Couture Weddings 2015

Inspiring Style for Puget Sound Brides

Emerald Visions A styled shoot

Tips for choosing a photographer

Real Weddings Couples tell their story

Creating Memories The beautiful details

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Frances Badgett

Art Director Kelly Slater

Account Executives Christine Biernacki Lisa Knight | Kaelen Morris Melissa Sturman

Graphic Designer Kelsey Wilmore

Editorial Assistant Cait Auer

Photography Azzura Photography | Katheryn Moran Josh Durias | Stacy Jacobsen Courtney Bowlden

Office Management Kelli Reynolds

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Cover Photography ©Courtney Bowlden

2 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

Contents Couture Weddings 2015

MUST-HAVES Elegant Essentials

5

Distinctive Details

6

REAL WEDDINGS Oscar & Kelly

16

Bryan & Candace

24

Amar & Celeste

32

Xadier & Marcelle

38

FEATURES Creating Memories

9

Skimp or Splurge

20

Capturing the Moment

29

A Cultured Affair

36

Emerald Visions: A Styled Shoot

43

Trash the Dress

54

Seasonal Picks

62

HELPFUL Checklist 57 Budget 58 Venue Listings

59

Couture Weddings 2015 3

AN

AMAZING

S E L E C T I O N

F O R

EVERYONE IN YOUR WEDDING PARTY

FIND OUT WHY WE ARE THE PERFECT PARTNERS FOR YOUR WEDDING BRIDAL ♦ BRIDESMAIDS ♦ MOTHERS TUXEDOS ♦ SUITS ♦ ACCESSORIES 14 0 0 N . S T A T E S T R E E T . B E L L I N G H A M . W A

360.733.2563 BRIDAL APPOINTMENTS RECOMMENDED CLOSED WEDNESDAYS AND SUNDAYS W W W. A L I C I A S B R I DA L . CO M

1

All Over Lace Trumpet Gown With Deep V Neckline $849.99, David’s Bridal

7

2

BRIDE

Alexis Bittar ‘Lucite®’ Drop Earrings $275, Nordstrom

Elegant Essentials

SJP Collection ‘Beekman’ Clutch, Metallic

Sparkle and shine brighter than the North Star, from the moment you walk down the aisle to dancing the night away in an intricately beaded reception gown. Give into the elegant detail and glittering finishing touches on your special day, with classically chic designs fit for any leading lady.

$275, Nordstrom

5

6

SJP Collection ‘Doras Metal Nappa’ $385, Nordstrom

3

4

Dior ‘Diorific- Golden Shock’ Top Coat’ $28, Nordstrom

TopShop Feather Hem Embellished Body-Con Dress $495, Nordstrom

Charlotte Necklace $150 for a 4-day rental, happilyeverborrowed.com

Couture Weddings 2015 5

2

IOMOI Personalized Tote, Small $98, Large $168, Nordstrom

1 7

Hugo Boss Super 100’s Wool Tuxedo $895, Nordstrom

GROOM Regal Bowtie $15, Zoraab.com

6

Regal Pocketsquare $19, Zoraab.com

Distinctive Details Tie the knot by suiting up — throwback style — with stylishly bold patterns that express your personality and encourage an exciting event to remember.

5

Sandalwood traditional shave kit $70, nyshavingcompany.com

4

Men’s Shoes $49.95, H&M.com

3

Keychain

$4.95, H&M

6 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

Š Genaro Photography

Majestic... Where history meets luxury

360.299.1400 | 419 Commercial Ave, Anacortes, WA | Majesticinnandspa.com

© Azzura Photography

© Josh Durias

© Katheryn Moran Photography

© Genaro Shaffer

© Francy Tobler Photography

© Matt Priestman Photography

© Paul Joseph Brown

Creating Memories T

© Stacy Jacobsen

© Nicole Medcalf photography

© Genaro Shaffer

he place cards are set, the flowers are on the tables, your loved ones are gathered, the weather is cooperating — your day is picture perfect from every angle. Now it’s up to you to relax and enjoy one of the most important days of your life.

