Couture Weddings 2019

Inspiring Style for Puget Sound Brides

Eastmeets West A STYLED SHOOT

REAL WEDDINGS Couples tell their stories

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WEDDING ALTARS Picking a Fitting Altar for Your Ceremony

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Couture Weddings 2019 Welcome to Couture Weddings. On the following pages, we

Contents

hope you’ll find some good ideas, advice and

Must-Haves Bride 4 Groom 6

inspiration to help make your day a memorable one. Among the offerings

Real Weddings

here, we show you a

Sarah & Juan

15

Kylan & David

21

Samantha & Reinhard

31

Karli & Sean

37

variety of wedding altars and honeymoon possibilities, along with an area veil-maker with

Features

a national clientele. Plus,

Washington Honeymoon Destinations 8

four couples share their

Altars 10

Real Wedding day — and

Wedding Cake Baker

12

Pop-Up Wedding Venue

19

A Styled Shoot — East Meets West

24

Vows Renewal

34

Wedding Veils

40

own momentous day

Lasting Image

48

in style.

Planning Tools Venue Listings

43

another their powerful vows renewal. Take a look, then pull off your

ENGRAVED BRIDE MIRROR COMPACT Amazon.com, $78.97

PHILOSOPHY AMAZING GRACE ROLLERBALL PERFUME Sephora.com, $20

VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN CHAMPAGNE

FACE BLOTTING PAPERS Sephora.com, $8

Bride MUST-HAVES

These necessities may be small, but they will make a big difference in keeping her big day running smoothly. Being prepared for every detail will allow her to focus on what matters most: her best friend waiting at the altar.

— Kate Galambos

KIEHL’S HAIR MASK Sephora.com, $25

KODAK DISPOSABLE CAMERA WITH FLASH Amazon.com, $12.99

4 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

Bevmo.com, $63.99

CLUB ROOM HANDKERCHIEF, 3-PACK Macys.com, $12

HURRAW UNSCENTED LIP BALM Hurrawbalm.com, $3.79

INSTANT STAIN REMOVER WIPES Walgreens, $6/12 pack

Groom MUST-HAVES

Whether it’s bride and groom or groom and groom, there are a few items a man can’t be without on his big day. Imagine a wedding without fresh breath and moisturized lips — catastrophe! Luckily, most suits have well-placed pockets in which to tuck these necessary items for just when you’ll need them, like when your eyes get a little misty. Best to be prepared. Congratulations!

— Sarah Sibley

FRANMARA HUGGER CORKSCREW BevMo! $7.99

SEWING KIT Amazon.com, $6.70

SENCHA NATURALS GREEN TEA MINTS Amazon.com, $3.20 6 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

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Greenhouse registry Don’t forget to register for all of life’s special moments at Greenhouse.

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Honeymoon Destinations WRITTEN BY KATE GALAMBOS AND SARAH SIBLEY

A

fter the wedding with family and friends, continue the magic with your own private party for two. Here are some honeymoon options for the happy couple. Best part: You don’t even have to leave the state.

Doe Bay night sky © Stephen Dyberg

CAMPING NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE BASE CAMP

VINEYARD THE INN AT ABEJA, WALLA WALLA

ISLAND RESORT DOE BAY RESORT & RETREAT, ORCAS ISLAND

For those newlyweds looking for backcountry adventure without giving up a hot shower and warm bed at the end of the day, the North Cascades Institute Base Camp makes an excellent destination.

The institute is located in the heart of the North Cascades, along the crystal-clear, magic-blue shores of Diablo Lake. Base Camp is one of a variety of programs the nonprofit organization operates to meet their mission to educate and inspire people through wilderness exploration. Base Camp accommodations include access to outdoor classes like birding walks, naturalist-led hikes, and three superb homemade meals daily in addition to lodging.

For couples looking for privacy, expect to spend $230 for a double-occupancy room May through October and $200 from November to April. Best of all, you can feel good about the experience — all proceeds from Base Camp go back to operational costs for the nonprofit.

