Wear What When Blog

Wedding Wednesday

Meet the Shopkeeper: Karan Dannenberg

A shop for mothers-of-the-brides and candidates for Mr. Gay Washington State.

Posted by: Malika Ritchie on Sep 01, 2010 at 08:00AM Speech Bubble 7 Comments

Karan Dannenberg loves leopard print, Joan Rivers, and onion bagels. She also loves her customers.

Karan Dannenberg’s eponymous Belltown shop isn’t a mother-of-the-bride shop per se. Neither is it a shop for cross-dressing beauty queens — per se. But anyone looking to get dressed up and paint the town with leopard prints and rhinestones would do well to stop by. And because it isn’t only the bride-to-be who spends months looking for just the right gown we selected Karan Dannenberg Clothier and its special occasion-loving proprietor for a very special Wedding Wednesday edition of Meet the Shopkeeper.

WWW: What’s your personal spin on the ubiquitous “How can I help you?” question?
Dannenberg: Well, we don’t just ask that question — we ask what is the need of each customer. Is she traveling to Europe? Is she the mother of the bride or groom? What is the date of the event? What colors do you like to wear? Do you like long or short? What color are the others wearing? What color tablecloths and flowers are you doing? What is the climate and time of the event? Do you want to take one suitcase? These are the in-depth conversations we have with each and every customer that stops to shop with us.

What’s your favorite thing in the store right now?
We are very excited about all of our jewelry lines — they fly out of the store. The Frangos collection from Greece is like none other. The new Yoana Baraschi knits are stunning, a great new line for us. It shows how versatile knits are. An Ren jackets are always a huge hit. The transition weight for work or travel is amazing. Another must have is LEOPARD…see the An Ren metallic leopard trench on our blog.

Where do you shop when you’re not at your store?
Nordstrom shoes, DSW and for fun, Chico’s. I actually bought my birthday outfit there. My sales staff was amazed that I was buying something there for my birthday. I like to mix it up. Just bought a gorgeous Philip Stein watch in Juno, Alaska, and yes, just getting in my Joan Rivers QVC fun necklaces. I love her things.

What specific store or type of store do you feel is missing from Seattle’s shopping scene?
Definitely shoe shops. [Hm, well, we know where plenty of those are":/style-and-shopping/find-a-shop/#/search:business_listing.name=shoe&shoes=1/ -Editor] We miss a lot of the independent little boutique stores. I’d love a real NY bagel shop. Give me my twice toasted onion bagel with lox, capers, onion, tomatoes and chive cream cheese. No, I am not Jewish…Irish Catholic Ukrainian. I love and miss the east coast food.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened in your store?
A few years back a tall, handsome black man in a baseball cap came in to ask me about this backless black boucle gown I had in my dressy area. He asked if he could try it. I was a bit skeptical and a little nervous but I said OK. Next thing I know, the curtain slides open and there he was looking hot as hell the gown, hat off and totally bald. He looked at me and said “What do you think? I am running for Mr. Gay Washington State.” I responded by saying,“What are you doing to do with your hair?”

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Tags: Weddings, Belltown, Seattle Wedding Details, Meet the Shopkeeper

Wedding Wednesday

Sale: Goodbye to Voletta Couture

Bellevue bridal boutique liquidates stock.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Aug 25, 2010 at 07:00AM Speech Bubble 3 Comments

Slideshow: Designer wedding gowns from Voletta Couture will be marked from 50 to 75 percent off the weekend of Sept 10, 11, and 12.

View Slideshow »

Where: 3150 W Government Way, Ste 1B, Seattle

What: Listen, sit down. We have to talk. Voletta Couture in Bellevue, once among the premier wedding boutiques, is gone. It’s not certain at this point whether the shop will reopen, so all of the existing stock—wedding, bridesmaid, and mother-of-the-bride gowns as well as shoes, veils, and accessories—must be sold. Most of the gowns to be sold are a bridal size 10, which translates to a street size 8; reps at the sale will be referring customers to the shop’s former seamstress for alterations.

Voletta carried Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Christos, Badgley Mischka, Anne Barge, Oscar de la Renta, and Reem Acra among other lines. You can expect to see gowns from those makers marked down from 50 to 75 percent. Flip through the slideshow to see examples of what’s on offer.

