ISSUE 5 | WINTER 2018
“Red Letter Event Planning is awesome! Seriously, the best decision I made during our wedding planning process was hiring them! Thank you for everything!” - Jessica and Brandon “We had a lovely wedding thanks to Red Letter Event Planning. We worked with them for over a year on our Coeur D’Alene lake wedding while living in San Francisco. They made our destination wedding possible and helped make our vision a reality.” - Katie and Luis
WEDDING PLANNING IN COEUR D’ALENE AND THE INLAND NORTHWEST 208-244-0601 Robyn@RedLetterEventPlanning.com RedLetterEventPlanning.com
To Our Readers This issue is all about looking forward— to the 2019 wedding season, to the future of the industry and to what comes next after you say ‘yes’ to that amazing, life changing question. We work SO hard every year to bring you what you need to make your wedding planning journey a little easier. From finding and vetting the best vendors across the Inland Northwest, to answering your big, small and in between questions about planning a wedding, navigating your engagement and dealing with family dynamics during the process, we’re always striving to bring you what you’re looking for and need. So please, never hesitate to reach out to us if you want to see something! Whether it’s an article idea, a question you’ve had during your planning process or feedback in general, send us an email, shoot us a DM, drop us a line, give us a shout and send over that carrier pigeon. We love hearing from you and YOU are why we do what we do! Cheers to you, lovely readers. May your planning process be stress free and your marriage be even more beautiful than your wedding. To 2019, and whatever it brings! Pop those bottles, The Apple Brides team Jessica, Melissa & Patrice
Burnt Orange and Burgundy Fall Barn Wedding Chattaroy, WA
If fall were personified into a wedding, this would be it! Capturing the quintessential fall colors and the feeling of the changing seasons, this barn wedding goes beyond ‘yee-haw’ to pure country magic. Working with nature (leaves down the ceremony aisle, and utilizing the rolling, golden hills in their aesthetic) these two created a day that makes you think about that warm, afternoon sunshine on a crisp fall day.
Vendors Photographer: Jessica Mumm Photography Venue: Axtell Acres Dress: Marcella’s Bridal Bridesmaids Dresses: DCdress Suits: Men’s Wearhouse Hair: Nicole Parks with Studio Nicole Makeup: Samantha Loessin with SJL Makeup Artistry Flowers: DIY Ring: Jewelry Design Center DJ: Complete Weddings + Events Cake + Desserts: Marsells Cake & Deserts Cake Topper: Guest Book Studio Catering + Bar: Red Lion BBQ & Pub
How to Have an Epic Destination Wedding Weekend in Wine Country with Off The Beaten Path Experiences Recently, we traveled to Sonoma County, California thanks to Venone PR and got a chance to experience what a destination wedding weekend in California wine country would be like. Let us tell you— it. Was. Epic. Off The Beaten Path Signature Experiences is a concierge wine country event planning and logistics group that makes planning a Sonoma County wedding easier than that glass of rose goes down. They can assist you in every step of the planning process for your Sonoma County destination wedding, from providing access to intimate, posh venues that can only be booked through them (SO. COOL!) to creating unique and memorable catering menu options to assisting in selecting your linens. We saw first hand how much magic they can create.
They wined and dined us to show us everything that the area has to offer couples getting married— but before you stop us and say ‘but Apple Brides, I can’t afford a fancy California wine country wedding’ Yes! You can! It can all be done on a realistic budget. You don’t have to be a millionaire to get married in wine country. Seriously! We’re sharing our epic destination wedding trip with Off The Beaten Path, along with tips and insight for making your own destination wedding (or any wedding, for that matter) a breeze.
1. Have a Good Welcome Party When you have a destination wedding, it inevitably involves a lot of travel. While Sonoma Count is easy to get to (You can fly into SFO and drive over, or fly directly into the world’s smallest and most charming airport- Santa Rosa) it still requires a lot of guests, so a welcome party is a nice way to start unwinding, mingle and let guests get to know each other and of course, enjoy a few drinks. Our welcome party was a casual cocktail reception at Three J Farms complete with a variety of signature cocktails and wine and passed appetizers. Add in a seriously insane view of the sunset and a dessert bar and you’re golden. Whether you want elaborate or simply chic, your welcome party sets the tone for the rest of the weekend and ours said good things are to come. While we’re on the topic of guest experience, let’s talk transportation. While it’s not necessary to provide transportation for your guests for the entire weekend (unless that’s in your budget! In which case, bravo) wedding day transportation is a nice gesture, and makes things super easy. We loved getting to ride with Beau Wine Tours, and not just because they have WiFi and outlets at every seat!
special activities so guests can get an idea of the local flavor of Sonoma County— or wherever you’re hosting.
