Lacey & Steve - Wedding One - Pop up Ceremony in Discovery Park

When you get engaged one of the first things you decide is where to get married. For many couples you have to think about what state, city or venue to chose from. In the case of my dear friends, Lacey & Steve, they decided to have a destination wedding in Mexico (which was SO GREAT and you can read all about it in my next blog post!!).

 

Once you decide to have a destination wedding in a foreign country you have to think through the legality of being married in the states. For us Americans, one option is to go to the courthouse and get married by the judge either before or after your wedding abroad. A second option is to have a second party!! And really, why not!? I mean, what is better than one celebration? Two celebrations!!

 

To make it legal so to speak, Lacey & Steve threw a "pop up" ceremony in Discovery Park and then had a casual, back yard bash. It was perfect! It was fun, intimate and involved so many close friends and family.

 

The key to a pop up ceremony is to keep the crowd small, the ceremony somewhat short and be in a location where you can't get in trouble for having a wedding (please read: the Seattle Public Library will totally kick you out if you get caught:/).

 

So on a perfectly overcast day in May a handful of close friends and family walked to the bluff at Discovery Park for an intimate ceremony. Katie Parra of Katie Parra Photography shot the nuptials and Rev Jake Elliott performed the ceremony. Lacey's father walked her 'down the path' and their dog Bentley, dressed sharply in a bow tie, walked with them back down the aisle. Lacey's friend Kim did her flowers, she wore my birdcage veil from my wedding, her friend Angie did her hair & makeup and other pals helped here & their at the party. It was a wonderful, collaborative soiree!!

 

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day!

 

 Oh heeeey! Yeah, that's me and Lacey's maid of honor, Michaella:)

And to go along with the theme of two weddings is better than one, four rings are better than two!! Mary Doud created their custom rings and they are gorgeous!!

Stay tuned!! This is just one of two - coming up next is their destination wedding in Mexico!

Signature Cocktail Time!

It is especially warm this summer and what sounds perfect on a hot & sunny afternoon? A delicious, cold cocktail! So what makes a great signature cocktail? Here are six tips to help you decide which cocktail to feature at your wedding this summer!

1. Share what you love! If you have a favorite cocktail that is your 'go to' for a special occasion, serve that! Your guests will appreciate the personal touch, even when it comes to the alcohol you provide. If you have never cared for a French 75, but just like the name - pass on featuring that concoction and try some alternatives like the French 77. You may like it better and you still get the cute title!

2. Keep it simple! The fewer ingredients a bartender uses the better so that the drinks can be served faster. If you love a complex drink try and find a cheat to make it faster. For example, I have a couple serving mojitos this summer as their signature cocktail, but to save time they are pre mixing the sugar, lime and soda so that the bartender does not have to muddle each individual drink.

And I get the question all the time, 'Can we have a beer as a signature drink?' Sure! My groom Sunny was known for always having a Rainier when out and about, so he made that his signature drink and his buddies loved it.

3. Spruce it up a bit! Have the signature drinks stand out by using specialty glassware, add accouterments such as a skewer with fruit, mint leaves or unique design or by simply serving it with a pretty paper straw. If you are featuring a Moscow Mule, go the extra mile and make sure the caterer has copper cups. Touches like this make the drink feel fancy and who doesn't like feeling a bit fancy:)

4. Signage! Ensure your guests know they are enjoying a signature cocktail by putting up a sign at the bar. This helps distinguish 'his and hers', you can share the history of why it is important and adding unique signage is another personal detail that adds to the look of the event. The personal touch of a signature drink sign is also a great way to add color and humor to the bar. 

5. You don't have to break the bank to add a signature cocktail! If the ingredients are pricey you can limit the service to just the cocktail hour instead of serving the drink all night. Or as an alternative, I've had many signature cocktails be served when guests arrive before the ceremony so they can enjoy a drink while the bride & groom exchange their vows. And for couples who want to have a beer and wine only event, this is a great way to add a liquor drink without having to provide a full bar.

6. Communicate with your caterer! Make sure to let them know in advance that you are providing a signature cocktail, what the recipe is and how many you estimate to serve (an hours worth, all night service, one round, etc). If you are providing the ingredients consult with them before purchasing the alcohol. Even though buying a larger bottle is cost effective, you don't want to make it awkward for service. Large bottles are harder to pour and slow down your bar line. And running out of garnish would be most unfortunate so definitely consult with them prior to purchasing the items.

