Featured Venue: Willows Lodge ~ Woodinville, WA

One of our favorite venues to work at as wedding coordinators is Willows Lodge & Spa.

Located in Woodinville Wine Country, Willows Lodge has a charm that appeals to all types. It has a PNW lodge feel with lots of wood and a tiny hint of rustic charm. The gardens & grounds are absolutely beautiful, complete with a fire pit, lawn games, and pet pigs.

The venue is also an actual lodge/hotel complete with a spa, so you and your guests have a place to stay the night(s) of the wedding AND get pampered. Speaking from experience, the spa is ahhhhmazing, and highly recommended.

The most notable thing about the venue however, is THE FOOD! Willows wedding meals are catered by the Barking Frog restaurant. Mmmm. The staff is so friendly and helpful as well, everyone from the catering staff, the event directors to the front desk and valet guys.

This is a fabulous venue, we have planned several wedding events there as well as showcased our work (and many other vendors) at the venue during the 10th annual Weddings in Woodinville. Check out some of our favorite photos at the venue from the event.

Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!

What do you favor?

We all have a favorite part of going to a wedding, the dancing, the vows, the cake, the old friends, and possible new hook-ups.  Oh wedding season. We’ve really missed you.

Does anyone look forward to the Favors? The what? The favors.

If you’re planning your wedding, and are considering favors, keep reading!

Over the last 12 years as wedding coordinators we have seen a full spectrum of favors; from a book of matches to a bottle of wine for each guest. Here we give some planning advice on how to really set your favors apart, as functional, and fun, while avoiding them being wasted, or not appreciated.

What in the world is a favor? As a wedding guest, some might think, why am I getting this koozie with the wedding date on it? Let’s unpack the who, what, where and why we have these tiny offerings at most weddings we RSVP to.  

 With so many of the details that involve weddings, they at one point started out as a tradition. The favor tradition specifically, is hundreds of years old and was very commonplace amongst European aristocrats.

Favors, also known as Bonbonniere, was a small trinket box that was made of crystal or porcelain. Inside these boxes were a sweet treat of some sort, or sugar cubes. Sugar was expensive at that time, it was a sign of wealth or royalty to have the means and give this as a gift. As sugar became more readily accessible for most people, the sugar cubes were replaced with almonds. In the 13th century, sugar coated almonds, which were also known as confetti, were introduced. Which soon took the form of the famous Jordan almonds. These popular favors are a small tulle sack with five candy coated almonds inside. These five almonds are to wish the new couple, fertility, longevity, wealth, health, and happiness. The symbol of the almonds was to represent the bittersweet ups and downs of marriage embodied by the sugary candy coat, and the bitterness of the almond.

We have come a long way from Jordan almonds, and now favors range in all directions, as well as in tandem with representing the couple, their families and their culture. They are certainly a nice addition to a wedding if they are in your wedding plans.

The cost of wedding favors range from about $2- $10+ on average per favor. Add this against a long wedding guest list and you have a large, almost unnecessary line item that can be spent on other planning needs. Off the top of my head, a wedding planner or day of coordinator, possibly?

The do’s and don’t of favor planning are simple. DO  be intentional about what you are trying to do with your favor. DON’T  just have one to have one, because you think you need too. If your heart or budget is not set on having a favor, do everyone the favor and skip it. Otherwise, you will end up with some half thought out plan that will end up getting smooshed into the floor or thrown away. Wasteful of your time, money, and to the landfills.

We know you are super excited about your day and we are too! Ahh, you’re getting married and it is friggin’ AWESOME. But, that doesn’t mean that we all need a candle with your date on it, or a shot glass inscribed with Ted and Lilly forever. Although, as a guest I would appreciate a  shot of tequila, or a locally made chocolate, or even a good cause that you donated to in lieu of a silly trinket.

As wedding planners, we advise our couples to keep their favor simple. Something edible, something on the way out for the evening, like a fun snack in a to go box, or cookies and some milk/ alt milk choices. Or, even boxed cake slices for those who didn’t get a chance to enjoy it during the cake cutting. And, as mentioned before, an awesome charity that needs the money more than anyone needs monogrammed T & L coasters.

FINAL PRO TIP: If you are set on your favor, and it has the option of not being a part of the tablescape, order less, and have it as guests walk out. Best of both worlds.  

Follow these steps and you are on your way to having the most favorable favor!

We are always here to answer your questions as honestly and thoroughly as we can.

 Thank you so much for checking out our blog, and happy planning to you both!

Who is It’s Your Day Events?

We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.

We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.

We dot the i's and cross the t's.

We triple check it all once more. 

Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.

Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!

Get to Know Seattle Wedding Photographer ~ Courtney Bowlden

Courtney Bowlden

Hello There! In this blog, I interviewed Seattle and Bellingham, WA based photographer extraordinaire, Courtney Bowlden. We work with Courtney quite often, we absolutely love her style and she is always a pleasure to work with. Over the years, she has become a friend rather than just an industry colleague. I love her work so much, that I hired her to shoot my wedding in 2017. Keep reading to get to know Courtney, and why one might consider working with her.

Q: How long have you been in business?

A: I have been in business since January 2009. 

Ashley’s comment: (that is over 11 years of expertise, folks)!

Q: How did you get started in photography?

A: I initially wanted to start taking better photos of my little babies (my son was less than a year and my daughter was 3). I bought my first DSLR camera in 2008 and started learning how to shoot in manual that winter. By 2009 I started following other photographers around as assistants or helping out where needed. I learned a lot and realized what I liked and what I didn’t like. 

Q: Why wedding photography?