When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 10–12, 10am–6pm

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Tags: Weddings, Eastside, Seattle Wedding Gown

Wedding Wednesday

Attn: Ring Bearers

Tiffany’s free iPhone app could make easier work of diamond hunting

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Aug 18, 2010 at 08:00AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

They’ve got an app for that: Sizing, settings, and stones from Tiffany & Co are easier with the new iPhone tool

I have to hand it to you; I wouldn’t want your job. Selecting the right stone, the dreamed-about setting, and getting the size right? Engagement ring shopping is tricky work, but, alas, someone has to do it.

It’s a wonder, then, that someone hasn’t done this yet: Tiffany & Co’s free engagement ring iPhone app allows you to browse the collection according to diamond shape, setting, metal, or design — and toggle around to try out different stones with different metals and whatnot. Wedding bands are on view also; mix, match, and email co-conspirators (or post to Facebook or Twitter) what you come up with directly from the app.

Perhaps most helpful is the sizing tool. Tiffany & Co says theirs is the first of its kind in the biz; app users place any ring directly on the screen and align it with guides to find the appropriate ring size. Beats having to secretly steal one for an entire day so that a professional can assess it for you.

’Course, there are those brides-to-be who want to select their own ring, and those who would love an antique or an heirloom piece, and those who have been so explicit and detailed in their instructions that no app is necessary thank you very much. But for serious shoppers hoping to rule out guess work and acquire that iconic blue box with knowledge, confidence, and forethought, this pretty much does it.

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Tags: Weddings, Seattle Wedding Details, Engagement and Wedding Rings

Wedding Wednesday

Fall in Love

Available Saturdays in September and October at wedding venues all around town (and beyond)

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Aug 04, 2010 at 08:00AM Speech Bubble 1 Comments

Slideshow: Country, city, and nearby destination wedding locations available for September and October bookings. Here: Hotel 1000 on First Ave in Seattle (all images in this slideshow are courtesy the venue pictured)

View Slideshow »

Fall weddings are popular in the Northwest. Our summer may not start until July, but it typically lasts through September, and October’s early fall months are just plain lovely. Maybe you’re saying, “Yes I know, and we’re going to take full advantage of that.” If so, and if you’re on the short engagement plan, or if you just haven’t settled on a where and when quite yet, this pretty darn comprehensive list of available Saturdays in September and October ought to come in handy. And no matter when you’re looking to book the wedding of your dreams, the slideshow will provide an introduction to many of Seattle’s most popular wedding spots.

(Side note: Last March we compiled a similar list detailing available venue dates for the summer – it was very popular and proved helpful in many ways. This list is in response to that, and I expect this kind of thing will become a regular, seasonal thing. Stay tuned.)

Many of these dates and sites are also available to you, dear SMBG/WWW reader, with certain savings and great deals. Special offers exclusive to you are listed below. (Note: ask vendors about any other discounts that might apply; we’ve only listed those extended on this particular Wedding Wednesday here.)

Three 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.

3. Some venues offer bookings for day and night; the dates listed below mean the venue has some availability on that date—it may be morning, afternoon, or night availability.

**************************************************************************************************

Four Seasons Downtown Seattle
September 11
October 2, 9, 16, 30

The Rainier Club
September 4, 11, 25
October 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and ask how to receive a complimentary champagne toast for you and your guests and a complimentary luxury overnight suite.

Maplewood Greens (Renton)
September 4
October 9, 23
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive a discount on your booking.

Hilton Garden Inn in Issaquah
September 4, 11
October 9, 16, 23, 30

W Hotel
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 9, 16, 30

Salish Lodge and Spa
October 2, 16, 30

Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center
September 4, 18, 25
October 2, 23, 30

Doubletree Hotel Seattle Aiport
September 4, 18
October 2, 9. 30

Kensington Gardens
October 2, 9, 16

Hotel 1000
September 18, 25
October 30

Moon Mansion (North Bend)
September 18, 25
October 9, 16, 23, 30

Columbia Tower Club
September 18
October 2, 9

Chambers Bay Golf Course (University Place)
September 11
October 2, 9

French Creek Manor (Snohomish)
September 4, 11, 18
October 9, 30

Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan
September 11
October 2, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive 1/2 off ceremony site fee.

Carnegie’s
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Mayflower Park Hotel
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 9, 16, 30

The Inn at Port Ludlow (Olympic Peninsula)
September 25
October 9, 23
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and get 50 percent off facility fees.

