From the Bride:

The inspiration for the day was based on the interests we have within our relationship. We are very inspired by nature so we loved the idea of highlighting aspects of wild and untamed nature, as seen in the floral arrangements, decorations, and in our venue choice. We are also inspired by simplicity and touch of the hand so all of the decorations were made by us and our closest friends.

We decided that on our wedding day we wanted to walk down the aisle together instead of the more traditional procession of the bride and father. For this reason, our favorite moment was holding hands walking down the aisle and looking around at all of our closest family and friends smiling back at us. Our processional song was ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles.

Some of our favorite details from the day: we brewed our own beer as the take away gift for our guests + had guests sign our favorite books as our “guest book” so that we could rediscover their lovely messages throughout our life together.

Three pieces of wisdom:
1. Choose which traditions are important to you and which aren’t. Part of making the day your own is to be truthful to who you are. No pressure, just think about what feels right.
2. Take time before your big day to relax. On the morning of our wedding we decided to participate in our every day yoga practice just the two of us and looking back, this time together was exactly what we needed.
3. Don’t stress – you’re marrying your best friend, what could be better?

Photography: Maharaj Photography / Venue: The Dragonfly Retreat Bothell, Washington / Floral Design + Hairpieces: Marigold and Mint / Wedding Dress: Alhambra, a small women’s boutique in Seattle / Shoes: Madewell / Groom Suit: J.Crew / Paper Goods: friend of couple, Jeremy Sanford / Catering + Pies: Portage Bay Cafe

From the Bride…

How did you meet?
My husband, Jesse, visited Walla Walla to see his best friend who was attending college here. His friend was attending my father’s church and brought Jesse with him one Sunday. Jesse really loved the church and decided to move here. To make a long story short, three years later he noticed the pastor’s daughter 🙂 We dated for five years and got married this last September!

The proposal:
A good friend of mine called me last April and asked if I wanted to go on a girls shopping trip in Spokane, WA for the weekend. It was the week of my birthday and I had a sneaking suspicious that I might get proposed to around my birthday. So I asked Jesse if this shopping weekend would ruin any of his plans and he hesitantly said no. So I told my friend I would love to go and we were on our way. We arrived at our hotel, put our luggage in the room and proceeded to have a day full of shopping. Towards the evening we were exhausted and very hungry, so she suggested we go back to the hotel and change and go somewhere nice for dinner. When we got to the hotel, there was a garment bag laying on my bed with a beautiful new dress in it and a note saying “Put on your new dress and be downstairs at 6.” It was not signed but I recognized Jesse’s handwriting and realized what was happening. He had planned the whole weekend! When I went downstairs there was a limo waiting who drove my friend and I to an outdoor convention center. Jesse was waiting on a dock that was outlined with white lights and covered in rose petals. We laughed, cried, danced, and I said Yes!

Inspiration for the Wedding:
No one in my family had ever had an outdoor wedding and I always thought they were beautiful. Much of my inspiration was sparked from Pinterest ideas. I would see something I liked and try to make it original and my own.

Any wedding planning tips?
Start planning right away! You think you have time but time truly flies. You cannot possibly imagine every little detail that is involved in a wedding so make a budget, look for great deals and sales, be original and have a blast!

Photographer: Wilton Photography / Reception Venue: Creekstone Gardens / Cake Designer: Frosted Cupcake Shop / Favors and Gifts: LCI Paper Company / Bride’s Dress: from Treasures Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden / Bridesmaid Dresses: Liketwice / Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Men’s Warehouse / Floral Designer: Picture Perfect / DJ: Red Carpet Entertainment / Design and Decor: Shutterfly /Event Planner: Without a Hitch {Weddings + Events} / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

From the Bride…

Proposal Story:
Austin proposed to me on December 23^rd, 2012. Christmas was approaching and (before getting married) we traveled to be with our families, so we would always do our own celebration a few days ahead of time. When Austin asked me to hang out with him on his day off and exchange Christmas presents I didn’t think twice. We went down to a restaurant on the waterfront and had a beautiful dinner watching the ferryboats come in and out. He handed me a very touching letter (I thought it was my Christmas card) which showered me with compliments and many thoughtful commitments. After dinner I asked if we could ride the ferry for fun and he agreed so we set out to the terminal. As we were walking I realized we had passed the terminal and were heading for the beach. It was a cold wintery night so I did not like this and tried to turn us around many times. We then got to where the lighthouse entrance was and he opened the gate to let me in. I was beyond confused. I asked if we were going inside and he said yes. He then took my hand and led me up the tower. The stairs were covered with roses and pictures of us through the years. At the top I looked out over the water and saw the ferries and fireworks started going off (yes, fireworks!) He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was the happiest girl on earth. Then he rushed me down the tower. I was confused as to why we weren’t hangout out at the top longer. We reached the bottom of the stairs where I was surprised with a room full of our families and friends waiting to celebrate with us. It was a magical night.

