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Wedding Day Shines True

PhotoGrid_1506296685759Love – pure and simple – was on display yesterday in all its beauty at the wedding of Midori and James. The Seattle couple exchanged vows in front of family and friends at a private lake house in Snohomish County. The bride’s parents flew in from Japan and the groom’s parents attended from Atlanta. The ceremony featured a traditional “red string of fate” unity ritual as well as a presentation of pink rose pendants to each of the Mom’s. The presentation and the exchange of vows was translated in both Japanese and PhotoGrid_1506296873308Korean by the couple’s friend, Kyoung hee. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a lavish dinner featuring Northwest cuisine catered by A Grand Affaire. The menu included coconut shrimp and cedar plank salmon. The wedding cake was a traditional Japanese chestnut cream frosted sheet cake. After enjoying their weekend with family at Lake Goodwin, the newlyweds return to Seattle where James works in the tech industry and Midori enjoys a new admin job with a local seafood producer. Congratulations, Mrs. & Mrs. Bang! May the sweetness and sincerity of your commitment to each other fill your hearts with a love that remains pure and real and shining true. PhotoGrid_1506296436203

 

Brides, ceremonies, Downtown Portland Wedding, Event Venue, local business, officiant, PDX wedding, portland brides, summer wedding, Wedding Favors, wedding venues, weddings

Delightful Wedding at Double Tree

PhotoGrid_1499632553394Guests from as far away as New York and Illinois gathered Saturday evening for the wedding of Alice and Kevin. Both the ceremony and reception were hosted at the Double Tree by Hilton Portland hotel. Glittery gold accented the color pallet of ivory, peach and black which was carried out in gowns, bouquets, decor and a sparkling candy station. The ceremony featured a glass sand unity ritual – the blended sand to be used by the groom to craft a signature piece of art. After the ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy an open bar and hors d’oeuvres buffet which included mouth watering treats such as crab cakes and corn fritters. A lavish dinner buffet followed featuring Northwest salads, stuffed pasta, chicken, roast pork and a prime rib carving station. Entertainment included a photo booth and DJ tunes. In addition to the build-your-own candy box, each guest selected a succulent to take home (complete with “how to care for” instructions) courtesy of the family succulent farm. After a honeymoon in Cancun, the newlyweds return to Portland where Alice works in retail management and Kevin is a glass artist. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Murray! May your marriage be blessed with light and laughter.

Brides, celebrations, ceremonies, Event Venue, La Conner weddings, local business, officiant, Skagit Valley weddings, wedding ceremonies, Wedding Reception, wedding venues

Married at MoNA – An Artful Choice

 

art museumImagine a private wedding ceremony held at a modern yet intimate and inviting art museum. Afterwards, you and your guests enjoy local wine and cuisine amidst the ambiance of contemporary art by Northwest masters. Introducing, MoNA, a small town treasure with big city pizazz. The Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, WA, provides a perfect venue for a classy wedding that’s easy on the budget as well as the eye. You can rent the entire facility (including rare underground parking) for a fraction of what urban museums charge. Special bonus features: The spiral staircase makes for easy photo styling, you can choose your own caterer, guests have access to the wonderful museum store and best of all – your rental fee helps support the nonprofit’s free admission and educational programs. Lots of lodging options in town from small B&B’s to waterfront rustic to a historic hotel on main street. All within walking distance. Good to know: The museum is open 7 days a week until 5 pm so rental is available for evenings only.

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Harvest Moon Wedding in WA

wp-1474121031231.jpgClouds hid the full moon rising but not the smiles as the couple danced up the aisle. Family and friends gathered from as far as Washington D.C. to witness the wedding of Sandy and Terry last Friday evening in Sedro Woolley, WA. The backyard ceremony featured readings by the bride’s daughter and the groom’s sister; a unity plant ritual and messages of love written and shared by the couple. Afterwards, guests were treated to a large screen presentation crafted by the couple showing their favorite video scenes and top tunes. The backyard reception also featured a buffet of diverse menu items like teriyaki chicken, chili, chicken satay and the groom’s “must-have” cheeseburgers from McDonald’s. The dessert buffet included all kinds of goodies from brownies and cheesecake to cookies and trail mix (gluten free and sugar free options, too). Guests were invited to take home their pick from the large collection of teacups collected by the bride. The couple will enjoy a relaxing visit to Oceanshores, WA before returning to their home in beautiful Skagit Valley. Congratulations, Sand and Terry! May your married life be filled with magical moon beams.

