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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

 

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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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Garden Wedding for Carpenter and His Princess Bride

Brit and RemyThe sun came out on cue for Remy and Brittany as they exchanged vows on Sunday. The ceremony featured a Pink Velour Crepe Myrtle for the tree planting unity ritual and a favorite passage from The Princess Bride. Brittany showcased her peacock tattoo with a simple yet stunning backless lace and tulle gown.  Attendants wore turquoise and gray. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed the Abernathy Center‘s winning appetizers including coconut shrimp and crab cakes. A full salmon buffet and a cupcake tower from St. Cupcake completed the event menu. Photographer, Kieran Morgan, captured beautiful moments in the garden setting and fun times on the dance floor. The newlyweds will honeymoon in Mexico before returning to their Portland home where Remy works as a commercial carpenter and Brit is a makeup artist. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Renwick! The world is enriched by your true love.

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High School Sweethearts say “I Do”

Kathleen and auston weddingIt was perfect weather on Saturday as Kathleen and Auston exchanged vows in Abigail’s Garden at Abernathy Center. Sweethearts for seven years, the couple were cheered by friends, family, coworkers and their ten member bridal party. The ceremony, held in the garden gazebo, included a wine goblet ritual and heartfelt vows written by the couple. Tiffany blue was the dominant color of the day showcased in every lovely way from gowns to wedding cake (five layers of different flavors from Beaverton Bakery). The fabulous DIY centerpieces featured giant pompoms crafted from coffee filters and dyed what else? Tiffany blue. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a specialty soda bar and scrumptious appetizers including caprese skewers, crab cakes and strawberry/cheese/balsamic pastry puffs. Dinner was served under the big top followed by fun on the dance floor courtesy of the DJ from Bust A Move. The newlyweds will honeymoon in Cabo before returning to their Gresham home. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Haskins! May your marriage be graced with love and laughter.

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Relaxed Elegance at Garden Wedding

Yesterday’s wedding was the perfect blend of elements for sweethearts Danny and Shannon. Held at a private home in the Irvington area of Portland, the celebration combined a lush garden with lawn games, DIY flowers with jeweled dresses and catered cuisine with s’mores by the fire pit. A dining room table at Restoration Hardware brought the couple together (she was buying, he was selling) so it was fitting that they include a salt ritual during the ceremony. The blended salt will be used in their cooking as a reminder of the zest of their wedding day. The bride’s three sisters, two-year old niece and newborn nephew were in attendance as vows were exchanged under the backyard trellis. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and beverages on the patio. The chefs from Art de Cuisine worked their magic in the kitchen creating a lavish dinner that included cedar planked salmon, tri-tip beef and roasted market veggies. In lieu of wedding cake, the couple served triple blackberry cheesecake with a chocolate crust from Papa Haydn. Yum! After a honeymoon in Belize, the newlyweds return to their Sellwood home and life in PDX where Shannon works in marketing research and Danny is completing his masters in statistics at PSU. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Duncan! May your life be forever flavored with joy and laughter.

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Wedded Bliss in Cathedral Park

Cathedral Park wedding Towering Gothic arches of the St. Johns Bridge provided a dramatic backdrop for Saturday’s wedding at Cathedral Park. Sweethearts, Rachael and John, said their vows beneath the iconic bridge as family and guests shared the sweeping view. The bridal party arrived in style and kept cool in the limo bus as temperatures reached to the mid-80’s. Gray and ivory were the predominant wedding colors and the gorgeous flowers (hand crafted by the girls) included soft shades of ivory, gray, pink and green. For their tree planting unity ritual, the couple chose a gingko tree – the oldest tree on the planet – representing endurance, adaptability and harmony. A reception was held at the North Star Ballroom. After the weekend celebration, the newlyweds returned to their Seattle home (the groom proposed on the giant Ferris wheel at Pier 57) and plan to honeymoon in South America next year. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Prieto! May the memory of your wedding day sweeten your love for a lifetime.

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Rustic Wedding at Historic State Park

David and EmilyPerfect weather and acres of old growth trees awaited guests at yesterday’s wedding celebration for Emily and David. Held in the Pavilion at Historic Champoeg Park, the ceremony blended old and new traditions under the huppah including a Jewish circling, the seven blessings and breaking of the glass. The unity sand ritual featured a mason jar belonging to the groom’s grandmother. Following the ceremony, family and friends feasted on a buffet of homemade vegetarian specialties including three kinds of lasagna baked by the bride. The newlyweds will relax for two nights in a cozy park cabin before returning to their home in SE PDX. The groom works for UPS and the bride is completing her degree in psychology. They are planning a destination honeymoon in the fall. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Quinton … mazel tov!