Washington Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

Persian-American Wedding At A 1914 Renaissance Manor

This secret garden wedding at Lairmont Manor looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. Inspired by the gorgeous grounds of the Italian Renaissance-style home, our couple worked closely with Fleur de Lis Events to create a day filled with whimsy and romance. The exquisite floral installations by Country Bouquets Floral looked as if they were a natural extensions of the venue, with green vines and pale pink roses popping up throughout the design. The beauty and love of the day is perfectly captured in the elegant imagery by Tetiana Photography, you’ll fawn over every fabulous detail in the full gallery.

From Tetiana Photography… Negeen ad Ben were married on September 18th, 2021, at Lairmont Manor, a gorgeous Italian Renaissance-style home in Bellingham, WA. Due to the pandemic, it was the couple’s fourth rescheduled date and even a different venue from the one they initially chose. But as Negeen said, “When we went to look at the venue in person, we instantly fell in love. It was kismet! I knew our wedding would be the first for many since pre-COVID, and I wanted them to be transported to a magical place once they arrived. We decided to go with a secret garden theme since the venue had such a beautiful garden in the back.” Nargess of Fleur de Lis Events had worked very closely with the couple to create a design that would enhance the venue’s beauty without taking over its unique charm. They drew inspiration from every corner of the Manor. The green vines and light pink roses Country Bouquets Floral included throughout the entire wedding’s decor added just the right touch of color to the reception and ceremony space, making the decor blend in seamlessly with the lush gardens planted around the venue. The bride and groom got ready with their wedding parties at the venue. Most of Ben’s wedding party and family had traveled from Hawaii to attend the wedding, and it was extra special for him to spend the morning of his wedding day surrounded by his loved ones. As a little Hawwaian token, Ben wore Shaka-shaped cufflinks that were a fun little addition to his otherwise classy attire. Negeen had a fun and relaxing morning with her girls.

They toasted champagne to celebrate the beginning of the long-awaited day and got dressed at one of the sun-filled rooms of the Manor. Once Negeen and Ben were ready, they exchanged their first look in front of the manor house. Three stressful years of wedding planning were finally over, and I could hear them both sigh with excitement and relief at their big day being here at long last! Negeen and Ben truly wanted to honor their heritage and the families they come from through their wedding. The bride has a Middle Eastern background and wanted to share her culture and traditions with the guests. And so to create a cross-cultural experience and celebrate both families, it was decided to have two ceremonies – a traditional American ceremony and a Persian ceremony called “Aghd”! The first ceremony took place in the garden amid lush flowers. Ben said, “watching Negeen walk down the aisle was my favorite part of the day. At that moment, everything became real.” Ben’s sister Bailey officiated the ceremony, making it even more special. I loved hearing the story of the couple’s love from Bailey’s perspective. It was funny and sweet, and I could tell the guest enjoyed it too. Negeen and Ben wrote their personal vows and exchanged them in the company of their closest friends and family. Negeen said, “Ben’s vows captured me perfectly. They felt so true to who I am, how I love, and our relationship as a whole. I truly felt that Ben knows me in ways better than I know myself. That connection to your person is magical.” After the garden ceremony, everyone moved inside for the Aghd ceremony that took place on a specially prepared pedestal with a beautiful spread called “sofreh.” The space was explicitly designed for this wedding by the bride’s mom. It included all the elements that symbolize the importance of life and a happy, successful marriage, such as health, prosperity, fertility, and a joyous future. Negeen mentioned that their guests raved about the experience of the Persian ceremony afterward. She said, “It was so amazing to share that with everyone and for them to enjoy it so!”

Once both ceremonies and a short cocktail hour were finished, the guests moved to the reception tent. Country Bouquets Floral and Fleur de Lis Events had beautifully decorated the tent with the greenery vines hanging from the chandeliers and green, blush, and gold accents on the tables, continuing the garden theme. My favorite reception moments were the couple’s dances with their parents and the Knife Dance. The cake Knife Dance is a Persian wedding tradition that begins the cake cutting. When the bride and groom are ready to cut the cake, they have to earn the knife. One of the women guests would dance with a knife around the couple. The dancer would act timid and pretend to be ready to pass the knife to the couple, only to give the knife to another woman to continue the dance. The dance would only be over when the last woman wanting to participate gives the knife to the couple so they can cut the cake. I loved how Negeen and Ben included so many personal touches in their celebration while keeping it classy and honoring their backgrounds, as well as the feel and the look of the venue. It was indeed a celebration for the books!

French Inspired Chateau Lill Summer Wedding Inspiration

One look at this inspired editorial and you’ll feel like you booked a first trip ticket to France! With inspiration drawn from the French countryside and summertime, a color palette of warm yellow, cream, and blue delights. The free-flowing, organic flower styling by Leah Erickson Floral have us feeling like we’re strolling through the prettiest of Parisian gardens. Each inspired detail was lovingly planned by Willow & Ivy Events, and beautifully captured fully in film by Matt Erickson Photography. Enjoy all the elegance in the full gallery.

From Willow & Ivy Events… Inspired by the French countryside in the summertime, Alexandra of Willow & Ivy Events pulled together an incredible team to create this luxurious wedding editorial in shades of French blue, buttery yellow with punchy pops of yellow in the florals. The incredible setting of Chateau Lill in Washington’s famous winery district of Woodinville was the perfect backdrop with its stunning architecture and ample gardens, complete with stunning florals and multiple ponds.

The butter-yellow florals tied into the intimate elopement-style free-standing ceremony setup across the pond from the reception space. The intricate paper details created by Cree and Co brought an elevated level of sophistication and French flair.

The tablescape was inspired by the patterned linen and opulent velvet napkins from BBJ Linen and was accented with more modern plates and flatware from CORT Party Rentals. In contrast to the abundant blue on the table, Leah Erickson Floral created a stunning garden-inspired organic centerpiece full of bright yellows, soft butter, and various shades of white and cream. The incredible cake by Rue Cler Seattle mimicked the linen and invitation suite with small added raised details peeking out from the folds in the frosting.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

The Beauty of the Camellia Flower Inspired This Ultra-Feminine Shoot With Secret Garden Allure

We’re savoring these last sweet weeks of spring with this floral-inspired shoot that is equal parts soft and feminine. Blue Rose Photography took inspiration from the ever-romantic camellia flower and transformed Christianson’s Nursery into a charming venue with a secret garden allure. Filled with mauve-hued blooms, the property is a gorgeous backdrop for an outdoor celebration and an enchanting fairytale gown – like the featured design by Liz Martinez Bridal. For a more intimate dinner, Elle and James Co.’s earthy yet feminine tablescape – inside the historic onsite schoolhouse – exudes a soft, romantic ambiance. Wander through the full gallery to experience beauty in full-bloom.

