Washington Weddings

Anytime the O’Malleys send their work our way, it’s an automatic win. Because not only are their images art in and of themselves but they seem to attract the cutest clients in the whole, wide world. Case in point? These Seattle sweethearts who took to a ferry boat for their pre-wedding photo shoot. Love what you see? There’s lots more waiting right here.

From O’Malley Photographers… Todd and Kristi met and fell in love in Seattle, live in the city, and are getting married in the city, so when engagement session planning began we knew we had to incorporate something unique to Seattle and the city! What’s more romantic than a ferry ride that spectacularly highlights the gorgeous Seattle skyline as you’re riding away to an island?! Despite rather cold temperatures, we had the best time capturing Todd and Kristi’s love, ducking indoors at times to warm up and admire the impressive city backdrop. We are so excited for this sweet couple’s upcoming wedding, designed by the very talented Sinclair & Moore!

Photography: O'Malley Photographers

Some people just seem to have style that comes so naturally it just feels effortless, and this gorgeous couple is a lovely example. Every stunning image from Benj Haisch paints the most stylishly perfect image of their holiday fête, and you can devour all of them right here.

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From Benj Haisch…Drew and Leanne’s winter wedding was set in one of the oldest churches in Seattle with the reception at one of the most rustic venues. Drew sang a song he wrote to Leanne during their ceremony as well. 

Photography: Benj Haisch | Videographer: Janssen Powers | Event Planning: Simplicity Events | Ceremony Venue: Mars Hill Downtown Seattle | Reception Venue: Herban Feast | Band: Casey Macgill Trio

A beautiful brunch is my favorite part of Christmas day. After the presents have been opened and the coffee has been made, there’s nothing better than sharing a scrumptious meal with the ones you love. And while you may feel at a loss for what to whip up on this oh-so-special occasion, fear not loves! Because Katie Parra and Megan Doherty are here to share their how-to for the perfect holiday crepe cake. Yep, you can thank them later!

Photography: Katie Parra Photography | Cake: Megan Doherty | Food Styling: Katie Parra Photography

I love loft weddings. And loft weddings at Sodo Park? Well, they are just pure magic. With twinkling lights and flowers from Loves Me Flowers, this space was transformed into a gorgeous affair for this stylish couple, and you’ll want to get lost in all the lovely right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride…My husband and I were married at the fantastic and award-winning Sodo Park venue in Seattle, WA on September 21st, 2013. I knew from the day I got engaged (okay, maybe a few months before) that the highly coveted Sodo Park was the one and only location for our wedding. It’s easily accessible location in downtown Seattle, paired with its unique mix of rustic and modern accents perfectly complimented our style as a couple, and we were both so excited to bring our friends and family together for one big party in this beautiful space. Sodo Park is owned by Herban Feast, another award-winning vendor in Seattle for top wedding reception caterer, so choosing the food for our special day was a breeze. Herban Feast specializes in pairing fresh and local ingredients which was important to us, as we wanted to give our out of town guests the true Seattle experience. Herban Feast and Sodo Park’s staff was amazingly accommodating, helpful, and professional throughout the entire process. Reese Rowe, Herban Feast’s Sales and Event Services Manager, was by my side from the day I inquired about Sodo Park to the actual wedding day (about 16 months). Reese met with us on multiple occasions – with my parents, my in-laws, and even met me at a local linen company to discuss linen possibilities. She provided excellent vendor referrals and was always available.

Once we had the specifics nailed down, it was time to get immersed in the details of our dream wedding. Our priority was to get all of our family and friends together and just have one big celebration. We wanted our wedding to be a reflection of us, and not feel too stuffy. The husband and I agreed on a neutral pallet (both of us have a slight aversion to COLOR) and immediately leaned towards monochromatic shades of grey and white which would contrast with the venue’s wood tones. We wanted to play off of the rustic wooden atmosphere of the venue, and did so by including wood rounds in our centerpieces which were supplied by our florist, and making our own escort card holders out of birch logs purchased online. We also made our own table numbers made out of wood 2×4 and galvanized nails (both DIY projects were a labor of love to say the least).

Our florist made my dreams come true in more ways than one. She put my dreams into reality by creating two different combinations of centerpieces which had just the juxtaposition I was looking for with the use of different votive’s, white hobnail accent pieces and flowers (this stemmed from all of my bridesmaids having a different style dress). She also created two huge arrangements of baby’s breath which greeted the guests as the entered and lined the isle entrance during the ceremony; the arrangements were then moved to accompany the 2 large buffet tables during the reception. My bouquet included anemone’s (my favorite flower) as an accent and was packed with full white blooms such as ranunculus, garden roses, gardenias, and hydrangeas. The bridesmaids bouquets were made up of a similar combination of flowers – all white, my favorite!

I purchased my dress at The Dress Theory in Seattle, WA – which is a new boutique in the area which carries dresses for unique, bohemian, and/or fashion forward brides. The dress I chose was “Swell” by the ever talented Sarah Seven. I went for a subtle silver lace shoe by Badgley Mishka. My veil was a combination of my late mothers and my mother in law’s. I wanted to wear my mom’s veil as a tribute to her, but it turned out to not be the right color with my dress. My mother in law graciously offered her very own cathedral length veil after finding out about my dilemma, and sewed a few applique pieces from my mom’s veil to the clip of her veil so I could have a piece of both of them. My mother in law also secretly sewed an applique from my mom’s veil to the inside of my dress as well – it was a special reminder that she was always with me on my wedding day.

