Bride's Shoes on Grass

In Seattle's summer, everyone wants an outdoor wedding ceremony. Our summers are so amazing!

One consideration is walking on grass in high heels. Yes, you can walk on your toes down the aisle so the heels don't sink into the ground but standing on your toes for even 15 minutes can be a challenge. Think "wedge-heeled" shoes for grass, "dancing shoes" for indoors. And be comfortable, as well as stylish!

Check out this need - I just posted an answer to this question on MiNeeds!

Bryan and Kari Discovered Bhy Kracke Park is a Queen Anne Hidden Treasure for Celebrating A Wedding Ceremony

Bhy Kracke offers great views --
plus it is conveniently located.

Kent and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting two wonderful mothers - Bryan's mother and Kari's mother - at the Seattle Wedding Expo.  We enjoyed each other's company.  Since our booth was right next to the dresses, we had great fun watching the young ladies find their perfect dress.

 

The park is tucked into a quiet neighborhood and looks out over Lake Union.  Kari and Bryan had the chance to share their vows on a perfect summer day.

Kari and Bryan gave roses to their mothers as a gesture of appreciation.

The park is perfectly situated for a late afternoon wedding.  The guests appreciate the shade.

MARRIED!

 

Kari and Bryan's choice of a wedding site also offered photo opportunities at nearby Kerry Park, with spectacular views of downtown Seattle.

Is there anyone happier than newlyweds?

 

Just look at the smiles on Mr. and Mrs!

 

Then, on to the Blue Ribbon Cooking School for signing the marriage certificate.

 

Yup, they're married and they have the papers to prove it!

How many people can fit into the 321 Foto Booth?  Lots!

Good food, good friends, good fun!  Everyone enjoyed themselves.

The couple cut their cake ... and then "cut a rug."  The celebration continued.

Wishing Kari and Bryan the absolute greatest marriage and years of happiness.


Wedding professionals who helped make the day included:
Blue Ribbon Cooking School 
Bhy Kracke Park 
Niki Desautels of NJD Photography
321 Foto

What I remember best about Kari and Bryan is how much joy they shared.  If you would like to celebrate your marriage with a ceremony that is filled with the happiness you have found, please give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website. 

The Great Hall at Green Lake -- Another Gem in North Seattle for Weddings

This is the view of the Ballroom facing south to Green Lake.
One of the many possible ways to situate the ceremony.

Several months ago, Kent and I were participating in a wedding show and I heard two brides talking about this "new" venue in Green Lake.  That's all I could gather from my "eavesdropping" and inquiries but I have been curious about exactly where and what the mysterious Green Lake venue is.  (We are located in this area so were keenly interested in it.)

Last week, out of the blue, Shelby Sewell of Foodz Catering and Acalia introduced me to Nelda Danz, explaining she was a co-owner and facility coordinator for The Great Hall at Green Lake!  (I love it when things like this happen.  So we quickly made arrangements to meet at the hall.)

OK ... where is it?  7220 Woodlawn Avenue NE, Seattle 98115.  It's on the same street as Rosita's (love their chile colorado) and Mockingbird Books (a children's bookstore), just a block north of Green Lake and the Green Lake Library.  It is a three-story brick building that was originally a church so it has a stately grace.  Over the last few years, it has been restored and is ready for celebrating. 

Looking from the Fireside Room to the Stage in the Ballroom

The Ballroom (2,000 square feet) is spacious and can hold up to 286 people, while contiguous Fireside Room (700 square feet) is cozy for a more intimate wedding, providing a space for any size occasion.  I loved the high ceilings, the great chandeliers, the airiness and the light.  There is also a stage, which could be used for the ceremony.  There are really a number of options possible.

The Fireside Room set for a ceremony!

There is also a comfortable "bride's room," which is also a bonus (available for a small additional fee).  

A small kitchen is available so you can bring in your catering company of choice.

To schedule your tour, contact Nelda at 206.854.6025 or at neldadanz@gmail.com.  (You'll love her as much as we did!)

And we would be delighted to officiate there!!!  Give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website.www.aheavenlyceremony.com.

John and Chris Found a Unique Place to Wed in Bonney Lake

Kent and I have often officiated in the Bonney Lake area.  Last weekend I learned about a place "new" to us but an established part of the area:  the Swiss Sportsmen's Club. 

Chris and John live nearby but they weren't aware of it either.  Thankfully, a friend, who is also a realtor, shared his find.  The couple needed a space to accommodate about 200 and to do so on a budget.  The Sportsmen's Club was perfect.

It is large enough, has its own kitchen (John's mom and friends catered the rehearsal dinner using it), a bar area (which served a beer John himself brewed), a large bride's room and plenty of parking.

Lovely Other Dragons do love to shop,
especially for shoes as cute as these!

The ceremony was poignant and touching.  John's sister, Angie, presented a reading entitled "Maybe ... " and Chris's fourth grade teacher, Nancy, read an excerpt from Edward Monkton's A Lovely Love Story.

In this very funny and cute love story, the main characters are a fierce male dragon and a lovely female dragon.

Wedding dresses can help keep the bride WARM!

Thankfully, there were some dry, but chilly moments when formal outside photographs were taken.

And, to just take in the fact that John and Chris are married!!!

I loved how the couple had so much support in making their day special:  everyone chipped in to decorate the hall, Chris's Aunt Janice handpainted signs for the cupcakes, for the piano and for the "Mr. and Mrs," plus Janice and Nancy painted all the lanterns used for the table centerpieces.  It truly was a community event.

The bride and groom decided to make their wedding memorable with food and beverage favorites:  brick oven pizza from Inferno Catering, pickles put up by John's mother as part of an antipasto plate, cupcakes from Hello Cupcake and beer (both John's brew and three selections of Rocky Coulee beer made in Chris's home town of Odessa).  The guests were all smiling.
 








So the Dragon and the Lovely Other Dragon sealed the deal with one more kiss and became Mr. and Mrs!

Wishing the two a life-time of happiness!!!

" Thank you so much for being at the wedding. We had such a great time, and in the midst of all the craziness, it wonderful to have someone as calm as you.  We had tons of compliments about you (even from people from Odessa, who are hard to impress!)"                                   

~ Chris and John

John and Chris had very good things to say about all the wedding professionals who helped make their day special.  When the wedding needed to be rescheduled because Chris's mom passed away just days before their scheduled celebration, the wedding professionals were very supportive in adjusting to the new date.  "They are such great reminders that there are still wonderful people in the world!"

Kudos to Eric Ross of ECR Photography (for letting me tag along and snap these pics).  Chris has known Eric and his family since she was young.  She used to babysit for his children!  She described him as "great," a true professional.

Jennifer Iovanne played the piano during the ceremony.  I enjoyed meeting her and Chris said she was so lucky to find her -- she is both incredibly nice and a great pianist too!

The DJ  was Chris Curtis from South Bay Sounds. John and Chris found him through a friend and they were very pleased.  They said "he plays great music for all ages and knows when to play what."


Floral arrangements were by Windmill Garden, who the couple said was amazing to work with.  Even though they had already ordered the flowers for the first wedding, they didn't charge John and Chris for them!  Very nice, indeed! 

The beer was from Rocky Coulee.  The owners' son is a good friend of John's from high school and Chris's mom was a member of the "backroom girls," who meet on Fridays for a beer, to play a few games and to enjoy some conversation.  The bride and groom have reserved some of their wedding "pint" glasses to contribute to the group as a tribute to Chris's mom.


Once you have found your perfect den to celebrate your Dragon and Other Lovely Dragon wedding, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website.