Mexican Fiesta Reception | Merritt + George | Events on 6th

Photographer: Lloyd Photo and Films | Wedding Planner: Elegant Affairs | Videographer: Belscope Films | Florist: Love Blooms | Rentals: Cort Party Rentals | Beauty: Salon Maison | Caterer: Duos | Dessert: Nutty Squirrel | Venue: Events on 6th

When you’re not allowed to have a wedding reception after you get married because of a global pandemic, what would you do? You go on your Mexican honeymoon which inspires you to have a celebration 10 months later complete with a newborn baby.

We first started working with Merritt + George in February 2020 to plan their dream December wedding. Shortly thereafter, the world had changed as we knew it and we quickly had to change gears with every new announcement when it came to wedding rules in Washington state.

In early fall the decision was made to still move forward with the wedding ceremony no matter what. The couple said I Do in a beautiful intimate ceremony in front of their family and friends at Events on 6th in Tacoma, WA.

The two decided to postpone their reception until the rules changed allowing them to celebrate once again with their family and friends.

Flash forward a few months later, we started working together to plan their new theme for their October wedding celebration which was to honor their Mexican honeymoon. There was also a new VIP reception guest that would soon be joining us as George and Merritt announced they were expecting a baby boy, only a month before their reception.

Using a bright vibrant color palette with their florals, decor, and linens was so much fun to work with.

Guests were treated to a delicious Mexican-inspired dinner, delicious, kettle corn, and the most amazing gelator possible. To entertain the guests, a local mariachi band played out in the courtyard and truly made the party the success it was.

Congrats Merritt, George, and baby George. We are so happy for your adorable little family and loved being part of your wedding extravaganza.

____________

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma 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.

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.

____________

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.”

____________

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.