As a wedding planner, I live for a challenge; it’s part of the job! But it goes unsaid that my favorite kind of challenge is a design challenge. You might be wondering what I mean by design? I’m talking about the vision, the vibe, or theme the couple has for their wedding day. That’s why when Lacey + Sam came along, I knew I had met my match.
Lacey + Sam stretched my design muscles and really challenged me to think outside the box. It was clear from day one that Lacey + Sam were on the same page about a lot of things. However, where the differed, was what they wanted their wedding day to look like, and they looked to me to help make it all come together.
Lacey was a vibrant, vivacious soul. When I first met her, she had the biggest, most stunning red and turquoise earrings that she paired with a teal turtleneck sweater. She loved color, and wanted that in the design. She loved teal particularly. And magenta, and maroon, and navy. Jewel tones.
In contrast, Sam was laid back, funny, and practical. He wanted the wedding to reflect them as a couple, and didn’t want it to be a cookie cutter wedding. He also wanted the design to acknowledge the setting the wedding was in: the PNW on a beautiful island. Having met in Morocco while in the Peace Corps, they also requested we incorporate some elements of Morocco into the design as well. To sum it up, they wanted a vibrant, PNW-Moroccan fusion wedding. Sounds simple enough!
The setting was Memorial Day Weekend in the San Juan Islands, and Roche Harbor was their destination wedding location. We couldn’t have asked for better weather– 76 degrees and sunny. Before we talk about the rest of the day, I just have to share a few photos from their first look. I choke up every time I see Sam’s reaction!
The ceremony was short, sweet, and intentional. Lacey + Sam were so intentional and concerned that the wedding was genuine and a true reflection of them and their relationship. Their ceremony really set this tone. Their vows, readings, and love story were all so moving and inspiring. They talked about how they look forward to changing the world together, and creating a better world than how they found it. Seeing people teaming up in the name of love, because of love, to make the world a better place is so beautiful.
For design elements in the ceremony, L+S loved the innovative look of the circle arch, and the fact we could repurpose it to serve as a backdrop behind their seats in their reception! We covered it in greenery and colorful blooms, and was definitely the show stopper for the ceremony! We also reused the Moroccan-style lanterns on either side of the altar inside the huge fireplace of Roche Harbor’s pavilion after the ceremony!
Cocktail hour was vibrant and lively, complete with my favorite design detail from their wedding: Moroccan-style arabesque tiles in ocean hues that served as escort cards for the reception! The color choices appeased Sam’s preference to still feel like they were on an island! We also had colorful centerpieces for lounge areas and cocktail tables with bright kumquats {a staple in Morocco!} around the base for a pop!
Guests were directed into Roche Harbor’s pavilion for the reception, where we hung lanterns and greenery installations from the rafters of the pavilion. We wanted the richness and bounty of foliage in the PNW evident in the reception decor. It was so dreamy. We took on their design challenge to another level by having the spread on the table be just as impressive, with greenery swag, teal tapered candles {I loved that touch!}, pops of colors with blooms and of course, more kumquats.
One of my favorite details, was a last minute touch Lacey threw in a few weeks before the wedding! She told me she was bringing little wooden camels from Morocco to hide like Easter Eggs throughout the reception! It was so fun finding all the places we could put them. 🙂
One of my favorite parts of hosting a wedding at Roche Harbor is the Colors Ceremony that takes place each evening at dusk. Guests gather down on the docks of the marina to observe the retiring of the colors {or flags} from the dock. You get a killer show, with the sun setting, which makes for the perfect “golden hour” photos. For the rest of the night, guests partied into the night, roasted s’mores, and celebrated the remainder of Memorial Day Weekend at one of the most beautiful places in the PNW.
Congratulations, Lacey + Sam. Thanks for the greatest challenge to date!
Fabulous Wedding Professionals
Photographer | Sara Parsons Photography
Venue + Caterer | Roche Harbor
Cake | Cakes by Felicitations
Florist | Bloom San Juan
Music | Magnolia Rhapsody
Rentals | CORT Party Rental, San Juan Shindigs
Stationery | Anchored Paper Co.
Lighting | Slavus LLC