A Look Back | Island Summer Wedding | Roche Harbor Resort

Both growing up in Anacortes with a love of water and boating, it was only natural that both of those had to be included in their wedding. Nelly + Mark found Roche Harbor Resort was the perfect fit to tie the knot. A venue that was the perfect combination of a destination location yet close to where they are from. The best part is their love of boating got to take center stage during their wedding festivities.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to this marvelous couple through the bride's sister (aka Maid of Honor) who happened to be one of my former bridesmaids and recommended us and boy are we glad she did. I knew Nelly and I were going to get along quite nicely when I first visited their home and found that she had transformed her dining room into a wedding design showroom. On the walls, she had inspirational photos of all of her ideas and her dining room table housed all of her decor. Secretly I died and went to Heaven.

Nelly brought a lot of incredible design ideas to her weddings and I loved working alongside her to help make that happen. Surprisingly, Facebook came in quite handy during the process. I found a bride who was selling her navy blue and white striped runners and they were a perfect compliment to her table decor.

When it came to flowers, Shamay of Flowers by Shamay truly captured Nelly's wish of an ombre look of pink and orange flowers in wooden boxes that lined her long tables and also doubled as ceremony decor. Her lush bouquets accented with ribbons completed the look.

In addition to the florals, Nelly enlisted the help of her mom, Mark, and other family and friends to complete some of her decor from driftwood candle holders, branch rings that hung from the ceiling to the driftwood seating chart and signage.

As for boating, after the bride and groom said their I Dos they along with their bridal party and the bride's father, who served as captain were whisked away on a boat tour of the harbor before joining their guests with their first dance before enjoying a beautiful meal followed by a night of fun and dancing.

Vendors
Wedding Photographer: Sara Parsons Photography
Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs
Venue: Roche Harbor Resort
Florist: Flowers by Shamay
DJ: Dubreezy Entertainment
Cake:  Wedding Cakes by Daniel Van Hamersfeld
Musician: Pasquale Santos
Hair + Make-up: Afterglow Spa
Wedding Dress: I Do Bridal
Wedding Shoes: Valentino
Bridesmaid Dresses: Asos
Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Lighting: Slava Caireac
Rentals: Skagit Valley Wedding Rentals

To see more photos, visit Sara Parsons Blog, click here!

A Look Back | Summer Rustic Elegance Wedding | The Kelley Farm

Photographer: Andie Avery Photography // Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs // Videographer: Northwest Wedding Films // Venue: The Kelley Farm // Flowers: Jordan Moll // Caterer: Gallucci’s Catering // DJ: Dubreezy Entertainment // Photobooth: Shutter Bus Co. // Dessert: Legendary Doughnuts // Rentals: American Party Place + Cort Party Rentals + The Meaningful Details + Vintage Ambiance // Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige from Laineemeg // Chalkboards: Painted Pallet Designs // Transportation: British Motor Coach

How many couples can say they fell in love their senior year and actually married their high school sweetheart? Well for Jordyn + Gavin that was exactly the case. In fact, these two each knew from early on in their relationship one day they would get married.

When we first met Jordyn and her parents, I immediately felt a deep connection to this Kindergarten teacher. She was so poised and knew exactly what she liked and didn’t like, which meant for a great start to our relationship.

To top it off I was so thrilled to learn who they booked as their wedding photographer. I have been a total fangirl of Andie Avery for the past year. On the wedding day, I was so nervous to meet her. It was like meeting a rock star and I tried to keep it cool around her but I failed miserably.

One of my personal highlights yet very emotional was when I was entrusted with the couple’s vows and wrote them in their vow book. Truth be told I learned my lesson. I need to read through them before writing them down because these vows were so beautiful and got me very emotional.

The other was when we were doing bridal party photos when all of a sudden I heard Jordyn scream saying there was a mouse stuck in her dress. In reality, it was a very very large bug that took a liking to her stunning dress and held on for dear life.

Sadly, the bride’s grandmother passed away shortly before the wedding but Jordyn knew she wanted to make sure she was still included and well represented. We decided to dedicate her ceremony seat complete with her photo and a beautiful floral bouquet.

There were so many fun details about this wedding from the doughnut wall to all the incredible signage to a rocking dance party!

I just love this couple so much and we text regularly, which reminds me: Jordyn we need another dinner and/or drinks date!

A Look Back | Summer Floral Wedding | Kiana Lodge

Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Venue: Kiana Lodge | Photographer/Photo Booth: Carino & Co. Photography | Flowers: Seattle Floral Design | Offiicant: Annarie Juhlian | DJ; Otto-Matic  Mobile Music | Videographer: Seat of the Pants Productions | Dessert: Better Than a Boyfriend Bakery | Wedding Dress: Paisley Bridal | Groom & Groomen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Paper Products: My Party Perfectionist Hair: Sinia Sotolongo from Adriana's Salon | Make-up Danielle Martin and Aja Jefferson | Accommodations & Transportation: Clearwater Casino | Lawn Games: Weathered Nest Designs

I first met Nina + Ryan August of 2013 when they served as "sponsors" for another couple of ours. Flash forward a year later when this beautiful couple contacted me regarding their wedding at the picturesque Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo. By the time their June 2015 wedding arrived, they were the fourth friend out of their gal pal group (all meeting when there were students at Stadium High School where I also attended, but a few years earlier) that had chosen Elegant Affairs as their wedding planner.

What really stood out with this couple was just how prepared they were. Securing nearly all of their vendors before even booking Elegant Affairs it was really working on the fine details which was the fun part. Since the bride had to work overseas for weeks/months over the year it was imperative to get as many items done as possible.

We loved that Nina + Ryan worked so well with each other and were equally involved in making their special day personal and unique. And let me just say just how picture perfect this couple was on Wedding Day and it showed through the smiles, tears, laughter and the memories made.

One of my most favorite parts of my job is dessert tasting. It's such a hard job but a wedding planner has to do it. I was lucky enough to accompany this couple up to Wallingford to meet with MayLing from Better Than A Boyfriend Bakery for an amazing tasting. From chocolate-dipped alcohol-infused strawberries to brownies, coconut macaroons to whoopie pies not to mention the five kinds of cakes to taste from there was no way this couple could go wrong.

As the night progressed and guests moved into the Lodge for dancing for more festivities we were in love when Nina changed into her "reception dress" for a true party reception.