Wear What When

Saturdays in the Park, the Penthouse, the Winery, and the …

Booked your summer wedding yet? Here’s where and when you could and should get in

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Mar 10, 2010 at 10:30AM 2 Comments

Slideshow: Book this Venue (here: the loft-like, cabin-y, summercamp-like experience at Island Wood)

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Slideshow: Book this Venue (here: the loft-like, cabin-y, summercamp-like experience at Island Wood)

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Picture yourself just kinda humming along at the Apple Tree Resort

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Big Sky Country: Cave B Resort

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They’d like to play your song at the Falls Terrace at Salish Lodge

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Waterfront property at Semiahmoo Resort

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Always an important room to check out: The Wedidng Suite. This one’s at the Sheraton.

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The Forrest Room at the Edgewater.

The early bird does, typically speaking, get the fat, juicy worm. But those who sleep late and/or forgo the 18-month engagement period sometimes do okay, as well.

Inspired in part by my brother’s recent engagement and his let’s-get-it-done, super-short engagement period (he asked on Valentine’s Day, they’re tying knots in, hopefully, July) and in part by a pitch from a contact at one of the venues below who wrote in to ask if I might like to let you all know about her available dates, I am happy to present you with this giant list of available Saturdays from June through September at a variety of fireside lounges, grand ballrooms, grassy fields, and otherwise fantastic locales.

Some are even offering discounts and deals exclusively for you.

Two really important things to keep in mind before you go any further:

1. This is what’s available now. At press time, as we like to call it. If you’re of the later-bird variety, don’t wait too much longer, huh?

2. It’s safe to assume that those who have Saturdays available also have Sundays and Fridays — and you know, Tuesdays at noon — available too. And it’s safe to assume that Sundays, Fridays, and other non-Saturdays come with a budget price tag, too.

(Please note: the dates below reflect availability at the largest/main event spaces at these facilities; if you are planning a small wedding, there very well may be alternate rooms with more availability. When in doubt: it’s safe to assume that it doesn’t hurt to ask.)

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IslandWood
Available Saturday: June 26

Mountain Springs Lodge
Available Saturdays: June 5, July 3, July 10, July 17, Sept 4, Sept 11
Mention that you saw these dates on seattlemet.com and you’ll get half-off the booking fee

Carnegies Restaurant
Available Saturdays: July 17, 24, 31, Aug 7, 14, 21

Inglewood Golf Club
Available Saturdays: June 19, July 3, 24, Aug 28, Sept 4, 11, 18,

Sanctuary at Admiral
Available Saturdays: every Saturday except July 10 and Aug 7

Hilton Garden Inn Issaquah
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, 26, July 3, 10
*Mention that you saw these dates on seattlemet.com and receive complimentary dance floor for your reception and a complimentary suite

Safeco Field/Gold Glove Wedding (new venue call 206-346-4228)
Available Saturday: July 3

Tulalip Resort
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, 19

Apple Tree Resort
Available Saturdays: June 5, Aug 7

Palisade Restaurant
Available Saturdays: all Saturdays in June, July 3, 17, 31, Aug 28, Sept 11, 25

Cave B Inn at Sagecliffe
Available Saturdays: July 10, 24, August 7

W Hotel
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, July 3, 17, 31, Aug 21, 28, Sept 11, 25

Salish Lodge
Available Saturdays: June 19, 26, July 3, 17, 24, Aug 7, Aug 21, 28, Sept 11, 18, 25 ALL DATES are available for daytime bookings only

Semiahmoo Resort
Available Saturdays: Every Saturday June through September except July 17

Museum of Glass
Available Saturday: July 31

Chambers Bay Golf Club
Available Saturdays: June 12, 19, Sept 11, 25

Sheraton Seattle Hotel
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, 19, Aug 28, Sept 4, 11, 18, 25

At the Quarry
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, July 3, Aug 28, Sept 4, 11, 25

Seattle Aquarium
Available Saturdays: June 12, July 3, 10, 24, 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, Sept 4, 11, 25

Pan Pacific
Available Saturdays: June 12, 26, July 3, 24, Sept 4, 11, 18

Campbell’s Resort
Available Saturdays: June 19, Aug 28, Sept 25

Museum of Flight
Available Saturdays: Every Saturday June through September

Moon Mansion
Available Saturdays: June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, 28, Sept 18, 25

Hollywood Schoolhouse
Available Saturdays: June 5, 19, 17, 31, Aug 14, Sept 11, 18

