Down home Leavenworth wedding

Steph and Trev are adorable and hilarious with infectious smiles and are two of the most genuine and sweet people I know. Period. They have tight knit families, a great group of friends and are each others other half. As high school sweet hearts their relationship has grown and taken them through college and now into the working world. Both are in the field of web and software design and brought a creative and funky flair to their down home July wedding in Leavenworth, Washington.



I had the pleasure of meeting their photographer Jenny Jimenez through these two and Jenny and I hit if off right away. She brought along her husband Robin for the weekend and they are just my kind of people. Oh yeah...and her photos are stunning! You can read Jenny's write up here.





The location was Stephanie's grandparents home in the valley of Leavenworth nestled in between breathtaking mountains. Steph's grandpa, Papa Jim, who everyone calls him by, is a character. Full of energy and a zest for life. His home sits on miticulously cared for grounds, more like a park than a backyard and he had spent the past year getting everything just perfect for his granddaughter.




The weekend started with family and wedding party arriving Thursday and taking a "lazy river" inner tube float complete with a tube just for beverages. Smart thinkin. The rehearsal took place the next day followed by an italian catered dinner on the property. I should note that it was quite toasty outside - topping 104 degrees. Now for us Seattleites we aren't used to that kind of heat. It wasn't windy though which is rare in Leavenworth, especially in a valley. The wedding morning we woke up to sun but again no wind and I thanked mother nature. I must have thanked too soon as after setting up the reception the wind decided to make an appearance and quite a big one knocking over centerpieces, taking linens right off tables...but as we do in the world of weddings we make it work. Wind couldn't get Steph and Trev down and we found creative solutions, just no candle was lit that night. I wouldn't give up, trying to light them all night, it was like birthday candles going out as soon as they would light. Pretty comical actually. My sister who assisted me that weekend finally had to pry the lighter from my hands.




Steph's dress was perfect for her. We went gown shopping together and found a great tea-length dress at La Belle Elaines that Steph had customized by the fabulous Trish Jens to her dream dress along with a delicate birdcage veil. Steph picked out comfy and stylish dresses for her girls at Anthropologie, in a dark grey blue shade which paired nicely with slate gray vests and slacks for Trev and his guys from my fav rental shop, Tuxedo Club, in Kirkland.

Don't you love those hot pink shoes?








Florist Patti Bosket with Au Natural, who actually lives just down the road from them, created colorful and vibrant bouquets and decor.




First glimpse...my favorite part of the day when they see each other in private.









In leu of a floral boutonnière they opted for mini rubber chickens...gotta love it.





As guest reached the last stretch of windy road to the property they were met with signs telling the story of how Steph and Trev met, fell in love and got to this day.







Steph designed and hand made all of the paper creations from save-the-dates to programs with their faces on the front and the program info on the back, also serving as fans. They were a big hit with guests.



Favorite save-the-date...honoring being in Bavarian Village.











Raspberry vodka lemonade to quench the thirst in one hundred plus degree weather = priceless





Wenatchee-based Ravenous Catering created a down home menu consisting of several appetizer stations. Barbeque baby back ribs, country meatballs, cheddar ale spread and roasted potato salad to name a few.






Steph and Trev get the award for most inventive and wacky place cards and table signs. Bald celebrities! Some of the lucky celebs to make up the tables were Andre Agassi, Bruce Willis and my personal fav, Ms. Brittany Spears during her not so good days.




Dinner tables with gray linens and bright floral set in antique blue mason jars and vintage milk glass were placed under the three hexagon high peaked tents illuminated by delicate globe paper string lights.






Guests took home CD favors stamped with Steph and Trev's logo.


Do you remember your mom making fun fetti birthday cakes for you as a kid? I sure do and so do Steph and Trev. That is exactly what they wanted for dessert and I have never seen cupcakes fly off the table so fast. Yumm.









Papa Jim sang a song for Steph and Trev at the reception and earlier sang her down the aisle. A local celebrity in town, performing country music, Papa Jim's Johnny Cash inspired deep soulful songs were an endearing gift to the couple.