Our wedding day wouldn’t have been so magical without the help of our amazing day of coordinator, Laura Gram of Simplicity Events, LLC. At first I thought I could do it all myself, but I was quickly persuaded by friends and family that AT LEAST a day of coordinator was worth the money. We met with Laura a year in advance, and fell in love with her. She was our biggest fan from day 1 and wanted our special day to be exactly what we envisioned it to be. She touched base with me every month, reminded me of tasks that I follow up on, and gave seasoned advice throughout the entire process. Laura assisted with setting up our “cookie table” which we used in place of a wedding cake and dessert table. Bob’s mom is known for her delicious “Sara Cookies” which a small chocolate chip cookies, a secret family recipe. The cookies are well known to our family and friends, and we were SO excited when she agreed to our crazy idea of making over 600 Sara Cookies for the wedding guests to enjoy as dessert and to take a home with them. Sara and I scoured antique shops in the area for vintage cookie tins serve the cookies in, and Laura set up the table magnificently with the help of a vintage doily garland I purchased on Etsy and Sara’s collection of white handkerchiefs. Herban Feast created vanilla and salted caramel ice cream which was served in little mason jars to accompany the cookies, and all of it was A HIT. There were hardly any cookies leftover, with the exception of 1 bag which we passed on to our shuttle bus driver for his help transporting guests to and from the downtown hotels and venue throughout the night. Having Laura there just put me, my bridal party, and our families at ease and enabled us all to enjoy ourselves knowing that she had everything handled and progressing smoothly.

The music for the ceremony and reception was provided by the esteemed Michael Benson Band who are local to Seattle. Michael Benson Band played at my brother and sister in-laws wedding, and were a HUGE hit. We knew we had to have them for our wedding, and thankfully, their 5 piece band was available the day of our wedding. We were lucky enough to meet with Michael at his home a month before the wedding and discuss all song options for our wedding. He even sat down and played samples on his piano which blew our socks off. The Michael Benson Band did an amazing job of keeping the party going throughout the night playing anything from Journey to Lady Gaga to Sinatra. Michael played his guitar and sang Jack Johnson’s “Angel” for our processional, “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard the bridal entrance and Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me” on the piano for the recessional. They even snuck in Earth Wind and Fire’s “September” in honor of our wedding date… “Do you remember the 21st night of September? Love was changing the mind of pretenders, while chasing the clouds away”.

Last but absolutely not least was our spectacular photographer, Alyssa Wilcox Photography. Alyssa was the only photographer we even met with, the 3 of us had an instant connection right away. We met with her initially to set up a date for our engagement photos, and after seeing the final result there was no question she would photograph our wedding. Alyssa had never photographed a wedding at Sodo Park and was so enthused by the opportunity, it made Bob and I that much more excited for the day to finally arrive. Alyssa is so creative, easy to work with and has an innate eye for detail. Our styles complement each other and the result was insanely beautiful portraits and photographs that we will cherish forever. It was so much fun going through the 700+ photos that she sent, because it brought back memories from the day that had slipped my mind in all the chaos.

Photographer: Alyssa Wilcox Photography | Flowers: Loves Me Flowers | Wedding Dress: The Dress Theory | Ceremony Venue: Herban Feast | Reception Venue: Herban Feast | Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Morgan | Catering: Herban Feast | Makeup: Flawless Beauty Bar | Band: Michael Benson Band | Mens Attire: The Tuxedo Club | Day-Of Coordinator: Simplicity Events, LLC | Rentals: Rented Elegance & Design

It’s no secret that we love film photography around these parts, but film photography from the lens of O’Malley Photographers? Well that is pure magic. Take this Seattle engagement for example. Every image is hang-on-your-wall-worthy, making this gallery one gorgeous place to be. See it all here.

From O’Malley Photographers…We just received the film back from this city anniversary session and love how well it documents the gorgeous Seattle waterfront and the chemistry between these two! Nate and Ruth have been married nearly three years and wanted to document their anniversary with a stylish, downtown photo session. They are one of the sweetest couples and also local Seattle photographers. We hope you love this session as much as we do! 

Photography: O'Malley Photographers | Wedding Venue: Olympic Sculpture Park

First of all, this bride has been waiting to share these pictures with us since the day she got engaged. How cute is she?! It came as no surprise, therefore, that her wedding was a beautiful Seattle affair, complete with the cutest puppy flower girl you’ve ever seen – in true SMP dog adoration fashion. Planned by VOWS Wedding & Event Planning and captured by Tonhya Kae Photography, we’ve been chomping at the bit to tell the lovely bride that we love every single moment. X’s and O’s to her!

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From the beautiful bride… I have been dying to submit our wedding to your blog since my husband proposed. We just got our wedding pictures this week and after sending them to family, Style Me Pretty was my next stop! Our wedding was fun, easy, modern, glittery and the perfect reflection of us!

From the beginning we wanted to include all the things we love most: our English Bulldog- Clementine, Seattle, our best friends, our favorite foods, and our family. I had been imagining my wedding for ages, so when David proposed I already had a vision.

Our colors were navy, lilac and gold…although I managed so slip some leopard print in wherever possible. Most of the details were done by my mom and me. The lanterns were from Ikea and had to be spray painted gold, all the programs were hand made, and then, of course, there was the quilt. My mom is an incredible quilter so she made us a wedding quilt to use as a guest book. The front was finished and hanging behind the table and the back was going to be made out of the fabric squares left out for the guests to sign. She also made all the programs with the fabric from the quilt on the front and gold glitter paper on the inside. Then she made matching bunting to hang on the tables and pillows for the rented couch–basically she’s incredible!

Before the ceremony we opened our gifts from each other. David gave me a beautiful second diamond wedding band and I gave him a wedding card that I had gotten signed by the entire Seattle Mariners Baseball Team…who, until me, were the loves of his life! The first thing he said to me after “you’re so beautiful” at our first look was “ohmygod, the Mariner’s card!”

We had a short non-traditional ceremony with two readings: “Falling in love is like owning a dog.” and “Appache Wedding Blessing”. Our wedding date was my late grandma’s birthday, and I had pictures of both my grandma’s hanging from my bouquet. I walked down the aisle to Canon in D and our recessional song was Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oates. Our English Bulldog was our flower girl and walked my mom down the aisle.

Our reception was a blast. It was filled with delicious food: chicken and waffles, burgers, fries, cupcakes, etc. We also had a photobooth that was a huge hit and served as our favors. For drinks we served our favorite drinks: Sofia cans of wine, Summer Shandys, Arnold Palmers, and a few other beers and wines. Our first dance was to I can’t help falling in love with you by Elvis. The wedding was an incredible whirlwind, but our amazing photographers and videographers made sure that we’ll always remember every minute!