I hope these tips have helped! And when in doubt, enjoy a night out and taste test until you have the perfect cocktail to serve your guests!

Hannah & Eric's Storybook Farm Wedding

The last weekend of July is statistically the best weather of the summer in Seattle, which makes it perfect for a wedding. Last July 26th did not disappoint! The lovely Hannah & Eric were married at the dreamy Storybook Farm in Redmond on a warm & sunny day! The Storybook Farm property has ponds, a small vineyard, fields, a lovely red barn, a gorgeous home and more. The possibilities are endless and Hannah & Eric showcased the entire property to their guests. The day was filled laughter, an intimate ceremony, a fabulous dinner, a group stroll through the grounds and dancing until the cows came home (we are on a farm after all!).

 

A big thanks to Scott Eklund of Red Box Pictures for these gorgeous images of the laid back farm affair!  

 
Thank you to all of the amazing vendors who made this wedding go off without a hitch!!
Venue - Storybook Farm
Photographer - Red Box Pictures
Catering - Duos Catering
Ceremony Musicians - Los Flacos

Chuck & Coogan's SODO Park Party!!

Aaaah, Coogan & Chuck's wedding! One of my favorite, most gorgeous weddings of all time! We used ivory, blush, silver with soft greens - SO beautiful!! These lovely images were shot by the fabulous Chantal Andrea.

 

Let's get started with the details! Her bouquet designed by the insanely talented florist Kelly Sullivan of Botanique Flowers and it was beyond!! She wore a Monique Lhuillier gown & Stewart Weitzman shoes, which matched with her daughter Charlie's, so adorable!!

 Meet the lovely couple! Chuck & Coogan live and work in Atlanta, GA, but Coogan grew up in the PNW and wanted to bring her East Coast guests to Washington and showcase the lovely Seattle Summer! They welcomed an adorable daughter Charlotte, better known as Charlie, early in their engagement. She tried not be a thunder stealer to her gorgeous mother, the bride, but when her father walked her down the aisle it was hard not to melt just a little.

 

For the ceremony Kelly Sullivan did a full floral arch that was breathtaking! We marked the entrance of the ceremony with a library desk from Vintage Ambiance that Kelly filled with roses, clematis and greenery tucked into the cubbies and desk top.

 

 

For the tables we chose a light silver shantung linen, silver vessels and silver beaded glass chargers. We added hints of blush and green throughout the table arrangements.

 

Ahh, the dessert table! How gorgeous and delicious does this look!? Kara from the Sweet Side knocked it out of the park! After the cake was served guests grabbed macarons, mini cupcakes, marshmallows, dipped pretzels and meringues - so good! And yes, those ribbons are made of frosting!

The uber amazing Kerri Effendi created the invitation suite and day of paper. We modified a design from her May Frayn line and had her create a monogram for Chuck & Coogan that that they used for the invites, cocktail napkins, and thank you cards. 

Ok, sorry, I can't get over the library desk - it was my favorite piece of the day! It was just so soft and romantic - I loved it!!

We had two soft seated areas from Vintage Ambiance and this desk was a corner piece that was to die for! Kelly's team did an amazing job on it!

Thank you Chuck & Coogan! It was so wonderful to work with you! And a huge shout out to Chuck's mom Melody Perrin who was the go to gal, mover, shaker and party maker for their wedding! You are the best Melody!

 

Here is a list of the amazing vendors who participated in the wedding!

Venue/Caterer - SODO Park & Herban Feast

Photographer - Chantal Andrea

Florist - Botanique Flowers

Ceremony Music - Contrast Music

Reception Music - Dusty 45's  

Dessert - The Sweet Side

Graphic Designer - Kerri Effendi Design 

Rentals - Pedersen's, Vintage Ambiance & Mela Design

Espresso - Espresso Elegance

H&M - Julie Stevens

I woof you!

These weddings are for the dogs! For most people their four legged friends are family and for most brides & grooms family is a big part of their wedding day.  But how do you incorporate them? Here are three weddings where a pooch made an appearance!

 

At Jen & Josh's Within Sodo nuptials their beagle Duncan arrived pre ceremony for some photos and was a part of the processional. He wasn't a full blown ring bearer, but he did enjoy the title;) After the ceremony Jen's dog sitter came to the venue, picked him up and took him home! No muss, no fuss!

