Lacey & Steve's Mexcian Fiesta! Arriba, Arriba!!

When my dear friends Lacey & Steve got engaged and told me they wanted a destination wedding I couldn't have been more excited! What is better than having a weekend filled with celebrating, parties and friends?! Doing all of that on a beach in Mexico!!

After shopping around for the perfect property we settled on Azul Fives in Playa Del Carmen on the Riviera Maya. It is a beachfront, all inclusive resort that has an amazing spa, 10+ restaurants & bars, multiple pools, nightly entertainment and the cutest dang monkeys and iguanas roaming the property. Basically it was perfect for the 38 guests that flew south to celebrate Lacey & Steve!

 

The wedding day was shot by the crazy wonderful and insanely talented, Katie Parra. I realize I am biased because she is the sweetest person on the planet, but I could look through Katie's photographs for days on end. Her attention to details is impeccable and her portrait work is perfection! Katie & myself were the lucky Seattle vendors to make the trip and we utilized the local area and resort to make the rest of the day come together!

Upon arrival guests were greeted with a glass of champagne from the hotel and a welcome bag Lacey & Steve put together. The adorable totes are from Wedding Chicks - one of my favorite companies for personalized wedding touches. The shades and koozies were utilized by all!

Lacey purchased her gown & accessories including her belt, earrings and shoes at BHLDN. The lightweight lace was ideal for the beach and sparkle in her details were a perfect touch of glam for this gorgeous bride!

Steve, the always fashionable hipster, wore a custom navy suit, light blue tie and brown shoes. His rose gold ring is my favorite!!

Lacey gifted her bridesmaids floral robes from BHLDN to wear while getting ready. I may or may not be wearing mine while I write this... ;) Oh, did I mention I was a bridesmaid?! I sure was and I LOVED IT!!

Steve & Lacey's 1st look! The foliage around the resort was perfect!! Seriously, how crazy adorable are they together!!?!

A bridal party filled with friends is the best kind of party! The ladies were in blushes, golds and pinks while the guys wore navy pants, white shirts and bow ties!

The little Cantina at the resort was perfect for couple portraits! And when in Mexico you must take a tequila shot before the ceremony!!

One of my favorite times in Mexico is when Steve & I surprised Lacey with a beach front ceremony. We thought a garden ceremony was the only option at the resort that day and it wasn't until the rehearsal when we kept walking right passed the garden to the beach that Lacey found out her dream of an ocean front ceremony was really going to happen! And I'm SO happy it did! It was perfect! A light breeze was off the water keeping the guests cool. It was just so gorgeous!

Oh heyyyy! Who are those international models??!!

Champagne cheers immediately following the ceremony!! After cocktail hour guests enjoyed a sit down plated dinner, speeches that made you laugh and cry and an epic dance party that lasted into the night!

The tables were set with gold dipped BHLDN table numbers, pink and blush blooms, gold candle sticks and gold chiavari chairs. It was a perfect setting for the sand & blue sea backdrop!

Katie took the couple throughout the resort for portraits. It seemed every corner she took had an even more stunning backdrop than the place before.

 

Congratulations again my dear friends!! And thank you SO MUCH for letting me be a part of not only one, but two of your weddings! I truly loved being a part of every single second!! Love you!!

Lacey & Steve - Wedding One - Pop up Ceremony in Discovery Park

When you get engaged one of the first things you decide is where to get married. For many couples you have to think about what state, city or venue to chose from. In the case of my dear friends, Lacey & Steve, they decided to have a destination wedding in Mexico (which was SO GREAT and you can read all about it in my next blog post!!).

 

Once you decide to have a destination wedding in a foreign country you have to think through the legality of being married in the states. For us Americans, one option is to go to the courthouse and get married by the judge either before or after your wedding abroad. A second option is to have a second party!! And really, why not!? I mean, what is better than one celebration? Two celebrations!!

 

To make it legal so to speak, Lacey & Steve threw a "pop up" ceremony in Discovery Park and then had a casual, back yard bash. It was perfect! It was fun, intimate and involved so many close friends and family.

 

The key to a pop up ceremony is to keep the crowd small, the ceremony somewhat short and be in a location where you can't get in trouble for having a wedding (please read: the Seattle Public Library will totally kick you out if you get caught:/).