Couture Weddings 2015 9

10 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

© Nicole Medcalf photography © Arlene Chambers Photography

© Benji Haisch photography

© Francy Tobler Photography

Couture Weddings 2015 11

© Genaro photography

© melisa draper

© Paul Joseph Brown

© Katheryn Moran Photography

© Stacy Jacobsen

Capturing the moments and memories at your wedding, birthday, anniversary or special event, one “snap� at a time!

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© Nicole Medcalf photography

© Matt Priestman Photography

© Courtney Bowlden

Couture Weddings 2015 13

© Patience Photography

© Josh Durias © Patience Photography

14 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

© Joe & Patience

© Joe & Patience

© Joe & Patience

© Francy Tobler Photography

© Azzura Photography

© Arlene Chambers Photography

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Explore it all

Oscar

Kelly

AUGUST 10, 2013

DRESS 2Be

VENUE The Building Industry Association of Whatcom headquarters

CATERING Chihuahuas

WEDDING SONG Ray Lamontagne’s You Are The Best Thing

LODGING The Chrysalis Inn and Spa

HAIR Sarah Rydman of Something Different Salon

MAKEUP Bonnie Scialabba

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Katheryn Moran | WRITTEN BY Frances Badgettt

18 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

A

ll it took was a hex wrench and some patio furniture to bring these two together. Kelly and Oscar met through mutual friends in college while attending New Mexico State University.

“We were good friends and had an easy time being silly and playful together from the start,” Kelly said.

When Oscar first visited Bellingham, Kelly took him to a private beach on Bellingham Bay. “The landscape and the beauty of the bay had him in awe.” When he proposed, they hiked down to the same private beach. “As we looked out at the water, he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.”

While planning the wedding, the couple wanted the ceremony and celebration to reflect their relationship — the intensity of their love and the playful quality of their

shared laughter. “Our bridesmaids each wore a different, brightly colored dress, and the groomsmen sported bow ties that matched their shirt cuffs (which were all sewn lovingly by the mother of the bride and the groom).” The bright, rainbow effect is lively and celebratory. Kelly, her cousins and her aunts hand-picked the flowers for the centerpieces. Kelly’s aunt, Elisabeth Adelstein of Boxx Berry Farm, prepared the bouquets.

“She even made my own bridal bouquet out of colorful flowers specifically cut by each of my aunties from their very own garden.”

After the colorful ceremony, Kelly and Oscar invited their friends to dance the night away. “Our reception was by no means a quaint party.” There was a lot of dancing and celebrating, as Kelly and Oscar love to dance. They chose hip-hop and music from their college days — a nice way

to incorporate their ties to their old friends.

Chihuahuas catered the reception, honoring Oscar’s roots in New Mexico. Colorful Jarritos Mexican sodas complemented the color theme of the wedding and added a playful touch.

The whole wedding was a family affair.

“Oscar has always told me that we won’t make it without the support of our families.

This was completely true to us during our wedding planning. We were able to lean heavily on the skills of our loved ones. This wedding was a labor of love of the ones around us, and I believe that it is a complete reflection of the love that will carry us as a couple through whatever may cross our paths in the future.” From the looks of it, that future will be bright, colorful and full of laughter. [

Couture Weddings 2015 19

20 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

Skimp or Splurge Where in the budget to stretch, and where to spend Written by Frances Badgett

T

he truth is, no one will notice. They’re looking at you, at the groom, at the adorable little ring bearer and flower girl.

They’re thinking about the food, hoping they get enough champagne to make the drive and hotel room worth it. One thing your guests are not doing is taking inventory of how much everything costs, unless, of course, you’re a Kardashian. But there are some areas wherein skimping might contrast with the look and feel you’re trying to achieve. So here’s our guide to surgical spending.

THE DRESS

FOOD Splurge. People won’t talk about the colors of your tablecloths or the centerpieces (unless they are ridiculous) but they will absolutely remember the food. Make sure there is enough and that it’s good.

Guests love free gifts, so throw around some little wedding favors, too. But make sure your food is ample and tasty.

DRINK

Splurge. The reasons are more emotional than psychological, but if you buy your wedding dress or rent it, you may not carry yourself with the same regal bearing as if you had spent a solid two grand on something that floats around you. Also, a dress that is fitted, shaped, tailored and hemmed will look great on you for the photos, which also last forever.