Sun Mountain Lodge (Winthrop)
October 2, 9, 16
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and get $200 off your site and service fee.

Inglewood Golf Club (Kenmore)
September 4
October 30

Hotel Andra
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and you will receive a 50 percent discount on the venue rental.

Clam Cannery (Port Townsend)
October 16, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and get 50 percent off booking fee.

Hyatt at Olive 8
September 4
October 9, 30

Columbia Winery
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Lakeside Event Center
September 4, 11
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Emerald Star (boat)
October 2, 16, 23, 30

Olympic Star (boat)
September 25
October 2, 23, 30

Destiny (boat)
September 25
October 2, 23

Cedarbrook Lodge (South Seattle)
September 11
October 9, 16, 30

Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club (South Sound)
October 2
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive a free champagne toast.

Lake Union Crew
October 9, 16, 23, 30

Indian Summer Golf and Country (Olympia)
September 11, 18
October 23
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and get half off the room rental rate.

Courtyard by Marriott (Tacoma)
September 4, 18
October 9, 16, 23, 30

Laurel Creek Manor (Sumner)
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Rock Creek Gardens (Puyallup)
October 9, 16, 23, 30

Robinswood House (Bellevue)
September 11, 18, 25
October 2, 16, 23, 30

Clise Mansion (Redmond)
September 4, 25
October 2, 9, 23, 30

Fox Sports Grill
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive one complimentary appetizer sampler platter for every $1850 spent.

Grand Hyatt Seattle
September 18
October 16, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and get 10 percent off all food and beverage.

Harbor Club
September 11, 18
October 2, 9, 16, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive 50 percent off the ceremony package and a $450 food credit (restrictions apply).

Courtyard Hall (Bothell)
September 11
October 2, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and save $200 on the rental fee.

Harbor Club (Bellevue)
September 4, 11, 18
October 2
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive 50 percent off the ceremony package and a $450 food credit (restrictions apply).

Rainier Golf and Country Club (South Seattle)
September 25
October 9, 23

Novelty Hill-Januik (Woodinville)
October 2, 30
*Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and save $500 on an Oct 2 room rental; save $1000 on food room rental for Oct 30

Doubletree Arctic Club Hotel’s Northern Lights Dome Room
September 11, 25
October 2, 9
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and get half off the room rental fee.

Seattle Aquarium
September 4, 11
October 2
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive $500 off your facility rental, an extra added hour facility rental for free, and 5 percent off food and beverage fees.

Woodland Park Zoo Rain Forest Pavilion
September 11, 18
October 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and save 10 percent on the venue fee.

Palisade Restaurant’s Alani Room
September 4, 11, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Museum of Flight
September 4, 11
October 9, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive 10 percent off the room fee.

BluWater Bistro
September 11
October 9, 16, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and the room rental fee will be waived.

Westin Bellevue
September 11
October 2

Pan Pacific Hotel
September 4, 11
October 16, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and save 25 percent on room rental fee.

Farm Kitchen
October 16, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive one extra hour of facility rental at no charge.

Olympic Sculpture Park
September 25
October 2, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive $200 off the booking fee and a 20 percent discount on the food and beverage minimum with TASTE Events.

Seattle Asian Art Museum
September 4, 11, 18
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and receive $200 off the booking fee and a 20 percent discount on the food and beverage minimum with TASTE Events.

Mountain Springs Lodge
September 11, 18
October 16, 23, 30
Mention Seattle Met Bride & Groom and take half off the venue cost for 2010 fall weekends.

Renaissance Seattle Hotel
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 9, 16, 30

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Tags: Weddings, Venues, Planning, Seattle Wedding Details

Wedding Wednesday

What’s Your Take On… Boudoir Photography?

It seems every bride-to-be is doing it, and everyone has an opinion about it

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jul 28, 2010 at 06:30AM Speech Bubble 32 Comments

Photo: Joey Nicole

Slideshow: Images from top boudoir photographers around Seattle and insight into what it’s like for them and their sultry subjects. Here, an image by Joey Nicole who says her clients are always surprised by how glamorous they look.

View Slideshow »

Talk about a hot topic.

Especially among brides-to-be (and, one supposes, their grooms) there’s a growing … let’s call it a hunger … for boudoir photography, in which less is more, smiles are sexier than they are cheerful, poses are playful and provocative, and the whole idea is to conjur, well, more hunger. When it comes up in conversation, the yay’s and the nay’s easily separate into teams. There are those who claim to be ready, willing, and about ready to pose themselves (or see their loved ones do so), and those who just can’t wrap their head around it.