Photography: Tonhya Kae Photography | Photography: Tonhya Kae Photography | Cinematography: Ferguson Films | Cinematography: Ferguson Films | Event Planning: VOWS Wedding & Event Planning | Flowers: Fena Flowers | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids Dresses: Weddington Way | Catering: Skillet Street Food | Make Up: Jara Mohlman | Lighting: Greenlight Event Design | Bride's Dress: Watters | Get Ready Location: Hotel Andra | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photobooth: 321 Foto | Rentals: Pedersen's rentals | Second Shooter: Karen Obrist | Shoes: Bride: Milk & Honey, Bridesmaids | Shoes: Bridesmaids: Steve Madden | Wedding & Reception Space: Within Sodo

If you are partial to city fetes full of gorgeous skylines and modern design then this Seattle affair photographed by Benj Haisch is going to be your new favorite. It’s modern design wrapped in warmth and fun. And quite possibly one of the cutest Bride’s to date. We love a girl who can rock a dance move or two during her bridal portraits. Have a look at the full gallery for more and then be sure to press play on the film shot by First and Foremost Productions below.

From the Bride…Our favorite moment of the wedding day was the first look. He stood with his back facing the altar, and as I walked down the aisle, I felt so happy that I get to marry him. Laughing and smiling, I tapped him on the shoulder, and I will never forget how he looked at me when he turned around. He was overcome with emotion and told me, “You are so beautiful.” We both started crying and hugging. Even as I am writing this, my husband leaned over and said, “I was overwhelmed with the thought that I have the privilege to spend the rest of my life with this amazing woman standing in front of me.” I remembered thinking that if the day had ended there, it would have already been perfect. We went on to have an awesomely fun wedding, thanks to our loving family, wedding party, and everyone who came to celebrate with us! As the sun was setting, we escaped up to the rooftop of our venue, which had a breathtaking view of the Seattle skyline. It was calming to be alone with just the two of us after the ceremony, watching the sun’s glow slip behind our favorite city.

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Photography: Benj Haisch | Cinematography: First and Foremost Productions | Floral Design: Aria Style | Event Design + Planning: Bride | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Court in the Square | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Dress: Lazaro

Why not don your finest duds and make your engagement session black tie? After taking a peek at this basically perfect e-sesh from Tara Sharma, I’m just bummed I didn’t think to do the same. Because these two? They are knock outs. And their sleek style is envy-worthy to say the least. It’s a gallery that will make you feel fabulous and fancy, and it’s all sitting pretty right here.

From Tara Sharma… When Pritha moved to Seattle for a medical school rotation, little did she know she would soon meet the man she would marry. Their wedding will be in downtown Chicago later this summer, so they wanted to showcase the natural beauty and unique urban nature of Seattle in their engagement session. We visited two different spectacular beaches on a gorgeous Seattle day and ended at a very unique industrial space which proved to be the perfect contrast and addition to their engagement session.

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Photography: Tara Sharma  | Hair + Makeup : Jenny Bowker

So I kind of have a tiny (scratch that, HUGE) obsession with big, airy, open-concept lofts. Not only do they make the sweetest city apartments (my not-so-secret dream abode), but serve as the perfect backdrop for any sun-drenched styled shoot. And while you would necessarily think it, this photo sesh from Kali Lu Photo, Serephine and Kae + Ales proves just how romantic a city loft can be. It’s oozing with elegance from head to toe, and you can gush all afternoon in the full gallery waiting here.

From Serephine…We chose an indoor loft-style space, because many brides here in the rainy, Pacific Northwest tend to choose indoor venues. We focused on a very “Seattle” clean, simple and romantic vibe, with an unusual and refreshing, Springy color combination of purples and blues. Even though it’s rainy often here, it doesn’t mean our weddings have to be gloomy, so we made ours light and airy! We also DIY’ed our gorgeous cakes to show brides how they can do the same!

 

Steps to DIY wedding cakes

– Decide what sizes of cakes you want and bake 2-3 layers for each (depending on how tall you’d like each tier). For reference, our small cakes were 9 inch rounds, and 2 layers tall. You can cut the rounded tops off for a flatter look on top.

– Put some icing on each cake stand’s cake plate to hold the bottom layers in place, and then set the bottom layers of plain cake on each vintage cake stand

– Ice between layers to glue the cakes together and give the cake filling, and stack them

– Frost cakes: Don’t worry about getting the frosting smooth, you want texture for this look (think stucco)

– For tiered cakes, like our center cake, cut 5-9 wooden dowels to the height of the bottom tier (or drinking straws also work), and then place them into the cake, in the middle of the bottom tier.

– Then place a foil-covered foam core board on top of the dowels, but make sure it’s smaller than your next tier so it doesn’t show.

– Stack your unfrosted tier on top of the dowels and board on the frosted bottom cake, by layers, and ice between layers just as with the others, and then frost the top tier completely.

– If you’d like more stability, you can also place a long skewer through the entire cake, but make sure to also cut a hole through the board(s) between layers, and make sure it’s short enough that it doesn’t poke out at the very top of your cake.

– Cover each cake with an arrangement of fresh flowers, and voila!

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Photography: Kali Lu Photo | Styling + Florals: Kae Yelchaninov of Kae + Ales |Invitations + Place Cards: La Happy | Cake: DIY | Hair + Makeup: Cara Aeschliman | Dresses: Sarah Seven + Nicole Miller via The Dress Theory | Accessories: Serephine | Location: Seattle Daylight Studio 

When a wedding has a signature look woven into even the tiniest of details, it makes for the most amazing affair. I’m talking a stamp of modern that can be seen in everything from the unique cut of the Bride’s Vera Wang dress to the lucite stand displaying a monochromatic cake; even the desserts from this day are styled to pure perfection. And I can’t think of a better way to view all those details crafted by Steven Moore Designs than through the lens of Yvonne Wong’s camera. See it all unfold right here.