Skimp. A few bottles of good stuff for the toast, and then your guests are lucky to get a glass of anything potable. Though we don’t recommend scraping the bottom of the bargain shelf, you don’t have to impress the groom’s cousin with your taste in wine. There’s plenty of that at the next family gathering. Plentiful is a bigger goal than quality.

FLOWERS

MUSIC

Skimp. This one requires staying within season. If you want beautiful bobbing peonies in December, you’ll have to pay. And while we don’t recommend drug store carnations or fake flowers, really, no one is going to gasp if your florals aren’t breath-taking.

Skimp. With iPods and sound systems, djing your own party is easier than ever. Not sure about your taste in music? Download a presorted playlist from iTunes or elsewhere. Find a venue with streaming.

Live music can be fun, but lots of hassle.

VENUE Depends on the season. If you’re getting married in August, you can go with a free outdoor venue. If your wedding is small, you can gather in a hallway, the gallery of a museum, on a dock over the water. But if you’re planning a large winter wedding with 200 guests, you’ll need a venue that can accommodate your event. You can get some pretty sizable venues for very little money, but don’t count on being able to find one during the summer and fall high seasons.

PHOTOGRAPHER Splurge. Beautiful photos are among the only tangible, lasting pieces of your wedding you get to carry with you into the future. Whether you go for swoony and romantic or contemporary and chic, great photos will capture your style, the feel and mood of your wedding and great candids of your friends and family. The only must on the list for a perfect wedding is a great photographer.

Couture Weddings 2015 21

…

253.324.6417 stacyjacobsen.com

CAKE Skimp. Yes, you want a pretty cake, but it doesn’t have to be gigantic and artfully embellished to be right for you. We recommend a smallish cake for you and the groom and big, cheap sheet cake in the back for the guests.

HAIR AND MAKEUP Splurge. You want to look amazing on one of the most important days of your life. You want perfect hair and makeup for your photographs and for your new groom.

You want everyone to remember how stunning you were in that dress with that hair. Many stylists have favorite makeup artists they work with for special events. Be sure to have both on hand to make you look and feel flawless.

SHOES Skimp, but be comfortable. Don’t hobble through your ceremony. Make sure your shoes can go all night. They don’t have to be brand new or perfect, but they should complement your dress, and they should feel good.

Weddings are a lot of standing for the bride, so make sure you’re comfy. [

Couture Weddings 2015 23

Bryan

Candace

BER 14, 2014 SEPTEM VENUE Grand Ridge Manor

CATERER Emerald Cove Catering Co

FLOWERS Loves Me Flower by Kendra

MUSIC Michael Benson Band

CAKE Honey Crumb Cake by Carla in Seattle, WA

DRESS The Dress Theory in Seattle, WA. The dress was by Nicole Miller, design Dakota.

HAIR | MAKEUP Salon Maison in Bellevue | Shannon Rasheed

WEDDING PLANNER Chelsea Edwards

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Azzura Photography by Tania | WRITTEN BY Frances Badgett

26 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

S

ometimes the best things happen when you aren’t looking for them.

Bryan was a single dad with a sixyear-old son, and Candace was a single mom with a 5-year-old son. Neither Bryan nor Candace was looking for a relationship.

Candace spotted Bryan at City Church in Kirkland. Several hours later, he sent her a friendship request on Facebook, and Candace realized something, “We had met twelve years prior in Arizona at the college we attended, ASU.” Candace was traveling, Bryan was working, but they managed to stay in touch by phone until their first real date. “Our first date led to an immediate second date the following day and then of course a third with no break. I’ve never laughed so hard and respected some one so much. The feeling was mutual. On the third date, he kissed me and in that moment, I felt in my spirit that I was ‘home.’ That he was my husband. I knew it in my soul and so did

he.” Their love was on a fast track after that.

They took the boys on a trip to Disneyland, where Bryan proposed. Sharing their faith was — and remains — a large part of their relationship. “We did a 40-day prayer journal with each other and fell deeper in love.”

Though blending families can be a challenge for couples, Candace and Bryan didn’t feel any resistance from their sons. “The boys (Kason, 5, my son and Tadem 6 years, his son) met and their hearts were fulfilled with a longing desire of brotherhood.”

