Seattle Bride Magazine F/W11: NW Album

nort h w e st a lbum by m e ga n PhilliPs Photography m ich ele m . wa ite Photogr a Ph y

A benevolent bride and groom plan a colorful, whimsical fete with help from family and friends

community service

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newlyweds ashley kimberley, 27, and

Ryan Anderson, 28, spend much of their time volunteering in the community and help-ing others. But when it came time to plan their September 19, 2010 wedding, the tables turned as their tight-knit circle of friends and family pitched in to help personalize their big day. The Sand Point couple first met on a 2005 trip with Habitat for Humanity in Mexico and developed an inseparable bond over their shared love of music and good food. Five years later, Ryan proposed on a hilltop in Portland with the words “will you marry me” printed on his T-shirt.

Settling on a cheerful, vibrant palette of pinks, oranges and reds, the pair made decor details a collaborative project, creating their own save-the-dates cards, invitations, pro-grams and CD favors of their favorite songs for their guests. Ryan, a structural engineer, used his tactile skills to make a sweet “a + r”

ash le y k i m ber le y and rya n a n der son

September 19, 2010cer e mon y a n d r e ceP tion:

Herban Feast’ s Sodo Park

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The couple

in a tender embrace at Cedarbrook Lodge.

Flowers by Steven Moore were a mix of

brilliant hues; Ashley holds a bouquet of

hydrangea, scabiosa pods, ranunculus, billy

balls, hypericum berries and lily grass. The

peony- and garden-rose-filled arrange-

ments by Moore complemented DIY table

numbers made by the bride and groom.

Fabric streamers in a colorful palette of

pinks, oranges and reds decorated the aisle;

flower girls Rylie and Olive marched down

the aisle holding colorful wands instead of

flowers. Wanting guests to have an alterna-

tive to dancing, Ryan initially thought of

putting up a basketball hoop—an idea nixed

by Ashley because she realized all the guys

would be shooting hoops while the girls

boogied inside. “The Ping-Pong table was a

nice compromise,” Ryan says. It was hand-

painted by an artistic bridesmaid.

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“Love-love-loved this gorgeous Seattle wedding. Many congrats to Ashley and Ryan; they killed their swing-dance surprise!” —Michele M. Waite

documenting the day

sandwich board to set up outside their venue, while Ashley, a family services coordinator at Seattle Children’s Hospital, crafted the fanciful, handmade belts for her bridesmaid’s dresses. “We really enjoyed having the chance to be creative together,” Ashley says. Friends and family pitched in the rest, collecting “love pictures” to display on a wall and painting a colorful Ping-Pong table for the couple’s recep-tion. Two musically inclined friends played the guitar processional before Ashley walked down the aisle; others brewed beer and provided wine for the reception, lending a jovial, family-reunion feel to the day.Pale, fall light streamed through the weathered warehouse at Herban Feast’s Sodo Park on the big day, giving the ceremony an ethereal brightness. Ashley wore a sculptural Monique Lhuillier gown and a necklace made by her sister-in-law, Ballard-based jeweler Ashley Kimberly of Ashley Paulina Jewelry. While many details were DIY, wedding planner Ste-ven M. Moore lent his expertise to the bright, quirky florals and bud-vase table settings, keeping décor minimal and rustic, an amalgam of contemporary industrial and vintage chic. After the ceremony, Ashley threw on a tea-length dress and the couple performed a swing dance that they had been practicing and kept top secret until the big day. “We wanted the night to be meaningful yet lighthearted and fun,” Ryan says. “Breaking into dance after the ceremony was a moment I’ll never forget.” After the swing dance, guests supped on beef loin, halibut and vegetable torte with sides of field greens salad and roasted veggies; played Ping-Pong; and boogied down to dance hits by soft-rock band The Kennedy Brothers until the wee hours. U

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To contact these vendors, see Resources starting on page 144.

Ashley & Ryan’s Wedding TeamBRidaL attiRe : Monique Lhuillier

gown and Vera Wang belt, Marcella’s

La Boutique; Seychelles shoes,

Anthropologie; reception swing dress,

Macy’s BRidaL haiR and maKeuP:

Shandra Koehler, Sense Salon BRidaL

JeWeLRy: Ashley Paulina Jewelry BRideSmaid and FLoWeR giRL

attiRe : Dresses, J.Crew; belts, made

by bride; necklaces, Ashley Paulina

Jewelry cateRing: Herban Feast at

Sodo Park gRoom’S Suit: J.Crew

gRoomSmen’S attiRe : Vests, H&M;

pink ties, Amazon.com oFFiciant: The

Rev. Kent French, First Congregational

Church of Bellingham RecePtion

Band: The Kennedy Brothers RingS:

Green Lake Jewelry Works Wedding

PLanneR and FLoWeRS: Steven M.

Moore Designs

LEFT: Ryan and Ashley practiced for months to

perfect their swing-dancing moves. AbOvE: Instead

of a cake, the couple opted for delectable rosettes,

cupcakes and lemon ice-box pie—all of which were

homemade by their guests.