Christina, our very own wedding planner here at It’s Your Day Events & Expressions was waiting for this day for a very long time; ever since she set eyes on Mr. Benjamin Fesler- she knew it was bound to be. Her day took place on August 13^th, 2011-at the Skansonia Ferry boat located on Lake Union. She had friends and family flying in from all over the country and world to see her and meet her husband to be. She wanted to make sure her guests got a true Seattle welcome, right on the water with the Seattle skyline behind them. The week before her wedding, it was buzzing with excitement as friends and family began to pour in. After the rehearsal dinner at Tutta Bella on Stone way, the bridal parties departed to their respective hotels, Ben to Hotel Deca with his groomsmen, and Christina to the Westin Hotel downtown Seattle to the Rainer suite where her and her girls would just sit and enjoy the very emotionally divine evening with champagne, the hilarious Bridesmaid movie and of course ice cream.

The bride to be couldn’t wait to get up the next morning- she was ready to go- breakfast at Portage Bay Café, and then off to hair and makeup. Her hair appointment was at Habitude salon in Ballard, and her makeup was back at the Westin done by Blackline Beauty. After her girls hair and makeup was done by Rachel Austin, and Blackline Beauty- they all stepped into their dresses, and finally prepared Christina to get in her gown, a summer 2011 Manual Mota, collection with a tight bodice and lace appliqués that surrounded her waist. Her idea of her dress was classy however womanly. For Christina it was amazing to have all her closest friends around her help her in her dress. She was overwhelmed with love, joy, and appreciation to have these fantastic women in her life. As Rachel and Tyler Austin of TAustin Photography were busy snapping up memories of flowers, pictures, and everything else, the Mercedes sprinter arrive ready to take them to Hotel Deca to finally see her handsome husband to be. On the roof top of his suite they had their 1^st look. As the butterflies tamed and the glory of the day finally set in, they boarded the sprinter once again to make way to Talaris campus for some more photos, and then back to their final destination at the Skansonia where her family awaited family photos.

After pictures- the girls; Ashley, Jordan, Maddy, Ashlee, Clare, and Annie all sat upstairs - all their hearts beating just a little faster as the moment drew closer for their processional to begin. All of a sudden, it was Ashley and Christina waiting at the top of the stairs, they both exchanged a heartfelt look and a hug as each of their hearts were beating rapidly with excitement and utter joy. As Christina watched the top of Ashley’s head disappear towards the arbor beautifully decorated by Wylde Flower’s Anh Wylde. She was standing their by her dad- holding back the tears, she all of a sudden knew that this was no time for words, as this was the moment she was waiting for- the walk with her father. As the doors reopened and her song began- she clenched her father’s arm, held back her tears and made her way down the 23 steep stairs to meet her husband. After the I do’s everyone enjoyed wonderful food, delicious cupcakes, beer, Mexican cokes, and Chatter Creek Wine- while dancing to nonstop jams! The night ended in a sparkler exit where the couple returned to the Rainer suite on top of the Westin downtown Seattle, and enjoyed packaged cupcakes from their wedding made by Sweet Cakes in Kirkland, toasted with a final glass of champagne, and awaited to catch their honeymoon flight to Cabo San Lucas for 7 days.

Wedding Venue- Skansonia Ferry Boat

Photography- TAustin Photography

Catering- Skansonia Ferry Boat

Cake/Cupcakes- Sweet Cakes

DJ- A Sounds Unlimited

Flowers- Wylde Flowers

Wedding Planner- It's Your Day Events & Expressions

Hotels - Hotel Deca/Westin Hotel

Bridal Hair- Habitude Salon Ballard

Bridesmaids Hair- Rachel Austin

Bride/Bridesmaid Makeup- Tiffany from Blackline Beauty

Transportation- Butler Transportation

Katie & Jared were an amazing couple to work with! It might seem like we say that about every couple, but we truly mean that. Katie is going to school to get her doctorate in nursing and Jared is a "handy man" carpenter. We met with Katie and her wonderful parents Ann & Ben just a few months before her wedding to get her some help finishing up with the planning since she is such a busy gal! It was a great pleasure getting to know both her family, and then Jared's family at the wedding, which included his brother Nathan who was the most amazing florist!

Katie & Jared's wedding took place at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture. The ceremony was in sort of a secret garden area, called the Goodfellow Grove, and the reception in the NHS Hall with cocktails in the outdoor garden area and dancing under the glass atrium.

The whole day had a truly organic and magical feel to it with the inspiring floral touches that Nathan and friends created, a wooden arbor, handmade by Jared himself, plenty of chinese lanterns and twinkle lights, and lanterns, right down to the the guest favors that were little flower shaped seed planters.

There was plenty of fun throughout the night including a photobooth provided by Say Cheez Photo Booth a grooms cake of an armadillo from Sweet Cakes Kirkland and Katie even busted out some of her fancy dance moves on the floor. (We heard she teaches salsa dancing!?)

At the end of the night the couple retreated to their town car after many goodbyes and headed off to a romantic evening at the Edgewater Hotel.