Waterfront Sequin and Driftwood Seattle Real Wedding

Inspired by the sea, Katie and Nate had the most magnificent wedding at Seattle's World Trade Center. Love, laughter, stunning decor, and waterfront views made it an event to remember. Sequins, air plants, and driftwood were hard for me to picture together at first, but after you see how they were tied together in this wedding, we promise you will adore the combination as much as we do. 

Photographed to dreamy perfection by B. Jones Photography and coordinated flawlessly by Wishes! Wedding Coordination, this wedding embraces a nautical theme in a way we have never seen and won't soon forget. 

CEREMONY

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Katie and Nate exchanged vows in the same room where their reception would be held later that evening. The Holland America Line Room in the Seattle World Trade Center features floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a sweeping view of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains - the most perfect backdrop to this sweet couple's I Do's. 

RECEPTION

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From the navy and silver color scheme to the perfectly planned decor details, this reception was jaw-dropping. Guests were greeted by oyster shell place cards with hand-written names scrawled across the insides in navy ink. Blown-glass balls tied with weathered rope and acrylic signs paired with several different kinds of air plants and driftwood adorned the tables, coming together in simple elegance. In addition to their wedding cake, a donut wall kept guests happy all night long!

Photographer: B. Jones Photography

Event Planner: Wishes! Wedding Coordination

Reception Venue: World Trade Center Seattle

Floral Designer: Bella Fiori

Cake Designer: Honey Crumb Cake Studio

Doughnut Bakery: Top Pot Doughnuts

Dress Store: Nordstroms Wedding

Officiant: Seattle Wedding Officiants

DJ: DJ Headsmile

Hair Stylist: Posh Styling

Dinner Boxes: The Cute and Easy Rehearsal Dinner Alternative

Weddings are stressful. There’s no denying it takes a lot of effort to pull one off, no matter how many people you have helping out. All you want to do is sit down and relax with your family and friends and chill. Especially the night before. You want to have a calm evening before your wedding day. The last thing you need is a big, fancy dinner party after the rehearsal adding to your stress levels.

You’d rather relax in the grass at a park with a picnic basket and a bottle of wine, right? Well, you can easily do just that with these awesome dinner boxes. Fill them with your favorite picnic foods a day or two before and they will still be delicious by the rehearsal dinner.

Source: Gourmet Picnic Dinner Box, 'Let's Picnic!' Rehearsal Dinner Boxes

The Food

Of course, typical picnic foods are best, because they tend to last longer out of a refrigerator. You can throw these items together up to a couple of days before the dinner and store in the fridge in small containers or you can fill the boxes themselves and store those in the fridge for an even easier dinner.

For sides, think light and refreshing foods:

• Crackers
• Cherries
• Berries
• Grapes
• Applesauce cups
• Sliced veggies
• Potato chips 
• Watermelon cucumber salad
• Salad on a skewer 

Souce: Fruit Salad, Watermelon Cucumber Salad

For the main course, you’ll want something easy to eat, prepare, and store:

• Smoked meats and cheese
• Finger sandwiches
• Wraps
• Grilled chicken salad

Source: Caprese Sandwiches, Chicken Salad

Don’t forget dessert! Again, something easy to store and eat is ideal:

• Cookies
• Brownies
• Cake
• Cheesecake
• Gummy candies

Source: Chocolate Cherry Cookies, Cheesecake

The best thing about all of these dishes? They are so easy. Not to mention they are sure to impress your guests and, depending on your packaging, there is net to no clean up required!

The Drinks

Drinks can be served from a glass pitcher or in personalized cups with lids or even mason jars with cute, custom labels. If it’s a warm day, you’ll just need to make sure you have ice available.

• Lemonade
• Cocktails
• Punch
• Wine
• Beer

Source: Stadium Cup, Mason Jar, Lemonade

Get Fancy, the Easy Way

A simple way to wow your guests (other than with these fun personalized boxes and delicious, effortless dinners) is to pick the perfect drinks to complement your food.

Dish: Smoked meat (such as summer sausage) and hard cheeses

Wine: A medium-sweet Rosé with hints of berries and a marked acidity

Beer: Kolsch

Dish: Grilled chicken salad or wrap

Wine: A Chardonnay with strong nectarine and white peach flavors or a rich Pinot Gris

Beer: Hefeweizen (or a wheat beer)

Dish: Caprese sandwiches

Wine: a crisp Verdicchio or a dry Rosé

Beer: A light lager

Dish: Berries/fruit salads

Wine: Moscato d’Asti

Beer: Kolsch or a Belgian Wheat Ale

Dish: Fresh vegetables

Wine: A California Cabernet or a Malbec

Beer: A Pale Ale

Dessert: Chocolate-based

Wine: Port or Pinot Noir or Shiraz

Beer: A Stout, particularly an Imperial Stout

Source: Wine Pairing

You can set out display cards next to each food dish recommending a specific drink if you’re serving multiples of both. You could even have a “his and hers” drink choice for each dish to give your guests multiple options for pairings.

Don’t forget the utensils and personalized napkins!

Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.

Easy & Affordable Wedding Favor Ideas You'll Fall For

If you’re having a wedding this Fall, it’s time to be thinking about favors! There are always tons of options for wedding favors; it can be overwhelming to decide what to give your guests. Thank yous are important, and you want your loved ones to remember your wedding day for a long time, so what can you give them to make sure that happens?

It may make your decision a little easier if you narrow it down by the season. Here are some great ideas for Fall wedding favors you can personalize.

Food 

Maybe one of the best things about Fall is the food. Pumpkin pie or bread, candy corn, s'mores, squash, pecan brittle, and everything apples – raw, roasted, pie, candied, caramel, cider – this list could go on forever. There are so many rich, savory foods this time of year, and many people will want to incorporate them into their wedding somehow. Fortunately, food favors are usually a big hit, especially if they're homemade!

Source: Honey, Maple Syrup

The food itself might not last very long as a favor, but the personalized container you give it in could! Check out these awesome gift boxes.

Source: Candy Boxes, Leaf Boxes, Cupcake Boxes, Jars, Pie Boxes

Drinks 

Because the temperatures are dropping, it's probably a good idea to provide something warm for your guests to drink. Apple cider is a must for fall weddings, along with hot chocolate and maybe even a pumpkin beer. If you home-brew, this is an excellent time to show off your homemade cider! But what good is a drink without a cup or a beer without a bottle opener?

Source: Stadium Cups, Frosted Cups, Pumpkin Opener, Leaf Opener

And don't forget the bottle stoppers!

Source: Pumpkin Stopper, Leaf Stopper

Candles

Speaking of keeping warm – most of us enjoy a good bonfire on a fall evening, or a cozy fire in a fireplace indoors in the winter. Not everyone can have a fire, though, so they rely on candles for that warm glow. These candle tins can be personalized with your names, wedding date, colors, and more. Don't forget to include a box of matches, too!

Source: Candles, Matchbox

Placecard Holders
One way to stick to your budget is to use things that have a dual purpose  -- but they don't have to look like they're budget friendly! These picture frames, bells, and pumpkins are super cute ways to help guests find their seats and serve as a useful favor.

Source: Picture Frame, Leaf Bell Holder, Mini Pumpkins

Gift Bags 

You can’t forget something for your guests to carry their favors in! If you need ideas for how to personalize your favor bags or boxes, look here.

Source: Burlap Bag, Paper Bag

Now it's your turn to do us a favor and share what you gave your Fall wedding guests!

 

Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.