Real Wedding: Nina + Aaron

Photo by Mcklyn Cole Valenciano

You know the feeling you get when you swear you've seen a person before but can't put your finger on it? Well that was me the first time I met with Nina at a fun coffee shop in Eastlake, just up the street from her house. It would take me a few weeks to put two and two together, but by that time, we were already off to a great start with three months till the big day.

From day one, I loved Nina's vision of her big day to Aaron which was scheduled for May at Seattle's Lake Union Cafe, again just a few blocks from their home (the groom in fact walked from their house to the venue on wedding day). Using the classic beauty and simplicity of the venue with just a pops of greenery, thanks to Vases Wild, it set the scene for a gorgeous ceremony and reception. The greenery was represented with the save the date, wedding invitations and programs.

Along with the greenery, we loved the use of the geodes that were used as table decor and a cake topper. It was a nice touch to the tablescape. 

One of the most important things for this couple was to include her French heritage. Lake Union Cafe Pastry Chef created the most amazing and delicious croquembouche (a tower of cream filled cream puffs, held together with caramelized sugar. They continued celebrating Nina's family by honeymooning in Europe and making a stop to visit her grandmother who lives in France.

As you know we love to tell you about our favorite but it was too hard to pick just one, I mean from seeing Aaron's reaction to seeing Nina for the first time as she walked down the aisle to Aaron's most incredible wedding vows to the couple's incredible first dance.

And by the way, Nina was the model featured on 100 years of Beauty which has over 29 million hits on Youtube.

Vendors
Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs
Venue: Lake Union Cafe
Photographer: Mcklyn Cole Valenciano
Photographer Assistant/On-site Hair and Make-up: Ryan Conover
Hair: Kelli Ramaker
Make-up: Fresh Face Stace
Videographer: Emerald Media Wedding Videography
Flowers: Vases Wild
Band: Triple Treat
Accommodations: Alexis Hotel
Seamstress: Donna Vigo of Vigos Alterations

Real Weddings: Krista + Mike

When it came time for Mike + Krista's April Wedding at The Foundry, it was the culmination of a year of planning. We had a lot of fun with this couple, starting with venue and vendor selections to color choices to overall wedding vision.

Knowing Krista since 2009 we were privileged that she chose us to help execute her and Mike's wedding vision. From working with us as an intern in 2011, Krista knew exactly what she was getting by having EA by her side.

After selecting their venue, Herban Feast's newest location, The Foundry, located in the SODO district, we immediately fell in love with this unique, industrial space that had so much to offer including a white room. To soften the concrete and dark wood at the venue, this couple chose a color palette of burgundy, blush, cream with a gold accent using the cherry blossom as an inspiration. 

Then in January, Krista got the call she wasn't expecting and that was she had won a free wedding dress from Portland's Charlotte's Weddings & More. I mean who doesn't love winning something let alone a wedding dress. To compliment her dress, she and her bridesmaids (Krista's aunt and three sisters) selected  a stunning blush Adrianna Papell Beaded Chiffon gowns. We would later discover this was the bridesmaid dress of 2016.

When it came down to the details, that's was when we got to be creative.  Using the idea of the watercolor theme, we created the place cards and tables names (the couple named their tables about places they had visited as a couple) with a burgundy/blush ombre effect that Herban Feast continued with their signage. Next, Rachel created beautiful chalkboard bar signs that hung over the bars.

For decor, Krista and Mike, wanted a lot of candles to illuminate the ceremony room which would be transformed to the dining room. We loved the wine barrel wall that served as the gorgeous backdrop of the ceremony with a floral garland by Love Blooms and more candles. We lined the aisle with candles that would later move to wine barrel wall and cherry blossoms on the chairs down the aisle. Being in April, it was the end of the season for cherry blossom but the florist wouldn't take no for an answer and was able to find probably the last flowery branches.

