New Studio

Over the past couple of months I have been working away to open a studio. Myself along with uber talented planner Lisa Chambers moved into this funky loft in the heart of Ballard next to The Locks. We started with cement floors, white walls and fluorescent lighting (ugh!) and had fun transforming the space by incorporating both of our personalities and company colors. I have to give credit to our wonderful husbands for also spending weekends working up a sweat! Lisa and I are independent planners but love to collaborate on weddings when there is an opportunity so sharing a studio was a great fit. Our good friend Laurel McConnell stopped by last week for a visit and snapped a few pics. Hope you like it!

Bridal Fitness Contest Winner!

Thank you so much to the brides that expressed interest in my fitness contest. I really enjoyed reading your posts about why a program like this would benefit your health and getting ready for your wedding day. Anne Griffith, with Northwest Influence loved all of the posts and had the hardest time choosing just one. Alas she has picked Kristina to be the winner!

Kristina - Please email Anne at anneg@northwestinfluence.com to get started!

For the other gals that wrote in and anyone else interested Anne offers an initial complimentary consultation to learn more about her program.

I hope this contest and my bootcamp adventures help to inspire and motivate. Again, I always welcome comments or stories from readers about your own fitness and health journey's...

Megan & Ian engaged - All about Ballard

Megan and Ian are getting married this summer at Golden Gardens Bathhouse on the Puget Sound waterfront in Ballard. The area has significance for Megan and Ian since they met and live in Ballard. I am a native myself and spent many childhood summers at Golden Gardens Beach playing in the Bathouse before it became the event facility that it is today. The historic building has been immaculately restored and its exposed brick, tall ceilings and charm makes for a perfect laid back beach wedding.


Laurel McConnell (who also lives in Ballard by the way) shot their getting to know you shoot where else! They started the day at Golden Gardens with their two adorable dogs. How cute are they!




After the beach (and drying off from the Seattle rain) it was time to head inside for a round of pints at the Tractor Tavern...where Ian had proposed!


Megan and Ian love Ballard, music and their Irish heritage and we are going to embrace all by having a pub theme reception complete with local Irish folk band Ockham's Razor. It's going to be a party to remember!

Darcy & Matt engaged - Industrial Georgetown

Darcy and Matt are getting married this winter at Farm Kitchen, a private and serene Poulsbo venue that is an absolute favorite of mine and the ideal backdrop for the Green wedding we are planning. Think country rustic meets chic and modern with a Green twist.

The fabulous Laurel McConnell took them to industrial Georgetown for their getting to know you shoot while they visited Seattle last month for a whirlwind weekend. Laurel has such an eye for cool backdrops and details like the old train tracks and rain puddle. Darcy & Matt had fun being in front of the camera with serious then playful looks (oh and Matt's Led Zeppelin t-shirt rocks!).

Here are some pics of the day...



Darcy and Matt reside in the big apple and enjoy the bustling city but decided Seattle was the perfect choice to hold their intimate and eco-friendly affair, also being where they grew up. In New York Matt is a chef at acclaimed Mesa Grill, owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay from the Food Network (Love his show...wish I could BBQ like that!) and Darcy is finishing her masters degree at NYU. They love living in the city, currently in Hell's Kitchen, and wanted their engagement shoot to have an urban feel since their wedding will play to their other love of the country.


Food is Matt's life so naturally the wedding menu will be the focal point. Without hesitation I took them to Herban Feast knowing their organic and local dishes would knock Matt's socks off...and they did! Especially the vegan gazpacho shooters and sundried tomato and olive crusted halibut. Yumm. Other Green elements will be the decor which will include organic flowers, plants, granny smith apples and soy candles against a palette of black, white and green.

Can't wait to share more after the big day!

Bridal Fitness Contest!

Sorry for the delay in blogging these days. Wedding season is starting and I have been a busy girl! I have a fun giveaway that I think will make up for my blog tardiness...

With summer fast approaching and in my fitness spirit (my own exercise bootcamp just ended and I LOVED it! Just signed up for another 4-weeks!) I want to offer one lucky bride a special opportunity to work with a personal trainer and nutritional coach before her big day.

Anne Griffith, owner of Northwest Influence, has designed a "Pre-event Package" for brides. The program is 3 weeks long with 5 sessions per week. A customized program will be designed for you including fifteen 90-minute nutrition and fitness sessions, personalized menus, fitness testing, fitness routines and a guided grocery shopping trip. This program is really about making positive changes in your health with long term goals in mind from your relationship with food to making exercise a part of your daily routine.

If you are an interested bride in the Seattle area leave a comment on this post telling me why it is important for you to be healthy for your wedding day. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 26th and will win $250 off the Pre-event Package and a free consultation!

* I extended the contest for another week so that more brides can be in the contest. Excited to see the interest so far! *

For more details about Anne and Northwest Influence visit www.northwestinfluence.com. Not only is Anne an inspirational trainer, she is also a bride to be herself and will be getting hitched this summer. You can swap stories while getting in shape!