Take a step back in time as you wander the 38 acres of gardens, vines and renovated farm buildings at the Inn at Abeja, located just eight minutes outside of downtown Walla Walla. The inn is more than a place to lay your head. It is an experience. The inn is located on the same property as the Abeja winery at the foothills of the Blue Mountains, and it is also available for weddings. Each guest suite is a renovated farm building, giving visitors the utmost privacy during their stay. In addition to lodging and gourmet breakfast, wine tastings are included in the cost of accommodations. Guests have a wide array of choices when it comes to their specific lodging. From the intimate “bunk house,” which features one bedroom with a queen bed, antique clawfoot tub and kitchenette for about $400 a night during peak season, to the grand, two-story “hayloft suite” for about $600 a night.

With the pristine blue waters of the Puget Sound and the rugged beauty of the San Juan Islands as a backdrop, nature provides the perfect getaway at Doe Bay Resort & Retreat on Orcas Island. Located an hour’s ride on the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes (also accessible via air), this stunning spot is ideal for experiencing the Pacific Northwest at its best. Doe Bay offers unique spaces for relaxing, dining, pampering and entertaining. There’s yoga, massage, a secluded bathhouse with soaking tubs and a sauna that overlooks the bay, along with guided kayak tours and plenty of hiking trails.

Doe Bay Cafe, located on the property, is famous for its hyper-locally sourced menu. There are accommodations for every budget, including tent spaces (from $30), yurts, cabins and houses. Rates vary seasonally, so check the website.

ncascades.org

abeja.net/inn

doebay.com

8 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

Call to Reserve your Fairy Tale 360.676.2500

Open catering options allow your event to be as unique as you are.

URBAN ANDERSON SCHOOL, BOTHELL The McMenamins family chain is famous for transforming aging buildings into destination experiences. Anderson School, a junior high school built in 1931, provides an ideal spot for a honeymoon destination in the Seattle area. Once you arrive at Anderson School, there’s no reason to leave. Within the “school” there are restaurants, themed small bars, a brewery, movie theater, and swimming pool. The bars serve up famous McMenamins handcrafted beverages and freshly brewed beer. The North Shore Lagoon is a heated pool that stays open until 11 p.m. on the weekends. The 72 guest rooms (starting at $155 for a king) include private bathrooms, television and free WiFi. Just 20 minutes from Seattle, couples can experience all the perks of a destination without all the travel. ♥

mcmenamins.com/private-events

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Alluring Altars WRITTEN BY JENN BACHTEL

T

he vows, the kiss, that “I do� moment and beyond: These are the most significant and most photographed images of your wedding day. From steps to stone, and lights to linens, fall in love with these alluring altar ideas.

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1

A wooden altar can be easily constructed from bundled sticks, wood beams, or even bamboo, then draped in remnant linens and flowers to provide a perfect backdrop for an indoor or outdoor ceremony.

2

An existing tree at your venue can be transformed with drop, string, or fairy lights that add charm and romance to the special moment.

3

A staircase is a stunning and versatile backdrop for your first kiss as a couple. Standing atop or beneath a stairway, strewn with flower petals, lanterns, or candles, creates an enchanting stage.

2 3

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4

Enhance any natural setting with doors, open or closed, that are refinished to match your wedding décor or theme. Besides the symbolism of a new beginning, doors can provide a framework for the perfection in the nature behind you.

5

Cement pillars, draped in flowers on one side, provide an aura of old-fashioned elegance for those first moments of matrimony.

6

Set a more whimsical scene with large finished wooden rounds that can later be placed in your home’s garden, providing lasting memories of your big day.

7

Take your traditional floral altar a step further with petals and mismatched lighting that trail out to the sides, enlarging your space and producing a more elaborate look. ♥

4 5 6 7

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Sweet and Salt (And Sometimes Pepper) A Q&A WITH SALTADENA’S WEDDING CAKE BAKER WRITTEN BY HAILEY HOFFMAN | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSIE BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY

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ancy Stuart spends her days caring for her rambunctious 2-year-old and spends her nights baking away, creating birthday, graduation, and, of course, wedding cakes in her home kitchen in downtown Bellingham. Stuart, 31, worked in a Whole Foods bakery in Seattle prior to moving to Bellingham two years ago and starting her own bakery, Saltadena. Stuart, a Michigan native, named her business after her street back home, South Altadena, where she made her first cakes. She specializes in modern Swiss meringue buttercream cakes with watercolor designs, pastel colors, and floral accents.