From Blue Rose Pictures… Spring is always a time when I am filled with inspiration. Its the season of new beginnings, the season to come out of hiding and be creative ! Of all the beautiful flowers spring brings, Camellias are one of my all time favorites.

I wanted to create an ultra feminine floral inspired wedding shoot up at one of the best little hidden gems of a venue ( Christiansons Nursery in Mount Vernon WA) They have the most gorgeous landscaped property with greenhouses, plants, camellias galore, and the cutest historic school house. You can have your ceremony in the schoolhouse followed by a reception in the garden. Or, like we did for this shoot, you could create a more intimate dinner in the schoolhouse for a smaller wedding.

Alyssa from Elle and James Co created an earthy yet feminine and soft dinner table. With different colored taper candles and pearl flatware. We used a lot of mauves and pinks throughout the styling to fill the images with a soft romantic feeling. The dress was really the star of the show here. It is a Liz Martinez gown from one of my favorite bridal shops in the Seattle area, Idina Bride. It has just the right amount of sheer to create a sexy allure but then it has the off the shoulder poof sleeves that add romance and fairytale.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

See How Your Venue Can Inspire The Entire Aesthetic For Your Wedding Day At The Edgewater Hotel!

When it comes to the ‘look and feel’ of your wedding day, sometimes you just know what you want in advance, or sometimes once you choose your venue, it all falls into place. Courtney of Courtney Bowlden Photography wanted to showcase this at The Edgewater Hotel in Seattle which has a woodsy and outdoorsy aesthetic, which then translated into the rest of the details from natural colored florals by Leigh & Mitchell and a stunning view of the water. With the help of Harlow Events, this beauty of an inspiration shoot came to life, with the showstopper being the stunning Idina bridal gown…I mean those sleeves are EVERYTHING!

From Courtney Bowlden Photography…The Edgewater Hotel is a famous hotel in downtown Seattle but my team wanted to show that it can also have a high-end wedding look to it. It has a woodsy and outdoorsy aesthetic to it so we wanted to showcase that as well as show a luxury look to it as well.

My wedding advice is when looking for a wedding venue, you should go in knowing what kind of decor and vibe you want. The venue can either help the overall look and compliment it, or it could go in the opposite direction.

With this venue, because it already had a woody and natural look, we wanted to accentuate that by the details we included in the wedding. This real-life couple met when the ‘bride’ was working as a waitress at a restaurant!

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Blake Design Studio

View Portfolio

This Micro-Wedding Inspiration Beautifully Married Unique Personal Touches With Classic Design

When it comes to wedding inspiration, it just doesn’t get more timeless than this… Today’s stunning styled shoot from Rose Andrew Events is your personal guide on how to incorporate personalized details into your wedding design while keeping the overall look and feel effortlessly ageless. Jacqueline Benét Photography was behind the lens capturing every last detail to perfection. Classic brides, head on over to the full gallery to fall head over heels in love with this black and white affair.

From Emily Muddiman of Rose Andrew Events… “I often see couples who want their wedding to feel classic and timeless but are afraid to incorporate personal touches.. And to that I say “What is more classic and timeless than your love?!” Our team created a beautiful editorial to illustrate how even the most unique details can be used to create an absolutely timeless event. Our initial inspiration for this editorial was the custom toile pattern that Crystal of The Fancy Cat Studio created. It featured elements and scenes that were meaningful to our couple— from their award winning pup, the spot our groom proposed, to their first home! From there, we incorporated the toile throughout the event.

From Crystal… “We incorporated that toile into a few key areas of the day. First, for the invitation suite, we went with a simple design, which was then enhanced with elements like the vintage art piece (a nod to our bride’s career as an art curator) and vintage postage to reflect their love of traveling! Their beautiful suite was sent out in a custom wrapped invitation suite box which made for a memorable moment as guests received it in the mail. We also had the toile printed as custom linens for the cake table! Lastly, we had wrapping paper made to wrap favor boxes that were placed at each attendant’s seat as well as in our curated gift boxes! It was absolutely spectacular to see the print that was created specifically to capture our couple’s love story carried throughout the event.”

Another key area to tie in personal touches is with a beautiful escort display. Our bride and groom travel the US participating in dog shows with their pup, Baxter! We utilized Baxter’s “Best in Show” trophies and turned it into a beautiful and unique escort display for our guests to find their seats— complete with award ribbon style placards! Lastly, one of our favorite ways to incorporate personal elements is with curated gift boxes for your guests. Our inspiration featured thank you booklets lasered with a custom venue sketch by The Fancy Cat Studio, an etched bottle of wine, toile wrapped macarons, our bride’s favorite candles, local tea and honey and the perfume our bride wore on her wedding day. Gift boxes can be simple or elaborate— the act of curating a beautiful welcome gift for your guests creates such a thoughtful opportunity to make your guests feel special and help them remember your day forever! Our ceremony was set on the porch of the beautiful Rainier Chapter House in Seattle, WA. The venue was modeled after George Washington’s Mt. Vernon home and set the tone for the classic fête. Large lush arrangements of fluffy white blooms ornamented the altar and reception space. The tables featured rich textured linens paired with gold rimmed china, modern gold flatware and opulent glassware. We adorned the table tops with lush centerpieces, warm votive candles and beautiful candelabras to add drama to the timeless design. The cake, perfectly created by Missy of Missy Lee Cakes, featured tall opulent tiers, blooming sugar flowers and a fondant monogram that mimicked the one created by The Fancy Cat Studio. For the wedding look, our bride wore a stunning Louvienne gown. Paired with her encrusted Manolo Blahniks and gifted diamond earrings, her bridal ensemble was feminine yet grand. She carried a lush bouquet of garden roses, peonies, and budding pieris. Our talented Hair and Make-up artist, Jen Lagers, styled her hair into a chic, low updo and adorned her bun with two pearl pins by Riot of Flowers. Standing beside her, our groom wore a classic black tux.

TIP from Rose Andrew Events

“The escort display is the first thing your guests will see when they enter the reception and will set the tone for the rest of the wedding day experience. Don’t be afraid to think out of the box and have fun with it! You want your guests to be reminded of your love over and over again throughout your wedding day!”

