Fall Destination Winery Wedding | Andrea + Kwame | Zillah, WA.

Photographer: Foto Ruby Photography | Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Venue: Bonair Winery and Vineyards | Caterer + Cake: Bon Vino’s Bistro & Bakery | Florist: Oak and Fig Floral | Linens: Cort Party Rental | DJ: Platinum Entertainment | Beauty: Shining Light Beauty Design

The one thing we have all learned surviving a global pandemic is the ability to pivot and be ready for anything and everything that comes your way. And that’s exactly what happened to Kwame + Andrea while planning their fall wedding.

The original idea for Kwame + Andrew was to wed at a friend’s winner in Eastern Washington, but that plan quickly changed to more of a local wedding site once the future was so hard to predict when it came to Covid so the decision was made to a friend’s rooftop deck.

Then plans changed and Kwame + Andrea decided to go back to their original plan of Bonair Winery in Zillah with a smaller guest count. I am so glad they stuck with their original plan as the grounds of the vineyard were perfect for their day.

Working with these two was so much fun and I always looked forward to our planning meetings. The plan for their wedding was to combine their family (Andrea has a teenage son and together they have a young daughter) while embracing their love of each other and their cultures.

Andrea had one request for her wedding and that she wanted calla lilies for her bouquet. Working with the florist on this simple request one would think proved very tricky with the floral crisis at the time. Fortunately, the floral gods were looking down on this wedding and we received the most beautiful calla lilies you have ever seen.

When you have an outdoor wedding, you always have to be watching the weather report and one would think, there is no rain you would get rain in September in Eastern Washington, but Mother Nature decided to have her own plan on their rehearsal. Luckily, it cleared up just in time for dinner, but we were a little worried for the wedding day. We did have a backup plan in place just in case.

Arm in hard the family of four walked down the aisle together to the musical styling of longtime family friends of Kwame who took him in as their own when he moved to the United States from Ghana while he attended Central Washington University.

Andrea + Kwame's wedding was one of the most touching live streams we have done as it included the groom's siblings who were in Europe and Africa watching the nuptials. It was so touching to see everyone in attendance say hello.

As guests dined, the dance party quickly got underway under the stars and ended right as the rain started to fall.

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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.

Small Intimate Waterfall Reception | Jeff + Eriko | Salish Lodge

Photographer: Mike Tabolsky Photography | Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Venue: Salish Lodge | Beauty: KLS Makeup Artistry | Florist: Flora D’Amore

There is no reason why you can’t still have the wedding reception you’ve always wanted when you decide to elope with the love of your life. And that’s exactly what Jeff + Eriko did overlooking the incredible Snoqualmie Falls at Salish Lodge.

Already married in an intimate ceremony, these two wanted to celebrate with their friends and family, especially with Eriko’s family who are in Japan. So the pair decided on a wedding celebration for May 2021. Jeff first reached out and booked us back in January 2020. Then covid hit and plans quickly changed and the two decided to postpone to September 2021 hoping that family felt comfortable traveling.

Once they realized family wouldn't be able to attend, they decided to shift gears again and have an elevated dinner reception for 14 people including Jeff’s siblings and their kids, and their closest friends. They opted for a Thursday wedding which was so much fun. The couple moved to the most incredible room overlooking Snoqualmie Falls and it was such a perfect setting for their dinner.

Guests were treated to an incredible four-course dinner and dessert before we moved to the reception phase. After a fun round of rapid-fire Shoe game questions, guests completed a wedding mad lib puzzle then shared it with the entire group.

Then it was toast time. We were able to set up a live stream with Eriko’s family in Japan (luckily the time difference worked out in our favor). You could really feel the love for these two in the toasts that were given and watching the faces of their family via Zoom.

I had the best time spending time with Jeff’s nephew and nieces and found some great helpers.

My favorite part of the evening was dropping off the flowers and decor to the newlywed’s room and they were so gracious and gave me big hugs and were so thankful for my assistance in executing their reception.

From Jeff + Eriko:
”We wanted to say thank you so much for being a part of our wedding day! On our wedding day, we don’t even know how we would have been able to survive without your help. Being delayed in our timeline (e.g., coming back from the falls), setting up the Zoom call with family, setting up all the detailed décors, etc… you were just so amazing and helped us to focus on actually enjoying our wedding. We sincerely appreciate your help in creating unforgettable moments that will last a lifetime.”

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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.

Labor Day Affair | Kate + Chuck | Port Gamble, WA.

Photographer: Hatch Photography | Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Florist: Oak and Fig Floral | Venue: Port Gamble Weddings | Caterer: Essence of the Thymes | Accommodations: Clearwater Casino Resort | DJ: Dubreezy Entertainment | Beauty: Bridal Beauty Agency | Rentals: Cort Party Rentals + Love Blooms

When planning your destination wedding in your home state already could be a challenge, but then you throw in moving states and a pandemic, but that doesn’t

Kate + Chuck wanted the perfect destination Port Gamble wedding for their Labor Day garden party affair to celebrate their love and commitment to one another.

We first started working with this dream couple in August 2019 for their September 2020 wedding. We got started right away putting together the dream vendor team. We had just about every single detail planned out before the pandemic hit. Kate + Chuck knew if they wanted to have the wedding they wanted they would need to postpone for a year, but they had something else planned to seal their love.

The two said I Do in a beautifully intimate celebration in Savannah, GA. along with their sweet pup on their original date.

Just when we thought we had overcome every obstacle thrown their way, we had to find a new beauty vendor and DJ less than 2 weeks before their big day. Luckily, we were able to find the most incredible replacements.

The wedding day couldn’t have been any more perfect. From the ceremony to cocktail hour, and reception, guests were really treated to an incredible day filled with laughter, happy tears, great food, and drinks.

What we loved best this day where all of the stunning decor and signage and I know Kate and Chuck got to have the day they had been dreaming about for so very long.

Thank you Kate + Chuck for allowing me to be part of your very special day and hope to see you both soon when you visit home.

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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.