How did you get your start? As a kid, I really did like being in the kitchen, whether it was baking cakes or all sorts of things. I was always really into art and drawing and just creating. I found the perfect thing where I could just marry them together.

What is your specialty? My stand-up flavor would be my salt-and-pepper cake, hands down. The cake itself is

12 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

chocolate, but the buttercream is salt and pepper. Every person I’ve known to try it, unless they were lying to me, was very pleasantly surprised. If you think about when you’re putting pepper on your food, it’s not like you only taste pepper.

It’s just to enhance and act as a balance, to give a little depth to it.

Do you have any cake baking disasters or especially stressful orders? I had one wedding and my daughter was up all night. She would not go to sleep, and it was an order with a bunch of cupcakes.

I really do think kids sense when you need them to be sleeping and away from you the most, and then they feed off that.

It was at the beginning of the year, so I was thinking to myself, “Is this what my season is going to be? Is she just going to terrorize me the whole time?”

What is your favorite wedding cake you’ve made? The one that always stands out to me is a cake I did in June. It had a gray layer, a teal layer, and a white layer, and I was able to work with a good friend who is a florist. It ended up being a dark-blue cake with contrasting orange

and yellow and pink flowers. It was just such a statement piece, even though the actual technique was simple. I’m really, really, really into color contrast.

It’s one of the things in life that gets me most excited.

What’s your favorite part about creating wedding cakes? I really love when I connect with people. When I’m able to meet a couple and we get along really well, and we go back and forth a lot and even sometimes talk after the wedding.

I love that so much. I can make even a little bit of an impact on someone’s life through a cake, of all things.

Do you have any advice for the bride and groom when making cake decisions? In general, with any vendor, you get what you pay for. I don’t expect everybody to understand why a cake may cost up to $10 a serving, but when you’re ordering from someone who is using higherquality ingredients and they’re taking more time working on a design, you have to realize that you’re paying the premium for premium quality. That’s really true for any vendor. ♥

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Sarah & Juan AUGUST 4, 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT PRIESTMAN PHOTOGRAPHY | WRITTEN BY LOGAN PORTTEUS

J

uan proposed to Sarah at the “Before I Die” wall in Mount Vernon, the public chalkboard where people write their goals, intentions, or feelings. “Before I die,” wrote Juan, “I want to ask Sarah to marry me.” Several years earlier, the wall was where they first wrote “I love you” to each other.

The proposal happened on the Fourth of July 2017, and was followed by a celebration with both of their families as they watched the local fireworks show. One year and one month later, they were married.

“It’s a tradition to go to that wall and write something down.

We were on opposite ends of the chalkboard,” Sarah said. “He had me walk over with my eyes closed to his side, and had me … continued on the next page

Couture Weddings 2019

15

… turn around and look at what he wrote down. When I turned around, he was down on one knee with a ring in his hand.”

Sarah and Juan met in high school through a mutual friend in Mount Vernon, where they grew up as acquaintances living only a few blocks from each other. Juan said it took several dates and attempts at making things serious before Sarah agreed to make it official.

At 22 years old, the newlyweds now live in Seattle and are beginning their careers. Juan works as a case manager at Ingraham High School, where he works with students of color on assignments and understanding course materials. Sarah is studying to get her master’s degree in public administration at the University of Washington, and intends to go into social policy to advocate for underprivileged communities.

The couple enjoys following Seattle sports, specifically the Mariners and Seahawks. In the warmer months, they spend their time hiking the Pacific Northwest. They didn’t get as 16 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

many trips in this year, though, because of their August wedding at Lairmont Manor in Bellingham.