Think a Micro-Wedding Means Fewer Unique Details? Think Again!

A reminder to all the beautiful couples out there who’ve been forced to postpone or change their wedding plans – your day can still be just as unique, special and safe with a smaller guest count!! Just ask Rose Andrew Events! There’s seriously so much you can take advantage of when it comes to hosting a micro wedding – from more of your budget spent on blooms to an intimate experience for you and your guests. To get your creative juices flowing – check out the full gallery from todays dreamy microwedding vineyard shoot captured by Tetiana Photography. Trust us, it will be a sight for sore eyes.

From Emily Muddiman of Rose Andrew Events… “We loved the setting of Monet Vineyards in Brush Prairie, WA. From the immaculate gardens and European inspired finishes, to the overgrown wisteria taking over the exterior of the home, the location looked like it came straight out of a painting! With our venue in mind, we chose a color palette reminiscent of Pierre- Auguste Renior’s painting “Woman with a Parasol”! Sage green with pops of taupe, caramel, mauve and french blue. Our ceremony was set in the gardens facing the grand estate and guests sat on French inspired soft seating. Lush garden blooms lined the back of the aisle.

The tables featured sage linens paired with overgrown arrangements of garden roses and grasses made by Rose Andrew Events, vintage gold rimmed china, modern gold flatware and cut crystal glassware. We chose unique velvet tufted ottomans for the reception seating. Rather than one long table, we chose to have guests seated at two smaller more intimate tables by household. Although this was done with COVID restrictions in mind, I see smaller more intimate seating becoming a wedding trend in the years to come! I worked with our talented stationer, Crystal of the Fancy cat Studio to dream up an invitation suite and corresponding day of paper goods that felt reminiscent of overgrown gardens and the artists who paint them.

Guests were greeted by beautiful birch signs reminding them to social distance and a garden themed escort display complete with small gardening tools and nameplates adorned in fluffy tassels. Her custom crest on the envelope liner, engraved birch table numbers, and menus adorned with handmade butterfly appliqués proved that a smaller guest count does not have to mean a lack of details! The cake required the work of multiple talented vendors to come to fruition!

Lady Grey made a scrumptious buttermilk vanilla cake with bourbon peaches, The Fancy Cat Studio designed a custom crest and Pomp and Revel printed the design on edible fondant. The cake featured tall opulent tiers and sugar butterflies were dancing about…talk about romantic! Our bride wore a stunning gown that featured elegant sleeves, floral lace and a plunging back. Paired with her hand painted Dolce & Gabana kitten heels and cascading crystal earrings by Riot of Flowers, her bridal ensemble was simple yet feminine and elegant. She carried a colorful bouquet of peonies, caramel and mauve garden roses, dancing deutzia and campanula. Our talented Hair and Make-up artist, Jen Lagers, styled her hair in a high bun to show off the neckline of the gown and dewy makeup with a neutral smoky eye. Standing beside her, our groom wore a classic white and black tux. This micro-wedding inspiration proves that stripping down the guest list doesn’t have to mean sacrificing unique details! We wanted to remind couples facing postponements and cancellations of their large wedding celebrations that they can still get married in a beautiful, unique and safe way!”

A Classic Green and White Wedding on Lake Washington for These High School Sweethearts

After two date changes due to COVID (is anyone else so tired of hearing that word or is it just us?!), these adorable high school sweethearts finally tied the knot in a stunning ceremony overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Washington. With a little help from Simply By Tamara Nicole, the couple found creative ways to keep the safety of their guests their #1 priority, without sacrificing style. To see every last steal-worthy detail, check out the full gallery – captured to perfection by Blue Rose Photography!

From the Bride… It all began during our last year in high school where we met in a marketing class, Theo and I became good friends. Fast forward 4 years after graduation we went on our first date where our story began! We started traveling near and far going on adventures together. In December 2018 Theo proposed in Disneyland, our happy place. Once we returned we booked a wedding venue in Woodinville for July 11th,2020. We had an amazing time planing our wedding with Tamara from SimplyTamaraNicole, putting together a dream team of vendors.

My hopes for the wedding was a magical simple black and gold theme with white and neutral flowers. Our team did not disappoint. However 2020 had other plans for us, but this did not discourage us from saying I do. With our team we got creative and booked a new date August 23rd, 2020 at our Woodinville venue. We had to dial it down to a more intimate guest list, which was hard knowing our family would not be able to join us from out of town. However we planned on live steaming our wedding which gave all of our family members the opportunity to be there virtually which all gave us a little peace.

When Covid-19 threw a curve ball again and state restrictions we changed our date one final time to August 3rd,2020 at a beautiful venue in Kirkland, the Woodmark hotel. We thought this was meant to be, as we were both born and raised in Kirkland. Tamara and our team made the wedding magical. There were white flowers, gold touches and beautiful candles around our whole venue. We had a gorgeous flower arch that served as our alter, which looked on to Lake Washington. We took safety precautions such as masks, and hand sanitizer with small details that made them classy, we didn’t plan on needing these items when we started to plan but they all fell into place as if they were suppose to be there the whole time. Signage was dispersed around the venue with fun verbiage to keep our guests safe. We will never forgot our beautiful day, and we are thankful for our wedding day, being able to celebrate the only certainty during this difficult time, our love. We will never forget August 3rd,2020.

How to Seamlessly Combine Modern Details With a Garden Setting at Your Micro Wedding

If you’re one of those couples that just can’t decide on a wedding style – he likes modern, you love romantic? No stress… just combine them! We promise the results will be better than you could have imagined. Allow today’s gorgeous garden styled shoot from Willow & Ivy Events to get your creative juices flowing. And don’t forget to pin your favorite details from the full gallery – all captured to perfection by Tetiana Photography!

From Willow & Ivy Events… Lauren and Griffin, the couple in this shoot, threw the last wedding in Seattle before all gatherings were shut down due to COVID-19. Had their celebration been planned for 12 hours later, it wouldn’t have happened at all! This editorial shoot is an imagining of what their day could have been as a micro wedding, a trend that is currently sweeping the nation. Alex of Willow & Ivy Events pulled together a team of strong female owned businesses to create this wild garden dream complete with fine art details and modern designs.

The mixing of these two styles is something Alex calls “funky fine art.” The venue, Lairmont Manor, adds a little old world charm to the atmosphere that pairs perfectly with the voluminous blush ballgown from Nyzana Bridal while the three tiered ombre cake from Lady Grey, rose gold starburst like rings from Anueva Jewelry, and wild floral design from Petal & Posy add a touch of modern whimsy.