Now, before you head off into the gallery have a look at the film captured by Bogle Productions…

From the Bride…Our wedding took place on a beautiful Seattle summer evening on June 23, 2012. I loved every component of our wedding day. Our dream wedding was definitely fulfilled at the Four Seasons Hotel. The ballroom was extravagant and classic with floor to ceiling windows and gorgeous chandeliers overlooking Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound. The day began with rain, so we decided to take some indoor photos before the ceremony across the street at the Seattle Art Museum. The sun eventually came out during our ceremony and it was probably one of the most emotional times of our lives. It was a huge blessing to share our vows in the presence of our family and friends.

Yvonne Wong was amazing and captured every detail of our wedding day. Indoor elegance would be the theme of our wedding. Our colors were lavender and white, with hints of grey.  Much credit goes to Steven Moore Designs as he and his team created a beautiful scene which captured everything my husband and I wanted for our wedding. Our vision was a classic, elegant wedding, with clean, simple lines. Steve showcased our vision to the fullest with white and lavender roses, orchids with willow branches, taller arrangements to fill the gorgeous ballroom space, along with smaller centerpieces for the tables. Dolce Designs combined our wedding colors and Steve’s design to create our invitations, table numbers, and our table seating. We wanted to make it easy for our Korean speaking guests to find their names on the table, so we thought a seating board was appropriate, with both English and Korean names printed. Dolce Designs also created our monogram, which was part of our overall wedding design from invitations to the treats table goodie bag seals. We had a same day edit feature film edited by Bogle Productions, that captured us getting ready, our first look, and taking photos with our wedding party. It was pretty spectacular I have to say, not because it was of our wedding, but because it was a well made video the photographer edited in 1 hour on site! Please check it out here: http://vimeo.com/45338601

Next I’d like to talk about our treats table because that was one of my favorite parts of our wedding! I really wanted a treats table, inspired by the images I always looked at on Style Me Pretty. My girlfriend is a pastry chef and made the mini cupcakes and cake pops. We wanted to incorporate our Korean culture so my mother prepared dduk, a traditional Korean rice cake that was also provided to our guests. I also really wanted macarons because who doesn’t love macarons at weddings! I looked at images of them almost every day on Style Me Pretty. They were provided by Tallant House, who was referred to us by Steven Moore Designs. They were definitely a hit because by the end of the night all the treats were gone! The monogram seals was also a favorite detail of mine from the treats table.

Overall, we truly feel blessed by God. At the end of the day, I married the man I love. We had a send off with family and friends at the end of the night with bubbles and laughter. Some of my favorite photos were the ones Yvonne took of us in our suite at the end of the night. It was so much fun and we got to finally eat our dinner that we didn’t have time to finish at the reception. The food was exceptional and we had a nice surprise gift waiting in our suite from the hotel catering manager, who also went above and beyond to make our day special. A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes out to our family and friends for making our day so memorable, and to the vendors who put it all together.

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Photography: Yvonne Wong Photography | Cinematography: Bogle Productions | Floral + Event Design: Steven Moore Designs | Ceremony + Reception Location: Four Seasons Hotel | Invitations + Stationary: Dolce Design | Dress: Vera Wang | Shoes: Valentino | Make up: YK Makeup | Hair: Chandra Chenvert of Emerson Salon | Audio: ClubTek Productions | Macarons: Tallant House

Though I had a hard time believing this soft, sunny day took place in Seattle, I knew from the moment I opened up the pretty in pink soiree from VOWS Wedding & Event Planning that I 100% loved it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Seattle’s weather, but the sun was shining on a day so stunning it could only have been captured so perfectly by Carol Harrold Photography. It would have been gorgeous even with the notorious Pacific Northwest clouds, but this wedding seems to have bottled up that beautiful sunshine and spread it all over the entire day. Click here for more!

From the photographer … Personal. Sweet. Memorable. Romantic. Fun. These are the best words to describe the wedding of Jorie Reger and Nichlas Mellors. This gorgeous couple lives in Chicago and wanted a wedding in the Seattle area since the bride was raised here.
With so many out of town guests and the couple’s wish for a gorgeous Pacific Northwest view and a lovely white wedding tent, it was easy to choose The Woodmark Hotel on Lake Washington, in Kirkland Washington as their wedding venue.

It was a perfect, warm Seattle day as the couple stood lakeside, hand in hand, and said their I Do’s. This was a celebration of family. The groom’s father served as best man, and the bride’s three sisters served as bridesmaids and all of the family members were deeply appreciated and honored in one way or another.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour as the happy couple took a private boat ride on Lake Washington. In an effort to showcase the culinary talents of The Woodmark Hotel and in true Pacific Northwest fashion, their plated meal selection included beef tenderloin and wild Alaskan salmon accompanied by Washington wines. Following dinner service, guests were treated to a scrumptious cake buffet (who can select just one flavor?), a decadent chocolate truffle bar, and late night snacks. As a surprise to the bride and groom, there was a special “flash mob” performance choreographed by the bride’s sisters and sent to guests via top secret youtube video so they could learn it in advance. Dozens of friends and family members performed this custom song and dance routine for the newlyweds. The dance floor was packed the rest of the evening as everyone enjoyed one of Seattle’s best wedding bands, The Nines.

Their color palette of different shades of pink, coral, peach, yellow and creame was implemented everywhere, including their hand painted invitations, the ribbon treatments on the chairs, the lush floral arrangements and wedding cake buffet. The entire celebration was a treat for the senses!