Clise Mansion at Marymoor Park
Availability: the Mansion does not accept event bookings until the end of April each year; concerts at the park are being booked through April and weddings and events can only be booked after concert schedule is final; contact venue for open dates at end of April

Harbor Club Bellevue
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17, Aug 14, Sept 4, 18, 25

Edgewater Hotel
Available Saturdays: June 19

Mayflower Park Hotel
Available Saturdays: June 19, 26, July 17, 24, 31, Aug 7, 21, 28
Mention you saw this information at seattlemet.com when you book with Mayflower and get a $400 credit for any vendor of your choice

SoDo Park/Herban Feast
No available Saturdays but mention that you saw this note here to receive 50% off rental rates on all other remaining (non-Saturday) dates

Port Gamble
Available Saturdays: July 4, 10, 17, Sept 11

Ray’s Boathouse
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, July 3, 17, 24, Aug 14, Sept 11

Crystal Mountain Weddings
Available Saturdays: June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, Sept 11, 18, 25

Woodmark Hotel
Available Saturdays: Aug 28, Sept 11, 18, 25

Cederbrook Lodge
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17, 31, Aug 14, 28, Sept 4, 11

Arctic Club Hotel
Available Saturdays: July 19, Aug 21, Sept 11, 18

Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort
Available Saturdays: June 26, July 3, 31, Aug 7, 14, 28, Sept 18, 25

Willows Lodge
Available Saturdays: June 12, 26, July 10, 17

Novelty Hill/Januik Winery
Available Saturdays: June 5, 12, July 3, Sept 4, 11

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Tags: Weddings, Venues, reception

Keep on Trunkin’

Trunk shows and meet-and-greets for vintage-lovin’ brides-to-be: March 6, March 11, March 13, March 20th

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Mar 03, 2010 at 02:00PM 0 Comments

Join vintage-inspired vendors at Gossamer Collective on March 20 for a day of collaboration, inspiration, and champagne

WHEN Thursday March 11 5p-8p
WHERE Velouria on the Hill
WHY It’s an Art Walk celebration; join Portland photographer Misha Ashton and Jen Carrigan of Violet Magpie as she unveils (literally!) her new-for-spring hair pieces, all fashioned with feathers, headbands, and vintage delights.
COST FREE; treats and refreshments served

WHEN Saturday March 13 6p-9p
WHERE Velouria Ballard
WHY: Same as above; Tes at Velouria is hosting one Violet Magpie trunk show at her Ballard store and one at her shop on Melrose Ave.

Photo: Rosemary Photography

One of the new spring pieces by Violet Magpie

WHEN Saturday, March 20 12p-6p
WHERE Gossamer Collective
WHY So you can mix and mingle with like-minded and self-professed budget friendly wedding industry pros (lovers of vintage style, retro romancers, crafty can-do types). Maybe you’ll meet a partner-in-collaboration, maybe you’ll book a couple of vendors, maybe you’ll leave feeling fully inspired.
COST $8 (Special Gift with entry) Champagne will be served.
WHO Vendors include: Rosemary Photography, Orange Twist Cards, Jennifer Witsil Creative, Jenny Bowker, Pretty Little Photos, Rebekah J Designs, Stylus Seattle: Hair and Nails,

ALSO: The next Last Waltz vintage sale is THIS SATURDAY MARCH 6, also, as always, at Gossamer Collective (the old Last Waltz space). Look for pretty dresses and more for rehearsal dinner, the honeymoon, and, you know, married life.

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Tags: Weddings, Locally Made, Accessories, vintage, Locally Designed, vendors, Trunk Show, Party

Let’s Get RE Sourceful

Free workshop at RE Store helps brides and grooms get crafty

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Mar 03, 2010 at 07:20AM 0 Comments

Slideshow: Create cake platters, candlestick centerpieces, ring boxes, name card displays, and more at RE Store’s Salvage Bride workshop on March 13

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Slideshow: Create cake platters, candlestick centerpieces, ring boxes, name card displays, and more at RE Store’s Salvage Bride workshop on March 13

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Bair and her husband-to-be aren’t interested in a ring pillow per se, but a vintage coffee can and some hat pins could do the trick. She also thinks a group of these would make a charming presentation of escort cards and table numbers.

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Bair used discarded cabinet doors and chalkboard paint to create some sample signs. Speaking of paint: Recycled and DIY projects can be tricky if you’re not well-versed in safety matters. Bair and her associates know all about staying clear of lead-free paint and other potential downers. It’s that kind of expertise that makes this workshop especially appealing.

