This Seattle soiree has all the major components of a modern day fairytale. Thornewood Castle as the backdrop? Check! Custom-designed Italian engagement ring? Check! Stunning Galia Lahav gown? Check! From the pink Aria Style blooms to the gorgeous glass slipper moment a la Valentino, every moment Stephanie Cristalli captured is fit for a storybook ending, right here!
From Perfectly Posh Events… Slava was raised in Moscow and Jessica was raised in the Seattle area. Their paths crossed as a result of their passion for ballroom dancing and now they are dancing professionally as award-winning dance partners.
Slava and Jessica met at a dance tryout in Los Angeles in April 2010. They decided to dance together shortly after and a few months later, Slava surprised Jessica with a bouquet of red roses as they were on their way to the dance studio. They decided to move to Seattle from California so Jessica could be near her family and proceeded on an incredible journey, opening a new dance studio while creating a life and home together.
For their wedding, Jessica & Slava wanted a memorable intimate affair with their closest family and friends. They both really love romantic classic European styles and selected Thornewood Castle as the backdrop for their personal fairy tale. Jessica loves feminine details and chose a color palette of light pink, blush, champagne and ivory.
Their intimate ceremony was held in the picturesque sunken garden surrounded by roses and hydrangea bushes. Jessica walked down a very long aisle on a carpet of rose petals before they said their “I Do’s” under a gorgeous floral arch with a stunning chandelier. One of my favorite personal touches in the ceremony space was the custom-made banners for each family crest that hung on the castle towers on either side of the ceremony space, not only did they fit the fairy tale theme perfectly but it also tied in their family heritages which are extremely important to Jessica and Slava.
Aria Style created the perfect romantic ambiance for the ceremony and reception with hundreds of roses and lush floral arrangements. I loved the design that we did with the tables, complete with blush pink linen layered with lace, vintage dishes, menus tied with lace and ribbon, tables named after ballroom dances, and drop-dead-gorgeous centerpieces! The reception was filled with lots of love and laughter, champagne in abundance, delicious food and of course plenty of dancing. To end the evening, Jessica and Slava departed in a vintage blue Lincoln Continental Convertible after being showered with rose petals by their family and friends. It was truly a modern day fairy tale!
From the beautiful Bride… On a sunny Sunday in June last year, Slava suggested that we go for a walk in the Bellevue Botanical Gardens – he looked very dashing all dressed up in a suit, so I put on my favorite pink sundress. We held hands as we walked through the garden and stopped to rest on a beautiful bench in the forest. The afternoon light was shining golden through the verdant green of the trees and there were butterflies occasionally flitting by, and the music of birds chirping happily. Then Slava got on his knee and proposed to me and I said yes! He presented me with the most beautiful, custom-designed Italian engagement ring, which he had secretly had made during our visits to Southern California for dancing. We bought pink champagne to celebrate at the outdoor patio of a cafe on Bellevue’s main street, and then we went to tell my parents, who welcomed Slava into the family. Shortly after, we also called Slava’s family in Bulgaria and Moscow to share the news!
Photography: Stephanie Cristalli Photography | Floral Design: Aria Style | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Cake: Cakes By Creme De La Creme | Stationary: Chic Ink | Shoes: Valentino | Catering: Shooby Doo Catering | Hair & Makeup: Erin Skipley | DJ: WaSOUND | Transportation: Rare Form Limousine | Venue: Thornewood Castle | Dishes: Vintage Dish Company | Linens: Creative Coverings | Planning: Perfectly Posh Events