Planning the wedding was a six-week whirlwind. They had their hearts set on a date six weeks away, and their venue had just had a cancellation. Their day was open.

“Every detail in our wedding happened just like that.”

Candace imagined a wedding that was classically elegant with a touch of rustic.

She and her dad drove to the ceremony in a vintage Rolls Royce. Candace’s bouquet was hand-tied with a rounded silhouette. Large

calla lilies, hydrangea, garden roses, small calla lilies and ranunculus were wrapped in ivory ribbon with crystal embellishments.

“The ceremony was very emotional and organic. Tears were flowing, and you could feel the love!” The boys shared in the couple’s vows, and the couple’s pastor officiated.

The venue, Grand Ridge Manor, is in a quiet corner of Issaquah. “This truly is Issaquah’s best kept secret! I grew up in Issaquah and went to church right by this place and never knew it existed!” The venue was so perfectly appointed, the couple didn’t feel the need to decorate too much.

The reception sparkled with glass bowls and silver votive cups. The flowers carried the classically elegant-yet-rustic theme with orange and peach roses, mango mini calla lilies, peach dahlias and soft green hydrangea.

“The whole evening was relaxed and light, full of joyfulness and happiness and gratitude!” [

Couture Weddings 2015 27

360.621.5159 | Joeandpatience.com | info@joeandpatience.com

Capturing the Moment How to Choose a Photographer Written by Frances Badgett

Y

es, presumably, you could have your entire family capture your wedding on iPhones and Androids and call it good, but in doing so, you’ll be missing out on a great opportunity to keep a part of your wedding with you for years to come. So how do you sort through the hundreds of online portfolios and find just the right photographer for your wedding? We have a few suggestions:

better pictures of you. Check out full wedding albums if you can, and see examples of the photographer’s non-wedding work, to get an idea of style and ability.

Remember that photographers work with assistants and second shooters, so be sure to meet them before your big day as well.

Budget Find Your Style Just as wedding dresses come in different styles, so, too, do wedding photos. Decide ahead of time if you want something edgy and contemporary, or if you want a more romantic, classic look. Looking through the photographers’ portfolios can give you an idea of what their individual styles might be like. A good photographer will also have additional ideas and inspiration, and information on what worked well for other weddings he or she has photographed.

Research

Remember that photography is more than just shooting photos — there are processing costs, additional shooters, albums and more. You’ll want to make sure you budget enough for all of your needs, but do not skimp. Your photographs are the most lasting legacy of your wedding, and the lens through which you will always remember it.

Expect to pay more than $2000 for a good photographer.

You’ll want to work out how many hours your photographer will be shooting, whether or not there will be an assistant shooting, additional portraits, trash the dress after-photos, rehearsal dinner photos — you have a lot of memories to capture. A good photographer will offer 1000-3000 shots for you to keep, but it depends on you …

You probably know several people who have gotten married in the past few years. Find out not only how they chose their photographers, but what they liked and disliked about the way the photographer worked.

Go online and take a look at portfolios and examples, and get an idea of what the photographer costs. This shouldn’t be the only step in your search — a photographer who did a great job on your friend’s wedding may not have the style you’re looking for and vice-versa — but it’s a good first step. Meet with the photographers whose work you like, and get a feel for rapport — the photographer who puts you the most at ease is likely to take

Couture Weddings 2015 29

© Anda Photography © Matt Priestman Photography

…

and what you want. Photo finishing, albums and extras will cost more, but might be worth it if you don’t have the technical expertise. Photos can be turned into everything from posters to coasters, so make sure you include all those little extras you might want.

Contract Contracts protect you and the photographer, and are an essential part of making sure your day goes smoothly. Things to include: a liability clause for damaged equipment, an agreement about use of images, ensuring the photographer has back-up equipment in a worst-case scenario, the form your photos will be in (cd, link to a website, memory stick, etc.), substitution in case of illness or emergency, etc. Ask friends or check online for sample contracts. A reputable photographer will have one used on a regular basis.

© Azzura Photography

The Big Day

30 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

Some photographers are really helped by having a member of the bridal or groom party give them an idea of who to shoot, where to focus, how to cover the event.

