Perfect Backyard Wedding | Krysta + David | Redmond, WA.

Photographer: Tasha Owen Photography | Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Florist: Herban Design Studio | Beauty: Salon Maison | Wedding Dress: I Do Bridal

When COVID decides to cancel your wedding plans, what’s your first reaction?

Of course, you go through a range of emotions but for Krysta + David, they kept level-headed and we started planning for all options. As we monitored the situation, it became quite clear that their May date wasn’t going to happen so they decided to postpone to August.

Then good news came in June that receptions were going to be allowed so we were gearing up to finalize plans when everything changed and that receptions were once again going to be banned, a mere few days before their wedding day. Luckily for the couple, the bride’s father offered his beautifully landscaped backyard as the site of their nuptials.

The pressure was on to really create a memorable and special wedding, something of which Krysta and David truly deserved. I first met Krysta + David almost 6 years ago when they served as her sister’s Maid of Honor and David as the officiant. We stayed in touch over the years when I would run into them as wedding guests at a few of my weddings.

Their wedding was romantic and intimate as they were surrounded by their closest friends and family and in the end, it was the best decision for these two who will have a lot of stories to tell their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids one day about their wedding day.

“What else can we say except... Lori and her team are amazing! We hired Lori in early 2019 for our May 2020 wedding. They were the very first vendor we booked! We knew how good she was and had seen Lori in action at my sister's wedding in 2015 and at another friend's wedding in 2017. Lori was always available to take our calls/texts or answer our emails. In March 2020, she helped us postpone our wedding date to August 9. Two weeks before our wedding, we lost our venue due to the new COVID rules. She helped us move our ceremony to my dad's backyard with literally days to go. She decorated and cleaned up the whole ceremony space as well as keeping everyone on track the entire day. Not to mention, she's such a treat to be around - so positive and willing to help! Lori worked so hard to make our special day happen, even during a pandemic. You won't be disappointed when you hire Elegant Affairs! Thank you Lori! Also, Go Cougs!”
~Krysta + David

How to have the Grandest of Exits

Right behind walking down the aisle and your grand entrance to the reception, your grand exit is a fun and seriously important part of your wedding! Though, the other day I learned that the old tradition of throwing rice for the bride and groom as they leave is actually a really bad thing to do! (Sorry in advance for getting all dark and cruel) I read an article about how birds will get to the rice the next morning after the wedding and die from swallowing it! Supposedly, when the birds eat the rice, the rice ends up expanding in their stomachs and according to Google, the birds then "explode". (Yes, explode...) I don't know how I feel about that myth though, I'd like to see some facts. But still, not very safe for birds! So if possible, lets's try and avoid throwing rice for your wedding... Instead, I've got a list of 10 amazing ideas for guests to have or toss as you make your grand exit!

Before you get ready to leave, make sure to say your goodbyes and hugs to everyone and have a super awesome last song for your guests to finish off the night dancing to. Make it a great, friends-honoring song to enjoy while everyone has one last hug-it-out dance with you two before you leave. While saying your goodbyes, have someone pull the car around so it's ready to go! (Or call a cab, round up the bicycle, call in the horses). The exit will need to be announced for guests to gather and watch. (Note: have the DJ or someone on a mic do this, It might be pretty awkward if you're the one making the announcement) Also, have them announce where they should be going, and what they should be doing, grabbing, or throwing for the grand exit (see list below!).

Finally, make sure to check with your venue to see what they allow when it comes to your grand exit.

1. Sparklers are a very popular, very classic choice to have for an exit. Plus, you get some seriously amazing, time-stood-still pictures out of it!

2. Bubbles, also very popular and very cute. I think you will need to have a lot of people blowing them to have the full effect though! If you have a small wedding, maybe have a bubble machine to have more than enough (Will also leave the kiddos at the wedding entertained for hours) 

3. Streamers, sort of self-explanatory. Very classic, fun, and colorful! Have guests bring out their inner Middle School TP days and toss rolls of steamers in the air.

4. Confetti! Similar to the streamers, fun and colorful. Maybe even get confetti poppers! (Note: maybe look into some eco-friendly confetti, love it.) And make sure to check with your venue regarding their rules.

5. Lavender looks very similar to rice when its thrown in the air, small and delicate. But it smells heavenly! Bonus! 

6. Small wild flowers, perfect for a bohemian wedding. And I'm sure it would make for very cool pictures. Or just petals would be simple and classic as well.

7. Glitter or sequins might be a serious pain in the butt for someone to have to clean up, but that's not for you to worry about! This is perfect for a very glam bride, I love this idea!

8. Balloons- if your exit is at night time, you could track down some glow in the dark balloons, how cool! 

9. Glow Sticks would also be cool if you were intrigued by the glow in the dark balloons!

10. Paper Lanterns, I am a SERIOUS sucker for this beautiful tradition. Have guests light and set off their lanterns right before you two for some perfect pictures, everyone cheer and hug, and then you're off!

And one extra! If this post really inspired you to change the tradition of throwing rice at your grand exit, and you are now feeling really awful for those birds, throw birdseed!! Still looks like rice in the air, might be a pain to brush out of your hair, but your helping out those little guys instead of hurting them. (R.I.P. to all the birds lost in the making of those exits) 

Wedding Late Night Snacks

Let’s be honest. A wedding is a really good excuse for a really great party. All of your favorite people are gathered to have the time of their life in celebration of you and your most favorite person of all. And more often than not, this means you, your friends, your family, and some people you don’t even know are going to work up quite the appetite from all of that dancing, socializing, and of course- drinking. This week, I have compiled some of my, admittedly, go-to late night choices that have proven to be drunken faves for anything from “who cares if I have a final tomorrow” nights, to “I just married my best friend!” nights. So drink up, friends, and then eat to your heart’s desire by inviting these famous fast food chains to cater your reception’s late night menu.

Here is what we love:

• Cheeseburger and Fries

• Churro Bar

• Popcorn Bar

• Candy Bar

• S’Mores Bar

• Pizza