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Chandelier pieces and light fixture parts make great candlesticks and votive holders.

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Rachel Bair and outreach and marketing manager Sarah Krueger in RE Store’s classroom. The store hosts many workshops in this inspiring and motivating space, but I believe the March 13 course is the only one that includes tea and cake.

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Downstairs in RE Store’s salvage shop, you’ll find all manner of inspiring materials. As Bair puts it, “There is so much material here, the only problem is staying focused on one project.”

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What could you do with dozens and dozens of doorknobs?

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Or a collection of hooks? Bring your ideas, dreams, and tool belt to RE Store to sound out projects and get to work.

Got crafty designs on your wedding day decor but feeling unsure about sourcing materials, operating a screwdriver, and/or achieving an Amy Atlas-like ultraperfect atmosphere?

First, drop the notion of ultraperfect. It’s just not useful, or fun. Second, RSVP for Salvage Bride, a workshop led by the expert recycling-crazy repurposers at RE Store on Saturday March 13 from 10a – 2p.

Leading the day o’ DIY is Rachel Bair, RE Store’s shop manager and a June bride. She’s also the unofficial Project Lady. People come to her with “what if this?” and “how would I do that?,” so as she began plotting the decor projects that would lend personality and memorable details to her own big day, she figured she should use her employer’s light-filled second-floor classroom space to share resources and ideas with other engaged folk and party people.

Salvage Bride is intended to help you find and transform previously used materials into cake stands, candelabras, cool signage, name card displays, and really, anything your ceremony or reception requires.

Check the slideshow here for some projects that Bair was elbow deep in on the day I met up with her, and then email sarahk (at) re-store.org to reserve your spot on the 13th.

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Tags: Design, Weddings, reception, Locally Made, vintage, how to, experts, Ballard, Workshops

Dress Up

Madina Vadache trunk show at the Finerie this Saturday, plus more dress-up events around the city

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 24, 2010 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

Illustration: The Finerie

Think of trunk shows as the sartorial equivalent of a backstage pass. When you want the behind-the-scenes scoop; insider information about fit, fabrication, and alterations; and a sneak peak at what’s to come, make sure you’re present and accounted for when your favorite designers (or, okay, their representatives) come through town.

Underline and bold-face that when it comes to wedding dresses—that once in a lifetime purchase.

There are a number of trunk shows in the next month; notably, former Seattleite and current New Yorker Madina Vadache at the Finerie this Saturday February 27.

As we reported, the Finerie has been the sole local stockist of the designer’s evening and bridal wear; the trunk show this Saturday celebrates the continued evolution of the First Ave boutique’s upstairs loft, where voluminous and sleek gowns are tucked away for special occasions.

More about that evolution: The Finerie is also bringing in the bridal collection from the footwear line Pour La Victoire and local jewelry designers Michelle Lenae, Marilyn Berg, and Rock Star Jewelry are available, via the shop, to create custom pieces to accent your Madina Vadache gown.

Saturday’s event is from noon to 6pm; to schedule a private consultation, call the Finerie at 206-652-4664. Permanent samples of the new 2010 collection will not be in-store until March or April; a full launch of the bridal loft will be in May or June.

More trunk shows around town:

La Belle Reve also hosts a show on February 27: Essence of Australia

Marcella’s La Boutique has two upcoming trunk shows: Monique Lhuillier on February 25, 26, 27 and Lazaro on March 4-7.

Calla Bridal brings the Vineyard Collection in on March 5, 6, and 7

La Belle Elaine’s hosts Bellingham’s Jennifer Leigh for an accessories and veil show on March 13 and 14.

At Voletta Couture you’ve got three opportunities to during the month of March: Amsale on March 13 and 14, Reem Acra on March 20 and 21, and Kenneth Pool on March 27 and 28.

In all cases, call the boutiques themselves for details — time, RSVPs, and what, specifically, to expect.

To stay in the loop: connect with us on Facebook, and sign up for ShopTalk, our shopping and style newsletter.

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Tags: Weddings, Trunk Show, Wedding Dress

A Magical Event

Want your wedding to be magic? Hire a magician.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 17, 2010 at 07:30AM 0 Comments

It’s probably best if no one gets sawed in half, but couldn’t a card trick or three put a little charge into your cocktail hour?

At the core of every wedding is a party; a bunch of people in full-bore celebration mode in close proximity to food, wine, and music. But because stuff sometimes happens — rain clouds create pause, salmon takes longer than expected to bake, someone doesn’t quite make it to the altar on time — it’s nice to think about creating excitement, interest, and little pockets of action throughout the event. It’s hard to imagine the gall of a guest who might dare to feel bored at a party like yours, yes, but why not guard against downtime in general with some unexpected magic.