The ceremony space is set for an intimate affair with mixed soft seating from Fanciful Rentals in front of a beautiful fountain adorned with Petal & Posy’s floral pieces, which appear to be growing out of the fountain and around the bride and groom. The pair ended their ceremony with a petal toss and made their way over to the lounge for a champagne tower of sparkling rose in a gorgeous garden-like setting. Following the champagne toast and mingling was a small dinner set up.

On the table the team opted for classic blush and cream colors with traditional plates but they played around with textures – velvet table linen and napkins, vellum envelope place cards with pressed flowers – and fluffy floral centerpieces which were a unique twist on the ever popular garland table runner in the form of mixed pottery vessels running the length of the table. The menus from The Fancy Cat Studio were small booklets on handmade paper with a nod to the venue’s wrought iron gate, tied with a sweet silk ribbon. This stunning design was also woven into the invitation suite as well. This whole look created a modern, wild garden feel that mimicked the ceremony design and creative lounge space.

This Micro Wedding Brings Provence Lavender Inspiration to the Pacific Northwest

Dreaming of a romantic destination wedding in the French countryside – but COVID travel restrictions bursting your bubble? Don’t fret, we may have just found the stateside venue of your Provençal dreams. Today’s stunning styled shoot at Woodinville Lavender planned by Rose Andrew Events is the epitome of natural beauty. The bride absolutely took our breath away in her long sleeve Reem Acra gown complete with a French lace turtleneck and feminine skirt. Botanique Flowers created elegant arrangements that perfectly complimented the lush, lavender field setting. To see all the destination inspiration this shoot has to offer, head on over to the full gallery – all taken by Whiskers and Willow Photography!

From Whiskers and Willow Photography… There is nothing like the majestic view of miles and miles of lavender fields in Provence. While COVID-19 has caused postponements and cancellations of weddings abroad, our creative team brought the romance and European flair of Southeastern France to the beautiful Pacific Northwest! From Emily Muddiman of Rose Andrew Events: “My muse for this design was a bride who was forced to postpone her European nuptials but wanted to celebrate her marriage in a way that felt regal yet approachable, romantic, intimate and true to the region where she originally planned to wed. We loved the setting of Seattle’s venue, Woodinville Lavender. It features acres of blooming lavender and the most charming white greenhouse. With our location and inspiration in mind, we chose a neutral color palette with pops of color!

Our ceremony was set in the lavender fields and guests sat on French inspired soft seating. Large lush arrangements of homegrown blooms were created by Kelly of Botanique and adorned the alter and tables. The tables featured rich textured linens paired with plush velvet napkins, handmade ceramic plates, pearl flatware and cut crystal glassware. We incorporated tufted linen benches to elevate the look and feel of the setting. I worked with our talented stationer, Crystal of the Fancy Cat Studio to dream up an invitation suite and corresponding day of paper goods that felt timeless and reminiscent of European regalia.

Her custom crest on the invitation, the corgi and unique guest name lasered on velvet napkins, and the chartreuse menu pockets gave the day an extra dose of unique French opulence. The cake, perfectly created by Missy of Missy Lee Cakes, featured tall opulent tiers and fondant appliqués that mimicked the curves and aesthetic of the custom crest created for our couple. For the wedding look, our bride wore a stunning Reem Acra gown— made complete with a French lace turtleneck, elegant sleeves and an over the top skirt. Paired with her white crystal studded Jimmy Choo’s and diamond earrings, her bridal ensemble was feminine yet grand. She carried a colorful bouquet of hydrangea, garden roses, lavender and wildflowers. Our talented Hair and Make-up artist styled her natural curls in a french updo and adorned her bun in a gorgeous hair wreath by Riot of Flowers. Standing beside her, our groom wore a classic black tux and the sweetest boutonniere to compliment her elegant bridal look. Jackie, of Whiskers and Willow, beautifully captured this wedding inspiration!

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

A Pastel Adorned Styled Shoot at Lairmont Manor Inspired by the Bride’s Blush Dress

If you know us, you know we love a bride who’s not afraid to ditch tradition and let her personal style shine bright on her wedding day! One of our favorite nontraditional wedding trends is colorful gowns – who said every bride has to wear white anyway?! Today’s pastel styled shoot planned by The Bubbly Soiree was inspired by the bride’s romantic pink dress. Jessica Vann-Campbell Flowers made flower magic with her cheerful arrangements in blue, pink and peach hues. To see all the details this day has to offer, head on over to the full gallery – captured beautifully by Courtney Bowlden!

From Courtney Bowlden… For this editorial shoot, we started with a couple of ideas at first: Using the Lairmont Manor as the backdrop, a century old estate in Bellingham, WA plus a gorgeous, flowy pink dress for the bride. We then decided to bring in blues, pinks and peach colors reminiscent of a beautiful sunset.

The vision was of a bride getting ready at a large manor before her intimate wedding. After she is dressed, she walks around the property to enjoy her setting and moments before becoming married. Even with a bit of fun sneaking some champagne and macarons beforehand, she marvels at all that has been completed. We wanted the blues to pop on the table next to her pink dress so put a more neutral colored table linen on. A casual, relaxed napkin, loose centerpiece and gold accents kept the table feeling flowy and romantic. The square shaped cake helped mimic the square shaped table the guests were seated at.

Long runners under the cake continued the flowy, romantic feel for the day. The bar cart was for fun after the ceremony. Cocktails, macarons and extra champagne to keep the party going. The beauty of a bar cart is that it’s portable and can go inside later on in the evening! The settee provided the bride a comfortable, beautiful place to rest after an exciting day.

Inspiration That Embodies the Romantic Nature of Garden Weddings, With a Touch of Modern Elegance

Modern brides who are getting married at a garden venue – this inspiration captured by Janet Lin Photography was tailored made for you. Willow & Ivy Events perfectly blended the romance of garden weddings, with a touch of modern elegance. From the chic all-white palette to the minimal table design and floral arrangements from Petal & Posy – we could not be more obsessed with the subtle details of this day. Check out the full gallery to watch it all unfold.

From Janet Lin Photography… The idea that something so stunningly beautiful can at the same time feel both effortless and unspoken is awe-inspiring. That was the goal of this shoot; to create a garden-inspired look that embodied the effortlessly romantic nature of a lush garden while incorporating a touch of modern elegance, and Alex of Willow & Ivy hit stout of the park. The all-white color palette, no lace gown, and minimal tablescape all came together seamlessly, bringing our vision for a modern, garden-inspired wedding to life.