In the slideshow here, we hear – and more importantly see – from photographers at Old School Pin Ups, Photos by Sara, Persimmon Images, Tease Studios, Katrinka’s Secret, Jenny Goldberg-George, Belle Boudoir, Joey Nicole Photography, April Greer Studios, and Seattle Boudoir Photography.

These Seattle shooters, all of whom offer different styles of the certainly not-new art of boudoir photography, shared with us their experiences in dealing with apprehension – or, as is often the case, the absence of it – and with satisfied customers, and satisified partners-of-customers. (We asked, and even offered to keep the answers anonymous, but there seem to be no unsatisfied customers.) Of course, they share their images as well.

Take a look and tell us, what’s your take on boudoir photography?

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Tags: Weddings, Seattle Wedding Details, What's Your Take On...

Wedding Wednesday

Welcome Back, Cassis

Restaurateur Jef Fike and chef Charlie Durham relaunch the old Cap Hill favorite – as a catering business

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jul 21, 2010 at 08:15AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

This guy makes a mean gougere: Cassis chef Charlie Durham

Try asking this next time you’re among friends who like to eat their way around town: ‘Remember Cassis?’ Nine times out of ten, the askee will pause, his or her eyes will light up, and they’ll start talking about roasted chicken, cassoulet, and actual French-style fries.

Maybe you remember it, too. Maybe you also have a thing for gougeres, coq au vin, and boeuf bourguignon. The restaurant down on the north end of 10th Ave on Capitol Hill is no more (they closed during that other economic bummer, the post-dot com one; we’ve been told the building that once contained Cassis and Spaghetti Reds is now totally empty) but if you want to share that thing with your wedding guests, you’re in luck.

Chef Charlie Durham, he of the duck liver custard and housemade cherry jam, and Jef Fike, most recently of The Ruins but once Cassis’s owner, have relaunched as a catering company.

The duo held a party last week at The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios to kick off their return. Along with traditional French dishes and Northwest summertime salads (cherry, basil, and sweet onions, hello), there were, um, traditional Seattle food folks in the mix. Customers and servers from Cassis’s glory days reunited, and I was charmed to see none other than Mr. Gluten Free Girl, Chef Danny Ahern, once Durham’s sous chef, helping prepare and plate (on buffet platters) seared pork belly and lentils. (Charmed to see the very traditional Seattleite Kim Thayil strut through the post-industrial landscape toward the end of the evening, too; guess he has fond recollections of the cassoulet, or maybe he was once the resto’s dishwasher?) That Ahern took the night off from his post at the Hardware Store Restaurant on Vashon Island help his old coworkers sure says something about the kind of place that Cassis was. And will again be.

Of course, this time around, you’ll be providing the place. Available for small, in-house dinner parties of three or 30, or to kick off post-nuptial celebrations with Nicoise for 300 Durham and Fike present a Northwest-bent proper French option for discerning partiers.

Welcome back, guys. Now please excuse me while I find a friend with a deep fryer – I’m thinking private pomme frite party this fall…

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Tags: Weddings, Receptions, Seattle Wedding Catering, Seattle Wedding Details

Wedding Wednesday

Write Stuff

Wedding favors for modern, literary affairs in the booky-chic Northwest

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jun 30, 2010 at 09:45AM Speech Bubble 2 Comments

What would your book of love look like? A custom design from Scout Books.

Are your friends obsessive journal-keepers? Do your kinfolk record every Riesling they try? Will your wedding guests want to take notes about song birds overheard and wildflowers encountered at your country wedding weekend or the boutiques, restaurants, and landmarks they found the day after your urban bash? Do your nuptials have an especially literary overtone?

Consider these handsome, customizable, and mindful favors by Portland’s Scout Books. Made with recycled papers, soy inks, and renewable energy sources, Scout notebooks would look awfully sweet wrapped with a matte grosgrain ribbon, coordinated to your decor colors, and paired with a No. 2 pencil in a complementary shade.

Speaking of coordinating and complementing, and yes, customizing: therein (for some couples at least) lies the biggest draw. Yes draw. Get your invitation designer to draft an artful illustration that’ll tie in to your stationery, or have a graphic artist friend come up with a logo or monogram. Heck, what are the two of you doing this weekend? Get out the Magic Markers, charcoals, and black Bics and come up with something on your own.

