Stacey and Chris . Wedding

Remember this gorgeous family? Well, the middle sister got married in Cozumel and their festive wedding was an intimate one with about 30ish guests. Somehow there were five people with the name Grace, including myself! Something about a small, cozy wedding always gets me. Especially at destination weddings, the guests get a chance to know each other and bond, and by the time wedding day comes, everyone is so comfortable with each other and it’s like one big happy family. Towards the end of the evening, we were entertained with a dessert fire show (don’t try this at home, right Chris? ;) and then played around with sparklers which Nicole (thoughtful sister who originally found us) risked imprisonment to smuggle them in.

Stacey and Chris, may your marriage always be sparkly and as the song goes… have eternal flame.

Behind the Scenes:

Dress: Maria’s Bridal
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Venue/Catering/Florist/Cake/Makeup/Videography: Cozumel Palace

Best of 2009

Presenting a belated Best of 2009.

Brought to you by…

Best Engagement Look

I tend to favor dresses for engagement sessions, but Laina and Ray impressed me with their fall-perfect wardrobe. It didn’t hurt that I have a thing for elbow patches.

Best Ring

Judy’s ‘something blue’ was a second ring gifted by her Jing Jing. You know what they say… a diamond is a girl’s best friend. Two BFFs in Judy’s case.

Best Shoes

I think I had the hardest time choosing this category because of all the amazing shoes we’ve seen. Ultimately, Hannah’s sophisticated Kate Spade’s won for their unique color.

Best Bouquet

I appreciated this modern take on the traditional cascading bouquet for Nhung created by Elizabeth Designs.

Best Hair

Stephanie’s hair looked divine in finger waves for her vintage chic wedding.

Best Bridesmaid Dresses

What are the chances that the same exact dress shows up on bridesmaids of two different weddings right after the other? These purple Ann Taylor dresses looked amazing on each one of the pretty ladies.

Best Decor

Something that I really loved about Michelle and Ben’s wedding was that they incorporated their engagement photos in so many ways – from their save-the-date magnet to the reception seating chart to the personalized M&M’s to the tags on the cupcake party favors. Also, they brought in lighting and draping which definitely transforms a space. And to top things off, they had an impressive dessert bar!

Best Cake

Most cakes are topped with frosting or fondant, but this one shimmered and sparkled with the meticulously made edible gardenias. Coincidentally, it was made by the daughter of my own wedding cake maker, and the same company who made my 2007 pick. To this day, I have yet to come across a better tasting cake. And believe you me, I eat a lot of cake. They go by referrals so they don’t have a website. Let me know if you’d like their contact information.

Best Venue

Oh my gosh. I cannot rave enough about this place! A winery with a majestic view of the mountains and Columbia River. So peaceful and breathtaking. Every single person on Cave B Inn’s staff was genuinely friendly and provided exceptional service.

Best Groom Attire

Scott looked dashing in his khaki suit. I like how he went with something different than the standard black.

Best Dress

This dress was actually just the reception dress for Lillian, but I absolutely adored it. It was made by one of Lillian’s friends who designs for Nicole Miller.

Best Overall Wedding

Something about backyard weddings make them my favorite. Amber and Brian’s wine-themed celebration was held in her parents’ backyard and there was no detail left unturned. It was truly a spectacular celebration with a firework show by Amber’s brother and sister-in-law to prove it. And it just so happens that last year, this category went to her Matron-of-Honor.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S “BEST OF 2008″

Esther and Michael . Wedding

Esther and Michael, the way you snuggle and constantly look at each other so lovingly is ever so endearing. Never lose the twinkle in your eyes. And thank you for your gracious hearts.

Fun fact: Michael is related to Lisa Ling and she was at their wedding! I was definitely star-struck… somehow mustered up the courage to say that it was really nice to have her here, but too shy to ask for a picture together. :)

Behind the Scenes:

Ceremony: Seattle Community Church
Reception: Salty’s on Alki
Videography: DvPixl films
DJ: Jay Productions

Leslie and Austin . Wedding

Leslie and Austin, we are overwhelmed with the generosity that you’ve shown us. May you be blessed so much more than with what you bless others with.

Behind the Scenes:

Dress: Demetrios
Ceremony: Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church
Reception: Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Makeup/Hair: KyleLynn Beauty Professionals
Florist: Northside Florist
Cake: Publix
Videography: Starstruck Video
DJ: Grant Hemond & Associates

June Ae and Dean . Wedding

June Ae and Dean, thank you for being so kind and showing us humility like no other.