Remember to ask for detail shots of the cake, tablescapes, favors and decorations as well as portraits of the guests. Remember to relax and try to forget the camera is there — you’ll get great genuine, candid photos if you aren’t too conscious of the camera. Enjoy your big day knowing that a great shooter is on hand to capture it for you. [

At Memorable Events and Catering our passion is to create a personalized menu to fit your picture perfect wedding. We provide only delicious homemade cuisine from hand selected cuts of meat, international cheeses, the best fruits and vegetables and local artisan breads.

360.441.7244 |melissa@memevent.com | memevent.com

Amar

Celeste

T 29-30, 2014 AUGUS

VENUE AND CATERING Semiahmoo Resort

FIRST DANCE SONG Love Me Tender (Norah Jones version)

HAIR AND MAKEUP Tart Beauty

FLOWERS Kimberly Oldis

CAMEL Camel Safari

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Josh Durias | WRITTEN BY Frances Badgettt

34 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

C

eleste, an opera singer, was a newcomer to Boston when she met Amar.

“On a night out, an outgoing handsome man bought me a beer at a pub and we continued to talk all evening. We had no idea about what each other did for a living and came from extremely different backgrounds but there was a definitely spark and we were fascinated with each other’s story.”

The pair hasn’t been apart since.

On a family trip to San Francisco to see a newborn niece, Amar was more fidgety and nervous than usual. He asked Celeste to go on a hike with him to Land’s End. “We started the hike in the early evening along Land’s End, a gorgeous coastal park whose trails are along cliffs above the ocean and looking out to the Golden Gate Bridge.

We ended up hiking down to an empty cliff that jutted out into the water just at sunset.” There, Amar proposed. Celeste was delightfully surprised. The proposal wasn’t the only surprise. Amar had hired a hidden

photographer to capture the moment, and Celeste’s entire family was waiting on Skype.

The couple had two wedding ceremonies at Semiahmoo Resort to celebrate their respective religions and cultural traditions.

The first day, they had an Indian celebration with a Hindu ceremony. “Amar rode in on a camel to the ceremony behind his family and friends who danced in a processional to greet my family. A drummer playing a Dhol played live music to dance and process to.” After the grand entrance of the groom, the couple are lifted on the shoulders of the guests for a flower garland toss. “Whoever gets their garland over the other’s head first is said to ‘have the power in the relationship’ haha, I won.” Both sets of parents walk the couple to the altar, and the married women in attendance give advice to the bride.

After the beautiful ceremony, the couple had a Sangreet, which is a Hindu music celebration. The couple and guests ate and danced all night. They had huge, traditional group dances that their friends

had choreographed for them, such as the Dandiya Rass and Garba, Gujarat traditional dances.

The second ceremony was Christian, and took place on the dock at Semiahmoo with a view of Point Roberts, where Celeste grew up. The couple had a cellist and violinist for the ceremony and the cocktail hour. “The day started out a bit cloudy but the second the ceremony started the sun broke through the clouds and stayed around all day, it was gorgeous.” The second night, they had music that all generations could enjoy. “It was a blast!”

The dress was a silk off the shoulder gown in ivory with a lace sweetheart neckline. The gown was embroidered with beads and lace flowers. It had silk buttons down the back and a long train that bustled. The veil was an antique cathedral length veil that the bride’s mother wore at her own wedding and hand embroidered over the last many months to match the dress for the wedding. [

Couture Weddings 2015 35

A Cultured Affair Wedding Traditions from Around the World Written by Frances Badgett

W

eddings are among the most common traditions world-wide.

Almost every culture has some ceremony that binds two people together.

We’re all familiar with the 15-minute quickie ceremony common these days, but there are some lovely traditions from around the world that can be incorporated into your typical vow-n-bow ceremony. In Korea, the groom brings the bride’s family a pair of wooden geese (traditionally, live geese) as a symbol of his fidelity to their daughter.

Korean couples often work geese and duck imagery into their ceremonies. Why geese?