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Photography: Carol Harrold Photography | Wedding Planning, Design & Coordination: Stephanie Wilson with VOWS Wedding & Event Planning | Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Woodmark Hotel on Lake Washington | Florist: Ring Around the Rose | Guitarist: Steven King | Band: The Nines | Hair & Make-up: The Wedding Belles | Officiant: Rev. Patrick Callahan | Cakes and Truffles: Let Them Eat Cake | Stationery: Valerie’s Invites printed and produced; The bride hand painted the design and some of the text | Gown: Belltown Bride | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Nordstrom | Alterations: Fragile Fit

Most of the time love isn’t an at-first-site kind of event. Sometimes it takes a second glance… such is the case for our next adorable couple. It took a couple different encouters and several years before these two finally locked eyes for the long haul. And when they brought their family and friends together to celebrate their union they did it in lovely, laid-back, Seattle style. There isn’t an ounce of their rustic Pacific Northwest party that we don’t completely love. Photographed by Laurel McConnell Photography and planned and designed by Holly Kate & Co it’s antique elegance done right. So swing on over to the gallery to see even more of this romantic woodland affair.

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From the Bride… John and I met as teenagers at my aunt’s annual Christmas party in Kansas, although the sparks didn’t fly until I came to visit my cousin in New York City in September 2009. John came along with my cousin and we adventured around NYC for a few days, during which I developed a major crush on John as well as New York City! Through a fortuitous twist of fate, John’s plans to travel for the weekend were cancelled, and he called the morning I was preparing to leave for my flight back to Seattle to ask if I wanted to stay the weekend. I remember feeling overwhelmed with nervousness and excitement when I answered “Yes!” Looking back, I feel that I knew somehow in that moment that I was making a decision that would dramatically change my life. We shared a magical weekend where we fell in love with each other and I with the city, and after only a few months of dating long distance, I moved to New York City!

John and I chose Seattle for our wedding because it’s a place near and dear to both our hearts that we wanted to share with our family and friends from across the US and abroad. The date of 7/7/12 had a nice ring to it, and was almost exactly one year from our engagement the summer before in Half Moon Bay, California. Our ceremony and reception venue of SoDo Park is a converted manufacturing building in the industrial district of Seattle, which has beautiful exposed beams and a shabby chic vibe that we loved. Our florist incorporated other details like curly willow in the altar and logs along the aisle to give it that Northwest feel. Our goal for the décor was to make the space feel comfortable and intimate, which we achieved through Italian string lights, glassybaby votives, and by placing family photos around the room. We also brought our favorite musicians from New York City  to perform for our rehearsal dinner — plus during the ceremony, which allowed our guests to share in one of our loves, which is great live music.

We feel especially grateful for all the people whose contributions of time and talent made our wedding feel incredibly personal. My step-dad made the flower boxes and crates that we used for our centerpieces. John’s dad painted a photo of us that we used for our program covers. My college roommate made our delicious wedding cake and my cousin and John’s dear friend wrote a beautiful song just for us which she performed during our ceremony.  And most especially, a dear friend of John’s officiated our ceremony with a perfect balance of sentimentality and humor.

Last but not least, in making our day so special and stress-free were our wonderful vendors. We hired people who are great at what they do and were also fun to be around, so we literally had not a care in the world on our wedding day. Having a wonderful photographer was important to us — we couldn’t be happier with the way our images turned out. Our coordinator handled all the details and kept everything flowing smoothly so that we could let loose and enjoy the day and our guests. We wanted our wedding to feel like an intimate affair and a great party, which we couldn’t have achieved without the epic dance party that our DJ facilitated. Seriously, our friends and family are still talking about it!

While the planning process was stressful at times, we loved the experience and feel it brought us closer as a couple. It’s difficult to describe the happiness we felt when we stood back on our wedding day and took in a room full of our favorite people… there simply to celebrate with us as we embark on a lifetime together. We feel truly blessed to have found each other and to have had such a memorable celebration of our commitment to one another.

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Wedding Photography: Laurel McConnell Photography | Wedding Venue: SoDo Park by Herban Feast | Wedding Design + Coordination: Holly Kate & Co | Floral Design: Amy Eller of Bloom | Catering: Herban Feast | Cake: Friend of the bride | Cake Topper: Cinnamon Birds | Invitations: Bella Figura | Cupcakes: Cake Envy | Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta via LaBelle Elaine | Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew & Nordstrom | Hair + Makeup: Erin Skipley | Rings: My Baubles | Musician: Alec Gross | DJ: Kris McCoskery of Wave Link | Linens: Choice Linens | Rentals: Glassybaby | Transportation: First Student School Bus

Finding just the right wedding style is admittedly one of the toughest pieces in the planning process. And what I love most about these Seattle sweeties is how they oh so gracefully tossed the wedding rulebook out the window and designed a day that spoke perfectly to their style. The result? A perfect marriage of urban elegance and rustic romance, with a touch of Hawaiian flair thrown in for good measure. With McKenzie Powell working her floral design magic and Sea Studio capturing behind the lens, there’s no way this full gallery could be packed with anything but pretty.

From the Bride… When Cheyne and I first started to plan our wedding we initially had in mind a wedding in Hawaii, his home state, but quickly realized that this would limit the people who would be able to be there with us. We have been so blessed to have such amazing friends and family surround us in our lives that we wanted to make sure that on our wedding day we were not only celebrating our marriage, but our friends and family too. So we decided to move the wedding to Seattle, our current hometown, which we knew would allow us to throw the celebratory party that we had envisioned.

Sodo Park was an obvious venue choice from the moment that we walked inside to view the space. It was open and comfortable, we would be able to have both the ceremony and reception in one location, and it had plenty of room for a serious dance floor! We knew that we would be able to stick with our own personal style while ensuring a good time for everyone. We went with a neutral color palette; whites, beiges, pinks, golds, and greens. The bridal party all wore some shade of gray or beige and the men went with tailored gray suits along with traditional Hawaiian Maile leis, instead of boutonnieres, to incorporate Cheyne’s Hawaiian upbringing.

We were lucky enough to find a wonderful artist on Etsy, Diana Weir, who did all of our wedding paper and stationery. I had been collecting glass bottles and vases for the year prior for our table centerpieces that our wonderful florist incorporated into her designs. For our favors, we wanted to give our guests something useful and we decided on reusable canvas bags which I designed and printed with the help of one of my bridesmaids. Overall, the feel of our wedding day was truly Cheyne and I, but we couldn’t have done it without all of the wonderful people that we worked with.