Meet Clyde the dog, owned by Liz & West! He is the most adorable ankle licker on the planet! He came to Seattle Yacht Club dressed in a bow tie and his leash was adorned with flowers from Christopher Flowers. He was walked down the aisle by the flower girls and sat with them perfectly during the ceremony.

After the cocktail hour Clyde was picked up by Seattle Pet Taxi and was taken home. That's right folks, there is a company that will pick up your animal for you! Easy peasy!

Getting married in a venue that won't allow animals? Just have them make an appearance for a quick photo opp. Michelle & Colin got married on New Year's Eve in a church and had their reception at the Arctic Club, sorry - no pets allowed. Their photographer, Carroll Harold suggested taking some shots outside of the hotel with their chocolate lab. I'm loving the bow tie!! Here is a tip - if you don't want to buy a legit 'doggie bow tie' most little boy bow ties will work on a medium sized dog.

 

Moral of the blog, if you want to have your furry friend in some photos or be a part of the wedding, DO IT!! They will be adorable!

Jen & Josh's Seattle Celebration

Meet Jen & Josh - a Seattle couple now living in California. They are that couple who are flirty, giggly and sweet with each other. They are the duo that you want to be and like to be around. I loved meeting with them because they were just so fun, nice & open! They are the couple that every planner wants to work with!

They got married last June at Within Sodo Just before their big move to CA. Andria Lindquist took their amazing photos! I hope you enjoy!

Ok, I have to start with Jen's dress! This is my favorite dress of the year! Her Jenny Packham gown had beads and glitz, yet the way it hung made it feel a bit old Hollywood glam and not too flashy. The details on this dress are insane. I could look a it for hours! It worked perfectly with Josh's outfit and the venue - perfection!

When Josh told me he was going to wear a custom crushed velvet tuxedo, I thought he was joking. Umm, sure wasn't! And I'm so happy that it wasn't a joke! This was my favorite groom out of the year, maybe ever!  His black crushed velvet tux came with a purple satin lining embroidered with his name. The look was complete with a white ruffled shirt. He took a 'vintage' look and made it work. He rocked that outfit!!

The couple who stayed a the Alexis Hotel took their portraits walking around 1st Ave in downtown Seattle. It was a gorgeous June day!

The ceremony was made extra special by their beagle dog joining the recessional! So cute! Future blog plug - I'm sending out a blog next week on how you can incorporate your dog into your wedding!

Eleanor from bash & bloom created a gorgeous garland arch with a sheer white pipe & drape background for the ceremony. She also added large white pillar candles and a ferns along the aisle. So pretty!

The dining room backdrop had strands of market lights hung against a sheer pipe and drape behind the head table. Seattle Farm Tables brought in their gorgeous long tables and Eleanor from bash & bloom created small and vibrant floral arrangements.

 

The couple used pint glasses as their favors and seating assignments. Under each pint was a coaster with the guests table assignment. So cute!

Skillet catered the event and provided the dinner & dessert - SO good!!

These post ceremony portraits are my favorite! So pretty!

Guests enjoyed the rooftop deck at Within Sodo playing cornhole and dancing the night away under the lights!

Jen & Josh! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your wedding! It was SO fun and you both looked gorgeous!! Also, quick note - Jen & Josh's wild honeymoon adventure made the Winter/Spring issue of Seattle Met Bride & Groom honeymoon section. They flew out to Tanzania to hike Kilimanjaro! Side note, they are avid hikers and Josh even proposed at the top of a hike. After they completed Kilimanjaro they got to relax a bit and go on a safari! Such a great honeymoon!!

 

For even more gorgeous images checkout their album on my facebook page!

 

A round of applause to the vendors who participated in the wedding!

Venue - Within Sodo

Photographer - Andria Lindquist

Caterer - Skillet

Florist - bash & bloom

Tables - Seattle Farm Tables

Chairs - Sweet n Design

DJ - Bruce Pavitt DJ Services

Videographer - Janssen Powers Media

H&M - Offwhite

 

Craving Coral!

I tagline I use often in ads to describe my company is, 'Where Fun Goes to be Planned' and it is clients like Liz & West that make that statement true. They are the most fun ever!! From the very beginning they wanted their wedding to be a party! Actually, scratch that, they wanted it to be a beautiful party. Mission accomplished!

The overall look of the wedding was coral - in texture, color and print. Coral paired with shades of green looked gorgeous in the invitation suite design and bridesmaid dresses. We added pops of color in the flowers, favors & desserts.