3. Think About What You Guys Love and Be True To That We always say, what makes a wedding special and memorable isn’t the centerpieces or the grand entrance. It’s what you and your fiancé include that make it truly you. Weddings that are a genuine reflection of the couple are always events that people will talk about for years to come. After all, what better compliment is there than, “That wedding was just so Sarah & Rich!” Off The Beaten Path can help create that experience. Whether it’s a dinner in Petroni Vineyard’s elaborate wine cave (One of the biggest highlights of our trip!) that’s literally on the side of a mountain or
a
lit-entirely-by-fairy-lights
garden party dinner at an ULTRA private estate (seriously you guys, the access Off The Beaten Path & K Group Venues has is unreal!) find
2. Host Unique Experiences
something that speaks to you both
The number one rule of any wedding weekend. Why did you decide to get married here? Because you love the area, right? So let guests get a taste of that. We got to be a part of SO many amazing activities during our time in Sonoma County, all that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do elsewhere. From experiencing a cedar enzyme foot bath at Osmosis Day Spa, which is the only place in North America you can get that treatment, to viewing vintage wedding dresses at the Petaluma Museum (including some from the late 1800’s!) to touring Beffa Springs Ranch and learning about what sustainable farm to table practices really mean, we genuinely got a feeling for the area as a whole and how diverse and special it is. Guest experiences like that really make a weekend memorable, and make it about more than just your wedding— it makes the weekend about letting your friends and family experience something that you both love and is special to you. Other must-see items in Sonoma County? Amy’s Wicked Slush, which provides the most Instagrammable, yummy treats you’ll ever see. Moshin Vineyards has wine tasting and tours of the first gravity fed wine processing facility. Cowgirl Creamery does Cheese 101 classes and tastings and let us just say— you’ll be clamoring to buy it all! Heidirun Meadery produces the only locally sourced sparkling meads in the area (sounds weird, taste like Champagne on crack— in the best way!) Whether adventurous tours or luxe wine tastings seem like something you’d love more, consider hosting, or at least suggesting, a variety of
and it’s sure to be a winner. While we were lucky enough to experience all of the above (Already planning a trip back…) you don’t have to do it all. Just do it right.
4. Think Outside the Rehearsal Dinner Box We’ve talked about a lot of different events that we attending during the course of our trip, all super diverse and unique. The lesson? Don’t let yourself be bogged down by thinking inside the box! Every dinner and day is an opportunity to create something magical for your guests to experience. Your rehearsal dinner doesn’t have to be at a restaurant nearby your venue, or even at your venue. Host a picnic at K Squared Cellars, an industrial chic winery with great wines. Do a farm tour and pick blackberries off the branch at Front Porch Farms. Find something that’s different from your wedding day and embrace it for your rehearsal dinner! It’ll give guests a chance to enjoy something different and impress people with your varied itinerary.
5. Close It Out in Style and Send ‘Em Packing Welcome gifts and favors are never expected when it comes to a
wedding, but they’re always a nice gesture. We were so lucky to be gifted many different things on this trip and it was so special! If it’s in your budget, consider gifting your guests a token from the trip. Whether it’s a bottle of wine from one of your favorite vineyards or a cute tote bag, the options are endless. Our favorite surprise was a wine transporting suitcase from VinGardeValise. While pricey for a wedding welcome gift, they not only transported the bottles of wine we gathered home from our Sonoma County trip, but then do double duty as a regular suitcase when you remove the foam inserts. Pretty genius, and considering our old luggage has seen better days, we we’re surprised and stoked to say the least. There’s a momento for every budget out there. Beyond gifting your guests, consider hosting a post-wedding brunch or lunch the day after you say ‘I do’. It’s kind of awkward to have the drunken chicken dance be your last memory with all of your wedding guests, so post-wedding events are becoming more popular. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just something to see everyone off and remind them how much you appreciated them celebrating with you. That French style country picnic would be perfect— relaxed and easy to chat and mingle. Off The Beaten Path has tons of venue options that can fit the bill. We loved our time in Sonoma County. There’s SO much to see and do, and it all provides the perfect backdrop to a romantic and memorable destination wedding on any budget. * Special thanks to Off The Beaten Path Signature Experiences and Venone PR for hosting this amazing trip*
Dreamy Fairy-tale Engagement Shoot Everson, WA
This engagement shoot actually looks like something out of a dream! Fairy tale princesses, watch out, because this duo will give you a run for your money. Filled with airy, dreamy details that emphasize that light-as-air feeling you have post engagement have us swooning. Who doesn’t want to capture that heart eyed, lovey dovey in a daze feeling that you walk around with after you’ve said ‘yes!’? We love this engagement shoot for many reasons, but the feelings it invokes are at the top of that list.
