Laurel McConnell Photography

Abe and Lindsay’s engagement story is quite possibly the most adorable tale ever told. Visiting a friend in Paris, Lindsay was on her way to check the famed love lock-covered Pont Des Arts off her her sights-to-see list. As she approached the bridge she noticed a familiar figure standing amongst the couples locking symbols of their undying love to the bridge and pitching the keys into the water below. Abe had secretly flown across countries and an ocean to propose to her amidst thousands of strangers’ symbols of love. They left their own promise locked to the wrought iron and then had the fringe benefit of being in the most romantic city in the world.

Their big day was equal in adorableness overload. They started by picking the perfectly Pacific Northwest Roche Harbor Hotel venue. All of the natural bay-side surroundings–towering trees, blue water and skies covered in puffy white clouds, docks, and sailboats–were emphasized and reflected in their nautical decor. The iconic navy and white sailor stripes (fittingly originated by 19th century French sailors) peeped into the day repeatedly: in the invitation liner, around floral arrangements, topping signature mojitos as flags, worn by the bridesmaids as shawls, across the tables, and as part of the escort card display.  A “Message in a Bottle” take on the guest book was flanked by a model ship and a shadowbox filled with boating knots. The guests ate oyster shooters and Abe and his groomsmen even wore boat shoes!

Beautiful anchor and oar elements acted as a classic part of the nautical vision and served, among other things, as a graphic design element for the programs and the escort card display. The incredibly impressive floral arrangements perfectly show cased the colors of the day and partnered with and emphasized the ribbon-covered chair backs and entry to the ceremony site. And we haven’t even mentioned the crazy-rad chalkboard-esque menu cards, the gorgeous letterpress maps, and the ice cream (Lindsay’s favorite!) dessert truck complete with toppings buffet. But the sweetest gem of the day were the keys. As a nod to their super sweet first promise of forever, Lindsay and Abe hid keys throughout their day. Whether tied to Lindsay’s bouquet, tucked amongst ceremony ribbons, strewn like Easter-eggs in the grass, each key their guests spotted was an exciting little, heart-warming treasure.

>>>Real quick… wanna see their cute Seattle engagement pictures? There’s ice cream… and wooden boats… see the whole story here or hop on over to our Facebook page for a couple of highlights!