Wedding Day Inspiration:
I searched for a lot of inspiration on Pinterest but ultimately decided to let my venue influence the day the most. I think people can get too lost with all the cutesy Pinterest ideas. Don’t get me wrong, I love Pinterest but I think it’s easy to go too far with too many crafts and it can become a hodge podge of ideas. We got married at Hidden Meadows in Snohomish, WA. It was a beautiful farm with so much natural beauty. I didn’t want my decor to take away from it so I went the simple route. Nothing was overdone. I did the decor myself or bought it locally. For example, all of my flowers were from a farm down the road. Even my wedding dress was from a local dress shop in Seattle. It was lace with a single flower on the side. I was on a farm, It was inappropriate to show up in a giant ball gown. I wanted my guests to come and enjoy the beauty of the northwest that I grew up in. Simple and natural were the motto of the day!

Most memorable moment?
That is a tough one. The whole day was filled with moments I will treasure forever. Can I have two? Aside from the first look that was filled with so much anticipation and excitement, there was a quieter moment later in the day. Right when the party at the reception was at full blast, we snuck off to a field for sunset pictures. We were out there with our photographers and videographer but it felt like it was just us. Just walking in the field “alone” was so special. We were taking in the breathtaking sunset for the first time as a married couple in the still quiet valley. We held hands and just had fun literally frolicking in the field. What could be better!?

I know I’m cheating but I have to give one more. It was just as we were all about to walk down the aisle. Austin was at the front of the line and two butterflies flew up to him. He put his hand out and they danced right on top. They stayed with the bridal party until just before I was about to walk down the aisle. They flew down the aisle and stayed by the alter (I like to think they were waiting for me). They stayed there the entire ceremony. Both my father and Austin’s father have passed away. I took it as a sign. One being, butterflies symbolize new beginnings. And secondly I know our dads were watching us that day.

Photographer: Genesa Richards Photography / Venue: Hidden Meadows / Flowers: Loi and Chen’s Flower Farm in Snohomish, WA (often at Pike Place Market) / Dress + Veil: Cicada Bridal / Hair: Gene Juarez / Jewelry: Som’s Studio (etsy) / Garter Set: Lucy Bridal Boutique (etsy) / Skeleton Keys: Favor Warehouse / Toasting Flutes: Things Remembered / Cake: Megan Christenson / Catering: Trails End Catering / Videographer: Eric Miller Video / DJ: Levi Harshmann of Remarkable Production

Photography: Captured by Corrin / Second Shooter: Brides Mom  / Venue: Stonehenge Memorial / Bride’s Dress: Cache / Bride’s Shawl and Headpieces: Juniper Canyon Designs / Tuxedo and Men’s Attire: Banana Republic / Floral: Kris O’Grady of A Bushel And A Peck

Photography: Mo Hines Photography / Venue: Fireseed Catering and Event Gardens / Floral: FarmHouse Flowers / DJ: Disco Royale DJ

The Proposal Story (From the Bride):

Luke had just gotten a raise at work. He asked me out for a nice dinner to “celebrate his raise” and then afterwards we were going to go over to some friends’ house for dessert. I had wanted him to come over earlier in the day so we had some extra time to hang out because I hadn’t seen him very much, and he kept saying he could only come over a half hour early or something, and I couldn’t see what else he possibly had planned that day. Anyway, he finally made it over to my house and we hung out for a bit. During this time I wanted to look at engagement rings with him some more (I knew we were planning on getting engaged at some point, but thought it was at least a few months away). He kept asking me all these questions about the different rings and pretending to be all interested. We went to dinner at this nice Italian restaurant, and I thought he was acting a little funny – being extra nice all night. I sort of wondered if he was proposing, but I knew he wouldn’t do it in a public restaurant, and we were going to see our friends after, so I put it out of my mind.

During dinner, he got a text (a fake text!) from our friends saying they were going out and would be a little late. So on the way home Luke suggested we stop at this park by his work, because it was on the way and we could walk around. It was a really cute little spot, there’s a bridge that goes over a lake and into a forested walkway. We walked along the path and he went ahead of me and was like “hold on” and fiddled with something. I was confused but didn’t really think about it. It turned out he was fiddling with a string of lights, and then they all lit up and there were Christmas lights in the trees which illuminated a little table set up nearby. I think I was in denial or something, because I still totally didn’t get it – I was just like, “oh, that’s really pretty!” then he started talking to me and saying all these sweet things, and all I could think was “If I get super excited right now and he’s not proposing, he’s going to think I’m really weird, so I have to keep a straight face.” FINALLY he got down on one knee so I knew it was happening, and asked me to marry him!

Most Memorable Wedding Day Moment:

I think there are two. Luke and I wrote each letters that his dad (who was officiating) read during the ceremony. It was really special and probably my favorite part of the ceremony, because it made it so personal. Second was during the reception, Luke and his brother and some friends played live music, which was incredibly fun, and they got really into it and did a great job!

Photography: Travis Lawton Photography / Venue: Private Residence (Centralia, WA) / Floral: Friend of the Family / Rentals: Special Event Rentals / Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal / Bridesmaid Dresses: Modcloth + Torrid