They mate for life. Another rich tradition is the sake-sharing ceremony from Japan, called san-san-kudo. The bride and groom each take three sips from a sake cup, and the parents each take three sips, totaling nine sips of sake. The ceremony cements the bonds between the two families. A very easy to incorporate and yet lovely tradition is tying the knot—in Latin American 36 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

countries, the couple binds themselves together with rope. In Mexico, the couple is tied together by the officiant, with either a rosary or a rope. It’s easy to adapt this tradition by binding the hands together with a ribbon or simple short length of rope.

In India, the arrival of the groom at the ceremony is festive and splashy. The groom rides in on a decorated horse, or, in some cases, a camel or elephant. While adapting this tradition isn’t uncommon, make sure your wedding livestock is trained and of calm temperament. Another Eastern tradition is that of using henna to decorate the hands and feet of the bride and her bridal party. A practice in India, Pakistan, Israel, Saudi Arabia and northern Africa, henna is used for many traditional celebrations.

In India, the darker the henna, the more intensely a husband will love his wife.

One of the most striking and oft-used wedding traditions is the Chuppa, a canopy that shelters the couple from “evil spirits.” A

Jewish tradition, the Chuppa is often seen in many forms at non-Jewish weddings.

Another Jewish ritual that has been readily adapted for all kinds of weddings is the ketubah, or wedding scroll. Traditionally written in Hebrew, the ketubah is a contract between the bride and groom, a kind of written form of vows. Frequently, wedding guests sign the ketubah as witnesses to the contract. Beautiful and ornate, a ketubah can be a lasting way to remember the beauty of your wedding day, and all of the people who witnessed your union.

Whatever tradition you borrow from, remember to do so delicately. Donning traditional clothing or appropriating deep rituals as a “wedding theme” can be disrespectful to other cultures. Done well, rituals and traditions from other cultures can hold the key to adding meaning and depth to your ceremony. [

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WWW.BRIDESCLUB.COM PHOTO BY EUGENE KAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Xadier

Marcelle

JULY 26, 2014

DRESS Allure

VENUE Marcelle’s parents’ house in Olympia, WA

CATERING Taylor Shellfish Farms and Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House

CAKE AND CUPCAKES Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes

LODGING The Red Lion Hotel and the Double Tree Inn

HAIR Jenna Harrison

MAKEUP Monique Martinez

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Stacy Jacobsen | WRITTEN BY Frances Badgettt

M

arcelle and Xadier met in Los Angeles. Their cubicles were next to each other at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf corporate headquarters. They discovered that they were both Los Angeles Clippers fans, and their first dates were spent watching their favorite team. Those dates soon turned into a relationship.

After they moved to Olympia, they were settling in for a cozy, rainy day at home.

Marcelle often worked jigsaw puzzles to relax. “We didn’t have a television in Los Angeles, so I started doing puzzles.” Xadier often playfully hid pieces from her to get a rise out of her. That rainy afternoon, Xadier hid a piece and told Marcelle it was somewhere in the couch. What she found was a small box with the last puzzle piece inside. She turned around and Xadier was on his knee with the ring in his hand. “It was so cute, as he has always kept me on the edge of my seat, and our proposal was no different.”

40 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

Marcelle had always had a vision of what kind of wedding she wanted. “From a young age, I always wanted to get married at my parents’ house. There really is no place like home, especially when they have a yard made for a wedding.” Marcelle also wanted a vintage wedding in blush tones. “I loved that my bridesmaids all wore dresses of their choice, I could not have imagined that it turned out as well as it did!”

The dress, by Allure, met all of Marcelle’s expectations. She wanted something vintage-inspired with simple lines. The lace added that timeless touch, and she really liked the interest in the back. “When I tried it on, I knew it was the one!” Marcelle’s family also owns a black pear farm in Fiji, and Marcelle wanted to honor her family by wearing a long black pearl necklace in light shades. As it happens, her mother had been setting aside all of the light colored black pearls for years just for this day. “The

necklace turned out exactly as I wanted, and it perfectly complemented my lace dress.”

The reception began with a cocktail hour.

The couple had a raw bar stocked with shellfish from Taylor Shellfish Farms and Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House. Occasions Catering from Olympia catered the dinner, which featured chimichurri chicken, grilled salmon, roasted vegetables and fresh rolls.

