Wow. Just wow. I guess this is what happens when the uber creative graphic designer of Hobson House Design plans her wedding to her handsome English beau. Not only did she design their stunning invitation suite, she also tackled the cake topper, all the printed items, and her reception headpiece. No big deal (aka, quite the big deal). Inspired by the Tim Burton Movie, Big Fish, their fortunate guests enjoyed a creative idea at every turn of this fanciful wedding, and were transported back to a land of childhood whimsy complete with scratch ticket escort cards. It’s all such a fun contrast to their dramatic candlelit wedding ceremony. And thanks to La Vie Photography, there is a full gallery of magnificent images so you don’t miss a single detail.

click here for more of this whimsical wedding!

I met Richard seven years ago by chance at a restaurant in New York City. He was visiting from England I was living in Seattle. After a short courtship, we decided to make Seattle our home, both loving the natural beauty of the Northwest. We knew we wanted to incorporate the greenery and summer lushness into our wedding celebration. I am a corporate graphic designer and was thrilled for the opportunity to design fun and frilly wedding ephemera.  I wanted to design and create as much as I could for our event. I designed the invitation suite, cake topper, printed materials, and my reception headpiece. Steven Moore Designs created the floral elements, tent décor, desert table, and soft seating. My mom and bridesmaids helped me search throughout the year for interesting centerpiece items, bridesmaid dresses, and colored glass for our cocktail hour. The chandelier hung in the center of our tent, select furniture, and many of the table details once belonged to my grandmother. Our wedding design was modeled after my favorite Tim Burton movie: Big Fish. I used nostalgic colors and icons to evoke the feeling of childhood wonder and a community carnival.

Inspired by bands like Sigur Ros and Devotchka, I selected our wedding and reception music before any design and listened for inspiration while planning throughout the year. We hired a phenomenal band, Bakelite 78, who played in that genre of music. They serenaded my husband and I with my favorite Devotchka song, Last Beat of my Heart. We were able to borrow antique gramophones from a local museum to use throughout the reception space keeping music as a focal point.

Richard and I knew we wanted to have a lively extravaganza on our big day, something our guests traveling from near and far would remember forever. We planed a dramatic ceremony and a raucous reception. We asked our guests to light and hold candles as a blessing for the wedding processional. A close friend sang one of our favorite songs during the signing of the marriage certificate, and then we sped off to the reception in a vintage Rolls.  We served Pimm’s Cup at our cocktail hour, a traditional English summer drink. Guests found their seats by scratching off tickets displaying their table assignment.  Our reception was highlighted with some side-splitting speeches and a surprise firework show put on by Steven Moore and his crew. We danced and laughed the night away until we had to board the busses returning us from our outdoor reception to the city, where the party really started as my husband lead the busses in English football chants! Looking back, we are still amazed we pulled it all off! We had an amazing day with the help of our amazing vendors, friends and family members. We only wish we could do it all over again.

Photographer: LaVie Photography / Floral, Desert, Soft Seating and Tent Design: Steven Moore Designs / Music: Bakelite 78 and Good Times DJ Service / Invitations and Printed Materials: Hobson House Design (bride’s wedding invitation design business) / Dress: Marcella’s La Boutique / Transportation: British Motor Coach / Ceremony Venue: The Ruins / Reception Venue: Private Home