Vendors Photographer: Solovey.inc Gown: Frankie and Maude Florist: Pozie by Natalie Makeup: Tracy Li Makeup Hair: Kendra Lallas Stationary: Solovey.inc
Your Pets at Your Wedding Pets are family, and it’s no secret we love when couples include them in their big day. It can be hard, though, to find the right way to incorporate your pet in a way that honors how special they are to you, while still making sure they’re comfortable and taken care of. Depending on your venue and time of year, there are lots of ways to include your pup or cat!
Let them walk down the aisle! The most obvious fan favorite. Everyone loves a furry baby in a bow tie! Just make sure you have someone on hand to sweep them back to a safe place after the ceremony.
Include them in your bridal portraits. If large crowds overwhelm (or overexcite!) your fur kid, include them in your pre or post wedding portrait session. It’ll be more intimate with just you and your spouse and the photographer, so they’ll feel more comfortable.
Have them make a reception appearance! If your pup wants to get his dancing shoes on, have a trusted family member bring them out for a short time during the reception. Things are much more relaxed, which makes it easier, and there’s likely to be plenty of people who are excited to give them some love.
Frame a photo of them and display it at the reception. If making an in person appearance isn’t in the cards, frame some photos of your best bud and display them somewhere at the reception. Out of sight doesn’t have to mean out of mind!
Give them a place of honor! A special cake topper, a charm on a bouquet, a cutout photo at the photo booth, asking guests to donate to animal charities in lieu of gifts, or having dog themed desserts, bites or cocktails are all fun ways to honor your favorite furry friend. The possibilities are endless!
Chic and Moody Rainy Day Wedding Hayden, ID
This engagement shoot actually looks like something out of a dream! Fairy tale princesses, watch out, because this duo will give you a run for your money. Filled with airy, dreamy details that emphasize that light-as-air feeling you have post engagement have us swooning. Who doesn’t want to capture that heart eyed, lovey dovey in a daze feeling that you walk around with after you’ve said ‘yes!’? We love this engagement shoot for many reasons, but the feelings it invokes are at the top of that list.
Vendors Photographer: Hannah Smith Design Gown: Marcella’s Bridal Venue: private residence Suits: Touchdown Tuxedo Florist: Schuhbox Floral Venue: Harris Farmhouse Make-Up Artist: Kayla Madore Rentals: Event Rents Caterer: Mangia Catering DJ: Randy Boyd
Picking Your Wedding Colors There are a few tasks that top the beginning of your wedding planning checklist. Picking a date, a venue and colors are great starting points! No pressure though, right? They’re only the entire basis of your big day. Don’t stress, starting out doesn’t have to be stressful. We’re sharing a few tips for picking the perfect wedding colors for you and your fiancé!
3. Think outside the box!
1. Think about what you already love.
4. Take a look at your inspiration boards- all of them!
If your closet is filled with pink, or your have a serious affinity for neutrals in your home, maybe you want to stick with your tried and true. Ask yourself what colors you and your babe really love or are drawn to, and take inspiration from those.
2. Consider the season and venue. While you can make almost any colors work for any season or style, picking accent colors or metal colors might be swayed by certain seasons
or styles of wedding. Consider when and where you’re getting married when bringing a color palette together.