Wedding Photography: Sea Studio / Wedding Venue: Sodo Park by Herban Feast in Seattle, Washington / Wedding Coordination: Megan Clark of Clutch Wedding + Event Planning / Floral Design: McKenzie Powell Floral & Event Design / Flower Supplier: Pure Peonies / Wedding Cake: New Renaissance / DJ: Adam’s DJ Service / Wedding Stationery: Diana Weir of Invited Design / Banners: At Company B / DIY: Mailbox + Table Runner / Favors: Kotis Design / Wedding Dress + Veil: Monique Lhuillier via Marcella’s La Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Hair: Jamie O’Neill Salon / Suits: Kenneth Cole

I love this one. I just love, love, love it! And it has everything to do with Britt Rene‘s photos. I’m always into weddings that look downright fun. From the mother of the bride and her baby eskimo kissing before she walks down the aisle, to a big squeeze hug between the happy couple, this day is just oozing with happiness! Also, I am a sucker for nautical themes complete with portholes, weathered rope and blue anchors. And the view? Stunning. Please, oh please have a look in the gallery for even more.

From the Bride… Spencer and I met in Seattle and started dating in 2006. We are both transplants – him from Idaho and me from Texas – so we wanted our wedding to showcase Seattle – the place we call home together. We knew the Skansonia was the right place for a few reasons including a fabulous indoor/outdoor space – and an amazing view of downtown Seattle, Lake Union and the iconic Space Needle (featured as our cake topper as well). We loved the raw, authentic feel of the vintage 1920s ferry boat, so our touches were small and personal. Dusty, nautical floral in peaches, blues and greens, favor bags with an anchor – subtle but in sync. 

 Overall – it was a day to remember always – punctuated by all of our loved ones who shared in the day!

Wedding Photography: Britt Rene Photo / Wedding Venue: The MV Skansonia in Seattle, Washington / Floral Design: QFC / Wedding Cake: Lake Union Bakery / Wedding Favors: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Vintage via Blue Sky Bridal / Bride’s Veil, Barrette + Earrings: Fragile Fit Alterations / Bride’s Necklace: Family Heirloom / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Sung in Quarry Weddington Way / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Nordstrom / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Attire: Express

The all white backdrop of Pravda Studios is a dream spot for a modern wedding. Honestly, Pravda and modern are the bestest of besties and when they get cozy the result is a chic affair crafted by Bella Rugosa that takes white and plum to a whole new level of pretty. And then The Popes swept in with their awesome photography skills and the result is a must see gallery. Check it out right here.

From The Popes… We had been looking forward to Steve & Mindy’s wedding weekend for months. Their wedding weekend was set to kick off with a rehearsal dinner in their brand new Seattle house, and since we knew that they were fellow lovers of modern architecture and design, we were pretty sure that it was going to be a spectacular place. This would be the first time most of their family and friends had seen their house, so they asked us to come early and take some photos for them to share with those who couldn’t make it. We were more than happy to do so, and as you can see, it’s absolutely stunning and (in our humble opinion) is worthy of its own feature in Dwell.

On the wedding day itself, their home served as the perfect backdrop for Mindy to get ready in – Mindy’s gorgeous dark hair and elegant gown were a beautiful contrast to the simplicity and clean lines of their home. She and her girls had a relaxing morning getting ready before heading over to Pravda so she could see Steve for the first time. On the car ride over, I could tell that she was getting nervous, but all of her jitters seemed to melt away the moment she laid eyes on Steve.

One of the things we loved most about Mindy and Steve was how laid back they are – they put a lot of time and effort into planning their wedding, but once their day arrived, they were able just to sit back, enjoy their wine, and relish in the moments with their family and friends. Part of this is the beauty of working with an amazing wedding coordinator like Lisa Chambers and event designer Bella Rugosa who not only helped bring Mindy’s vision for a modern white and purple wedding to life, but made sure everything went according to plan on the day of. It was a truly perfect weekend, and we loved capturing every single minute of it for Mindy & Steve.

Wedding Photography: The Popes / Wedding Venue: Pravda Studios in Seattle, Washington / Floral + Event Design: Bella Rugosa / Additional Event Design: Pravda Events / Wedding Coordination: Chambers & Company / Officiant: Family Friend / Wedding Catering: Herban Feast / Cake Artist: Morfey’s Cakes / Stationery: izzy girl / Band: The Nines / Glass Votives: Glassybaby / Wedding Dress: calla bridal / Hair & Makeup Stylist: Gene Juarez

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

This celebration involved a whole weekend by the sea. That is always a good idea in our book. From welcome cocktails to a beautiful day of nuptials and right on through to a farewell brunch in the sun, no celebratory stone was left unturned. And it’s as carefree and gorgeous as they come all captured by Sea Studio. Stop by the gallery for even more sandal wielding, ocean gazing fun.

 

From the Bride… Bryce and I were nerds and college sweethearts who shared a love of skiing, backpacking, running, engineering and huskies. Four years, a nine-mile run, and one picnic later, Bryce got down on one knee and I said yes. Bryce and I are both products of large and incredibly close families, and when it came to the wedding, we just wanted to create a long weekend to simply enjoy our family and friends. While casually perusing a wedding blog recommended by a friend (Style Me Pretty!), I came across a gorgeous wedding shot by Jeff and Sally Honeycutt at the lovely Resort at Port Ludlow. The gorgeous and intimate venue, the photographers and the planning were everything that I was looking for. We loved the idea of absolutely over-running this chic, waterside boutique hotel with our family and friends for an entire weekend, so that’s exactly what we did.