The cake was a chocolate cake with a cream cheese frosting, and the cupcakes were red velvet and snickerdoodle.

After dinner, the couple enjoyed their first dance to David Gray’s Be Mine. The music at the reception was a mixture of 90s hip-hop, classics and current hits. “My husband is Puerto Rican, so we included some Hispanic music as well.”

Dramatic, romantic and picturesque, Marcelle and Xadier’s beautiful wedding overlooking Eld Inlet was a picture-perfect day. [

Couture Weddings 2015 41

Celebrate...

Anna Roosma

Bridal Hair Specialist 1215 Old Fairhaven Pkwy Suite D, Bellingham 360.715.1052

SalonBellissimaBellingham.com

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Emerald Visions Credits planning + design Simply by Tamara Nicole

photography Courtney Bowlden

venue Cast Iron Studios Bellevue, Washington

florals Bash and Bloom

hair + makeup Yessie Makeup Artistry

invitations Merchants Design

rentals Vintage Ambiance (furniture), Rented Elegance (iron elements, etc), Grand Event Rentals(linens, dishes)

bar tending/male model Shake Bartenders

dresses Luly Yang Couture (Mojito, Mojito Over Ice, Luscious and Exotic Emerald dresses) and The Dress Theory (Audrey by Winifred Bean, Dakota by Nicole Miller and Morning Glory by Ivy and Aster) //

flower girl tutu Little Dreamers Tutus

calligraphy Ephemera Press

model Katie Templeton and Elle Debell (SMG)

pearl bracelet Leather Wraps

floral hair piece + earrings Cheryl Parrott Jewelry

white floral clutch Belles and Crystals

emerald ostrich feather clutch Sara C Accessories

dried green sea fan Seashell Collection

green statement necklace Kluster

emerald green silk clutch A03 Designs

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Trash the Dress Written by Frances Badgett

D

ouse it, burn it, paint it, drag it in the mud— however you do it, do it up right. So what is “trashing the dress“? After you (or your parents) have spent a small fortune on seed pearls and duchesse satin, the ceremony ends, the last song plays, the confetti and glitter are swept up into little piles on the parquet, and it’s time to say goodbye to the layers of shantung and Peau du Soie that you’ve agonized over for a year or two. All of those careful alterations, that stack of bridal magazines, the long hours in dressing rooms, and it all comes down to this—destruction.

So where did this quirky trend come from? According to the mother of all research libraries, Wikipedia, the origins of dress-trashing are, as all good things, from television. A bride on the soap opera Sunset Beach ran into the ocean when her wedding was interrupted, and a trend was born. Other sources claim a bored Vegas wedding photographer named John Michael Cooper wanted to mix up the woozy, glossy wedding photography style

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and had brides pose in off-beat locations—trash heaps, piles of tires, mud puddles. However it started, it caught on, and brides everywhere are dunking and smearing.

Couples sometimes arrange elaborate shoots that involve underwater photography or aerial photography.

A famous example of an aerial shot is the bride who trashed her dress parasailing. Be forewarned—all that dress is heavy when it gets wet, and there has been a case of a bride tragically drowning. There’s also a bride who burned her dress while wearing it for maximum photographic drama, but we don’t recommend it. Keep it safe and use Photoshop for the crazy stuff. Some of the photos out there are of brides draped over train tracks or in front of streetcars, and while the drama certainly does get one’s attention, there’s a mixed message there (unless, of course, the groom ran off like a soap opera groom). But as with anything weddingrelated there are no real rules.

Trashing your dress doesn’t have to be literal.

Depending on the material, bridal gowns can stand up pretty well to water, sand and dirt. If you want to trash your dress and keep it too, check with a fabric specialist like a dry cleaner or seamstress before your photo shoot, and they can make recommendations on how to resurrect your keepsake. Dresses with delicate beading and lace may not make it through unscathed, and clearly there are fabrics that can’t get wet at all. Hair and makeup should be carefully considered, and you should work with a professional photographer. Some brides trash their dresses on the first anniversary—so make sure the age of the fabric is taken into consideration.