Sarah and Juan wanted a traditional, classic wedding that still exuded romance. The wedding was initially intended to host 75 to 100 people, but after widening the circle to include invitations to their parents’ guests, the group swelled to roughly 200 people.

The Lairmont Manor is an Italian Renaissance building, and Sarah and Juan stuck to the Italian theme. The catering company worked with the venue, and the couple chose to serve chicken parmigiana, ravioli, and Italian sausage pasta.

The biggest surprise of the night was when Juan sang “Everything” by Michael Buble to Sarah in front of their loved ones. “Sarah loves that I sing to her, so I sing to her every year for our anniversary,” he said. “I had never sung in front of a big crowd to her, and so I thought what [more] perfect time to sing to her than our wedding.” ♥

DRESS CUSTOMIZED STELLA YORK, BELLE BRIDAL, BELLINGHAM

VENUE LAIRMONT MANOR, BELLINGHAM

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REAL WEDDINGS Couples tell their stories

CAMPING, VINEYARD, ISLAND OR URBAN? Washington State Honeymoon Destinations

WEDDING ALTARS Picking a Fitting Altar for Your Ceremony

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Pop-Up Wedding Venue TENTWOOD WRITTEN BY SARAH SIBLEY | PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEFF & REBECCA PHOTOGRAPHY

I

magine it. Your wedding in a rustic red barn, twinkling lights, flowers. The setting is a meadow, or a hillside, or your own backyard. It can be yours with Tentwood, a mobile pop-up barn that brings your vision of a rustic, outdoor wedding to life.

Finding a location for a wedding can be a frustrating process.

Many locations are costly, and already booked. This is exactly why Kelsey Von Stubbe created Tentwood. She had experienced this while planning her own wedding. She also saw a lack of options for couples who wanted to have an outdoor wedding with shelter in case of weather. With a background in marketing and performing arts, Von Stubbe created Tentwood in 2017.

Tentwood is a custom-made venue that, when constructed in the location of your choosing, looks like an authentic, rustic red barn. It appears to be the only business of its kind in Washington, and the structure is created from reclaimed wood, aluminum frame, wooden wall panels and aged steel roofing. For as little as $6,000, a crew will deliver and construct the barn almost anywhere in Washington. This rate includes takedown, tables and chairs, chandeliers and string lighting. For

an additional fee, you can include a stained-glass wedding arch, rustic bar cart, and reclaimed wood photo backdrop.

The barn is 1,000 square feet, has 14-foot ceilings, and can comfortably hold 100 people seated or 120 people standing.

Von Stubb recommends a minimum one acre total for venue setup, though they’ve worked with less.

Von Stubbe loves being able to connect with couples and understand their vision. “Many of my couples get married on family land. I love that every property has a story, and that I’m able to be a small part of it,” she explains. Her favorite location so far has been Ellensburg, where the barn was constructed in a large open field in a valley. As a wedding planner, she encourages her clients to lock down the venue first, take a break, “then, get back on the horse and lock in the rest of your vendor and dream team. And, don’t sweat the small stuff!”

You find the perfect location and Tentwood can deliver the venue. How’s that for a dream wedding? ♥

tentwood.com

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Kylan & David JULY 1, 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELBY PAYNE PHOTOGRAPHY | WRITTEN BY HAILEY PALMER

K

ylan and David, both 21, officially met in middle school, but said they had probably known about each other much longer than that. They went to the same Bible camps over the summer, grew up in Olympia, and became friends and started dating in high school.

Their hometown and Bible camps eventually led them to the Monte Cristo Ballroom in Everett where they tied the knot in July 2018. The ballroom has an average of more than 140 weddings every year.

David proposed at Picture Lake near Mount Baker in 2017.

He told Kylan they should go sledding that day and even bought sleds to keep her in the dark about his actual plan. He didn’t … continued on the next page

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… want her to feel the ring in his pocket at any point before the proposal, so he got creative.

“The morning of, I was frantic,” he said. “Probably five minutes before I had to go pick her up, I was trying to figure out where to put it and I had this bright idea: I’m going to put the ring in a plastic bag and tape it to the inside of my thigh.”