Good design should be more than just beautiful, it should be an experience for the senses. As the soft breeze billowed in through the historic old windows of GRLS Studio, a gorgeous intimate gathering space in the Pacific Northwest, the room came to life. Ayana’s soft curls caressing her skin, the scent of abundant florals, and the serene sound of tall, lush grasses swaying together filled the room. The incredible floral artistry by Petal & Posy was inspired by the fundamentals of good garden design. Blocking types of flowers or plants together to give them more visual impact, layering textures and heights for maximum interest, and using a variety of shapes and sizes of flowers. For the ceremony installation, sweet peas, spray roses, scabiosa and yarrow created a ‘garden border’ in front of a tall variegated grass hedge. Giant white alliums were placed among the grass to add a modern and bold touch, creating an element of height and interest. The ceremony space was completed by climbing roses on a trellis in the background. The size and shape were intentional

The tabletop centerpiece was again a nod toward a garden border, featuring Lace Flower, Campanula, Spray Roses, Scabiosa and Sweet Peas blocked together by flower type. The bride’s bouquet was created in the same style, as if the bride simply grabbed a handful of each flower as she walked along her peaceful and serene garden.

A luxurious white linen from CORT Party Rental kept the table palette clean and bright, allowing the lush floral centerpiece to speak for itself. Modern tabletop decor with clean, minimal lines from Set The Table Party Rentals and a soft, flowing napkin topped with a torn-edge dinner menu by Kelsey Malie Calligraphy tied everything together. The brides crepe, one-shoulder gown from A & Be Bridal is the epitome of modern elegance. The bow detail on the shoulder sweetly whispers femininity and was carried through to the gorgeous bow detail shoe from Bella Belle Shoes. Her natural hair and make up executed perfectly by Yessie Libby look both finished and authentic, accenting her natural beauty with neutral tones. And softness. Even the wedding ring set from Lapis embodies the marriage of modern and romantic, with a detached wedding band and round halo engagement ring. Elderflower Gin & Tonic’s adored with fresh florals and rosemary brought the garden-inspired design full-circle, adding that touch of floral love even to the bride’s specialty cocktail.

A minimal, modern Sift & Gather wedding cake and custom stationery suite with just a spattering of soft pink added a dash of romantic femininity while continuing to attend to the detail of texture represented throughout the design elements. All this, captured by Janet Lin Photography and her signature timeless style; effortlessly elegant and emotive, with a romantic, film aesthetic.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Janet Lin Photography

View Portfolio

A Colorful Hamptons Inspired Shoot As We Say Goodbye To Another Summer!

As we say goodbye to another (very different) Summer, we can’t help but ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over this vibrantly colored, Hamptons inspired shoot, photographed by Blue Rose Photography and planned by Carina Van Son Weddings. Bright oranges and lemony yellow florals filled the tables and overflowing bouquet at the Faberfarm, while the bride simply stole the show in her jaw-dropping Galia Lahav gown. Check it out below and hang on to these last days of Summer, just a little bit longer!

From Carina Van Son Weddings…We loved the setting at Seattle’s new venue, Faber Farm. It hosts abundant green fields, beautiful flowers, and the most charming white barn. For this photoshoot, we decided to mix things up. We wanted to create a new take on the farm chic wedding. We were inspired by the tradition of summer parties in the Hamptons and colorful gatherings like the annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. The result was a marriage of beachy grey shingles, a lush green backyard, and East coast formality with vibrant warm colors, traditional lawn games, and stunning attire.

The idea was for each element of this shoot to be a statement in its own right: a show-stopping blush dress with bold lines, flowers that encompassed a late summer harvest, dewy makeup with a summer glow, a wedding cake filled with texture, and the most incredible handmade sugar flowers. When they all came together, they created a dream wedding setting fit for any summer bride.

From Blue Rose Photography…I knew it was going to be a typical PNW day, even in the summer we get some rainy dreary days. I also knew we wanted this shoot filled with vibrant colors. I used a mix of Portra 800 and Portra 400 film to bring pop and color back into the shoot, I knew Fuji wouldn’t cut it on such a cloudy day. I used the candles to bring a glow in that we wouldn’t get from the sun or golden hour. Our amazing makeup artist also delivered big time when I mentioned wanting a dewy glow to her skin. Goodman Film Lab who developed the film also helped to get these amazing tones. These elements combined took a rather drab day (weather-wise) and made the photos vibrant and rich with color.

This Effortlessly Romantic Editorial Will Have You Rethinking Your Definition of Wedding Flowers

When we realized the floral design by Gather Design Company of today’s editorial was made entirely of dogwoods… our jaws quite literally dropped to the floor. The results couldn’t be more breathtaking, and surprisingly so timeless! Pair that with wood-handled flatware, a dusty navy and white striped table linen under a grapevine covered terrace – yup, it’s all just too good. Check out all the details planned to perfection by Callista & Company at the full gallery, all captured by The Ganeys!

From Callista & Company… Inspired by the intersection of sleek, minimal design, and the old world charm of The Corson Building, Callista and Company and Gather Design Company worked together to design a fresh look in a well-loved space. We wanted the design to feel effortlessly romantic, but also attainable. For the floral design, Amy worked entirely with dogwoods to create a design that was simple and clean but still lush and natural.

The arch was designed to look like the dogwood branches grew up and onto it. It was surrounded by a half-circle of bistro chairs and an aisle lined with dogwood arrangements to set the scene for the ceremony. Dogwoods elegantly adorned the berry and buttercream cake created by Honey Crumb Cake Studio.

The reception was set under a grapevine covered terrace and featured white ceramic plates, contemporary wine glasses, wood-handled flatware, and a dusty navy and white striped linen from La Tavola. Hanging lanterns added a festive glow to the space. The menus created by Kelsie Malie brought together romantic calligraphy with a modern typeface. This old and new combination was echoed in the rest of the paper goods, as seen in the intricate drawings of venue, the couple’s family crest, and handmade vow books.

The bride’s attire featured the deceivingly simple Alexandra Grecco ‘Cohen’ gown. What at first seems like a clean sheath reveals a fluttery cape that catches light and movement in the most feminine way. Yessie Libby created an elegant reception look with a soft updo and natural makeup, and a fun reception style by letting the bride’s hair down. The engagement ring was designed by Ashley Zhang Jewelry and featured an elegant Asscher cut diamond. The couple escaped into the evening in a vintage convertible.

