Wear What When

New! WithinSodo

New ceremony and reception venue hosts open house with Lisa Dupar Catering, Choice Linens, and Pedersen’s Rentals.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Aug 03, 2011 at 06:45AM 0 Comments

WithinSodo is, yes, within the Sodo neighborhood. You’re invited to an open house there on Thursday August 11. Click the slideshow button for a view of the space’s interior.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Within, and inside, Sodo. The space, which has retained all its earthy old bones through owner Ben Abrams’ gentle remodel, doubles as an art gallery, and its former life as a metal shop and warehouse make it industrio-modern and very cool. Locally made upcycled lighting by design duo Graypants adds to the vibe.

For some, the wedding-planning notion that it’s “all about the dress” is an absolute truth. For others, though, it’s definitely all about inventive, seasonal, Northwest cuisine. And I’d say that the venue is on equal footing with those big two. Location, location, location, right?

If your celebration plans are all about the ceremony and reception space—and especially if you haven’t found one yet—consider stopping by an open house at a brand new spot called WithinSodo. You’re invited to check out the 6,000 sq ft indoor/outdoor industrio-modern space at 2916 Utah Ave S on Thursday, August 11 between 5:30 to 8.

And if it’s all about that delicious meal, check this out too: Lisa Dupar Catering is co-hosting the fete along with Choice Linens and Pedersen’s Rentals. (Hey, maybe for you it’s all about the decor.) Consider it an opportunity to be inspired by materials, architecture, and some top wedding vendors, regardless of where you are in your planning process.

And if it is indeed all about the dress, you should also know this: Luly Yang Couture is currently hosting a sample sale. Past season gowns have been marked down to make way for new collections; discounts will last only as long as the merchandise does. So get to it.

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Tags: Seattle Wedding Catering, Seattle Wedding Details, Seattle Wedding Venues, Seattle Reception Venues, Seattle Ceremony Venue

Open House: University of Washington Botanic Gardens

Join dozens of vendors for an inside look at the Botanic Gardens and Center for Urban Horticulture at UW.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jul 13, 2011 at 08:30PM 0 Comments

Photo: Sean Flanigan

A wedding at the Botanic Gardens, styled by Seattle Met Bride & Groom contributor Plume Wedding Concepts. See the Gardens for yourself on July 21.

Where: Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St (Near U Village) See uwbotanicgardens.org for directions; free parking at the Knoll (take Clark Street off of Mary Gates Way, to Franklin) and at the main CUH lot (at 36th and 41st)

What: If you’re thinking of a celebration aimed at evoking natural, organic beauty and a studied, reverential love of the great outdoors, you owe it to yourself (not to mention your guests) to consider UW’s Botanic Gardens at the Center for Urban Horticulture.

Tour the event lawns, outdoor patios, large hall and classrooms of the Center with its experts, and get valuable face time with almost 50 top wedding and event vendors. (A short list: Herban Feast, Jewel Hospitality, Dani Weiss Photography, Wavelink Music.) Get a feel for what the Gardens are like in any season, with any theme, with any set of flavors.

When: Thursday July 21 from 3 to 7; call 206‐221‐2500 and leave your name and number in your party, or email the same to uwbgfac @ uw.edu

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Tags: Seattle Wedding Venues, Seattle Reception Venues, Seattle Ceremony Venue

New! The Cellar

Venue hunting? You’re invited to experience a new private event space in Ballard, and a gallery for good times in Greenwood.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jul 13, 2011 at 08:30AM 0 Comments

Slideshow: A sneak peek at The Cellar, a new private event space in Ballard.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Slideshow: A sneak peek at The Cellar, a new private event space in Ballard.

View Slideshow » Illustration: View Slideshow » Illustration:

Where: 4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle 98107; underneath Staple and Fancy, et al

What: The space is called The Cellar, and when I first saw it early this spring, it put me in the mind of The Sopranos. But only, if say, the mafia was actually a bunch of sopranos and baritones—like, operatic nobility. It feels like the historical hideout of some Prohibition-era character. The subterranean thing makes it wonderfully clandestine; the raw wood and worn-in industrial elements give it a natural warmth. Considering it’s spatial relationship to the ultracool restaurants above it, and the influential design businesses above them, the Cellar’s look and feel is no surprise.

By both necessity—it’s small, roughly the size of the average Seattle living room-plus-dining room “great room” area—and mood, The Cellar is a space for small, intimate gatherings. You could host one heck of a rehearsal dinner there, groomsmen could throw their groom a sophisticated celebration, or, if you’re one of the growing number of couples considering a small, inner circle-only wedding, the Cellar needs to be seen.