He used Scotch tape. The proposal went as planned, the ring stayed in place, and Kylan said yes.

“We came back into town after and he surprised me with my whole family coming up for dinner and a big engagement party with my friends,” Kylan said.

The venue they chose made everything easy for the couple.

The Monte Cristo Ballroom is an all-inclusive venue meaning almost everything was included and taken care of by the venue.

22 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

“We basically just pointed at things we liked and we didn’t ever really have to lift a finger, which was really nice. It was very, very calm which is the opposite of most weddings,” Kylan said.

For David, his first look at Kylan in her dress is a moment that stands out to him from their wedding day.

“I started crying before she even got there,” David said. “I couldn’t hold it back and when I turned around and saw her, I just lost it.”

Being surrounded by loved ones on their special day is something they said they’ll never forget.

“Everything that was centered around the wedding was very community-oriented because we’re big on family and friends,” David said. “Throughout the whole process our friends and family were very involved. It was special.” ♥

DRESS MONTE CRISTO BRIDAL

CATERING MONTE CRISTO BALLROOM

VENUE MONTE CRISTO BALLROOM

MUSIC MONTE CRISTO BALLROOM

LODGING COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SEATTLE EVERETT DOWNTOWN

HAIR LINDSEY KANDA

MAKEUP LAUREN MAE BEAUTY

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Eastmeets West A STYLED SHOOT

VENUE Woodland Meadow Farms

GROOM’S SUIT The Black Tux

PHOTOGRAPHY Lloyd Photographers

INVITATION & STATIONERY A Royal Impression

PLANNING & DESIGN Little Wedding Blush

VINTAGE RENTALS Vintage Ambiance

FLORALS Jen’s Blossoms

OTHER RENTALS Grand Event Rentals

HAIR & MAKEUP Posh-Styling

JEWELRY Everistta Bridal

CAKE Baked.

RING Green Lake Jewelry Works

HENNA COOKIES Sugar Bakery

MODEL (BRIDE) Sanya Ray

INDIAN BRIDAL LENGHA & INDIAN JEWELRY Crossover Bollywood SE

MODEL (GROOM) Michael Turner

BRIDAL GOWN La Belle Reve

RANGOLI ART Sukriti Crafts

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Samantha & Reinhard JULY 14, 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CLINTON JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY | WRITTEN BY KATE GALAMBOS

S

amantha, 27, got wedding-ready amongst the giants in the Olympic National Park, walked down the aisle and swing-danced to a live performance by Bellingham band, Polecat, all while barefoot. “I wanted to feel grounded and free. There was no time to waste teetering around in heels worrying about foot pain when we were surrounded by so many loved ones and wonderful moments,” she said. Sam and her now-husband, Reinhard Kurzen, 31, had no fuss but plenty of magic at their weekend-long wedding on Lake Crescent on the Olympic Peninsula. … continued on the next page

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… Before there was the story-book wedding, Sam and Reinhard started like many couples — through mutual friends. Sam made the first move on her 21st birthday, and by a stroke of happy luck, the two ended up snowed in together for a week. With classes cancelled at Western Washington University, where they both attended and eventually graduated from, the couple spent a week as tourists in their own town. They got to know each other over craft brews and spirits, taking advantage of Sam’s recent birthday by hitting every bar and brewery within walking distance, Sam said.

Jump ahead five years and Sam and Reinhard are out for a fancy dinner in Greece as part of a six-week backpacking trip across Europe. Surrounded by spectacular ocean views and enjoying Greek food and wine, Reinhard popped the question.

The intimate moment made a perfect memory, Sam said.

Reinhard told her he “loved her because she is smart, strong and beautiful and he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of our lives adventuring together and raising children.”