A Classic Wedding in Neutral Pink Hues at The Admiral’s House in Seattle

Seattle brides – if you haven’t already heard of The Admiral House, then boy do we have a treat for you! This gorgeous colonial home, built in 1944 for the Navy’s commanding admiral and his family, is complete with sweeping views of Elliott Bay, the Seattle skyline, and Mount Rainier – I mean, it just doesn’t get more Seattle than that. Today’s wedding planned by Perfectly Posh Events is the epitome of classic. The couple exchanged vows under a blooming arbor created by Kaleb Norman James Design, and later danced the night away under a greenery adorned tent. Head on over to the full gallery to see all the details – taken by Amanda K Photography!

From Amanda K Photography… Both hailing from the Seattle neighborhood of Magnolia, Emily + Brett knew they wanted to celebrate their union in the neighborhood that raised them. The Admiral’s House’s history + architecture mixed with its killer views had everything Emily + Brett envisioned for their day. They wanted a classic, timeless, and elevated celebration with all of their loved ones surrounding them to eat, drink, and be married. For those that are unfamiliar with The Admiral’s House, it is a colonial-style home built in 1944 for the Navy’s commanding admiral and his family and sits atop a hill in Magnolia. With its sweeping views overlooking Elliott Bay, the Seattle skyline, and Mount Rainier, the view is picturesque, and the perfect place to say “I Do!”

With the Elliott Bay Marina just down below [and visible!] from the Admiral’s House, a yacht moored in the marina was the only fitting option for Brett + his groomsmen to hang out in before the festivities! They shared whiskey, gifts, words of wisdom, and a few laughs! Emily wore a stunning Sarah Nouri gown, the softest pink Chanel shoes, and a timeless, low-set knot bun. With such a sophisticated look, it was only right for her to travel in style— a vintage, white Rolls Royce! Brett met Emily on the docks of the Marina for their captivating first look. If you look closely in the background of one of their shots, you’ll see the Admiral’s House standing proudly atop its perch, and their tent in all its glory, getting dolled up for the big day.

In keeping with their Magnolia roots, they wanted their bridal party photos to be taken atop of Magnolia Boulevard, the main street, and hub of the neighborhood. The bridesmaids were in gorgeous neutral pink gowns and the men in bowties. To top it off was the surprise mini-concert provided by a little boy and his guitar who happened to be playing for claps and cheers in the neighborhood! They were sure to get a photo op with the star. The ceremony was nestled in the west lawn of the Admiral’s House which offers an intimate garden retreat. Their amazingly talented florist, Kaleb Norman James fashioned the most exquisite blooming arch as the ceremony’s focal point, with flowering aisle markers framing it on either side. Emily wanted petals down the aisle.

In keeping it personal to Emily + Brett, they opted to have their favorite Coldplay song turned into an acoustic string quartet rendition for Emily’s walk down the aisle. They also asked their good friend to marry them in lieu of a formal officiant and asked another friend to share an excerpt of the Supreme Court’s ruling for same-sex marriage, as it reminded them that love is universal and open to all. Cheers and whistles erupted at the conclusion of their union. Cocktail hour ensued on a perfect summer evening, and eventually dinner + dancing under the stars. The breathtaking reception tent that was erected on the front lawn of The Admiral’s House, overlooking Elliott Bay and would be where E+B and their guests would spend the rest of their evening. They ate, drank, and were merry, just as Emily + Brett wanted. They shared laughs over the meal and toasts, and the band played their first dance just as the sun was setting, and the lights in the tent began to twinkle—it was magical. Thoughtfulness and attention went into all of the details. From having the same chandelier that hung in their home hang above the dance floor, their His + Her Signature cocktails, the gorgeous cream striped napkins, and the mismatched blue plates that offered a pop of color against their otherwise timeless color palette. They even commissioned a custom crest for their newly shared last name to include magnolia tree flowers in the design as a nod to their home. They used the crest in their invitations, signage, paper goods, and so much more. And don’t forget the macaron tower! Emily + Brett shared a memory of eating macarons in Paris and wanted to bring a bit of Paris to Seattle. This wedding was beautiful from every angle, and represented the bride + groom perfectly!

A Bosc Pear – AKA the Wedding Color Palette Inspiration We Never Knew We Needed

Did you ever think a Bosc pear could be the perfection inspiration for your wedding color palette? Neither did we. Luckily, the creative geniuses at Willow & Ivy Events figured it out. Leah Erickson Floral brought their vision to life with dreamy, mustard blooms (trust, they’re swoon-worthy)… Head on over to the full gallery captured by Sarah Harris Photography to get out of the typical blush and green wedding box and into something completely new and fabulous.

From Willow & Ivy Events… This wedding inspiration was born out of a love for the rich color of a Bosc pear. The designer, Alex of Willow & Ivy Events, wanted to explore the mustardy-brown color of this unique fruit as it is not a hue that is typically tapped for wedding designs. The rich, bold color allows for a crisp juxtaposition with white, a classic wedding color. Sarah Harris Photography captured the whole dreamy set up with her light and airy style; it was the perfect match for this shoot!

Alex knew she needed a luxurious linen that fit the color scheme perfectly and she found just that from Party Crush Studio. The velvet mustard linen is perfect against the white brick backdrop of The 101, a killer space in historic Pioneer Square in Seattle, Washington. The tabletop rentals from CORT Party Rental stand out against the bold linen and the stunning tabletop florals from Leah Erickson Floral tie everything together. You can even peep some Bosc pears of the table to represent the inspiration behind the shoot. The organic floral arrangement style of the centerpiece gives the table the perfect amount of whimsy and the delicate florals on the wall installation behind the table add that perfect little touch. For Michaela’s attire we went for a soft, feminine approach.