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Childhood Friends Marry in Mt. Vernon

wp-1473710468617.jpgLoved ones gathered under sunny skies last Saturday to witness the wedding of Michelle and Rudy. Friends in Anacortes when they were ten years old, fate took them in different directions until they reunited in 2003. The couple exchanged vows on the gazebo deck of their new home which is nested in a beautiful old growth green space in Mt. Vernon. The bride entered to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March escorted by her twin sons and was presented to the groom by both the boys and the couple’s two daughters. The ceremony featured a tree planting ritual and tribute roses presented to both moms. DJ Keenan provided music for both the ceremony and the reception. Guests enjoyed a backyard banquet topped off by an elaborate wedding cake with fountain and stairs; and hand dipped strawberries. The newlyweds are relaxing at home this week enjoying visiting family from New Mexico. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Diaz! May your married life be filled with health, happiness and all the laughter your hearts can hold.

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Beach Wedding Bliss

wp-1472491250264.jpgDespite misty, grey skies, Saturday’s wedding in Oceanside, OR was all smiles and happy hearts. Greta and Neil exchanged vows in front of friends and family with ocean waves providing a stunning backdrop. The bride’s father walked her down the sandy aisle accompanied by live string music. The couple’s son, Oliver – age 8, was the dutiful ring bearer and their daughter, Ruby – age 4, the princess flower girl. The ceremony featured a unity salt ritual and a gratitude rose exchange for the moms. Guests and family traveling from as far as MN enjoyed oceanfront lodging and, following the ceremony, dinner at a local cafe. The newlyweds spent a relaxing weekend at the coast before returning to their home in SW Portland. Congratulations, Greta and Neil! May your marriage be filled with waves of heartfelt laughter and flavored with sweet memories of your joyful wedding celebration.

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Sweet Success for DYI Wedding

Jeromie 1From the invites to the centerpieces; from the gold painted signage to the 7 dozen chocolate chip, lemon and coconut biscotti she baked for guest favors; this bride’s attention to detail was a wonder to behold. The groom agreed citing her “magic touch” that made it all happen. And what fun for everyone! Nona and Jeromie chose McMenamins Edgefield Estate for their destination wedding held yesterday in Portland. Family and friends from HI, WI, TX and GA were on hand to enjoy the weekend celebration, many of them staying on site. The garden setting was perfect for the ‘Northwest country meets tropical isle’ theme. The palette carried out in straw fans; shades of peach, pink and coral for the bridesmaids and floral bouquets; and the men in tan linen suits. Vintage Hawaiian postcards were placed in a fishing basket after guests wrote their well wishes. Bubble guns and mini-bubbles for the guests added smiles to the ceremony as did the tree planting ritual. Guitarist and DJ, Michael Blake (a local favorite), provided the music for the event. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails and brews in the courtyard (along with a cigar bar) followed by a lavish buffet dinner featuring barbequed chicken and coffee barbequed brisket. Reception highlights included a serenade of At Last by the bride’s cousin and the newlyweds showing off their dance moves (those classes really do work). The couple will honeymoon in Maui before returning to their new home in Seattle where Nona starts nursing school in the fall and Jeromie is a surveyor for the State of Washington (squeezing in flying lessons when possible). Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Hunter. May the sweetness of your wedding day remain in your hearts forever. Mahalo!

Jeromie 2

Jeromie 3

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Couples Choice Award 2016

untitledThe WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® 2016 recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The esteemed awards are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories based on their professional achievements from the previous year.  Thanks to my wonderful couples who took the time to write reviews and made this award possible. I look forward to another year of joyful celebrations!