Thursday, December 1, 2011

Julie & Nash’s Vintage Mardi Gras Wedding

Without a doubt, one of my favorite things about coordinating a wedding is the chance to help bring to life each couple’s unique vision for their day. Since no two couples or weddings are ever quite the same, I never cease to learn from and be inspired by all of the creative and truly personalized details that make each occasion one-of-a-kind.

When it comes to original ideas, our friends Julie and Nash certainly outdid themselves with their vision for a 1920s Mardi Gras-themed celebration – a well-thought plan that evolved and came beautifully together throughout the past year, culminating this fall with one of the most unique and exciting weddings I’ve seen, let alone had the honor of coordinating.

Here, a few highlights of their day as shot by Jon Fisch of The Seattle Times, along with family members and friends. 

Julie & Nash's Library
John Fisch
John Fisch
John Fisch
In keeping with the Carnival-inspired theme, the wedding party and groom wore handmade masks and rang bells as they made their way down the aisle. Vintage hats and feathered headpieces also enhanced the party's attire, while colorful beads and peacock feathers made fitting accents for the flowers and decor. 

John Fisch
John Fisch
John Fisch
John Fisch
John Fisch
John Fisch
Julie's bridal look was beyond breathtaking, as she accented her already stunning gown with a variety of vintage and Mardi Gras-inspired touches, including a colorful sash and necklaces, mask-themed brooch, and headpieces featuring eye-catching feathers and beads. 

John Fisch
John Fisch
John Fisch
John Fisch
Ahead of the ceremony, Julie and Nash enjoyed a private first look on their backyard deck, followed by photos with the wedding party, which showcased the group's vintage-inspired attire. I absolutely loved the bridesmaids' peacock headpieces and the groomsmen's unique boutonnieres, the latter of which were skillfully crafted by bridesmaid Jessica.

John Fisch
Julie & Nash's Library
John Fisch
Stephen Walrath
Julie & Nash's Library
John Fisch
At the venue, an eclectic Seattle photo studio, the unconventional ceremony kicked off with officiants Chris and Olivia waltzing down the aisle to take their places before a gathering of 100 guests. Once in place, they exchanged the wedding party's "wild" masks for more "civilized" bouquets and top hats to symbolize the groom's impending transition from bachelor to husband.

After walking his daughter down the aisle to Bob Dylan's "Wigwam," Julie's father, a Central California vintner, gave a stirring and symbolic speech relating the growth and changes of grape vines throughout the years to those experienced within marriage. Readings, personal vows and an exchange of rings followed. 

Stephen Walrath
Stephen Walrath
Stephen Walrath
Stephen Walrath
Post-ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception featuring appetizers and drinks, including signature concoctions like the Mint Julep and Southern Soprano. The two-level venue featured a variety of themed rooms for guests to explore, along with a studio-run photo booth that was a huge hit throughout the night.

Stephen Walrath 
Stephen Walrath 
Stephen Walrath
Stephen Walrath 
Closing out the night with a special touch, Julie and Nash held a midnight marriage certificate signing ceremony to symbolize the start of their new life together and set their official wedding anniversary date as 11.20.2011.

Thank you, Julie and Nash, for letting me share your day, and many happy wishes for an incredible life together! 

Venue
Urban Light Studios in Seattle, Washington

Catering
Duos Catering 

Wines
Fratelli Perata

Photography
Jon Fisch & Urban Light Studios 

Officiants
Chris & Olivia Bloomquist 

Floral Design
Jessica Wilbur 

DJ
Ted Garbeff 

Coordination
Heather & Stephen Walrath

24 comments:

  1. What a BEAUTIFUL wedding! This is such a great theme and it looks like it wasn't too hard to do. Love it!

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  2. Love the theme, looks like a really fun wedding to attend.

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  3. wow thats awesome.. so cute and creative.. and she looks soo pretty.

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  4. Love the theme and looks like a very nice wedding, you did a wonderful job!

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  5. What an incredibly fun looking wedding!

    I love her headpiece too - stunning!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  6. Such a beautiful wedding! I am in love with the bride's gorgeous headpiece, and the masks look like so much fun! And 11.20.2011? Love it!

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  7. Wow!!! The detail at this wedding was breathtaking!!! My 21st is going to be 1920s themed but after seeing this, I don't know if I'll be able to do it justice!!

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  8. looks like a beautiful and very fashionable wedding! i love all of the touches, especially the colorful sash the bride wore.

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  9. What a very cool vintage and colorful wedding. I absolutely LOVE her dress..she looked breathtaking!!

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  10. What great ideas - and such a beautiful bride to pull it off!

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  11. What a great theme and beautiful execution of it. The bride's headpiece is such a showstopper! Excited to find another D.C. blogger!

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  12. wow what a gorgeous and unique wedding! xo

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  13. nooo way!!! what an AMAZING idea. Seriously HOW FUN. I am totally loving this :)

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  14. Congratulations! What a unique idea for the wedding, I especially love the bride's hairpiece!

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  15. I have always thought that Mardi Gras weddings sounded like such a fun idea. I have never been to one, but I have seen plenty of pictures from Mardi Gras-themed weddings, and they just look so crazy!

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  16. Ohhh yayyyy! I have been DYING to see this post since you mentioned it a bit back! AHHHH! I love the masks; they are so decadent!

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  17. Awww! I love it! Looks like a great time!

    xoxo, Nali

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  18. love it when a vision comes together!

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  19. I'm from New Orleans, so I know all about Mardi Gras. I love the jewel tones they used. :D
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  20. well done Heather..looks like an AWESOMELY fun wedding! loved her dress!

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  21. this is just an awesome wedding..what a neat theme! there were so many unique and original ideas here, great job!!

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  22. beautiful wedding! great job Heather!

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