The flowy gown featured detachable sleeves with delicate lace – a trend we see becoming big in 2020! – that really highlighted her tattoo sleeve. For Adrianne we went a little more rock n roll with a deep v cut jumpsuit and white jacket. Adrianne’s messy pony showing off her undercut was also curated to be a little more edgy when compared to Michaela’s flowy ethereal curls, both by Tousled & Lovely. Both had soft, subtle makeup by Bethany Yackel Beauty that allowed for their natural beauty to be the star. And don’t miss out on those rings! Anueva Jewelry created some stunning, unique bling for both ladies featuring diamonds and colored gems. Instead of giving Adrianne a traditional bouquet like the one held by Michaela, Leah created an amazing crawling boutonniere that appeared to be growing up her jacket lapel. This shoot also featured an adorable little furry friend, Kip! Leah created a floral bandana for Kip; a unique play on a floral collar. And don’t forget the cocktails! W Design Shop, who created all of the amazing paper goods and invitation suite, made a Hers and Hers cocktail sign which featured two drinks that were totally within the color scheme of the day – a John Daly and an Amaretto Sour.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Here’s How You Bring A Light And Airy Aesthetic To An Indoor Wedding

This Seattle celebration is one for the books! The romantic day was inspired by the two cities that make up the couple’s love story, New York City where they met and Seattle the bride’s hometown. You’ll love all the thoughtful and personal touches curated by the bride’s own cousin Molly Corr of Bridal Bliss! Just take one look at the light and airy ceremony complete with an acrylic backdrop covered in white, cream, and blush blooms created by Gather Design Company. Anna Peters Photography artfully captured all love the and special moments. We cannot wait for you to see all the details in the full gallery.

From Molly Corr of Bridal Bliss… Erin and Jon reside in New York City, and while Jon is a native, Erin is a more recent transplant (the bride is also my cousin!). I loved getting to work with them to bring elements of the city they met and fell in love in (NYC) to Erin’s hometown (Seattle). Together we planned a weekend of events, allowing both their West Coast and East Coast families and friends time to celebrate.

For their celebration Jon & Erin chose the historic Rainier Club. They loved the Classic Downtown Seattle feel the space had – a nod to some similar establishments in Manhattan, as well as the intimacy it presented, as the entire club was rented for our party. Gather Design Company, brought in slightly more modern elements to add light with her acrylic ceremony backdrop, and airiness with a soft palette of pale peach, blush, and white.

Guests spent the evening celebrating with heartfelt toasts, dinner, and dancing. It was an amazing weekend, one I will not soon forget – and made even more special as I watched my cousin marry the man of her dreams and welcomed a new family member!

An Al Fresco Washington Wedding With Stunning Columbia River Gorge Views!

Calling all Washington brides – prepare to obsess over this outrageously gorgeous venue, Cave B, serving up stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge! The darling couple celebrated their “I do’s” in a fabulous, al fresco fête planned by Callista & Company on a perfectly sunny Summer day (just wait until you see their golden hour portraits captured by O’Malley Photographers – to. die. for.) Catch all the timeless elegance at the full gallery, featuring our new fave color scheme of 2020: sand, whipped apricot, and dusty mauve!

From the bride… The Gorge holds a special place in each of our hearts. Our first date was there and it was one of the best weekends of our lives! We also spent the first 2 years of our relationship taking turns commuting 4. 5 hours across the state every weekend to see each other. Every time I drove home to see Curtis, I passed over the Columbia River Gorge and felt this overwhelming nostalgia and excitement because I was halfway there! Before we even got engaged we decided we had to go back to where we first fell in love to exchange our vows and share the special place with our family and friends. It is such a meaningful place to our relationship, we could not imagine getting married anywhere else!

We tried to make each detail thoughtful and personal to us and that was starting with our venue, which was where we had our first date. We had a custom crest made by Claire at Sugared Fig Paperie that would recur throughout our stationary, website, petal bags, dinner menus, napkins, welcome bag tags, signage and displays that kept our decor and theme consistent and tied everything together. Our stamps were carefully curated and each had a meaningful nod to our venue. A George Washington stamp since our venue was in Washington, grapes since our venue was at a winery, and Audubon’s Columbia Jay, first spotted at the Columbia River since that’s where our venue overlooked. We chose the title for our custom photo wall display for three reasons:
1. Whenever I ask Curtis how I look he always responds with “you look gorgeous”
2. Our venue overlooked the Columbia River Gorge
3. We featured photos of all of our gorgeous guests!

Our candle votives were all glassybaby—a local Seattle hand blown glass company that has donated over $10 million back to charities and organizations. A small obsession of mine since I worked there all four years of dental school. We made sure to feature a Canadian beer since Curtis’s family is Canadian. And our wedding cake flavors included a German Chocolate cake for Curtis’s German background, and a matcha cake for my Chinese background. And lastly, I surprised my mom, husband, and all of our guests by secretly altering my mom’s Chinese wedding reception dress and changing into it after dinner. Nobody knew except Callista! My mom wore at her wedding in 1990 and had it custom made for her. It’s a traditional Chinese “qipao” or “Cheongsam” but in white. It features a beaded dragon and Phoenix which signify luck, loyalty, love, and joy. Together they signify husband and wife. My cousin, Bell is an up and coming musician in the Seattle and Philadelphia area so of course we had to have her jazz band perform! They helped create a dreamy, relaxed yet upbeat atmosphere, it felt like time was standing still.

From Callista & Company… Our overall design vision was romantic, timeless, and a touch contemporary with a strong sense of place. We incorporated lots of linen, and incorporated colors suited to the surrounding landscape, including sand, whipped apricot, and dusty mauve. We aimed to enhance but not obstruct the incredible views of the gorge and Columbia River, and we accomplished this through a romantic ceremony crescent ground installation from Wild Bloom Floral Design. The installation was bloom-filled, low, and lush in a beautiful muted color palette. We selected an off-white linen as the neutral base for our textural tablescape, which was topped with stacked lace charger and dinner plates, contemporary stemless glassware, and silver flatware. We wanted an elegant menu that would not fly away with a breeze, and designed a top fold menu tied with linen ribbon, which was tucked under the dinner plate. The menu cover page featured Micaela and Curtis’s custom crest and individual guest names hand-scripted in silver ink. The floral arrangements featured lush blooms, soft shapes, and a color palette of ivory, taupe, apricot, beige, and mauve. I wanted to present something a little different for the cake design, and also something that would hold up in the heat. Carla from Honey Crumb Cake Studio and I landed upon a series of cakes, each a different size, flavor, and covered in a different muted color of fondant. I wanted an elegant nod to the Fourth of July weekend, so we topped the cakes with sparklers. Micaela sourced a variety of light colored wood stands that softened the sleek lines of the fondant cakes. We made sure to have the cakes built on design-friendly acrylic rounds instead of cardboard. The flavors were Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, Sesame Matcha, Lemon Cream Cheese, Velveteen Carrot, and Toffee Vanilla Latte!

