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I DO...ISLAND STYLE Discover the best wedding venues, photographers, and florists in the San Juans.
The extensive grounds at Roche Harbor offer a plethora of backdrops, creating unique opportunities to pose with bridal parties and loved ones. Below, Saltwater Farm’s beautifully designed ceremony site sits at the edge of the property’s ridge overlooking the mountains and ocean.
photo parsons sara
I Do... Island Style Top wedding venues, photographers & florists in the San Juans.
By MIKAELA JUDD
SWEEPING GRASSLANDS. OLD-GROWTH FORESTS.
Rocky shorelines. e San Juan Islands are enchanting. Like a moment out of time, they seem to be almost untouched. e clean air. e 220 days with sunshine. e stunning views.
It’s what makes the San Juans the ideal wedding destination for couples with adventurous souls. e following outlines some of the best wedding venues, florists, and photographers — all home based in the San Juan Islands. Whether you’re eloping, want an intimate gathering or are planning a soiree for the whole crew, there’s magic to be found in the San Juans.
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Small touches, like a hammock thoughtfully hung by the water, make Pebble Cove Farm a wedding destination full of wonder. Sweet moments spent on the balcony of a Water Edge suite at Outlook Inn are exquisite.
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photo curcio satya Roche Harbor Resort At the northern edge of San Juan Island, tucked along 12 miles of glistening coastline, Roche Harbor Resort elevates old-world elegance with first-class amenities. More than 130-years-old, the 4,000-acre estate is steeped in history and surrounded by lush gardens. It offers a wide range of hotel rooms, cottages, and rental homes, providing lodging options for parties both large and small. Plus, many of the island’s top excursions depart from its docks, allowing adventurous couples to add some untraditional fun to their wedding getaway.
Saltwater Farm Just outside of Friday Harbor, and less than a two-minute drive from the Friday Harbor Airport, is the newly-established and sustainably-conscious Saltwater Farm. is idyllic retreat grew out of a dream and a love for the land. e 162-acre property has been carefully crafted to offer couples a chance to spend a long weekend with loved ones, celebrate their big day, and preserve nature — all with a carbon negative footprint. Nestled along a ridge, the property can accommodate up to 40 overnight guests and parties of up to 249. Guests are treated to breathtaking views of the Salish Sea and the Olympic Mountains. Plus, the property is a budding animal rescue that’s currently home to a family of rescue goats, chickens, and a new puppy.
Outlook Inn In the heart of Eastsound, Orcas Island’s quirky downtown, Outlook Inn rests perched beside the waters of Fishing Bay. Not quite big enough to be a resort and not quite small enough to be a Bed and Breakfast, the captivating destination was first founded in 1888. Refined and updated over the years, echoes of its historical charm can be felt in the handcrafted objects that grace its interior. In addition to its beachfront access, the inn features a full acre of flowers and trees in Sara’s Garden.
Pebble Cove For couples who love animals, you-pick organic gardens, bonfires, and kayaking, Pebble Cove Farm is a slice of paradise. e four-acre estate butts up against the water’s edge, offering private beach access to guests. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent. A vegan animal sanctuary, it’s home to a wide range of rescued animals, including a pony named Hank and two mini Juliana pigs. Five on-site accommodations are available, allowing the wedding party to home base at the farm for the weekend while guests visit for everything from rehearsal dinners to post-nuptial Sunday brunch. Pebble Cove Farm’s rustic elegance will make your unique wedding truly unforgettable.
Robin’s Nest Located in Friday Harbor, Robin’s Nest is one of the oldest florists on San Juan Island. Specializing in intimate weddings and special occasion bouquets, owner and florist designer Robin Zemek leaves no detail overlooked.
Petal Hill Originally a wedding cake designer, Jami Plummer wanted out of the kitchen and into the garden. Turning her front yard into flowerbeds, she began creating seasonal bouquets for local businesses, special occasions, and weddings. Her whimsical bouquets are heavily influenced by Orcas Island, where her flower studio and garden are located.
Camas Designs Erin Shackelford, founder of Camas Designs on San Juan Island, harnesses the simplicity and elegance of nature to create stunning floral displays. Specializing in weddings and events, she creates everything from whimsical bouquets and centerpieces to grand archways and flower arbors. Sourcing many of her flowers locally, Erin will often weave in a few final touches from her own cutting garden.
Nest Flowers Cindy Morgan has been a florist since she was a little girl running into her mother’s garden to create arrangements for the kitchen table. In 2004, she founded Nest Flowers on Orcas Island. What began as a small operation blossomed over the years allowing Cindy to expand her love for creative designs into everything from large installations to simple bouquets.
Apotheca Designs e whimsical
nature of Kara Navradszky’s artistic flower displays often feels as though it should be art. (She doubles as a living jewelry artist, creating stunning wearable arrangements on rings, necklaces, and headpieces.) From flowing bridal bouquets to enchanting tablescapes and large living walls, Kara’s eye for natural beauty seems to echo the very essence of love.
Flowers by Apotheca Designs. Nest Flowers by Heather Saunders.
Camas Designs flowers.
Robin’s Nest flowers.
Flowers by Petal Hills.
Specializing in connecting people with unique coastal properties in British Columbia. Put over 40 years of combined experience in coastal real estate to work for you!
Ed Handja Personal Real Estate Corporation 250.287.0011 edhandja@bcoceanfront.com
Shelley McKay Personal Real Estate Corporation 250.830.4435 shelleymckay@bcoceanfront.com
Sara Parsons uses a slight breeze to add a touch of mystique to this beautiful couple.
Kim Bamberg capitalizes on the sweeping landscape to give this new couple a moment alone that’s captured without intruding. Left, Satya Curcio uses the speckled sunlight in a lush forest to illuminate this sweet embrace.
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Satya Curcio Photography Based on Orcas
Island, Satya Curcio’s use of natural light allows her to capture realistic snapshots brimming with emotion. Using the natural beauty of lush forest beds, rocky cliffs, and sweeping views, Sara preserves couples and their story. She has a nimble eye for highlighting the mood of an event while making the day easy and seamless. Sara Parsons Photography Light and airy,
Sara Parsons captures moments with an ethereal eye. Her focus on the little details and her use of movement creates images that feel as though they are alive. A San Juan Island local, she understands how to capitalize on the best lookouts and time sunset photos, while adding a dose of fun that makes taking pictures feel effortless.
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La Vie Photography Vibrant and full of life, Kim Bamberg catches love with an enchanting focus on color. Her use of natural structures creates a sense of closeness. Finding the seconds that make a lifetime, Kim allows you to stay immersed in the day by providing just enough direction to make getting a great shot a breeze. Plus, she offers overhead drone footage for those who want a bird’s-eye view of their big day.