Don’t get bogged down by what you’ve seen a million times before just because they’re this season’s trendy colors. Do whatever floats your boat! Get unique with it- maybe you want all mixed metallics, or you want really bright colors even though everyone is voting for ivory and cream. Whatever speaks to you- listen!
Look at what you love on Pinterest, magazine clippings and anywhere else you hoard things that inspire you, and it doesn’t just have to be wedding related. Do you see any color or style themes? Maybe they’re unexpected or subconsciously, but we tend to collect what inspires us. Whatever colors you select, whether it’s 2, 3 or a whole rainbow, stay true to you and your fiancé and do what you love, because after all, the best compliment a wedding guest can give is “that was just so them!”
Tips For an Eco Friendly Wedding The Earth is everyone’s friend, and it’s important we take care of her. The wedding industry can be notorious for the amount of waste it creates, so we’re sharing a few of our best tips and tricks for making your wedding a little more eco friendly and sustainable. It may seem like something you don’t have to worry about, or that isn’t your style, but weddings can create a lot of waste. Think about it-- what happens to all that extra food and all those flowers at the end of the night? Most likely, it all gets trashed. That’s a lot of time and money to let the cycle end there! So in honor of making our planet a little better than before, here are a few ways you can make your wedding more green.
1. Consider paying it forward with your flowers. Wedding flowers often have a lot of life left in them! Some couples opt to partner with a organization like Repeat Roses, that collects flowers after an event and repurposes them, giving them to places like hospice care and elderly living facilities. Some couples want close family to take home centerpieces or arrangements at the end of the night and enjoy them for a bit longer. Whatever works for you, consider giving your gorgeous floral decor another life!
2. Rent instead of buying. We’ve talked before about the big debate over renting vs buying your wedding decor. Renting not only means you don’t have to deal with 32 vases after your big deal, but it means the items you did use will go on to serve many more brides after you! If you do find yourself forced to buy some items for your wedding, consider giving them a new life after your big day as well-- either by reusing them in your home, or gifting to selling them to another bride. Don’t just let them sit in a box in your garage!
3. Shuttle guests, or ask them to carpool. Help cut down on vehicle admissions by offering shuttles for guests, or asking them to carpool if possible. Every little big helps!
4. Consider letting your bridal squad pick something they’ll rewear, or rent outfits. Whether you want them to pick a dress they’ll actually rewear, or rent something a la Rent The Runway or The Black Tux, don’t let your guys and gals get stuck with an outfit that will get shoved to the back of the closet after your wedding!
5. If you opt for favors, go green. If you plan to offer favors for guests, select something eco friendly, like seed packets or sustainable sourced or locally made
goodies. You’ll feel good about supporting a local, small business or doing a small part to save the bees and your guests will love your thoughtfulness.
6. Ask your venue and caterer to have recycling bins on hand. Asking your caterer and venue to have recycling bins available means you’ll help create a little less waste for your event, whether it’s tossing tin cans from the bar or throwing food waste in a compost bin, it all makes a difference!
7. Consider including donations on your registry. If you’ve lived together for a while and have everything you need, or have a charity that’s really close to your heart, consider giving guests the option to donate to charity in lieu of a wedding gift.
Lush Raspberry and Gold Wedding Inspiration Quincy, WA
This gorgeous, ornate wedding inspiration shoot is full of tons of textures that we love for 2019! Deeply hued berry florals pop against gold, cream and buttermilk tones, creating the perfect backdrop for a romantic, stand-out wedding in any season. The wide open skies and stark river valley cliffs of middle Washington state are one of our favorite landscapes of the state, because they set the stage for those gorgeous golden hour sunsets that make for epic portraits!
Vendors Photographer: Nazar Iskenderov Photography Models: Tanya and Ivan Feltsan Dress: Dream Dresses by P.M.N Florals: Luxury Blooms Floral Design Make Up: JoAnne Hines Event Planning/Decorations: Tin Sparrow Events Hairstylist: Nadia Kharitonov Venue: Cave B Inn & Spa Resort Cake: Frost me Sweet Bakery & Bistro
How to Combat the Post-Wedding Blues For most couples, planning your wedding takes up a significant amount of time for about a year before the big event. That was definitely the case for our wedding, and especially true towards the end of that year. Starting about two months prior, it was all wedding, all the time. Vendor confirmations, planning meetings, last-minute DIYs, schedules… every spare minute we had was dedicated to our wedding! Then, the day happened and it was wonderful and went by in a flash, just as everyone always says it does. Once we got back from the honeymoon, we almost felt like there was this huge gap in our lives where the wedding planning had been. All of a sudden we had all this free time and we didn’t really have anything that we were “working towards,” which left us feeling a little bummed out and uninspired. Cue the “post-wedding blues.” According to psychologists, this is actually pretty common. So today I’m sharing some of the things that have helped me to combat the post-wedding blues.
