I’ll be the first to admit my thumb is black, but that doesn’t mean I don’t adore a good floral arrangement with my whole heart. An eclectic mix of bright blooms can always, always put a huge smile on my face, and when they are found in an eclectic, yet gorgeous, wedding? Well, it’s over. The wedding on deck today was planned by VOWS Wedding & Event Planning and every bit of the eclectic perfection was captured by Rebecca Ellison Photography – and put into a stunning little gallery for you!
Click here to see the full image gallery!
Zach and I did not have the most conventional of courtships. At the time, Zach was in the Navy and stationed in Everett, WA. On the night of our meeting, we were both at the Tulalip Casino. Once there, I headed straight for a Craps table and asked the first guy I saw if he could remind me how to play. He said he was new to the game himself, but his good friend had just taught him and I should ask him. That friend turned out to be my future husband.
Fast forward a year and a half later and many months apart due to deployments, and we decided to get married. That special question happened not during the incredibly romantic weekend that Zach had surprised me with for my 29th birthday, but after it…in the car on our way home! He told me he had been nervous, which was very sweet. This made me laugh because it just felt so “us” and I-90 West will always have a special place in my heart!
Zach is from North Carolina and I’m from Seattle, so I wanted the theme to be kind of “Urban Country”, elegant without feeling uncomfortable and with pieces of both of us. The venue was perfect for this. The space was so beautiful and also had a relaxed rustic feel. We didn’t head in with a specific color theme. It was spontaneous and evolved from complimentary colors put together with white. The bridesmaid’s dresses were Bill Levkoff from LaBelle Elaine’s of Seattle. The Bridal gown was Monique Lhuillier from Marcella’s of Seattle. Bella Rugosa of Seattle designed the flowers using Peonies, Pincushion, Rununculus, Dendrobium orchids, and Phaleonopsis orchids.
Special touches included the thimble charm from my Korean Hanbok in honor my birth culture which was attached to my bouquet, a beautiful ruby ring once belonging to Zach’s grandma given to me by my mother-in-law, a daisy added to Zach’s boutonniere in honor of his mom because it is her favorite flower, lanterns from Vietnam (a place special to my family), and popcorn and jelly beans as late night snacks and gifts in memory of my Dad.
Our ceremony was very special to us because it was one of the things that we got to work on together since Zach was on deployment. It had tradition but also was tailored to us. My favorite memories of the day were getting ready with my best girls, our first kiss as a married couple, the wonderful toasts, and last but not least, my Mom walking me down the aisle with my Dad’s dog, Barclay, to give me away since my Dad could not. Our favorite photos were of us out and about in Seattle with our wedding party. Everyone had fun and it showed thanks to our photographer. Every moment we didn’t know to ask for ourselves, was captured. Our vendors each gave us personal, attentive, wonderful assistance and everyone played a part in making our day that much easier and more special. It was like working with friends and that helped make it the perfect day for us that we’ll both never forget.
Photography: Rebecca Ellison Photography / Flowers: Bella Rugosa / Event Design: Bride’s Mom / Event Planning: Stephanie Wilson of VOWS Wedding & Event Planning / Venue: Herban Feast at Sodo / Invitations: Deanna Veach, Leflar Showroom, Seattle Design Center / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Dress Designer: Monique Lhullier, Marcella’s La Boutique / Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bill Levkoff / Men’s Fashion: Vera Wang, The Men’s Wearhouse / DJ: DJ Leslie, Seattle Parties / PaperCut Ornaments: Celeste Cooning