Yes, magic.

I have a friend who always hires a fellow named Alakasam to come to her dinner parties and birthday fetes (and if that sounds anything other than perfectly random, I’m here to tell you it isn’t), and moms and dads access kid-friendly lists of performers for kids turning two or three or eight all the time. But magic, at weddings? You don’t see it all that often—which is why it’s really fun to consider it for yours.

Today we turn to Nash Fung, a master of slights-of-hand, disappearing acts, mind reading, card tricks, and all-around alchemy. Familiar to many who work in the wedding biz, Fung makes a name for himself by showing up at industry events and baffling, impressing, and entertaining his colleagues.

Here, he answers a few questions about his chosen art form, and how it works at events like yours.

Caught in the act: Nash Fung at work

Wear What When: We don’t see a lot of magic acts at weddings around here, but you’ve said other countries are into the hocus-pocus thing.

Nash Fung: Most magicians, like myself, focus on corporate events and dabble in the wedding market. There are a lot of UK professionals who bill themselves strictly as wedding magicians, and their weddings are a lot like ours. I have colleagues in Hong Kong that perform magic at weddings, too. Now, they operate differently.

Chinese weddings receptions are usually sit-down dinners with eight or nine dishes served throughout the evening. Because of that, the magician’s performances take place in-between courses. They have maybe 5-10 minutes maximum each time they perform on stage. I had the pleasure to perform for my friend’s wedding in Hong Kong three years ago. It was not easy and I do not envy my colleagues overseas.

Wear What When: Where and how does your act typically go down? How do you corral the energy and yet let the party continue to unfold organically at the same time? Is any wedding too big or too small for magic?

Fung: Typically I start during the cocktail hour, where I mingle among the guests and perform what I call interactive magic. This is great because there will be people who don’t know each other, and my interactive magic helps break the ice and brings people together.

And then I’ll do something that is different from what most other wedding magicians do. Usually the most boring part of a buffet reception is the waiting. I developed this concept with Adam Tiegs (owner of Adam’s DJ Service): I will perform one short trick (30 seconds to 3 minutes MAX) for each table, and the end of my trick signifies that the table can go get their food! So it creates a buzz among tables keeps people entertained while they’re waiting for dinner.

I’ll usually stop during dinner, but I can resume when its time to take pictures with the newly weds, or if and when people don’t want to dance.

And if they want me to do a trick on stage, I have a few quick tricks that will get everyone involved and hyped up for the reception. I choose material that is short because the real stars are the bride and groom, not me. But sometimes, they just want me to entertain their guests and turn the spot-light off of them for a minute. In fact, I met with a bride recently that specifically told me not to put them in the spot light.

Because the way I perform is by interacting and mingling from group to group, my performance is completely flexible to the time-line or the size of the party. If there are more people, it simply means that I have to be there longer to make sure I get everyone. The flexibility and unique quality of the experience makes magic a perfect entertainment solution for weddings.

Wear What When: What kinds of tricks are we talking about here? Grooms sawed in half? Guessing whether Granny pulled the Queen of Hearts from the deck? Bunnies pulled from hats?

Fung: If I have to use one word to describe my magic, I must say it is modern. My show involves magic that is visually stunning and psychologically driven. The magic is done in an intimate setting for groups of 5-10 people. You will see magic done with everyday objects, such as playing cards transforming when they are underneath your hands, coins visually disappearing, one-dollar bills turn into a-hundred dollar bills. My personal favorite is to make guests driver licenses appear in my wallet.

You can check out some of my performance videos here.

I also do pseudo mind-reading, where I combine magic and psychology. You will see me read the guests minds, influence their thoughts, as well as make them the mind-reader. One example is to have someone make a drawing, and then I read his/her mind and duplicate the drawing.

Wear What When: What is the crazy, best, or most magical thing you’ve ever seen at someone’s wedding?

Fung: A Halloween wedding I performed for last year in Issaquah was a surprise wedding. Everyone thought they were going to a Halloween party, no one knew, not even the best man or bridesmaid. They had a costume contest, and for the last award, the bride and groom came on stage and announced they are getting married. Initially, I didn’t know how it was going to work out, but everybody stood up and cheered when they heard the news. It was the highlight of my year.

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For more offbeat ideas, see our Resource Guide

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Tags: Weddings, reception, Party Favors, details, entertainment