Marie & Emmett's downtown bash

Marie and Emmett are a super fun couple we've been working with for over a year. Marie's ultra fabulous hot pink shoes were the inspiration for the entire wedding!From the hot pink in the orchids placed on each setting to the escort cards and formal invitations all accented by crisp white and black, the palette for the wedding was most definitely elegant with a huge twist of fun!

We couldn't have gotten a better fall day for the wedding; the sun was shining and golden leaves were falling all around. Guests gathered at St. James Cathedral for an afternoon ceremony then headed to the Pan Pacific Hotel for a chic bash. The guests were all so much fun and we loved Marie and Emmett's family and wedding party! Nick and I sat back and watched them all dance the night away under the lights of the Space Needle...we made a special Dick's Drive-In delivery towards the end of the night which gave them all their second wind!

Thanks to our team of talented vendors who helped to make the day amazing:
Seattle Flowers created the serene orchid centerpieces
Flora Nova Design constructed the unique boutonnieres and breathtaking bouquets
Carol Harrold did a fantastic job photographing the day's moments
Drew Hobson kept guests dancing well into the night
Rowell from SparkLL who, as always, creates amazing paper designs
British Motor Coach for the limos and vintage Daimler
Congratulations, Marie and Emmett! Enjoy your long honeymoon in Hawaii!

Photos from Stephanie and Coby's big day

Here are a few amazing shots from Frank Ross Photographic from Stephanie and Coby's August waterside wedding. We had a ball during the entire planning process; especially at the wedding. Please refer to the older post for vendor information.

Happy 60th Birthday, Carl

Over Labor Day weekend we helped Carl and his wife Pam play hosts to about 60 guests for several events at their home on Bainbridge Island. The events marked Carl's 60th birthday party (we also coordinated his party in Ohio earlier this summer)and guests had a ball.
The rain managed to stay away, and guests were able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings as well as the outstanding food by one of our absolute favorite caterers, Ravishing Radish. Patricio from the Herbfarm serenaded guests with amazing Spanish guitar tunes and the always awesome and talented Aly Medina from La Luz Photography took these fantastic photos.
Ruth-Anne Ford served up to-die-for poppy seed birthday cake (which we plan on having her recreate very soon!)...

Stephanie and Coby were married on a gorgeous day on the water in Gig Harbor. We were thrilled to bring on a team of some of our most favorite vendors for this special event.

Guests were treated to delicious Dungeness crab cakes, grilled miso-citrus prawns, and signature summer cocktails of vodka, Amaretto, and lemonade pre-ceremony. As they exchanged vows on the water, Stephanie and Coby were serenaded by beautiful piano music and a song by Coby's brother on the guitar. Under unique triangle and square parasols from Dragonfly in Tacoma, guests got whiffs of lavender mixed into the stunning butter-yellow and sage colored arrangements from the incredibly talented Ravenna Bloom.

After the ceremony there were more hors d' oeuvres and drinks, followed by an elaborate sit-down dinner under a spectacular tent draped in moss green fabric provided by Rented Elegance, glowing lanterns and twinkle lights, and breathtaking floral arrangements by Wendy Morgan of Ravenna Bloom (including vibrant green garlands across the tent). The gourmet 5-course dinner was provided by one of our favorite caterers, the wonderful team atRavishing Radish. The team created a fabulous feast including a lemon-basil sorbet palette cleaner, plates of local artisan cheeses and gelees, and tasty grilled Oregon country sirloin steak and pan-seared halibut entrees by chef Pam Samper. Post-dinner was also a treat, with individual lemon and blueberry cakes on each table by Suzanne's Cakes in Gig Harbor.

Chopstix provided the entertainment and dueled the night away on two pianos - it was so fun to watch guests request songs and sing along. If you haven't visited a Dueling Chopstix show, you must attend! To capture this amazing celebration was the team of Frank and Kelli Ross from Frank Ross Photographic who captured our wedding over five years ago. We can't wait to see their fantastic work; it's always so much fun to work with them! Congratulations, Coby and Stephanie!
*Stay tuned for professional photos!