Somehow I decided that I wanted to exercise my craft thumb on the invitations. While Bryce glued 200+ cardboard CD cases, I used my Gocco to screen-print our wedding invitations and the canvas welcome bags for our guests. We stuffed the welcome bags with local Seattle goodies and a brochure for the weekend’s events. The venue is so naturally gorgeous that we didn’t want to detract from its beauty by overdoing it on the decorations. We purchased vintage Pepsi bottles and crates to simply decorate the aisle for our outdoor ceremony (and later the bar) as a homage for my father’s 30+ year career with the company. The reception was simple with a gorgeous draped tent, chandeliers and glowing candlelit tables with classic cream flowers and greenery. On a run/hike at Discovery Park with our dog, Scout, we (in pure madness) loaded up with driftwood (Scout included) to make a quick wedding sign to fit with the waterside theme of the resort. My lovely, crafty in-laws provided homemade red and white wines to satiate our guests for the entire weekend and created custom labels to commemorate the day. As for favors, my partner-in-crime of a mother had discovered brass and copper “Nana bells” at The Gardener in Berkeley, which we used for place cards and were also later used by guests in place of clinking glasses. My mom hand-riveted brass inserts for every place card and hand-knotted every favor for the wedding. My amazing husband, Bryce, works for a local biking company here in Seattle and, as a surprise, he presented me with a bright red tandem bike the night before the wedding. Upon presentation of the bike, the dads and bridal parties quickly downed cans of Pepsi purchased at the local gas station to decorate the bike for our get-away!

The entire weekend was packed with family and friends running all over the resort. Susan Windle (of Port Ludlow) and Lori Losee (of Elegant Affairs) tied the events together seamlessly and allowed me and our guests to enjoy a fantastic wedding weekend. After a lovely (and cold) ceremony, Bryce and I joined our parents and grandparents for a tea ceremony (a Chinese wedding tradition) to receive tokens of love and good fortune. We later joined our guests for dinner beneath a glowing tent and rode into the night on a faux send-off with sparklers astride our new tandem bike before dancing the night away. We are so incredibly thankful to the friends and family who were a part of this unforgettable weekend as well as the vendors that provided such an amazing weekend. We could not be more lucky or blessed!

Wedding Photography: Sea Studio / Wedding Venue: The Resort at Port Ludlow in Port Ludlow, Washington / Venue Contact: Susan Windle of  The Resort at Port Ludlow / Event Planning: Lori Losee of Elegant Affairs / Floral Design: Petals / Wedding Cake: Sweets & Savories (360-779-5713) / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride & Groom / Dog’s Ring Pillow: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Custom by Elizabeth Klob of Cicada Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Sam Edelman / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Nordstrom / Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss / Flower Girl’s Attire: J.Crew

I love love stories.  I love hearing how two sweethearts met, courted and fell head over heels – and I could listen to adorable “how it began” tales all.day.long.  So, when I first read this darling duo’s sweet, sweet romance, well… my heart literally burst with joy.  A friendship turned Parisian crush, a first date in Venice, a gondola proposal and a devastatingly gorgeous wedding on an 18-acre organic farm.  This, my friends, is a fairytale brought to life in picture perfect details, heartwarming moments and the amazing images of Yvonne Wong.  Click here for more.

From the Bride… Sam and I met during my sophomore year in high school near Seattle when he tutored me in math after I missed a few weeks of school with a particularly nasty case of whooping cough. For several years, our friendship remained platonic. In the summer of 2004, we decided to take a backpacking trip through Europe with a mutual friend. One night in Paris we left our friend and went out for a walk together around the city … and got extremely lost. While trying to find our way back to our hotel in the wee hours of the morning, the city worked its magic, and I realized I was smitten. We had our first real date on a gondola in Venice, Italy just over a week later and have been together ever since. In 2008, we moved from Seattle to Los Angeles, where we both started grad school at UCLA (law school for Sam and a PhD in sociology for me). My research often takes me abroad for extended periods of time. In 2009, immediately after I returned from a grueling stint of fieldwork in Rwanda, Sam whisked me off to a romantic hotel in Santa Monica for a weekend escape. That night (as I struggled to keep my jetlagged eyes open), he proposed on a gondola in Venice, California — paying homage to our first real date.

Right away, we knew that we wanted to get married near our hometown of Bainbridge Island, Washington, since most of our family and friends still lived up in the Pacific Northwest. Planning a wedding from another state (and on grad student budgets!) was a challenge. We choose the Farm Kitchen, an 18-acre organic farm located in Poulsbo, Washington, for our venue because of its simplicity, natural beauty and active farming mission. All of our decorations were made by people in our families. My father built our huppah from bamboo that grew in the yard of my childhood home, and he assembled it with Sam’s dad on our wedding day. My sister made our chalkboard menus from vintage mirrors and worked wooden branches into the heart that hung from the huppah, and my sister-in-law wrapped dozens of bud vases in antique sheet music from the 19th century, which she filled with flowers from her yard. My grandmother made hundreds of WindWishes, a tradition in our family, which we hung above the ceremony site and slipped into each place setting. Each WindWish is calligraphed with a blessing on it (love, family, happiness, success and so on), and each guest was encouraged to take a few WindWishes home and hang them in a place where the wind would blow the wish into their lives.

While getting married was certainly our foremost goal of the day, throwing a fun party was a very close second. Our fabulous group of vendors — led by the incomparable Alison Lum — made sure the day itself went incredibly smoothly. Perhaps the most stressful moment was when I put on my dress and realized that my “something blue” Hanky Panky underwear showed through (note to other brides: try your underwear and dress on before!). In a panic, my bridesmaids found the nearest pair of (thankfully clean) tan underwear around – a pair of large beige booty shorts. It definitely wasn’t the underwear I imagined wearing on my wedding day, but in retrospect, the story is hilarious.

After the ceremony, our bridal party was introduced, sport-announcer style, by our fabulous MC, who is one of my best friends. Sam and I entered immediately after attempting to “dougie,” which got the party started and resulted in arguably my favorite photo of the day. Later in the night, as we sat down for the horah, we were shocked as a random song came on and one by one our guests donned masks of our faces (totally creepy but hysterical) and began moving around us in a choreographed dance. It took me a few minutes before I realized that there was a flash mob happening at my wedding. It was, quite simply, awesome. All in all, Sam and I had an absolute blast at our wedding. We’ll always look back on it as truly the best day of our lives to date.

