister, leads the service. Because space is limited, each ceremony is limited to 10 people besides the bride and groom.
A reception can take place in the yard surrounding the tree house, but Bolin said she's mainly focusing on small services, including short-notice ceremonies and even pet remembrances.
Elaborate weddings and use of wedding planners "really goes against our mission statement, which was to keep it reasonable and family-oriented and close," she said.
Mike Bolin and a friend began building the tree house in July. It took about six days to construct the building, and Bolin has spent the last couple months decorating the spot.
To reflect the Bolins' mission, the tree house itself is modest. Inside, there are six wooden chairs, an electric fireplace, a lectern and several burning candles. The bright yellow structure with tall, red doors and colorful glass windows is anchored to five trees. Stone fairies and thick trees with goofy faces hidden in their bark decorate the yard.
In addition to weddings, Bolin said she plans to host ceremonies for people experiencing a divorce or the end of a long relationship.
"Widows get a chance to grieve. They have a service. Their relationship is over. They're moving on with their life," she said. "But a lot of single women, especially if they’ve been married for 25, 30 years, feel lost."
"This gives them a chance to bring their friends and family, and say 'Here I am. I need your support. I’m starting my life. This is a new beginning,'" she added. "(The ceremony) gives it a little closure."
The venue also accommodates kids, which Bolin, a step parent, said is important to her. Lincoln Logs and other small toys are scattered near the tree house.
"It makes it so it’s something about them, too," she said.

"I really want people to have a family experience and feel like their life is starting out on the right foot."