Rehash your Favorite Moments If you’re anything like me (hello type-A personalities!), in the stillness of post-wedding life, you may start focusing on the little insignificant things that went wrong. It helped me to actively monitor when I started thinking like this, and to switch my frame of mind to my favorite mo-
ments. Receiving our photos and video helped a TON with this, because they were essentially a highlight reel of all the best parts of the day.
Call Friends and Family One of the things that bummed me out the most after our wedding was that I wasn’t able to have everyone I loved close like I did that weekend. And while you may not be able to have all of your favorite people in the same room again, pick up the phone and give them a call. Chances are, those closest to you would love to chat about the day, laugh about the slip ups, and relive the highlights. I always felt better after calling my mom or one of my bridesmaids.
Schedule Date Nights with Your Spouse Having a little special one-on-one time with your new hubby or wife brings it back to the reason you had a wedding in the first place – your marriage! Plus, when you plan it in advance, it gives you something to look forward to. No, it might not cost thousands of dollars and take months of preparation, but that’s definitely not a bad thing!
Start Some New Projects Starting something new will give your free time some purpose. Finally pursue that hobby you’ve been eyeing, add a furry friend to your little family, pick up a yoga class, or get started on some home renovation projects like we did. Try to find something you can do together so that you get a little extra newlywed bonding time in!
Summery Cornflower Blue Vineyard Wedding Naches, WA
This sweet, summertime wedding mixes cornflower blue and navy with tons of greenery and one super fun squad. We love the blue details, it reminds us of the color of the summer sky and feels so fresh and romantic for any season. Full of thoughtful details, this wedding will have you dreaming of the day you get to grab your group of girls to-gether and party the day away.
Vendors Venue: Fontaine Estates Hair:Brandi Hyatt Makeup:Kaity Hinton Cake: Taste & See Florist: Sinclair Floral DJ: Big Ern Photographer: Lisa & Sasha Weddings Caterer: Smokin’ Jo’s and his red hot grill friends Groom’s Attire: Habber Dasher Wedding Dress: Salon:Bridal Exclusives Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie Online
Prioritizing Your Wedding Budget How Do You Know How Much to Spend on What?
Managing a wedding budget can be difficult especially if you don’t really know what to expect in terms of what much different things cost. Prioritizing your budget,no matter what that amount is, means you’ll get what you want without blowing the bank. We’re breaking down some tips to help you prioritize your wedding budget so you know where your money should be going. We’ve talked before about how much of your budget should go toward the various categories while you’re wedding planning, but not everyone’s budget, or priorities, are the same.
1. Decide what’s most important to you two. Some couples want the food to be absolutely mind blowing. Others want an epic dance party. Talk with your soon-to-be-spouse and decide what your top 3 priorities are. That’s where you’ll allot for more money than average. Then, decide what isn’t important to you. That’s where you can cut back. For example, maybe having show stopping photos is the most important thing to you and your fiancé. So you know you’ll put a little more of your budget toward that. Maybe favors aren’t really that important you both. So you can take a little from that category and put that extra toward your photo budget. This helps you adjust your budget for your own priories.
2. Keep your expectations realistic. You can’t have champagne on a beer budget-- at least, not good champagne. If photos are your biggest priority, you can’t expect to hire an award winning, nationally known photographer for $2,000. You have
to have realistic expectations. Do your research, ask around and get comparable quotes. For example, two local photographers might be priced drastically different, but one might have a decade of experience and the other might have a single year. Both could be great-- it just depends what’s important to you.
