Photographer: Ciccarelli Photography | Videographer: Austin Smith Media | Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Florist: Distinctive Design Florist | Ceremony Venue: St. Joseph Catholic Parish | Reception Venue: Seattle Tennis Club | Beauty: Brag Salon | Transportation: British Motor Coach | Cake: Cakes by Frosted | Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville | Band: Mr. Chris Norton | Musician: Maestro Pasquale | Rentals: Alexander Party Rentals + Pedersen’s Event Rentals | Lighting: LightSmiths | Accommodations: The Edgewater

You never quite fully grasp just how small our world truly is until a simple phone call can show you how!

Back in June, we received a phone call from Alaina who needed someone to perfectly execute her July nuptials to the love of her life Rick in just 6 weeks. The bride, a project manager for Apple explained how she planned and replanned her black-tie wedding at Seattle Tennis Club and was looking for the right person who could do it.

After some small talk about them as a couple and how they fell in love, I asked the bride where she grew up and she said Tacoma and a little light bulb went off in my head. Now, here is where our worlds collided. I found out that we grew up in the same area (Northeast Tacoma/Browns Point) and had known my younger sister since middle school and were in the same graduating class at Stadium High School (Go Tigers!). I knew immediately, I wanted to be Alaina’s girl friend to make her dream wedding come to fruition.

As soon as the contract was signed, we got to work. Now, as a Seattle Wedding Planner I can always appreciate an organized bride, Alaina took the top prize. She had the most incredible visual and logistical plan (including the most amazing diagrams and layouts). Working with Alaina was so much fun and I loved meeting Rick at the tasting where I really got to know both as a couple and just fell in love with them.

When wedding day arrived, our team was tasked with transforming the waterfront lawn at Seattle Tennis Club into the perfect summer wedding that anyone has ever seen.

Working with an incredible team of vendors and the staff at the STC, we worked to execute the couple’s vision despite the extreme heat and wind, but we preserved and when guests arrived onsite after the couple’s wedding ceremony at a neighboring church, the party was in full gear.

We loved working with the musical stylings of electric violinist Pasquale. He is such a skilled musician and the perfect complement to the evening.

As guests were seated for dinner, that’s when I was the most excited. Coming all the way up from LA, Mr. Chris Norton band took the stage, and I could now see why our couple had hired them. I have never in my 16 years of wedding planning had a full band perform the way they did. My favorite part of the evening was when the band paid tribute to our high school where the movie 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed by playing You’re Just Too Good to be True. It was a true crowd pleaser!

Now, the party didn’t end once the band performed their incredible encore, guests were invited up to the venue’s ballroom where they were greeted with dance music and dined on mini grilled cheese sandwiches and the tastiest French Fry bar!

Alaina and Rick had the wedding they had been waiting a very long time for and I was so grateful to be a small part of their big day!

Congrats Alaina + Rick and I can’t wait to go drinks to celebrate! I suggest later on this month for your 6-month anniversary!

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 16 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.