But let's start with the dress shall we...Liz won the Belltown Bride silent auction item at Get Hitched Give Hope for a $1,500 credit toward a dress + a champagne party. I went along, it was fantastic! This lace Amy Kuschel stunner is beyond gorgeous! And pair it with her Kate Spade shoes, turquoise earrings and beaded belt, she was perfection! It didn't hurt she married the hippest fella in town - his suit was custom made from Kulhman's and he added a coral bow tie and pocket square. So dapper!

We were extra special and super lucky to be one of the last weddings the floral magician, Christopher Smith of Christopher Flowers worked before retiring his floral business. Liz is a flower enthusiast to say the least and was so happy with her gorgeous bouquet!

Voted most adorable and most likely to lick a guest at the wedding went to their ring bearer Clyde the dog. Christopher made a floral ivy that wrapped around his leash which went great with his bow tie!

Reverend Jake Elliott married them on the lawn at the Seattle Yacht Club, the weather was perfect! After the ceremony guests indulged on passed apps and a full raw bar served by the club. Local oysters, shellfish and mussels were a huge hit amongst many of the East Coast guests.

For the tables we ordered melon and coral linens from la tavola and used real & faux coral pieces from Liz & West's personal collection that Christopher Smith incorporated into terrarium centerpieces with sand dollars ad drift wood. A perfect look on a sunny summer day at the club!

Kara from The Sweet Side hand painted a four tier cake and made a macaron tower in three flavors. Delish!!

True story, Laurel took this ring shot outside in the dark with a headlamp on to get the exact light she wanted. It was worth the trouble girl, it is superb!

They had the funniest best men speeches of all time. Like throw your head back, cackle and gasp for air hilarious speeches. These images capture the pure joy of Liz & West, I love them!

For the dance party reception Liz changed into a little white mini - so cute! These shots with the late night moon at the waters edge are stunning!

 

Thank you to my clients turned friends Liz & West for letting me be such a huge part of their wedding! You both are awesomesauce!!

 

See more photos in the current Seattle Bride Magazine (real wedding section) and on the Clutch Events facebook page!

 

A round of applause to the faboosh vendors!

Photographer – Laurel McConnell Photography

Venue & Caterer - Seattle Yacht Club

DJ – DJ Riz

Band – The Nines

Florist - Christopher Flowers

Dessert – The Sweet Side

Videographer – Fitts Studios

Officiant - Reverend Jake Elliott

Linens – la tavola

Escort Cards – Ephemera Press

Lake Couer d'Alene 'Destination' Wedding

The resort town of Couer d'Alene, Idaho is technically included in the Pacific Northwest Region, but being a six hour drive East of Seattle makes it feel like a destination. It is a lovely and quaint lake resort town just 30 minutes outside of Spokane, WA. If you haven't been there before, definitely plan a trip this summer! That is where our exquisite bride Lindsey and handsome groom Mike chose to tie the knot this past September.
 
Lindsey & Mike live and work in Seattle, but Mike grew up in the Spokane area and so they wanted to showcase the region and the amazing views of the lake! Who do you call when you want to capture scenic beauty like this!? None other than Shane Macomber, photo genius and overall outdoorsy guru.

Who says a black and gold wedding can't scream summer?! We integrated the black & gold into the paper, table design and bridal party and threaded pops of pinks and greens throughout. It felt light and romantic - I absolutely loved it! The below invitations from La Happy set the tone. Gold foil, hand calligraphered black envelope and a silk raspberry ribbon, yes please!

 I know right!? They are GORGEOUS!! I cried when I saw her - she looked faboosh!

This is the most impressive guest entrance of any wedding I've ever planned! Guests boarded a boat at the dock of the Couer d'Alene Resort and took a 30 minute boat ride around the lake and docked at the ceremony & reception site. They were greeted with a champagne station and sat in a beautiful garden on a sunny and 70 degree afternoon day.

Look at this view!! It was the most gorgeous ceremony backdrop! And then wait for it, after the ceremony, a couple of white tail deer and fawns walked out during the cocktail hour to munch on the resorts flowers. I had the best Funny Farm opportunity of, 'queue the deer'. I assume no one reading this got that reference, but I liked it;)

Once again Sally Balt from La Happy blows me away! The escort card table was beyond gorgeous! We used a black linen from BBJ, covered it with moss and added hand calligraphered table assignments and this gorgeous mirror that Sally wrote the famous line from Louis Armstrong. Lindsey & Mike chose this classic as the song for their 1st dance, aaaaw!