Behind the Scenes:

Venue: Light Global Mission Church
Dresses/Makeup/Hair: Total Wedding Kama
Videographer: Photoria

Rachael and Scott . Wedding

Rachael and Scott, thank you for giving us the honor of documenting your sweet love.

Behind the Scenes:

Wedding Coordinator: Elegant Affairs
Dress: Lorraine Bridal
Venue: Kiana Lodge
Florist: Always & Forever Creations
DJ: Disco Royale

Hannah and Aric . Wedding

In order to get these last 2009 weddings onto the blog as quickly as I can, I’m going to have to let the pictures speak for themselves.

Hannah and Aric, thank you for being fabulously stylish, but even more importantly showing us that it’s always in style to be incredibly loving as you two are! Oh, and happy birthday today beautiful!

Behind the Scenes:

Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Venue: Hiddenbrooke Golf Club
Florist: Brick’s Florist
Cake: The Cakemaker
DJ: Denon & Doyle

Sophia and Wayne . Wedding

Sophia and Wayne contacted us three years before their wedding. Talk about planning ahead! Both being in medicine, of course a good chunk of their life was spent studying, so it was appropriate that the ladies got ready in a (church) library. Sophia and three of her bridesmaids were roomies in college and Hun called them “The House of Nerds” because they were all so intelligent and headed towards prominent futures in the medical field. Well, they’re the furthest from nerdiness – they’re genuine, caring, and fun! In fact, Jillian and Liah, the two ladies that I’m pictured with below are very special to me as they were really there for me and my late brother while he was fighting cancer.

Sophia and Wayne, thank you for teaching us that love is patient. Really patient.

Behind the Scenes:

Wedding Coordinator: Amber May Weddings
Dress: Cynderellies Closet
Ceremony: Bethany Community Church
Reception: Everett Yacht Club
Makeup: Amy Baker
Florist: Acanthus Floral
Cake: Edmonds Bakery

Amber and Brian . Wedding

We had back-to-back purple-themed weddings with the same exact bridesmaid dresses, yet, each wedding had a completely distinctive style of its own. Amber and Brian threw a spectacular celebration for their family and friends. Over the years of photographing countless weddings, we see more and more couples that come together through what Amber jokingly says, “the old fashioned way… online.” ;)

Some of the elements from their wedding that stand out to me… Amber’s parents’ gorgeous backyard as a perfect setting, a custom-made cigar bar around a tree trunk built by Amber’s father, cheeseburger sliders and chocolate milk shake shots at the end of the night, and fireworks!

On their wedding website, it stated, “If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you’ve made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand.” (Anonymous) That evening, the sky was peppered with stars that shined clear and bright, if that is any indication. Hun even captured a shooting star!

Amber and Brian, thank you for showing us that true love can be found in unexpected places, and that it is as sweet and beautiful as the two of you.

Behind the Scenes:

Wedding Planner: An Elegant Affair
Dress: Lazaro from Marcella’s La Boutique (bride met Lazaro in person!)
Ceremony: Chapel Hill Church
Reception: Bride’s parents’ home
Hair/Makeup: Salon Maison and Rachel Novito for Robert Leonard Salon
Florist: Distinctive Designs Florist
Cake: Sharon’s Catering & Cakes
Catering: Galluci’s Catering
Tent: AA Party Rentals
Fireworks: Bride’s brother and sister-in-law

Michelle and Ben . Wedding

Michelle and Ben. There are no words to accurately depict these two and their character. Thoughtful and lavish come to mind but that doesn’t even begin to capture their essence. They are both extremely brilliant, inside and out. They met their freshman year in Engineering 100 at University of Washington, which might explain their wedding color (GO DAWGS!).

Ben surely knows the way to a woman’s heart… he gifted his bride with a pair of shoes, and not just any pair of shoes, one that has superpowers. Michelle’s bridesmaids were my favorite group of bridesmaids – they’re genuine, uplifting, sweet, and full of life! Not surprising since they’re friends with Michelle. Guests enjoyed the grandest dessert bar ever, inspired by Amy Atlas and taking fun shots at the photo station with speech bubbles.

Michelle and Ben, thank you for giving so freely that those around you feel so blessed beyond words!

(below) GH Kim alumni. We LOVE our clients!

Behind the Scenes:

Wedding Coordinator: Janette Mallari
Dress: La Belle Elaine’s
Veil: Mother of the Bride
Ceremony: Holy Rosary Church
Reception: Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Makeup/Hair: Stacy Canon
Florist: Laurie Olsen
Cake: Ginny McGavin
Party Favors: New York Cupcakes
Videography: Gebbs Wedding Films
Band: Eric Verlinde Trio Band
Photo station: Justin Parra