When: Monday, July 18 from 7 to 9. You must RSVP to elise @ urbanlightstudios.com or call 206-708-7281 to reserve your spot.

In a kind of two-for-one venue bonanza, you’re also invited to truck over to the one-of-a-kind celebration location Urban Light Studios after you see the Cellar. Bigger, quirkily cinematic, and quite unlike most other spaces in town, Urban Light is at 8537 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle. A champagne open house follows the one in Ballard from 8 to 10 on the 18th. I’m told you don’t need to RSVP to swing by the second half of the party.

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Tags: Seattle Wedding Details, Seattle Wedding Venues, Seattle Reception Venues, Seattle Ceremony Venue

New: Crinoline and Tweed

Owners of beloved Ballard shops Clover and Velouria team up for local weddings.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jun 22, 2011 at 07:45AM 0 Comments

Photo: Crinoline & Tweed

SLIDESHOW: Crinoline & Tweed, a new event design team by the owners of Velouria and Clover in Ballard. Here, a collaboration with Tallant House Bakery, Trophy Cupcakes, Clara French Ceramics, and Bella Cupcake Couture shows of a lush cheery spring color story. We stiched up throw pillows, a rose table runner and cloth napkins to bring our custom touch to the table design.

View Slideshow » Photo: Crinoline & Tweed

SLIDESHOW: Crinoline & Tweed, a new event design team by the owners of Velouria and Clover in Ballard. Here, a collaboration with Tallant House Bakery, Trophy Cupcakes, Clara French Ceramics, and Bella Cupcake Couture shows of a lush cheery spring color story. We stiched up throw pillows, a rose table runner and cloth napkins to bring our custom touch to the table design.

View Slideshow » Photo: Crinoline & Tweed

Of course, de Luna and Furstenberg style brides, not just tabletops. Here they worked with Tiffany Lowry of Tiffany Colors and hair accessory pro Violet Magpie for a classic but contemporary look.

When Tes de Luna (who happens to own Velouria in Ballard) married Jason Hughes (who happens to own Sonic Boom, also in Ballard), she made the decision to make just about every single wedding element herself. She’s a clothing designer with a sweetly merchandised and curated boutique (two, actually, at that time. One has since closed.) full of handmade fashions, so while that’s not surprising, one does get a little anxious and tired out on the small business owner’s behalf just hearing about.

And yes, she did end up sort of regretting her decision.

Which is, in part, why Crinoline & Tweed was launched. De Luna teamed up with another Ballard business owner, Sarah Furstenberg from Clover, to offer DIY-minded brides and grooms a way out of overwhelming situations. The new event designers and bridal fashion consultants say they’re here for couples who have lots of ideas and want to be involved in the look and feel of their big day, but know better than to take the whole thing on themselves.

Furstenberg and de Luna both have art backgrounds and each has seven years of experience creating environments that feel special—and both shop owners love the new opportunity to dream up color stories, craft graphic elements, and see a mood and vision come to life—but it might be their sourcing capabilities that really set them apart.

Velouria, let’s remember, is stocked by dozens of do-it-themselves’ers who have no problem zipping up silks and satins, leathers and tweeds, vintage cottons and random found elements. It’s what they do. And many have or have access to interesting tools, methods, and procedures.

Take for example local artisan Amy Bengtson, who uses a laser cutter for her jewelry designs. De Luna and Furstenberg have employed her to use that tool and those skills to create various decor elements for events. Recently, Bengston used a graphic from the invitations and printed elements to do create a coordinating cake topper.

Take a look at the short slideshow here for more examples of the event consultants’ projects, and check out the Crinoline & Tweed blog (a placeholder for a more permanent website that is in the works) for more on the farm-, vintage-, and constellation-themed events that are in the works for their summer clients.

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Tags: Seattle Wedding Details, Seattle Reception Venues, Seattle DIY

Vera Wang, Red Velvet Wedding Cake, Killer App(etizers)s, and More

A local author asks, “How will you build something beautiful together?” and that’s just the beginning.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Mar 16, 2011 at 07:00AM 1 Comments

Perfect for someone else’s wedding — or your own? A LulaKate dress marked way down at Bella Bridesmaid.