The reception site was open air on three sides and faced Lake Couer d'Alene - it was gorgeous! The cherry on top was once the sun went down there were two fire places on either side of the head table with some soft seating around it. It was perfect!

 

Jenna from Fleurtations Florals did an amazing job on all of the arrangements! The pops of pink and green from the florals paired perfectly with the black and gold table settings.

Pink Seattle Chocolate favors were placed at each place setting. A perfect pop of color and shout out to Seattle!

The couple cut a gorgeous gold foil and buttercream cake, but their favorite dessert is cupcakes, so they treated their guests to a multi flavored tower!

We added white ceiling draping across the room with crystal chandeliers. It was a perfect romantic touch! Just look at the mountains in the background during their 1st dance - gorg!!

Congratulations Lindsey & Mike!! You were amazing to work with! Thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding!

 

The Amazing Vendors are...

Photographer – Shane Macomber Photography

Venue & Caterer – Couer D’Alene Resort

Florist – Fleurtations Floral

Dessert – Sweet Frostings Bake Shop

Invitation & Day of Paper Designer  – La Happy

Rentals – BBJ Linen (Linens & Chargers)

Rentals – AA Party (Gold flatware)

Lighting/Draping – Epic Vibe

AV – Rox Music

Ceremony Music – Piano Dan

Videographer – Sure Shot Video

DJ – Ben Pitasky

H&M – J. Ashley Sellen Design & Artistry

Pop the Champagne!

To begin, HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY MICHELL & COLIN!! And a quick 2nd comment, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Michelle & Colin planned a wonderful NYE celebration! It was romantic and fun and the party didn't stop well past midnight! This day last year the weather was pretty similar, chilly, overcast, but no rain - wahoo/phew, which made for a great day around the city! The amazing photographer Carol Harrold took the gorgeous & well dressed group from the Arctic Club down to Pioneer Square for some pre ceremony photos and shenanigans.

Please note on a regular day these two could be frigg'n models - neither hurt your eyes to say the least. So to see them all gussied up, I was giddy!! The details of Michelle's dress are gorgeous! Check out that shoe shot! And please, Colin's gold bow tie! So dapper!!

The gorgeous ceremony took place at St. John Evangelist Parrish in Phinney Ridge. Post ceremony guests were shuttled downtown to The Arctic Club.

Colin & Michelle's favorite dessert? Donuts! And yes, they do pair great with Champagne:) So why cut the cake when you can feed your new spouse a maple bar!? They were a huge grab and go hit with their guests!

Late night NYE décor was passed out to guests for a super fun celebration! They donned golden hats, sparkly headbands, horns, noisemakers and more!

A kiss at midnight!!

Thank you Michelle & Colin for letting me be a part of your amazing wedding!!

Have a wonderful 1st Anniversary!!

 

And for more fun images check out their Facebook album!!

 

Awesome vendors to note!

Photographer - Carol Harrold Photography

DJ - City DJ (WendyQ)

Venue & Rentals - Arctic Club Seattle

Flowers - Christine Davis (Mother of the groom) & Kim Oberto (Family friend)

H&M - Offwhite

Church - St. John Evangelist Parish

A Sweet Shower for the Sweet Side!

Little Baby Georgia is just six small weeks old now and beyond adorable! Here are the highlights of the cutest shower that Katie Parra, Holly-Kate Foss and I threw her lovely mother, Kara! Kara is the owner of my favorite bakery, The Sweet Side and is a fab new mommy!

Her bicycle themed shower was held at Katie Parra's beautiful West Seattle home. Katie also took these gorgeous photos!

Kerri Effendi of Kerri Effendi Design created the perfect invitations! Thank you Kerri!

 

 

I had the best time putting this together with these two!! Thank you Katie & Holly-Kate! Oh, and Holly-Kate did the flower arrangements from Pike's Place. She is multi talented:)

 

So who do we ask to make dessert for a baker's shower?! Her shop associates of course! We couldn't not have a Sweet Side cake at Kara's shower! And yes, it was delish!!

 

Had to include a super cute pic little Ruby!! Always dresses in style wherever she goes!

Guests painted blocks for little Georgia to play with. Some guests like Laura Marchbanks excelled (showcased below). I hope she likes my all green block with my thumbprint on it, oops:)

Thank you Kara for letting us be a part of your super special day...as shown below, we had zero fun whatsoever putting this together;)