 

So on a perfectly overcast day in May a handful of close friends and family walked to the bluff at Discovery Park for an intimate ceremony. Katie Parra of Katie Parra Photography shot the nuptials and Rev Jake Elliott performed the ceremony. Lacey's father walked her 'down the path' and their dog Bentley, dressed sharply in a bow tie, walked with them back down the aisle. Lacey's friend Kim did her flowers, she wore my birdcage veil from my wedding, her friend Angie did her hair & makeup and other pals helped here & their at the party. It was a wonderful, collaborative soiree!!

 

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day!

 

 Oh heeeey! Yeah, that's me and Lacey's maid of honor, Michaella:)

And to go along with the theme of two weddings is better than one, four rings are better than two!! Mary Doud created their custom rings and they are gorgeous!!

Stay tuned!! This is just one of two - coming up next is their destination wedding in Mexico!

Signature Cocktail Time!

It is especially warm this summer and what sounds perfect on a hot & sunny afternoon? A delicious, cold cocktail! So what makes a great signature cocktail? Here are six tips to help you decide which cocktail to feature at your wedding this summer!

1. Share what you love! If you have a favorite cocktail that is your 'go to' for a special occasion, serve that! Your guests will appreciate the personal touch, even when it comes to the alcohol you provide. If you have never cared for a French 75, but just like the name - pass on featuring that concoction and try some alternatives like the French 77. You may like it better and you still get the cute title!

2. Keep it simple! The fewer ingredients a bartender uses the better so that the drinks can be served faster. If you love a complex drink try and find a cheat to make it faster. For example, I have a couple serving mojitos this summer as their signature cocktail, but to save time they are pre mixing the sugar, lime and soda so that the bartender does not have to muddle each individual drink.

And I get the question all the time, 'Can we have a beer as a signature drink?' Sure! My groom Sunny was known for always having a Rainier when out and about, so he made that his signature drink and his buddies loved it.

3. Spruce it up a bit! Have the signature drinks stand out by using specialty glassware, add accouterments such as a skewer with fruit, mint leaves or unique design or by simply serving it with a pretty paper straw. If you are featuring a Moscow Mule, go the extra mile and make sure the caterer has copper cups. Touches like this make the drink feel fancy and who doesn't like feeling a bit fancy:)

4. Signage! Ensure your guests know they are enjoying a signature cocktail by putting up a sign at the bar. This helps distinguish 'his and hers', you can share the history of why it is important and adding unique signage is another personal detail that adds to the look of the event. The personal touch of a signature drink sign is also a great way to add color and humor to the bar. 

5. You don't have to break the bank to add a signature cocktail! If the ingredients are pricey you can limit the service to just the cocktail hour instead of serving the drink all night. Or as an alternative, I've had many signature cocktails be served when guests arrive before the ceremony so they can enjoy a drink while the bride & groom exchange their vows. And for couples who want to have a beer and wine only event, this is a great way to add a liquor drink without having to provide a full bar.

6. Communicate with your caterer! Make sure to let them know in advance that you are providing a signature cocktail, what the recipe is and how many you estimate to serve (an hours worth, all night service, one round, etc). If you are providing the ingredients consult with them before purchasing the alcohol. Even though buying a larger bottle is cost effective, you don't want to make it awkward for service. Large bottles are harder to pour and slow down your bar line. And running out of garnish would be most unfortunate so definitely consult with them prior to purchasing the items.

I hope these tips have helped! And when in doubt, enjoy a night out and taste test until you have the perfect cocktail to serve your guests!

Hannah & Eric's Storybook Farm Wedding

The last weekend of July is statistically the best weather of the summer in Seattle, which makes it perfect for a wedding. Last July 26th did not disappoint! The lovely Hannah & Eric were married at the dreamy Storybook Farm in Redmond on a warm & sunny day! The Storybook Farm property has ponds, a small vineyard, fields, a lovely red barn, a gorgeous home and more. The possibilities are endless and Hannah & Eric showcased the entire property to their guests. The day was filled laughter, an intimate ceremony, a fabulous dinner, a group stroll through the grounds and dancing until the cows came home (we are on a farm after all!).

 

A big thanks to Scott Eklund of Red Box Pictures for these gorgeous images of the laid back farm affair!  

 
Thank you to all of the amazing vendors who made this wedding go off without a hitch!!
Venue - Storybook Farm
Photographer - Red Box Pictures
Catering - Duos Catering
Ceremony Musicians - Los Flacos