Wenatchee-based classic rock band Salmon Dave Band, kept guests dancing the night away belting out Alabama, Eagles and Led Zeppelin, all the great bands of our parents generation that we have grown up listening to.



The night came to a close with a photobooth for guests by Jenny and Robin and a hot dog station with all the fixins. A fun filled weekend that I won't soon forget.



vendors

photographer Jenny Jimenez Photography
caterer Ravenous Catering
band Salmon Dave Band
floral Patti Bosket of Au Natural
vintage milk glass and mason jars, cake stands, votives, ribbon and shepherds hooks Bella Rugosa
vintage mason jars Penny Lane Antiques in Bellingham, Washington
tent Dynamic Tents
white chairs Nancy's Party Rentals
linens BBJ Linen
restrooms Royal Restrooms
on-site hair and makeup Liz White - Chanel counter at Southcenter Nordstrom - contact information available upon request
beer Cashmere Brewery
wine Red Diamond from Metropolitan Market
bridal gown La Belle Elaines
seamstress Trish Jens, 206.524.9158
bridesmaids & flower girl dresses Anthropologie
suits Tuxedo Club
rehearsal dinner catering Viscontis

Johanna and Chad are getting hitched today

Johanna and Chad are getting married on this Fall day at the historic and grand Rainier Club in downtown Seattle. True to the Pacific Northwest it is raining yet once inside the club doors it will feel warm and cozy surrounded by candlelight and rich browns, reds and golds that makeup their design palate. I stopped by Bella Umbrella's boutique in Ballard yesterday to pick up some gorgeous (and useful!) vintage parasols for the wedding party to trek outside for some photos along with a pair of bright red rain boots that Johanna found for a perfect pairing. Here are some shots from their e-session with my friends Sarah and Chris Rhoads. More details to share in the coming weeks...

Get Hitched Give Hope ticket giveaway

UPDATE - Shelley please email me directly at contact@marriedwithmichelle.com to retrieve your complimentary pair of tickets to the event!

Be a giver.

Seattle's premier bridal giving event, Get Hitched Give Hope is back for its second year. A place where you can get gorgeous goods for your wedding by giving back. A swanky-cool cocktail party, the kind that gives you an excuse to buy new shoes, amazing appetizers, raffle and silent auction items donated from top wedding professionals. The venue of choice is the decadent Arctic Club Hotel in downtown Seattle. Check out a recap of the first annual event last fall that I helped to found along with a fabulous group of women in the wedding biz.

Save-the-Date for October 29th, 2009. You'll totally find time in your social calendar for this.

It seems as though cancer has touched the lives of everyone, in some way. This is why Get Hitched, Give Hope have chosen the Making Memories Foundation to receive their net proceeds for 2009. 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer and 1 in 100 breast cancer cases are in men. Over 40,000 men and women will lose their lives to breast cancer this year in America alone; that's 40,000 wishes that we can help to grant. The family's first trip to Disneyworld. A long overdue family reunion. Their goal is to raise $50,000 to grant wishes for stage IV breast cancer patients and their families. The Making Memories Foundation creates the ability to grant personal wishes to patients in their last year. Read more about the foundation.

Here are just a few of the fabulous items you can bid on at the event...

DIAMONDS! his and hers wedding bands
bouquets, bouts, and corsages
wedding photography
spa services like massage and men's grooming
a post-wedding fashion shoot
a band for your reception
did someone say MEXICO?!
wedding cake
a couture wedding gown
makeup and hair styling
custom wedding stationery
floral centerpieces

I have a pair of tickets to give away! If you are engaged and interested in attending leave a comment on this post and let me know how this event could help you in planning. It's that simple. I will announce a winner on Monday, Oct 26th.

Please join the party and toast to this wonderful cause that celebrates life and love and the fabulous spirit of giving. It’s an evening not to be missed, where the most stylish way to give is to get.

Do you have your party shoes on yet?

Get tickets. You know you wanna.

Ballard Waterfront Wedding

A follow up to my earlier post, my friend Ginny married the love of her life, Gough, in late June on the Ballard Waterfront at The Canal overlooking The Locks. Ginny and I have known each other since pre-school and our mothers are best friends. We all grew up in Ballard so it was only fitting for them to get married in the neighborhood. I have so many childhood memories with Ginny in them, from spending holidays together to tea parties in the backyard. Their wedding was especially dear to my heart.