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

Sugared Fig Paperie

View Portfolio

This Pink Garden Wedding at Snoqualmie Falls Will Have You Craving All Things Summer

We know, we know it’s only January… but it’s about this time of year that we can’t help but dream of warmer days ahead. Luckily, we have today’s gorgeous summer wedding at Snoqualmie Fall to live vicariously through! It’s filled with bright pops of pink, garden roses galore and the sweetest bride and groom of all time. Valley & Company Events made their dream intimate outdoor wedding day a reality, leaving no detail left unturned. Don’t miss out on the full gallery of images – all captured by O’Malley Photographers!

From Valley & Company Events…Chao-Ching and John, a busy attorney and doctor, envisioned a romantic and intimate outdoor wedding to kick off their nuptials and summer, and were so delighted when we suggested Salish Lodge & Spa nestled atop Snoqualmie Falls.

The wedding was filled with summery elements like lupine, berry and cherry cocktails, garden roses, and touches of honey (nodding to the apiary on the property). Guests were whisked across the property through the different scenes: from the outdoor ceremony on the lawn with the roaring falls in the background to the terrace cocktails and dancing, each moment reflected their love and also the amazing backdrop.

Blush early summer blooms like pink and cream garden roses and peonies, blueberry branches, flowering oregano, colorful lupine, and rosemary painted the decadent garden scene, and guests were treated to artful cocktails that played off of the flower theme. Our ceremony altar was a triple garden arch that our team created out of countless roses and Southern greenery, and it was accented with big garden boxes filled with alpine lupine in poppy colors.

The petite sculpted cake from the Salish Lodge pastry team was filled with lemon cream and was nestled in green foliage in front of a floral-print backdrop we created from Grey & Cake’s motif. We used that botanical artwork throughout, on the handmade menus from Kelsey to the custom bar front panels, cheerful flowers were ever-present through this happy and bright celebration!

A Rehearsal Dinner So Good You’d Never Believe It Wasn’t Their Wedding

After seeing their gorgeous backyard wedding that literally took our breath away, it came as no surprise to see their rehearsal dinner was THIS pretty… so good it could easily pass for a wedding itself! Guests dined under a sprawling tent at banquet tables, decorated in ivory linen runners and sweet bud vase arrangements from Gather Design Company. We’re especially obsessed with this modern acrylic menu board they created in lieu of personal menus – adorable and eco-friendly! Double win. Head on over to the full gallery of images for some major rehearsal dinner inspo that’s sure to impress every guest – all captured by The Ganeys and planned by Callista & Company!

From Callista & Company… Kyle and Teale’s Rehearsal Dinner was held on Bainbridge Island at the Manor House at Pleasant Beach Village.

We wanted the rehearsal dinner design to feel cohesive with the wedding design, but with a distinct color palette and more approachable table setting to suit the family-style dinner service. The wedding featured pinks and french blue, so we kept the rehearsal dinner color palette to refined shades of grey and ivory.

The tables were set with an ivory linen runner, stone plates, grey napkins, and stemless glassware. A light grey flag with a guest’s first name in charcoal calligraphy was placed in a glass at each setting. In lieu of formal menus on the tables, we opted for a large contemporary acrylic menu board. Libby Tipton created a custom logo of driftwood covered in crawling vines and blooms, which was brought to life at the event by Gather Design Company, who used driftwood and flowers in glass bud vases along the center of each table. The Ganeys captured everything perfectly.

For These Seattle Natives, Home Is Where The I Do’s Are!

These Seattle natives wanted to show off everything there is about their hometown to all of their friends and family, so tying the knot at The Seattle Tennis Club was an easy yes when it came to venue choice! With beautiful water and mountain views, the couple had a dreamy first look photographed by Blue Rose Photography and a classic yet fun party afterward with blooming centerpieces by Flora Nova Designs and even a champagne tower! Take a look below to see all that Occasions Wedding and Event Planning got to put together for a romantic, sunny Seattle day!

An Interview with the Bride…

When and where did you meet?

Charlie and I met in high school, and both grew up in Seattle. One of the things that we prioritized from the outset of our planning was having the wedding in the city – we wanted to show our friends and family from out of town (most of Charlie’s family is in the midwest and most of mine is in California) the city that we grew up in and all the places that are meaningful to us and our relationship.

You both went to UW correct?

Charlie is a UW graduate! I went to UCLA for undergrad, and am currently in law school at UW (so we both became Huskies eventually!).

Where did you get your dress and bridesmaids dresses from?

My dress was by Anny Lin (it was originally a one-shoulder gown that I had customized to be strapless). The bridesmaid dresses were by Jenny Yoo – I went to visit my bridesmaids in Los Angeles to go shopping for bridesmaid dresses, and they completely fell in love with the embroidery on these dresses.

Inspiration for the style and feel for your wedding?

Family is incredibly important to both of us, so it was a big priority to involve our family members – we had a total of 7 flower girls and ring bearers because all our little cousins wanted to be involved (which was pretty overwhelming at the rehearsal, but went perfectly during the actual ceremony). We also wanted to make sure to showcase the location – we had our welcome dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Pioneer Square, a historic neighborhood in Seattle, but then our ceremony took place on the shore of Lake Washington with Mount Rainier in the background, highlighting the natural beauty of the city! We also wanted the party to feel fun and authentic to us – we had oysters and Aperol Spritzes as a specialty drink during cocktail hour (two of our favorite treats) and my siblings pulled out “money guns” which shot out fake dollar bills on the dance floor to get the party started.

What advice do you have for other brides planning their weddings?

The thing that most helped me in planning my wedding was having a solid team helping me, and clear roles for each person. It can get overwhelming when there are so many details to work out, vendors to call, decisions to make, etc., so Charle, our moms, our wonderful wedding planner and I would work to divvy up the project (and I made sure to take on the things that were most important to me!). This made the planning process a lot more manageable and fun, and brought our families even closer ahead of the wedding – by the time the big day came around, it really felt like a joint effort that we were all personally proud of.

I would also recommend creative thinking in terms of making your dreams a reality – with the internet, it’s easier than ever to take inspiration from wedding magazines or Pinterest and figure out how to make it happen. For instance, I really wanted a vintage convertible as our “getaway car” and was able to find someone in our area on Vinty.com with a red, vintage VW Beetle convertible who was willing to chauffeur us away, which was absolutely perfect. I also really wanted a custom watercolor monogram for our invitation suite, so was able to find an artist in Croatia on Etsy who had the exact style I was looking for.