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When the two started planning their wedding, they knew they wanted something that felt like an adventure for their guests, rather than just an afternoon event. With family traveling from across the country — Sam is from Colorado and Reinhard is from California, and from even as far away as Germany, they were eager to show off their Pacific Northwest home. The wedding took place at NatureBridge, an overnight camp in the national park that focuses on youth outdoor education. Sam and Reinhard rented the entire camp and were married under the mossy trees and near the shores of deep, glacial-blue Lake Crescent. “We wanted to honor the Northwest and promote local buying,” Sam said. The wedding featured cookies from Seattle Macrina Bakery and Cafe, beer from Chuckanut Brewery, and a custom necklace for Sam made by Bellingham local, Heidi Hull. The night concluded with a late-night order of 30 pizzas from the Port Angeles Westside Pizza Company for their 130 guests. ♥

DRESS STELLA YORK, BELLEVUE BRIDAL

VENUE NATUREBRIDGE

CATERING NATUREBRIDGE

DESSERTS MACRINA BAKERY, WHOLE FOODS

MUSIC POLECAT

HAIR BEAUTY BY MORGAN

MAKEUP SAMANTHA OPPENHEIMER

Vow Renewal COUPLE FINDS STRENGTH AFTER BARRAGE OF ILLNESSES WRITTEN BY SARAH SIBLEY PHOTOGRAPHED BY IRINA SOLOVEY

K

aysie and Adam Berry have much to celebrate in their decade of being married. Together they have navigated everything that life has thrown at them. The youngest of their three children, Lincoln, battled a rare genetic skin disorder. In one year, Lincoln endured six brain surgeries. Just when they thought they were through the worst of it, Kaysie discovered she had an untreatable fibroid tumor which necessitated an emergency hysterectomy.

After additional genetic testing, Kaysie was told she had a cancer-causing gene. This diagnosis resulted a double

34 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

mastectomy and many subsequent reconstructive surgeries.

As their 10-year wedding anniversary approached, their friend, Danielle Elder, event planner and owner of Added Details, suggested a pampering photoshoot at Barnstar in Ferndale for Kaysie. Danielle orchestrated the day with the help of local photographer Irina Solovey, and several area vendors who pulled out all the stops for the Berrys.

Little did Kaysie know that Adam had more than just a photo shoot planned.

According to Adam, Kaysie thought she was just going to be a model for

the photoshoot. He decided it was the perfect time to write renewal vows and surprise her at the end of the shoot with a ceremony. And Kaysie, unbeknownst to Adam, had also decided to surprise him with her own vows.

On May 4, 2018, Kaysie enjoyed an afternoon of hair styling, make-up, and photography. At the end of the day, she was led, with her eyes closed, down a hallway. At the end of the hallway, Adam was waiting in a new suit with his three children by his side. He had turned the shoot into a wonderful gift for his wife.

They were both surprised and emotional

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when they realized they had both written renewal vows. As a result of their deep love and commitment to each other, and the help of their friend, the Berrys shared an incredibly meaningful ceremony as a family. “The first time it was exciting,” says Adam about their original wedding.

“Now, after being through 10 years, and having my children next to me, [the vows] felt real and true. The words were so much stronger. It brought us together.”

The Berrys embraced the changes and difficulties life had thrown their way and celebrated the renewal of many more years to come. ♥

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Karli & Sean JANUARY 20, 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEFAN AND AUDREY PHOTOGRAPHY | WRITTEN BY HAILEY HOFFMAN

I

n March 2017, Karli and Sean took a romantic trip south from Washington to Waco, Texas. While strolling across the expansive Waco Suspension Bridge, Sean dropped to one knee and popped the question.

Ever since they started dating, Karli and Sean had been getting together on Tuesdays to watch Fixer Upper, a HGTV show set in Waco, featuring the popular reality-show couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines. So naturally, it was the perfect proposal spot for the happy couple. … continued on the next page

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… “When Karli threw her arms around my neck, she knocked the ring out of my hands over the water. It hit the ground and was bouncing around,” Sean says. “If you look at our pictures from that, I’m excited to be in engaged, but then I’m also really nervous that this ring was going to fall into the river.” Luckily, it did not.

Seattle residents Karli and Sean met in May 2015 at a Mariners game celebrating a friend’s birthday. Sean, a life-long baseball player, was fully invested in the game until Karli walked over.

“I think I asked, ‘Who’s winning?’ or something dumb like that just to start up a conversation,” Karli says.