Photography: Frank Ross Photographic
Catering: Ravishing Radish
Floral: Ravenna Bloom
Valet: Butler Valet
Rentals: AA Party Rents and Pedersen's
Cakes: Suzanne's Bakery in Gig Harbor
Music: Chopstix
Invitation and other paper design: SparkLL
Tent draping and lounge seating: Rented Elegance

mywedding.com looking for Grooms!

If you are a Groom that is taking on the majority of planning responsibilities for his wedding or a Groom that wants to get more involved in planning his wedding…mywedding.com needs you!
Please email stories@mywedding.com the details of your wedding including:
• date of wedding
• age of both bride and groom
• location of wedding
• a picture of the couple
Please note: This couple must be open to the idea of sharing their story through possible local and national media outlets.

Deadline: 08/15/2008

A 4th of July to remember

The 4th of July had a special meaning this year for Stephanie and Tom. They tied the knot perched above Snoqualmie Falls at Salish Lodge & Spa, the culmination of over a year of long-distance planning with us (Tom was permanently residing in Hong Kong and Stephanie split her time between Hong Kong and Philadelphia). The celebration was such a gorgeous and fabulous affair; guests came from Hong Kong, Luxembourg, London, Argentina, and many other destinations, so Stephanie and Tom had to show them all the most amazing time! We did quite a bit of coordinating with Stephanie's parents here (her father and sister came in second place on the most recent season of the Amazing Race!) and learned new and intriguing Chinese traditions from them. It was truly an honor to work with them on this joyous occasion.

Under a tent on the Centennial Green they exchanged vows, complete with a musical serenade from cellist Angela Russell and also a friend from Sydney, Australia. Guests were then whisked up to the Lodge (the rain held off and the clouds broke!) where Jazz Unlimited Band played classic tunes on the Terrace overlooking the valley and the Falls. Quite possibly the most memorable part of the entire day was the fireworks display! Starting from about 8 pm and continuing late into the night, fireworks of all colors and sizes dazzled across the night sky. It was truly a magical night to remember! We look forward to having new friends in Hong Kong! Stephanie and Tom are en route to the Jordan for their honeymoon. Stephanie will reside in Hong Kong with Tom later this summer. Check out their announcement in the New York Times. We wish you both the very best!

Photos to come soon from the amazing and ever-so-talented Aly Medina from La Luz Photography. It was Aly's first wedding after her maternity leave and Nick and I missed working with her and her great husband, Ben. We always know each and every detail (and more!) will be captured with style and incredible creativity. We can't wait to see the photos - welcome back!

By request...

We've had many requests for details about Jeny and Jeff's chic wedding at Gasworks Park/Seattle Aquarium last year. Since we didn't have a blog then, we wanted to share details of their fabulous wedding with you!

Last September we had the fantastic opportunity of working with Jeny and Jeff to create a memorable wedding ceremony with sweeping views of Seattle from Gasworks Park. With most of the guests having flown in from out of state, Jeny and Jeff certainly gave them an elegant and dazzling night to remember. Theirs was first event at the Seattle Aquarium since the remodel, complete with a floor-to-ceiling, oversized fish tank. While guests watched ferries pass by and the sun set, they noshed on roasted tomato bisque (served in shot glasses), Northwest oysters, pepper seared sirloin with gorgonzola, salmon Croques Monsieur, and Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartar on the Aquarium's back deck. While taking advantage of the fine wine selection provided personally by Jeff, guests were able to touch starfish and watch the jellyfish flutter by in the neon tanks.

A 9-piece Balkan band played during a plated meal of New York steaks and Alaskan Troll King Salmon, followed by an assortment of Trophy Cupcakes.

Nick and I had the eagle-eye viewing point from above the reception area and watched guests dance well into the night and gawk at the amazing fish tank. It was truly a night to remember!
Photography: the amazing Frank Ross, who photographed our wedding in 2003
Cake: Trophy Cupcakes
Rentals: Abbey Party Rents
Rehearsal dinner: The Center for Wooden Boats