Parisian Decadence- a Wedding at Georgetown Studios

Boy does this girl know how to plan a wedding. At our very first meeting, Melissa came with bag in hand, filled to the brim with clippings, notes, ribbons, and inspirations for her wedding style. It was right then that I knew it was going to be A.MAZ.ING. As a player in the event industry, she also knows just about everyone in Seattle, and already had her wish list of wedding professionals nailed down to help bring her vision to a reality. She and Josh met once upon a time, on a little ol’ site called MySpace (remember that one??). He was mean, and she kinda liked his spunk. A few years later, here we are, all grown up, and throwing a magnificent party. Grey and teal invitations from Paper Delights hinted at what was to come.

Melissa got ready at the Four Seasons Fairmont, where Erin Skipley worked her magic and transformed this beauty into a starlet.

With sparkle-tastic shoes and the most amazing dress straight from Ian Stuart in England, she was a vision of European style. When Melissa first found her dress, she told me it was like a mullet- a wedding in the front and a party in the back. And hey, if you’re ever in Hollywood, you MUST go to Agent Provocateur. They make luxurious lingerie, and also have an online store….. (you’re going to click on that link, aren’t you?? I knew it!).

Donning a Paul Smith suit from Barneys and a custom tie and pocket square combo, Josh oozed men’s modern style.

A wedding wouldn’t be a wedding without some amazing florals. Miya from Willow and Bloom was the perfect designer for this occasion. Melissa wanted over-sized blooms with a hint of pink, and that’s exactly what she got. Aren’t they luscious? Local, sustainably grown flowers such as dahlias, fruited raspberry canes, kiss me over the garden gate, champagne grapes, garden roses, and antique hydrangea made up their personal flowers, large centerpieces, and door wreaths. Then we were off to Georgetown, for a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. It’s always an adventure there- I find fun new spots to shoot every time I go. This time, we went to the old bottling plant at the former Rainier Brewery.

Melissa’s other favorite Georgetown spot is over at the Corson building. I hear they make amazing meals, family style, with fresh ingredients and a custom menu each night. They also have a gorgeous European garden that is perfect for portraits when no one is looking

The wedding party had a great time goofing around for pictures, I’m so glad they don’t take themselves too seriously. They actually planned a new pose called “The Howie.” He is one of Melissa and Josh’s good friends, so it was only fitting they “include him” in a wedding party photo!

Melissa has a moment with one of her daughters while we were wrangling folks for family pics. I loved this…

And then the main attraction and unveiling- we could hardly wait to come barreling into The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios to see the decor and get this party started!!! Whimsical bistro globe lights from Blue Danube Productions, mercury candles from Luna Bazaar, pink rose petals, linens from Choice Linens, chairs from Pederson’s, and vases from Anthropologie set the scene. Palodine provided live music.

Guests were greeted with elements reminiscent of Paris and the french countryside with vintage postcards and antique letter sorters for a guest book.

Their sweet and humorous ceremony incorporated giving necklaces to their daughters as well as a ring exchange for the bride and groom. Ben Anderson (of The Missionary Position) led the vows. There were promises of splitting the difference on the thermostat and talk of staging zombie scenes while playing American Girl Dolls with their daughters. It was a fun mix of love and adoration that gave their guests insight into their relationship and lives.

Oh, the rings!!! Amazing rings. His was from EE Robbins with an amazing French inscription, and hers was a stunning marquise diamond set on the long side from Stein Diamonds. This ring is amazing, girls, you should really, really, consider setting your stone sideways. No, wait, you shouldn’t…. we don’t want to start a trend or anything….

The food was of course, amazing. Melissa knows her way around catering, after all, she is working on the grand opening of Urban Enoteca as I write, and used to manage Taste Events! Guests were greeted with French 75′s with handmade straws and their tummies were kept full with heavy appetizers and small plates of lamb sliders, amazing Beecher’s mac and cheese, a mashed potato bar, mouth watering tomato-basil-mozarella salad, the most AMAZING artisan cheeses, and more. Bon Appetit really did a wonderful job with the food- this may have been my favorite food spread all year!

By this point, it had started to rain, but the evening was all the more merry, romantic, and cozy.

Funny toasts kept everyone super involved and on their toes at this stylish Seattle wedding.

And oh, the dessert table. It was a smorgasbord for the sweet tooth’s AND the eyes. Bakery Nouveau, New Renaissance, and Trophy contributed to the deliciousness, set atop adorable plates from Totally Tabletops. I love how they went with a cleaver for their cutting utensil. Fitting…

This wedding wouldn’t be complete without a supersweet candy bar by Stephanie at Solomon Event Planning. My favorites were the Jordan almonds and the candied grapefruit gummies. Mmmmmm. And the jars were so cute.

Late night snacks were brought in from none other than Dante’s Inferno Dogs. The best hot dogs this side of, well, anywhere (according to Amy, anyway).

The party was still hopping by the time we left, thanks to grooves and beats from DJ Leslie at Seattle Parties. Oh, and let’s not forget lasers. Everyone needs lasers.

What an amazing affair. Thank you, Melissa and Josh, my lovely neighbors, for making me feel like a part of your lives over the last year. It’s been a real fun ride