The Scout folks offer a pretty decent deal for 50, 250, or even 1000 volumes but then again, their original collection includes some fun modern patterns and vibrant hues that oughtta underscore your dahlias just beautifully.

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Tags: Weddings, Seattle Wedding Details, Wedding Favors

Wedding Wednesday

Family Traditions

Rosanna Bowles’ new book celebrates the way we come together at the table

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jun 23, 2010 at 07:00AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

Here’s an idea: Take a break from wedding planning in favor of planning, oh, you know, the rest of your life.

Rosanna Bowles, the Seattle dishware designer better known as simply Rosanna, will be dispensing decor wisdom, entertaining ideas, and dishware common sense while signing copies of her new Coming Home: A Seasonal Guide to Creating Family Traditions at Common Folk in Bellevue on Saturday June 26 from noon to 2.

Though Bowles didn’t necessarily write the book for newlyweds or engaged couples, the book’s just right for people like you. Weddings are all about you and Mr. or Mrs. Wonderful carving out your place on the family tree; they’re the perfect time and place to do something — serve a certain vintage, dance a certain dance, set a certain table — that you can then sort of be known for doing forever more.

As the Rosanna camp puts it: ‘Acknowledging the strong custom of bonding over meals, the book presents over 50 recipes geared with modern sensibility towards healthy, fresh, organic ingredients, coupled with entertaining and decorating ideas to complement the meals.’

Worth noting if you’re still deciding on favors, thank you gifts, reception ideas, and the like: Common Folk is packed to the gills with all manner of finds from glitzy to kitschy and back again.

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Tags: Weddings, Home Decor, Seattle Wedding Details, Wedding Favors, Rosanna Inc

Wedding Wednesday

Block Party

Downtown Bellevue wedding merchants host a week-long spin on bar hopping

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jun 09, 2010 at 12:00PM Speech Bubble 10 Comments

Look for the pink poster at participating specialty shops and wedding vendors in downtown Bellevue next week, and find specials, deals, and expert advice inside

You’ve noticed that it’s not just bars and restaurants that throw happy hours these days, but here’s a new one for brides- and grooms-to-be: A wedding pub crawl.

Well, sort of. Okay not really. But close enough.

During the week of June 14 – June 20, between Christina Lynn Table Top and Home and Julep on Bellevue Way and City Flowers and Yuen Lui on NE 8th Street, seekers of gorgeous bridal gowns, stylish registry items, delicious cupcakes, wow-factor flowers, fine stationery, and more will be traversing the landscape looking not for pints of beer, but the pink sign shown here as well as top-rate wedding advice and great deals.

Bellevue’s Bridal Walk Week links the above mentioned vendors with Mr. J’s Culinary Kitchen, Obadiah Salon, Silberman Brown, Trophy Cupcakes, and Voletta Couture – and, this part is important, you.

Participating stores will be offering specials, incentives, and other good stuff – including, on Wednesday June 16, cake and champagne.

*

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Tags: Weddings, Desserts, Seattle Floral Vendors, Seattle Wedding Gown, Seattle Wedding Details, Wedding Favors

Events

The New White

Green wedding planning party at Phase 3 by Gary Manuel Salon

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jun 09, 2010 at 08:00AM Speech Bubble 2 Comments

Photo: Courtesy Adele Wechsler

Where: Phase 3 by Gary Manuel Salon

When: Monday, June 21 from 6 to 8

What: An evening of smart, mindful hair, makeup tips from the Gary Manuel/Aveda stylists, and a preview of gowns by Adele Wechsler, who uses organic hemp and silk, vegetable dyes, remnant fabrics, and fair trade labor to produce her collections.

Oh, and there will be cupcakes from Trophy and snacks from Herban Feast, too.

Green brides and grooms can register to win an Adele Wechsler headpiece and Gary Manuel products at the event; they may also enter in the national drawing (the Seattle stop is one of several across the country) for an Adele Wechsler wedding dress or a honeymoon vacation at the Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, an eco-friendly destination hotel in Belize.

Get there on time: The first 100 guests get a swag bag.

Contact Gary Manuel with questions.

