I have known Katie since we were in middle school. We grew up on the same club gymnastics team. Over the years our moms grew close as friends as well. So when Katie and her mom started planning Katie and Tim's wedding, it just made sense they would ask me to coordinate the wedding.
Katie, Lori and I met at the venue on an open house day in March to walk the property and talk about Katie and Lori's ideas and wants for the wedding day. This gave me a good feel for the overall vision of the wedding. We proceeded over the next few months to plan and check items of the to do list. We met again at the venue about a week and a half before the wedding to finalize plans and make sure we had everything in order.
Katie and Tim wanted a somewhat traditional wedding, but also a memorable party for their family and friends. Katie's family goes to church at The Olson Mansion so the venue easily fit the bill of what they were looking for in a venue. It is an old barn that has been completely and beautifully re-done inside with an attached courtyard. As long as the weather stayed nice the ceremony was to be held outside in the courtyard with the reception in the barn.
Myself and a team of family members showed up at 2:00 pm for set-up. Set-up included everything from tables and chairs to decor. It took about 15 of us to set-up the venue from top to bottom in 2.5 hours. There were a lot of details, but the final look was perfect. The ceremony space was decorated with wine barrels and flowers. It is already a pretty outdoor space and doesn't need much in the way of decor. The reception tables were set with a navy tablecloth, a coral runner, a tin box with flowers, three mercury votive candle holders and table numbers. Each place setting was set with a silver charger, white plate, coral napkin folded with a pocket to have the silverware placed into and a cookie favor. The navy, coral and silver colors complimented each other nicely. Each white wedding chair was also tied with a coral chair tie. For the guestbook, there was a photo to sign and wooden hearts for each guest to write a message to the couple and put in a keep sake box. There was also a sweet memorial of pictures for Tim's father who passed away a few years prior.
While set-up was happening photos were taking place around the venue. the Olson Mansion sits on a golf course and provides some stunning back drops. By 4:30pm, the bride and bridesmaids were in hiding as guests were starting to arrive. The groom, groomsmen and family mingled until the ceremony was ready to start.
The ceremony started at 5:00 pm. It was a beautiful evening for an outdoor ceremony. The ceremony was short, but sentimental. Following the ceremony the guest were asked to head into the reception barn for a cocktail hour. 45 minutes later the bridal party and the bride and groom were introduced into the reception and started off the buffet. While Katie and Tim's guests were finishing dinner, the bride and groom left the venue to take some beautiful sunset photos.
Once guests were finished eating and the sunset photos were wrapped, the toasts started. The matron of honor, who we both also did gymnastics with, started them off, followed by the best man, the bride's father and the mother of the groom. Tim and Katie then said a few heartfelt words to thank their guest for sharing their special day with them. Once toasts concluded, Katie and Tim cut the cutting cake which signaled the opening of the dessert bar. The guests had an array of desserts to choose from. The cake cutting led into the first dance, the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance. I think the formal dances might be one of my favorite parts of a wedding. You can just see the love between the couple and each of their parents shine through. The last of the traditional items was the bouquet and garter toss and then the dance floor was opened and the guest had a great time dancing the evening away. Katie and Tim's wedding came to a close by 10:00pm and they weren't sent off into the night by glow sticks to their awaiting town car.
Katie and Tim - thank you for making me such a big part of your wedding day. Katie - it always means so much to work with someone I grew up with. Congratulations on your marriage and I look forward to watching it grow.
VENUE// THE OLSON MANSION, MAPLE VALLEY, WA
DAY OF COORDINATION// CASSIE RENAE EVENTS, LLC
PHOTOGRAPHY// SELECT PHOTOGRAPHY
CATERING AND BARTENDING// B DAZZLED CATERING
DESSERTS// THE SWEETSIDE
FLOWERS// MARIBETH ST. PIERRE, FAMILY FRIEND
DJ// SG MOBILE DJ
OFFICIANT// KERRY KNIGHT, FAMILY FRIEND
RENTALS// PALISADE
HAIR AND MAKE-UP// PERSONAL FRIEND
MAKE-UP// FLAWLESS BEAUTY BAR
RENTALS// AMERICAN PARTY PLACE
