Michelle & Bill - SODO - Seattle
December 21st, 2013

I met Bill and Michelle over beers a few years ago at a little bar called Hooverville.  One day in late November, I met up with them to look at a venue for their annual Winter Solstice party.  They typically have it at their home, but the guest list was a bit bigger this year, and they wanted more room.  We were able to use a former restaurant/club space in SODO and discussed how to spruce it up a bit for their event.  I found out later that evening that the couple was planning to announce their engagement at the party!  I was very excited to help them plan something special.  Bill and Michelle are both avid bicyclists and are very passionate about the environment.  We worked together to make the party as sustainable and green as possible.  From delicious vegetarian catering, a green DJ and photo booth, compostable dishes and drinkware, LED lights for decor, and a locally sourced signature cocktail, the event was super environmentally friendly!  We were excitedly getting everything in place when, four days before the event, Michelle and Bill let me know that they had actually decided to get married at the party and surprise all their friends and family even more!  It was a very exciting few days as we put all the finishing details together.
  
The party was so much fun!  Michelle looked gorgeous in an ice blue dress withe silver lace.  She and Bill made a lovely speech following cocktail hour to announce their engagement with a champagne toast and to let everyone know to stick around for another surprise at midnight.  Guests enjoyed dinner and the dance party got going in full swing.  Then, at midnight, Michelle's mother walked her to Bill where they exchanged wedding vows and rings under a twinkling kissing ball and in sight of their friends, families and their dog, Buddha.  The couple's bikes decorated the altar and the venue was hung with photos of their pets, lending a truly personal feel to the space.  In lieu of favors, guests were able to pick from one of three charities and Bill and Michelle would then donate in their guests' honor.  Friends brought delicious desserts and the signature cocktail was supplied by the BelleWood Distillery, friends of the bride and groom who run a farm and distillery near Bellingham.  Guests signed their well wishes on a beautiful drawing of the couple's bikes that was drawn by a friend of theirs that will be framed in their home.  The dance party continued and guests had fun with the photo booth into the wee hours of the morning.  It was a truly magical time and I loved being able to work with Bill and Michelle to make their big day so much fun.  With such fun, sweet, and crazy personalities it was impossible not to have an insanely good time.  I wish all the best to the happy couple!

Event Design & Coordination: Candice Luth Wedding & Event Design | Venue: 2946 1st Avenue South | Photography: Angela & Evan
Catering: Ravishing Radish | Floral Design: Candice Luth Wedding & Event Design | Photobooth: USnaps | DJ: Bamboo Beats
Rentals: AA Party Rentals | Custom Stationary & Decor Design: Candice Luth Wedding & Event Design