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Tags: Weddings, Seattle Wedding Gown, Sustainable Such and Such, Health and Beauty

Wedding Wednesday

Link Trader: Planning Ahead

The Wedding Wednesday version of the essential blog swap.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on May 26, 2010 at 07:35AM Speech Bubble 0 Comments

The Valley’s love Dog n’ Bird, which links to lots of other wedding sites for great DIY instructions and more; here, an image for a Once Wed how-to on herbal boutonnieres

This makes a lot of sense: A husband and wife wedding-consulting team. Nick and Aleah Valley of Fine Line Management share their planning and decor skills with couples in Seattle and Southern California, and around the world. Their blog Valley and Co. connects the two arms of their business and keeps clients up-to-date on their day-to-day.

Thinking it’d be good to know where, in particular, a male wedding expert goes for visual inspiration, I asked the Valleys to share their links with you today. Here goes. Daily must-reads for Aleah and Nick:

Dog n’ Bird We love Dog n’ Bird! It’s inspired by new and fresh innovation that is easily accessible (think single photos and impact pieces updated daily). Dog n’ Bird takes an editorial view on the wedding community and bubbles up the most creative ideas in a highly scannable, visual way. It is a resource for inspiration and affordable or DIY versions of high-end ideas or to discover trends before the mainstream.

The Knotty Bride Blog The Knotty Bride wedding blog is all about WOW factor obsession! Alison is devoted to bringing her readers a constant flow of stylish, chic and creative wedding inspiration, personal stories, a little innuendo, and all the answers they could ever need to make their wedding experience the ultimate celebration of who they are!

The Loveliest Day Melissa posts the most lovely inspiration, vintage-inspired photo shoots, and (well) loveliness with a touch of rock ‘n roll! You’ll see unique takes on engagement shoots, super fun wedding events, and loads of eye candy.

Brenda’s Wedding Blog Brenda takes the best from around the web and compiles all sort of goodness into her blog. She frequently features expert advice from around the country (we’re frequent guest bloggers) which is invaluable to brides and grooms-to-be.

Merci New York Jackie’s eye is just exquisite. She posts amazing New York City happenings, but also featuring stunning fashion picks, gorgeous weddings, and most recently, she covered Liz and Colin’s Sandals Emerald Bay wedding with Martha Stewart Weddings.

Finally, for the guys: stop by Temple of Groom for fun daily musings from a groom who just loves planning his own wedding. You’ll be sure to laugh, be entertained, and even learn something!

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Tags: Weddings, Home Decor, Link Trader, Link Trader, Seattle Wedding Details

Wedding Wednesday

100 Mile Registry

Local gift-picking site offers Seattle-blown glassware, not big-box goblets

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on May 05, 2010 at 07:00AM Speech Bubble 1 Comments

Getting married? You can request these locally made rice bowls by Heidi’s Pottery on the Sound Trading Co. registry site.

Local dinner menu served right off the land? Check. Fresh flowers straight from the farm? Yep. Locally built suit, locally made gown… You two are all over the 100 mile wedding. Make sure your friends and family can participate too by registering at Sound Trading Company.

Lilah Steece, a Seattleite with a background in development and event planning for non-profits, co-founded the company when she realized that there were no options for a gift registry that benefited the environment and the community. Putting to work her ability to bring folks together and procure goods and services from local artisans, she created one. (Sound Trading also offers baby and general gift registration.) She still hasn’t heard of anything else like her site, so if the Seattle model takes off, perhaps Steece will, as they say, spread the love.

Though you can’t sign up for blenders or bath towels at Sound Trading, there are some nice options for dinner and serving ware made right around the corner, not to mention eco-travel packages and some smart local services. My favorite: Tiny’s Organic CSA box. Perfect gift for the couple who has everything, including a dedication to sustainable living.

Obviously, Sound Trading is an add-on, alternative registry. Do your department, home, and tabletop stores to cover your bases and ensure that Aunt Ida doesn’t freak out over how weird and alterna you’ve become, but then consider others like this one, as well as charity organizations and outdoor marts. Chances are good that your guests will appreciate the options, and anyway, it’s the modern, and very Northwest, thing to do.

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Tags: Weddings, Locally Made, Locally Designed, Registry

Wear What When

Meet the Shopkeeper: Karan Dannenberg

Sale: Goodbye to Voletta Couture

Attn: Ring Bearers

Fall in Love

What’s Your Take On… Boudoir Photography?

Welcome Back, Cassis

Write Stuff

Family Traditions

Block Party

The New White

Link Trader: Planning Ahead

100 Mile Registry

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