Married & More with Michelle: Fall charm wedding

Johanna and Chad were married on a beautiful Fall day last November at the historic Rainier Club, nestled in the financial district of downtown Seattle with a park like setting amidst neighboring corporate architecture. The Rainier Club stands out with its dramatic brick and tall paned windows and once inside it is more like a mansion that guests get to explore than a venue. With several floors including sleeping rooms where the wedding party and couple stayed for the weekend, it really feels like a cozy home, albeit a grand one. Johanna and Chad are a fun loving adventurous couple that love to travel and be outdoors. They wanted to blend nature and elegance and the club was the perfect setting to do so. Their wedding was filled with warm and natural colors and elements that spoke to them including tall curly willow, rustic mercury glass, an abundance of in-season blooms and candlelight, hot apple cider, a campfire inspired s'mores bar, coffee bean favors and much more. Gorgeous photos taken by my friends Sarah and Chris Rhoads tell the story of their day.

The night before the wedding it was dark and stormy and when morning came fortunately so did the sun, giving Johanna and Chad the perfect Fall day. Just in case we had vintage umbrellas and bright red Hunter boots on hand because you just never know living in the Northwest. Johanna's delicate bouquet created by Julie Borrud of Bella Rugosa, remains one of my favorite bridal bouquets with its timeless vintage appeal.

Johanna and Chad's gifts for the guys have to be the most unique groomsmen gifts I have seen. Bobble heads with an uncanny resemblance to each groomsmen. Hilarious. Funky striped socks and patron tequila also rounded out the gifts.

A different room in the club was used for each event during the wedding. The ceremony began in the Cutter Room, lined with tall windows and an ornate fireplace gracing the front. Deep red rose petals and clusters of candle luminaries lined the aisle way with tiered votives adorning the window sills and mantle. Large copper stands filled with tall curly willow and smoke bush flanked the couple. Sheryl Bracken with Paper Moxie designed hanging programs from each chair and guests sipped on hot apple cider as they took their seats and the sun set. Music was an important element for Johanna and Chad. They wanted live piano for the ceremony but not your typical Pachelbel Canon in D to be performed. Talented pianist Cara Hill blew me away playing their requested songs by Coldplay, The Cure and Depech Mode. Pastor and good friend of mine, Rich Sclafani, gave a heart warming ceremony about the couple not leaving many dry eyes in the house.

Guests moved to the ballroom for cocktail hour with tall ceilings, a veranda and a grand fireplace over ten feet tall. This room would later house dessert and dancing to finish the evening. Dinner was held on another floor where guests walked into an ornate dining room with lush curtains, inviting tables with shimmering beige linens, dark fruitwood chivari chairs and centerpieces with mercury glass, candlelight and clusters of floral ranging from deep red to a vibrant yellow marigold.

During dancing guests frequented the s'mores bar and jumped in the photobooth by Sarah and Chris. Before saying farewell guest grabbed burlap bag favors filled with fragrant coffee beans and valet tags with well wishes were waiting in each guests car along with bottled water to send them on their way.