However you choose to do it, trashing the dress is a cute and lasting way to pay tribute to your dress, to your wedding. Whether it’s a symbol of being so done with the event, a refreshing way to cast off the stiff formality of the wedding, sullying the dress is how brides these days say goodbye to all that. [

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© Courtney Bowlden

NOW LIVE

coutureweddingsmag.com Bridal Inspiration • Real Weddings • Planning Tips

Checklist 12 MONTHS

Announce your engagement Set the date for your ceremony Select engagement & wedding rings Decide on your wedding style Discuss and set a budget Book a site for your ceremony and reception Visit clergy and discuss ceremony Select wedding attendants Select wedding dress and accessories Select a photographer Select a videographer Select musicians Select a florist Register with a bridal registry Choose a caterer Select a master of ceremonies

10–6 MONTHS Establish a guest list Select and order attendants’ gowns Select and order men’s attire Order wedding invitations and stationery Make reception plans Mothers-of-the-bride and groom select their dresses Plan your honeymoon and obtain passports

6–3 MONTHS

Order your wedding cake Book your limousine and transportation Make accommodations for out-of-town guests Meet with your hair and makeup stylist Order your wedding certificate Groom’s family to make arrangements for rehearsal dinner

3–2 MONTHS

Address wedding invitations Choose attendants’ gifts Arrange special music selections Plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon Ask relatives to assist at the ceremony and reception Write thank you notes as gifts arrive Open a joint savings and checking account Name your fiance as a beneficiary to your insurance policy and will Make wedding favors

2–1 MONTHS Arrange final fitting of your gown Arrange final fitting of your bridesmaids’ dresses Confirm with photographer, musicians, florist, caterer, limousine services and bakery Confirm with hair and makeup stylist Select groom’s and bride’s gifts Meet with clergy on ceremony details

7 DAYS

Make a final check with clergy, florist and caterer Confirm with reception facility Meet with photographer and videographer Pack honeymoon trousseau Arrange head table seating Reconfirm honeymoon arrangements Make certain attendants have their instructions Pick up wedding and attendants’ gown Notify caterer of final guest count

1 DAY Get a manicure and pedicure Attend wedding rehearsal Provide ushers with list of guests

WEDDING DAY Appointment with your hair and makeup stylist Allow three hours to dress and relax Enjoy your special day

Couture Weddings 2015 57

Budget GROOM Groom’s Attire $ Shoes $ Accessories $

Groomsmen’s Attire $ Groomsmen’s Gifts $

× ( × ( × ( × ( × (

) = ) = ) = ) = ) =

$ $ $ $ $

BRIDE Wedding Dress Hair & Makeup Shoes Accessories Bridesmaids’ Attire Bridesmaids’ Gifts

$ $ $ $ $ $

× ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × (

) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) =

$ $ $ $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

× ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × ( × (

) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) = ) =

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

$

WEDDING Caterers Centerpieces & Favors Coordinator Chair covers & Linens Entertainment Event Design Flowers Invitations Jewelers Master of Ceremonies Officiants Photo Booth Photographers Transportation Venue Videographers Wedding Cakes Wedding Favors

TOTAL WEDDING COST

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Venue Venue

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No matter the size of your affair, we orchestrate an effortless event in an elegant atmosphere, with banquet space available for up to 300 people. Our professionals will tailor your wedding to ensure it will be everything you imagined. All you have to say is “I do!�

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Seasonal Picks Though many beautiful blooms are available year-round, Colleen Elkins, owner of Bellingham-based Botanikal, recommends considering in-season flowers to maximize your wow-factor and budget.

SPRING Spring’s flowers are bright and fragrant; always a welcome sign that warmer weather is on its way.

Tulips Ranunculus Snowball Viburnum Hyacinths Anemone

Peonies Roses Scabiosa

Summer bouquets are marked

Dahilas

by brilliant, full blooms and

Lisianthus

FALL Fall is a great time to incorporate texture through feathers, berries, leaves and other natural elements.

SUMMER vibrant colors.

Sunflowers Zinnias Mums Pods Grasses

Amaryllis Tulips Narcissus Cymbidium Orchids

WINTER Foliage should never be overlooked. Consider including evergreen boughs, magnolia leaves, eucalyptus, pieris or dusty miller for your winter bouquet.

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