Wedding Photography: Yvonne Wong Photography / Wedding Venue: Farm Kitchen in Poulsbo, Washington / Event Planning: Alison Lum Events / Floral Design: Melanie Benson Floral Design / Officiant: Annemarie Juhlian / Catering: Essence of the Thymes Catering / Wedding Cake + Pies: Blackbird Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Hello! Lucky / Decorations: WindWishes / Ceremony Music: The Bottom Line Duo / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone “Chrysanthemum” / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Bride’s Earrings + Bracelet: Nadri / Bride’s Necklace: A Family Heirloom / Hair + Makeup: Shanelle of Pacific Artistry / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Earrings: Stella & Dot / Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss

Seattle: land of great coffee, a world famous fish market, one season of The Real World and this. A cool as can be Sodo Park wedding captured by Laurel McConnell Photography. The eclectic vibe of the venue mixed with romantic florals by Bella Signature Design and vintage details whipped up by Holly-Kate and Company makes for a head-turner to say the least. And the full gallery is a total must.

And make sure you check out the video from Cabfare Productions!

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Laurel of Laurel McConnell Photography… Tiffany and Jon’s spectacular details started well before their plum and gray winter wedding, when Jon, a product designer, proposed with a children’s book he created featuring turtles in love. The personal tradition touches carried on throughout their Victorian-esque nuptials, from wedding bands imprinted with each other’s finger prints, to a wedding dress hanger featuring their names, to coffee favors for their guests (all from Etsy). Their caffeine love was further embraced with a reception espresso cart from Espresso Elegance. The bride’s breathtaking necklace and veil were found at BHLDN, and the groom and groomsmen’s ties and belts were from the couple’s favorite spot: Costco. Family and friends were at the forefront of the day with a friend acting as officiant, the groom’s sister singing during the ceremony, all the guests extending hands over their rings (in an adorable ring bowl by Paloma’s Nest) in blessing, and a guestbook quilt made up of their loved ones’ signatures. The pair, who met at a swing dance class, started the rockin’ party (quite appropriately) with a waltz. Tiffany and Jon’s whole day exuded their love for each other and the people closest to them, totally the perfect start to their marriage.

Wedding Photography: Laurel McConnell Photography / Wedding Venue: Sodo Park in Seattle, Washington / Floral Design: Bella Signature Design / Wedding Coordination: Holly-Kate and Company / Officiant: Stacy Sprando, A Friend of the Bride & Groom / Wedding Cinematography: Cabfare Productions / Catering: Herban Feast / Wedding Cake: The People’s Cake / Wedding Invitations + Programs: Nicole Mae Paper Design / DJ: Seattle Parties / Coffee Favors: Etsy / Transportation: British Motor Coach / Espresso Cart: Espresso Elegance / Ring Bearer Bowl: Paloma’s Nest / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Marcella’s La Boutique / Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Bride’s Necklace: BHLDN / Hanger: Lila Frances / Hair + Makeup: Erin Skipley / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit: Hickey Freeman via Nordstrom / Men’s Ties + Belts: Costco / Engagement Ring: Kwiat via Nordstrom / Wedding Bands: Fabuluster

Modern + Glamour are two things we can soooo get behind, especially when they are captured by Laurel McConnell Photography. Pops of color meet the Palace Ballroom. Ghost chairs intermingle with a candle lit ceremony where the aisle is lined with spider mums. It’s a MAJ moment all crafted by Married & More with Michelle along with florals and decor by Bella Rugosa that set the tone for a beautiful day. See so much more in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Laurel of Laurel McConnell Photography… We were so excited for Kristen and James’s downtown urban wedding in Seattle this October. They love and live in the city, so they wanted their celebration to feel like a Saturday night out downtown instead of a wedding, and the Palace Ballroom was the perfect choice. The affair was peppered with their love of art, music, and fashion. Kristen couldn’t wait to wear her fashionable Chie Miharas under her dress (they were a secret just for her and those who shared her affinity for amazing footwear, then she donned TOMS for the reception), the cake topper was a sweet touch of handmade whimsy, and their save-the-dates resembled concert tickets.

Mercury votive holders, translucent shell chandelier, chic pottery vases and long white fabric curtains brought her love of Anthropologie to the wintery and cozy ballroom. Modern acrylic ghost chairs were chosen for a touch of glam for the guests during the ceremony. For their “fabulous cocktail party” (direct quote!), Kristen and James chose food stations boasting the delicious food of famous chef and restauranteur Tom Douglas. James was most looking forward to the artisan grilled cheese with ingredients such as chanterelle mushrooms and Mt. Townsend Cirrus cheese. They each had a signature drink that was so very them: James chose a delicious microbrew, and Kristen chose a swanky cherry blossom martini with cranberry garnish.

And finally, the cake. This cake NEEDS an introduction. White, smooth, and modern on the outside, it was everything beautiful and classy a wedding cake should be. Surrounded by little bite-sized deserts, it made for a beautiful arrangement, topped with a whimsical piece of art — a love tree (they LOVE handcrafted local art!). But inside? It’s a party! Kristen loves rainbows, so she couldn’t WAIT to unveil this little piece of happiness to her guests. She actually compared her cake to a mullet: business on the outside and party on the inside. The celebration was beautiful and fun at the same time, and it was so VERY them!

Wedding Photography: Laurel McConnell Photography / Wedding Venue: Palace Ballroom in Seattle, Washington / Wedding Planning + Design: Married & More with Michelle / Floral Design + Decor: Bella Rugosa / Officiant: Rich Sclafani / Catering: Tom Douglas / Wedding Cake: Divine Confections / Wedding Invitations: Brittany Troxler / Save-the-Dates: MaeMae Paperie / DJ: Injoy Entertainment / Ghost Chairs + Linens: Pedersens Rentals / Accommodations: Hotel 1000 / Wedding Dress: Enzoani via Luly Yang / Bride’s Shoes: Chie Mihara / Hair + Makeup: Erin Skipley / Groom’s Suit: Nordstrom / Custom Rings: Green Lake Jewelry Works + Fremont Jewelry Design