A: During the first couple years in business, I realized I didn’t love photographing everything, but what I KNEW was that I absolutely LOVED shooting weddings. I think for me, it’s the story telling aspect of it, while still being able to create art. I have always valued photographs because they tell a visual story. 

Q: What do you love about what you do?

A: I love the people I meet. I have made some great friends throughout the years. I absolutely love helping out at weddings and being of service. 

Q: If you weren’t a wedding photographer, what else could you imagine doing?

A: If I weren’t a wedding photographer I would probably be creative in another way (maybe a travel blogger?), because I am an entrepreneur at heart. I have never loved working for big companies. That or working with animals. I love dogs and they make me so happy! I can see myself really loving that job.

Q: What is your secret sauce that makes you so awesome at what you do?

A: Getting a lot of shots within a short amount of time. 

Ashley’s comment: From personal experience, I can also add that she makes the person or couple she is working with very comfortable, by being caring and funny. Say goodbye, camera shy!

Q: What is one thing you wish all couples would ask before booking you?

A: For me, I want a  couple who really wants a photographer that is going to help them along the way, not just pretty photos. I love being involved in helping pick out clothes for their engagement session or help find shoes for their wedding. A dream couple would be someone who really cares about my advice and capturing good photos. There are so many helpful tips that help make photos better, and I want to help guide them so that their photos are the best photos possible. 

Q: What have you been doing to cope during these strange times?

A: I started shooting film and bought my first film camera, the Contax645. I have always had a dream of shooting film since the day I started shooting weddings. It’s been such a blessing and has really helped me. That and taking a lot of online courses on how to be a better photographer. 

Q: Is there a wedding venue that is on your wishlist that you haven’t shot at yet?

A: Yes! The 101 in Seattle. It’s so gorgeous inside and around the building. I love how elegant and a bit industrial it is. 

Ashley’s comment: Okay, seriously, anyone getting married at The 101, hit her up, you won’t regret it.

Q: Anything else our readers should know about you?

A: I love to travel! It’s crushing not being able to travel this year, but I am hoping in the future once everything settles down I can start going on more adventures.

Ashley’s comment: True that. I need me some Hawaii.

There you have it! Reach out to Courtney if you have any questions of your own :)

Cheers,

Ashley

Principal Wedding Planner and Co-Owner of It’s Your Day Events

A wedding planner becomes a bride! taken by Courtney Bowlden

It’s Your Day Events is a boutique Wedding Planning agency based in Seattle & Bellingham.

GIVEAWAY: Wedding Ceremony for Couple Affected by Covid

Have you been required to completely abandon all 2020 wedding plans due to Covid-19? It’s Your Day Events has partnered with Courtney Bowlden Photography, Best Day Ever Wedding Decor and From the Ground Up Floral, to bring you a custom wedding ceremony planned locally, we call it the mini-mony (must follow current regulations).

Photo by Courtney Bowlden

What You Will Get

• A custom mini-mony planned & coordinated by It’s Your Day Events (max 23 guests)

• Wedding ordained by Mercer Brown of It’s Your Day Events & Best Day Ever Wedding Decor

• Up to 3 hours of photography coverage from Courtney Bowlden Photography

• Small bridal bouquet and boutonniere for couple (or 2 small bouquets or bouts per preference) provided by From The Ground Up Floral

• A custom sign from Best Day Ever Wedding Decor

The Wedding must take place between 9/21 & 11/20/20. Blackout dates are: 9/26 & 10/16 If you do not have a location in mind already, we can help you find something. Must be within 40 minutes travel of Kenmore/Woodinville, WA. No other expenses are covered, other than what is mentioned above (such as seating, decor, etc).

If this sounds good to you- to enter:

• Follow @its _ your _day _ events, @bestdayeverweddingdecor, @courtneybowlden & @fromthegroundupfloral on instagram.

• Email info@itsyourdayevents.com with the follow information

  • Your names & a bit about you!

  • Your instagram handle (@)

  • Desired wedding date(s)

  • If you have a location in mind (where)

  • A small bit of info on how Covid affected your plans this year & why this mini-mony would be perfect for you

  • Optional: A photo of the couple (you)!

  Deadline is 8/28/20 at 12pm PST. That’s it! We will pick a winner on 8/28

  We are so excited and eagerly looking to help make it happen for one fabulous couple!

Disclaimer: The focus of this giveaway is LOVE. The contest is open to individuals of all backgrounds. We are LGBTQ+ and BIPOC allied.

Cheers!

My Wedding at Salty's at Alki

Where do Seattle Wedding Planners themselves get married? For our venue, I chose Salty’s at Alki!

Located in the beautiful Alki area of West Seattle, Salty’s has arguably one of the most amazing views across the water of the Downtown Seattle skyline. Many people don’t know that this amazing restaurant has a full event space located downstairs. Depending  on your guest count, you can utilize one to three of the adjoining rooms to fit up to 240 seated guests. They have two patios, right outside on the water, perfect for ceremonies and/or cocktail hour, and feeling that cool ocean breeze on your skin.

On top of all that, the food is incredible. Having an in house caterer is often seen as a perk, as you don’t have to seek out yet another vendor, and of course they have the impeccable service down to a T. Another great thing about Salty’s is that you can choose to utilize their wine, or bring in your own for a reasonable corkage fee.

I loved having our wedding in West Seattle because there are so many nearby places to take amazing photos! We ended up renting a VRBO on Admiral Way to get ready in, which also had some amazing views. Check out the some of my favorite shots from our photographer; Courtney Bowlden.

We got married in May 2017. Sometimes I wish we could do it all over again!

Cheers,

Ashley

Principal Wedding Planner and Co-Owner of It’s Your Day Events

It’s Your Day Events is a boutique Wedding Planning agency based in Seattle & Bellingham.