3. Remember, you get what you pay for. Again, you won’t be able to buy good champs at a PBR price point. We love PBR and champagne equally, but there’s a time and a place. You get what you pay for when it comes to wedding professionals, so expect to pay more for your priorities. If that’s catering, be ready to budget extra for great food. You can make up for it by using in house rental items that come with your venue, or DIYing your favors. Or maybe you put a little extra toward a photo booth and great DJ and save some by finding a sample sale dress instead of ordering one. It all depends on what’s important to you, but vendors are priced for a reason and you get what you pay for in this industry.
4. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. For some people, they want the big white wedding with all the trimmings. Others might say they want great photos and time with family, and they could skip the tulle. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to have anything at your wedding. If great big centerpieces aren’t your style, skip them and save the money. If you want to pass on the afterparty and end earlier to save on costs, feel free to plan that. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to spend your money a certain way-- it should go to what’s most important to you.
I Was Totally Against Doing A First Look Here’s What Changed My Mind Our production assistant, Patrice, is recently married and reflects on her wedding planning journey. When I went into the wedding planning process, one of the things I was sure of was that I did not want to do a first look. I had dreamed of my wedding day since I was a little girl, and I had always imagined seeing my husband for the first time as I walked down the aisle with my Dad on my arm. That being said, it was also one of the things that I very quickly changed my mind about. As we started planning and talking with photographers, my feelings shifted. And now that we are on the other side of the wedding, I genuinely think it was the best decision I made while planning our wedding, period. Here’s why:
1. You’ll Look Your Best Before the Ceremony We got married outside in August in 95 degree heat with sprinkles of rain and smoky skies. One photographer explained that if we do a first look before the ceremony, we would be looking our best - fresh makeup, no sweating. By doing a first look before the ceremony, we could get in a few couples portraits before we were covered in sweat and tears.
2. It Works Better With the Timeline. People aren’t kidding when they say your wedding day will fly by. In fact, if you told me that it had never happened and it was all a dream, I would totally believe you! With everything happening so quickly, you’ll want to take advantage of every moment possible to visit with your guests and have fun with your new spouse. That time before the ceremony was absolutely perfect for checking off all the pictures on your “must have list.” Once we had done our first look and couple portraits, we were able to get wedding party photos and family photos done, saving us so much of the actual wedding time.
3. It helps with the nerves. My husband and I dated for 8 years before we got married, so I’m not kidding when I say he is “my person.” He’s my best friend and someone that I want to share every single experience with. Because we are together
all the time, spending the morning of the wedding apart was really difficult for us! Surprisingly, he was way more anxious than I was and neither of us had a ton of fun getting ready or on the limo ride up to our venue. The second we did our first look, all of those anxieties melted away. At the suggestion of our photographer, we read letters to each other during our first look time, which really helped with reading our custom vows during the ceremony. We were really able to relax and enjoy the rest of the day!
4. You Can Make it Work for You. I think one of the main reasons I didn’t want to do a first look was because I really didn’t love the typical “tap on the shoulder” first look. It always felt like you were too close and you didn’t get the dramatic feel of when you first see each other walking down the aisle. So, I explained this to my photographer and told her I would rather do something with some distance and that I trusted her to find the perfect spot. She definitely delivered with an amazing setting in the vineyard and we kind of got the best of both worlds with a first look AND a special walk towards one another.
5. It Was so Special. Our first look was my favorite moment of the day. As I walked out to the vineyard chit-chatting with the photographer’s assistant, I spotted my soon-to-be husband standing amongst the grapes. He had been told to wait for a signal from the photographer to turn around, but as soon as he heard my voice he turned, his eyes already full of tears. The feeling we both had in that moment was something I will never forget.
6. Walking Down the Aisle Was Still Amazing. Doing a first look didn’t take away from my walk down the aisle one bit. He had a huge smile on his face and we both felt just a bit more relaxed. If anything, I would say our first look actually enhanced the walk down the aisle because I was feeling so excited and so in love and I just couldn’t wait to reach the end and make this thing official.
Homestead Barn at
Homestead Barn at Dover Bay Resort is the perfect place for your wedding. Our 1930’s barn has that rustic charm you’ve been looking for.
Park Road Photography
Watch the sun set over the lake from the porches of our 1, 2 and 3 bedroom bungalows. Swim in the lake or heated salt water pool, relax in the hot tub and park your boat at our marina. Live it up on the Lake! Call today to tour our barn and resort: 208-263-5493