Where: Bella Bridesmaid

What: For the first time since opening its doors in November of ‘09, the Belltown bridesmaid dress shop is hosting a sample sale. Party dresses from Amsale, Dessy, LulaKate, Queue, and Swoon are up to 50 percent off, and while you can’t necessarily outfit a whole party at the sale (in most cases, just one of each style is available, and the range of colors is limited), you might find just the thing for a pre-wedding party or someone else’s big day.

When: Now. The sale started yesterday—Tuesday, March 15—and continues as long as merchandise does. For the best selection and service, call the shop for an appointment.

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Where: Marcella’s La Boutique

What: A Vera Wang trunk show; the iconic wedding gown designer’s current season frocks in a second story, storybook wedding boutique.

When: Thursday, March 17 through Saturday, March 19. Call 206-264-0700 to make an appointment; space is limited.

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Where: Simplicity Decor in Kirkland

What: Seattle author Dan Zander is a numbers guy. His first book, 5, asked readers to consider where they’ll be in five years. His next, 1, wondered how many people are necessary to make a change. His new book, 2 ought to appeal to those of you on your way down a certain kind of aisle. Says Zander, ‘Life is meant to be shared. If you have found love, you have been given one of life’s greatest gifts.’ He’ll be signing volumes — which you might consider giving as a gift to moms, maids, or mates, or keeping as a reminder of what all the planning and budgeting is for — at the lifestyle and decor shop in Kirkland.

When: Saturday, March 19 from noon to 2

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Where: Knows Perfume

What: Baked, a new special occasion custom cake-baking shop in West Seattle is celebrating its foray into Seattle weddings and events with a Marie Antoinette-inspired cake tasting inside the neighborhood’s sweetest smelling boutique. Sample lavishly decorated red velvet, lavender, dark chocolate, and more while sipping Champagne and contemplating your own dessert spread.

When: Saturday, April 2 from 6 to 9. RSVP by sending a note to baked.seattle@gmail.com or calling 206-307-4847

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Where: Herban Feast’s SoDo Park

What: Sample the food and meet the faces that make this one of the most celebrated celebration locations in Seattle. The new season’s menu offerings are on offer, and you’ll have a chance to see the brand new Herban Design Studio to boot.

When: Wednesday, April 6 from 5 to 8

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Tags: Home Decor, Seattle Real Weddings, Seattle Wedding Details, Seattle Reception Venues, Seattle Wedding Cake, Seattle Vera Wang

Real Wedding: Surprise Ceremony at Staple and Fancy

Warning: This may very well be one of the most sweet, romantic things you’ve ever encountered.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Mar 09, 2011 at 06:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

Slideshow: Meet the West Seattle couple who ditched sweet anticipation for all-out surprise when they through the ultimate curveball wedding at Staple & Fancy.

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

Slideshow: Meet the West Seattle couple who ditched sweet anticipation for all-out surprise when they through the ultimate curveball wedding at Staple & Fancy.

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

WWW: Tell us about the moment you decided to throw a surprise celebration.
Meg: We planned on the surprise all along, and just used an elopement plan as a cover story to make the lack of final wedding plans more plausible and also to keep suspicious friends off our trail.
WWW: Why Staple & Fancy?
Meg: We LOVE Ethan and Angela’s restaurants (our first date was at Tavolata) and they are friends of ours.

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

(Meg slips out of the party to do a wardrobe change in the stairwell.)

WWW: What did you give up by having a surprise wedding?
Meg: We really don’t feel that we missed out on anything — however our plan did not allow us to have the traditional wedding lead-up (showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, dress shopping, and fittings with friends and family). But we knew we wouldn’t be able to have any of those things if we did it this way, and both of us felt that was a small sacrifice to make.

Dress: Laundry by Shelli Segal at Nordstrom’s Wedding Suite

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

WWW: How many people knew about the plan in advance?
Meg: Very few: The staff at the restaurant, the photographer, the best man, one of the bridesmaids (the other had no idea!), the officiant, and one close friend.

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

WWW: What things did you have to keep in mind as you were hiring vendors for a surprise ceremony?
Meg: We kept it simple. Sean Hoyt is a friend and we love his work so that was an easy choice. We only had bridal flowers done and didn’t want anything fancy so we stayed with the floral department at our local Metropolitan Market. Discretion was important; we needed to be able trust people with the secret.

Rings and jewelery: Green Lake Jewelry Works and Turgeon Raine

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

WWW: What was your favorite moment of the evening?
Meg: For Will the best moment was when everyone realized what was happening (the transition from engagement party to wedding ceremony). I was hiding in the back hallway so I missed the crowd’s reaction.