My favorite design aspect of their reception was their head table. Using their wood tables, we accented the table with a beautiful rose gold sequin runner and lined it with the bridal bouquets, bud vases with flowers and candles. Photographer Shane Macomber was really able to capture the true beauty of the table. For the guest tables, the couple chose an ivory linen with a burgundy napkin and two design concepts for centerpieces.

For dessert, guests were treated by an incredible spread of bite sized treats from Heaven by Better Than a Boyfriend Bakery, complete with pie pops, coconut macaroons, mini chocolate cupcakes, fudge bites and cheesecake shooters.

When all was said in done, Krista + Mike were married, happy and surrounded with a lot of love by their family and friends and had the best start to their married life. We were so lucky to have played a part in their big day and can't wait to see what these two do.

Vendors

Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs
Venue: The Foundry
Catering: Herban Feast
Photography: Shane Macomber
Videographer: Gray Media Productions
Florist: Love Blooms
DJ:   Brandon Ghorley
Officiant: Judge Lisa Worswick
Desert: Better Than a Boyfriend Bakery
Chalkboards: Rachel Ermitano of Elegant Affairs
Hair: Seattle Bridal Hair
Make-up: Taylor Loen
Wedding Dress:  Charlotte's Weddings & More
Accommodations: W Hotel
Paper Products: Wedding Paper Divas

Real Wedding: Jereme + Mark

There was no better way to kick off 2016 than the wedding of Mark + Jereme at Salish Lodge.

I first met Jereme three months before their big day from a referral from their officiant Annemarie Juhlian with whom we have worked many weddings over the years.

What I loved was that this would be our first brunch wedding at one of our favorite locations for brunch, Salish Lodge. It provided a perfect backdrop for this January wedding.

Using the bright bold colors of Tiffany blue, black gray and white we loved how this couple incorporated this palette from their attire, flowers, linen and decor.

When we came on board, Jereme knew exactly what he wanted just needed helping in finding those perfect vendors to execute it. The best part of selecting Salish Lodge, it included the food, cake and the beautiful venue overlooking the Snoqualmie Falls.

Our first suggestion was Sal Floral Design and this was a great recommendation as our couple just loved what Sal brought to the table. They created a beautiful ceremony backdrop that matched the beauty of the venue and their theme. We loved the candles and branches the created an inviting yet intimate backdrop or Mark + Jereme's I Dos. Moving inside, using stunning silver candelabras Jereme was able to use from his work, Sal created stunning centerpieces that really showed off their  elaborate linens.

What we loved the most was Jereme wanting to surprise Mark as much as he could. The first surprise was having a dove release as part of their ceremony. We tried very hard to keep this a secret from their wedding guests, bu the couple's two dogs who were also part of the ceremony, discovered the doves, who were enclosed in a beautiful white basket. Luckily, the dogs gave up their sniffing of the basket when they quickly discovered the feathered friends inside were not there to play.  first.Michael from White Dove Release brought 12 doves, two of which were included in the ceremony in a touching moment between the couple before releasing the remaining doves that symbolized all of their friends and family. Watching Mark + Jereme release the doves and watch them circle the area and the falls before making their way back to Michael's home.

Another surprise Jereme had up his sleeve was some sort of entertainment for Mark including for their first dance. I suggested the University of Washington acapella group, Furmata A Cappella. We worked with them two years ago and just fell in love with them and knew they would be perfect for Jereme's surprise. So as we ended brunch, a few members of the group filtered into the room and then just began singing. It was an experience for all the guests and still gives me goosebumps thinking about.

Here is a link to the video of their performance and here and here!

To say thank you to the family and friends who traveled by all over the United States and abroad, Mark + Jeremegave each guest a jar of honey to commemorate their time at Salish Lodge, which is quite known for their honey.

It's with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to Mark + Jereme as they start a new chapter of their lives together as they move to Chicago next month, but we wish them all the best! Love you two!!

Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs
Venue: Salish Lodge
Photographer: Crozier Photography
Florist: Sal Floral Design
Officiant: Annemarie Juhlian
Dove Release: White Dove Release
Musicians: Susan W. Haas and Nicole Williams
Entertainment: Furmata A Cappella