On January 20, 2018, while surrounded by their loved ones, Karli and Sean tied the knot at Sodo Park, an event venue in downtown Seattle. Twinkling string lights and white drapes hung from exposed wooden beams, giving the venue a cozy, rustic atmosphere.

Karli paired her elegant, sheath wedding gown with ruby earrings and a pearl “y” necklace, designed by her jeweler 38 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

sister-in-law. She carried the red tones from her earrings to her lipstick, her bouquet, and Sean’s tie. Sean donned a navy-blue two-piece suit with a rose boutonnière.

Karli and Sean surprised attendees with a choregraphed first dance to “Forever and Ever, Amen,” by Randy Travis, a gospel choir performance, and even a special order of Dick’s burgers.

“Our wedding was so focused about our friends and family,” Karli says. “We just wanted to throw them such a good party to celebrate with us.” Karli and Sean opted for an untraditional wedding guestbook — a white metal plate with “Forever and ever, amen” carved in the center that they custom-ordered from JDH Iron Designs, as seen regularly on HGTV’s Fixer Upper.

A year later, the newlyweds are settled in Spokane where Karli works as a nurse and Sean in information technology.

Their new home is by no means a “fixer upper” like the ones on the HGTV show, but there is still work to be done in the master bedroom and bath.

“We hope to add our flair and fixer upper ‘expertise’ to complete our charming house,” Sean says. ♥

DRESSES BHLDN, ANTHROPOLOGIE

JEWELER KATHRYN ELYSE FINE JEWELRY

VENUE SODO PARK

CATERING HERBAN FEAST

DESSERTS NEW SEASONS MARKET

MUSIC DJ: BRADEN LANDON

HAIR DAVID GERARD

MAKEUP JARA MOHLMAN

EVENT COORDINATION EVERY LAST DETAIL, STEPHANIE WILSON

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS DISTINCTIVE DESIGN FLORIST, ANNA BRANDT

Wedding Veils from Bellingham Have an International Presence JENNIFER LEIGH VEIL DESIGN WRITTEN BY HAILEY PALMER | PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER LEIGH VEIL

J

ennifer Leigh has always been interested in fashion and design. When her close friends were getting married in their 20s, she was the one who made all of their hair pieces, veils, and jewelry.

This eventually led to making a business out of her interests.

She and her husband, Jeff Koll, both had ideas for different business ventures when they first met. He came home one day and saw all of the pieces Leigh had made over the years, and that was when they decided to start Jennifer Leigh Veil Design in 1998.

“I had a bridal salon for several years and made all of the veils and hairpieces,” says Leigh, 49, who grew up in Kirkland.

“We would go to trade shows in New York and Chicago to buy gowns and looked at lots of the bridal accessory designers and thought, ‘We’re going to do this.’”

They sell to more than 100 retailers internationally in the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. They’ve also been featured in publications such as Vogue and as costume designers on television shows and movies.

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“One of our greatest salons we provide veiling and bridal accessories for is Mark Ingram in New York City,” Leigh says. “He and his great staff, [who are] great friends, have exclusivity to our line on all of Manhattan island.”

She says veils are still used in the majority of weddings.

Sometimes a tiara is worn instead, but it’s not as common.

Their studio is located just blocks from their home and their children’s schools in Bellingham, which Leigh says is outstanding.

She says they prefer to keep a low profile with their work and don’t mention it a lot, but that they also provide veiling and accessories for people that many have heard of. They just made a piece for New York clothing designer Kenneth Cole’s daughter.

Leigh says one of the things they love about the business is that most of their customers are mom-and-pop salons across the United States and Canada and that many of the people they do business with have become close friends. ♥

Majestic... where history meets luxury

360.299.1400 | 419 Commercial Ave, Anacortes, WA | Majesticinnandspa.com Photos by Heather Mayer Photography and Luna Anne Bridal

Venue

LISTINGS Find the perfect place for your big day, from intimate settings for small affairs to big enough for all the cousins. We include banquet halls, historic manors, and romantic seaside resorts all in one place with all the information you need to book your event. Your search begins here.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Your wedding, your way! Let Giuseppe‘s share your dream. Magnificent waterfront views, exceptional Italian cuisine, and uncompromised attention to detail, service and quality. Private room available for rehearsal dinners, intimate weddings and eceptons in a charming setting for 12 to 100 guests.