Groom’s formal wear: Dolce & Gabbana at Mario’s

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

Meg (con’t): The moment that I enjoyed most was when I raised my head and saw my groom (I had walked into the room with my head down and paused for a few seconds before I looked up and started down the aisle).

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

(The couple has a moment to themselves after all that excitement.)

WWW: What were the benefits of going about your wedding in this way?
Meg: EXTREME FUN!!!!!!!!!! We wanted a low stress, intimate event that no one, including ourselves, would feel overwhelmed by. The idea of doing something different was a goal from the start and we were able to accomplish and enjoy it all. And the looks on our friends and family’s faces are something we’ll remember forever.

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt
View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

Meg and Will honeymooned in Kauai following the big event. We wish them a very happy and surprise-filled ever-after.

View Slideshow » Photo: Affinity Photography, Sean Hoyt

WWW: Any regrets? Anything you’d do differently?
Meg: No… it was perfect.

Imagine this: you and 50 or so of your friends and family are gathered at a birthday bash, an engagement party, or some other celebratory party, and between the salad course and the main, it is all the sudden revealed that things are going to get a lot more interesting. Someone’s getting married, right there, right then.

Megan Fox, a vet tech, and William Lemley, a radiologist, both from West Seattle, shocked their loved ones with a surprise wedding at Staple and Fancy a few months ago; Sean Hoyt of Affinity Photography was there to capture the romance and drama.

The slideshow here tells the story, and the video below fills in any blanks. You can access more Real Weddings on the Seattle Met Bride and Groom website.

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Tags: Seattle Real Weddings, Seattle Wedding Details, Seattle Reception Venues

DIY at SoDo Park

Tonight! Herban Feast’s SoDo Park unveils Herban Design Studio, where do-it-yourself wedding projects aren’t lonely endeavors.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jan 26, 2011 at 07:40AM 1 Comments

Photo: All images courtesy Herban Design Studio

Slideshow: Get a sneak peek at Herban Design Studio at SoDo Park.

View Slideshow » Photo: All images courtesy Herban Design Studio

Slideshow: Get a sneak peek at Herban Design Studio at SoDo Park.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Resident design expert Chad Burnworth presides over the studio. He’s like a naturalist with a flair for high drama; check out his bouquet in the current edition of Seattle Met Bride & Groom by using this link to download a free digital version of the magazine for your iPad, iPhone, or PC.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

The venue experts at SoDo Park converted 1,800 square feet of storage in creating their new event design studio; the space is being used to show off and generate ideas on handcrafted favors, centerpiece botanicals, dessert presentations, and more.

The do-it-yourself thing has never struck me as a particularly well-branded experience when it comes to weddings. It works for like, jilted songwriters recording sour ballads in their bedrooms, but for someone who’s about to celebrate the rest of his/her life with all the people he/she loves? The notion of spending late nights muttering to yourself as you solo through a ballroom full of table numbers just doesn’t quite jive. Which is probably why savvy vendors here and there are starting to offer do-it-together services.

Welcome Herban Design Studio at SoDo Park to that particular party.

Welcome them tonight, that is.

Sorry for the late notice (it’s my fault, not theirs), but you might not want to miss this. Tonight between 5 and 8 you’re invited to the First Ave S venue and catering company’s spring tasting event, where bites from the brand new 2011 menu will be offered inside a design studio that’s been concepted to give couples fun, inspiring, useful access to artisan guidance, vintage decor rentals, and full-service floral and event styling (in case your idea of rolling your sleeves up and getting to work means simply signing a check).

Why build a design studio inside an award-winning celebration space? Eliott Peacock, the company’s marketing brain, says, ‘Our clients inspired us to provide a space for them to create their event styling and help them tell their story. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a sort of rebirth in people putting themselves into their event through doing their own styling and décor. We’re grateful and honored to be a part of it.’

The company witnessed one such example of personalized decor when Barb Whipple decked the joint out for her daughter’s wedding last summer. The experience led her to launch Plume Wedding Concepts, which in turn led Peacock to invite her to the studio tonight so that you could meet her and talk about your ideas and hers.

‘We want to nurture creative energy and we feel it’s important to provide a space that people can use. We’re excited to see what people do with it!’ says Peacock. I’m excited to see what you do with it, too. Stay tuned for updates and workshop dates; we’ll share what we know about designers and couples doing it together at Herban Design Studio.

Check the slideshow here for more information about the space and tonight’s event.

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Tags: Seattle Real Weddings, Seattle Wedding Details, Seattle Wedding Venues, Seattle Reception Venues, DIY Projects