We began planning about a year and a half ago and had such fun with Ginny's background in interior design and her creative personal style not to mention her mom Glenda's! They are both talented artists, not afraid of color and being bold. I introduced Ginny to Sarah Rhoads for photography and they had an instant connection and Sarah's fashion forward images capture Ginny's personality to a T. I love that Ginny and her mom have huge smiles throughout the day, always positive, energetic and loving life. It was an honor to plan and be in attendance with my family present, husband, sister and mom, dancing the night away.

Here are some photos that tell the story of the day and you can check out Sarah's blog...




























vendors

venue The Canal
caterer Jewel Catering
photographer Sarah Rhoads Photographers
florist Creative Images
paper Mmm Paper
DJ Darrell Christel
cookie favors Sweet Miniatures
wedding gown I Do Bridal
bridesmaids dresses Nordstrom
tuxes Tuxedo Club
getting ready hotel & wedding night Hyatt at Olive 8

Lisa & Chris are getting hitched tomorrow

Just one month ago my friend and fabulous photographer Sarah Rhoads introduced me to Lisa and Chris who were in need of someone to jump in and help with the remaining details and ease their wedding planning jitters. What a great couple they are! I instantly felt at home with Lisa and Chris at our initial consult at my studio, laughing and learning about how they met and the wedding they have been working hard to plan. They enjoy life, always smiling, are madly in love and are excited to share the day with family and friends. Lisa is a true fashionista and a talented hair and makeup artist so already had great ideas to bring her inspiration of modern and vintage blended style in rich tones of red, gold and black. Their venue, Hotel Deca, located in the University District provides the perfect backdrop, and with some final design choices that I am bringing in it is going to be a beautiful and intimate Fall affair. A recap of the wedding to follow. Here are a few pics from their e-session with Sarah at Gasworks Park.

Diane and Fred's same day edit wedding video

Diane and Fred were married in July at SoDo Park, owned by the amazing Herban Feast Catering. It was an incredible wedding to be a part of and I just adore Diane and Fred. Laura and Chris Randall of Edit 1 Media made a stunning same day edit video to capture the day that was presented to guests at the reception. Click on the below video link to check it out. Joe & Jill were the photographers. Edit 1 and Joe & Jill are good friends of mine and it was such fun to get to work together on this wedding. I will post much more about the day soon.




and here is their reception highlight video...

April wedding in Capitol Hill

Kelsey and Kyle were married in April at Pravda Studios in the artsy neighborhood of Capitol Hill. They were such fun to work with, always with a smile and air of excitement about their wedding day. I first met Kelsey and Kyle when I helped with her bridesmaid Erin's wedding last summer and was thrilled when she asked me to take part in hers. From that point on we had a blast making plans and catching up over coffee, cocktails or at her house with her adorable and hyper dog. They are a perfect match for one another and I look forward to keeping in touch over the years.



Pravda was the perfect urban setting mixed with a natural feel with large windows and rustic wood floors, a blank canvas that was transformed with a chic color palate of black, white and green. Details included a bountiful cake buffet with fresh berries, all white delicate peony bouquets for Kelsey and the girls, intricate invitation and stationary design, a funky floral pattern linen and the comfy yet sophisticated soft seating area that Bella Rugosa created and guests enjoyed throughout the evening.

Ever talented husband and wife photography team, Photo Elan, did an amazing job capturing the day. Here are some favorites...





































vendors

venue Pravda Studios
floral, decor, soft seating and chandeliers Bella Rugosa
photographer Photo Elan
caterer Ravishing Radish
cakes Divine Confections
drinks - beer, wine and prosecco Pete's Wine Shop in Eastlake
DJ Bamboo Beats
string trio Bella Trio
linens BBJ Linen
tuxes Tuxedo Club
on-site hair and makeup - Liz White - contact information available upon request
handmade jewelry for bride and bridesmaids Abaloria
getting ready hotel Fairmont Olympic Hotel
rehearsal dinner The Yacht Club on Lake Union