21 Bellwether Way, Bellingham Marina 360.714.8412 | www.giuseppesitalian.com

Beautiful Samson Estates Winery & Outdoor Event Pavilion (300 capacity) is surrounded by acres of lush emerald green lawn framed by flowering botanical gardens, majestic mountain ranges, an extensive berry farm & vineyard located in the scenic Nooksack River Valley, right outside of Bellingham.

Visit our Tasting Room for a tour | Available May – October Phone: 360.966.7787 x2 | Text: 310.880.4047 info@samsonestates.com | SamsonEstates.com

Your Wedding, Your Way! your home for special events

1650 Baker Creek Place, Bellingham bakercreekplace.com | 360.671.4247

44 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

At Baker Creek Place you can have your wedding your way for the most affordable price in Bellingham. From an intimate wedding to 200 guests, have your celebration in our beautifully secluded wooded setting, perfect for your “do it yourself” wedding.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

From the cozy living room with fireplace to the beautiful terrace overlooking the San Juan Islands, The Chrysalis Inn & Spa on Bellingham’s waterfront is your dream destination for intimate weddings.

With indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Squalicum Harbor, the Latitude Kitchen & Bar offers the perfect setting for your rehersal or wedding dinner. Mingle with guests over specialty cocktails and appetizers or dine under the stars.

1801 Roeder Ave., Bellingham 360.306.5668 | latituderestaurants.com

804 10th Street, Bellingham 360.756.1005 Thechrysalisinn.com

Set in the spectacular Northwest countryside, North Bellingham Golf Course is the perfect venue for your wedding. With breathtaking views of Mt. Baker to the east, stunning sunsets to the west and panoramic views of the greens, there is no better place to celebrate your special day. Off-site catering available.

205 W Smith Rd, Bellingham 360.398.8300 | northbellinghamgolf.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Transit Shed Event Center

Located beside Cap Sante Marina overlooking Fidalgo Bay, the Seafarers’ Memorial Park building is ideal for smaller weddings or your reception.

Historic Pier One overlooks the Guemes Channel providing breathtaking views and the perfect backdrop for your wedding and reception.

601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes, WA 98221 360.293.3134 | events@portofanacortes.com portofanacortes.com

100 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221 360.293.3134 | events@portofanacortes.com portofanacortes.com

© Celina Meza Photography

© Karla DeCamp Photography

Seafarers’ Memorial Park Building

5984 North Darrk Lane | 360.724.0239

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The Skagit has what you want for a unique, festive and memorable wedding celebration not too far from home. Our on-site catering staff will ensure that every detail of your function is exactly as you wish. Whether you’re planning a lavish celebration or an intimate gathering, you and your guests will enjoy our luxurious accommodations, delicious dining options, and the excitement of our fun filled casino.

© Stefan And Audrey Photography

With the earth and the sky and the water, remade, like a casket of gold For my dreams of your image that blossoms a rose in the deeps of my heart.

— William Butler Yeats 48 CoutureWeddingsMag.com

SEATTLE | BELLEVUE | SURROUNDING AREAS

REHEARSAL DINNERS • PRIVATE PARTIES • CATERING

Helping Plan Your Special Days.

Restaurant Menus, Dining Options and Offerings Throughout Seattle, Bellevue and the Surrounding Areas.

MENUSEATTLE.COM

Take turns taking turns.

The iconic design and legendary handling of a Porsche. All with enough room for five.

The hardest decision won’t be when you drive it. But rather, who gets to. Porsche.

There is no substitute.

The new Cayenne.

Sportscar Together.

Porsche Bellingham 2200 Iowa Street Bellingham, WA 98229 Tel: (360) 734-5230 www.porschebellingham.com Š2018 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.

European model shown. Some options may not be available in the U.S.