Before we delve too far into the perfection that is this Washington wedding, can I just comment on how stinkin’ adorable this couple is? Her sweet red hair and his football player build? They could be models for amazing weddings. Starting with their own. Planned by Occasions, LLC Wedding and Event Planning. Florals from Flora Nova Designs. Captured by Stephanie Cristalli. How could it get any better than that? Answer – it can’t. We love, love, love the fresh greens and muted khakis. And the show stopping flowers. And the venue. Did I mention the stunning couple? Get your swoon on in the gallery for more!
Justin and I grew up in neighboring Seattle suburbs, attended rival high schools, graduated from the same university in California, yet didn’t meet one another until 2005. The timing was less than perfect- I was in my first year of law school, and Justin was playing for an NFL team on the other side of the country. Despite these challenges, we quickly realized that our relationship was meant to be and we never looked back. The happiest day of my life was when Justin proposed on the second day of our trip to Italy in 2009.
To be clear, I couldn’t wait to get married … but I was intimidated by the planning process. We knew that we wanted to get married in our hometown of Seattle, which meant that we’d be planning the wedding from 800 miles away. We also knew our that guest list would be huge given the fact that we have over 100 extended family members between the two of us. Plus, I lack the creativity and craftiness of many SMP brides! My biggest worry was that our wedding would feel more like convention than the personal, laid-back, and stylish Northwest affair that we wanted. But with the help of my fabulous mom and the hard work of our amazing vendors, everything came together.
The venue was a no-brainer for us. The Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington has stunning natural beauty along with incredible amenities, including multiple golf courses, a spa, and an on site winery where we had our rehearsal dinner. The resort inspired many elements of our ceremony and reception. The accessories for the bridal party (muted peach cardigans for the girls, chocolate Chuck Taylors for the guys, and bright green shoes for me) were meant to reflect the casual elegance of our surroundings. The huge pine trees throughout the resort property inspired our invitation suite. They also provided a dramatic backdrop for our ceremony, which (after a very questionable weather forecast) took place under blue skies. As luck would have it, a huge thunderstorm rolled in minutes after our guests entered the ballroom for dinner!
Our florist, Christiane Zweifler, somehow transformed Suncadia’s huge hotel ballroom into a dreamy Northwest landscape. I wanted lush, unfussy, romantic floral arrangements that drew from the natural surroundings, and she more than delivered. My parents also worked tirelessly to assemble potted birch trees that lined the interior of the ballroom, which Christiane draped with flowers and greenery. The ballroom was the perfect backdrop for our family style Mediterranean dinner.
What I loved most about our wedding was the music and the energy it created! We had a saxaphone quartet play during the ceremony, a jazz band during the cocktail hour and dinner, and a hugely talented cover band for the dance party. The band played everything from Mowtown to Journey, and they kept everyone on their feet for most of the night. Their rendition of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” for our first dance was so incredible, it brought many people to tears! We consider it our claim to fame that not one, but two of our wedding guests split their pants from dancing so hard. My favorite memory of the night taking the stage with the love of my life, singing with the band, and watching all of our family and friends dance their hearts out.
Photography: Stephanie Cristalli / Wedding Coordinator: Janel Schlitt of Occasions, LLC Wedding and Event Planning / Florist: Christiane Zweifler, Flora Nova Designs / Hair: HannaMarchel Salon / Makeup: Tiara’s On Location / Venue: Suncadia Resort / Wedding Dress: Vineyard from Calla Bridal / Bridesmaid’s Dresses & Cardigans: J. Crew / Groomsmen’s Suits: The Tuxedo Club / Ties: Etsy / Band: A New Groove