Drew & Jessica
A Church Wedding in Gig Harbor, Washington

Its funny – this year about 90% of the weddings I designed or coordinated used a color palette in variations of black, red and white. The brides had already decided this before coming to me. I guess it was just the summer of Red, Black and White!

The last wedding I posted was picnic/homespun themed, but Jessica and Drew had a more romantic vision in mind. Ordinarily, I do the design work myself, but Jessica’s mom, Virgina, has a fair hand with floral and event design, and has helped me out with an event or two, so together we were able to create the look Jessica envisioned.

On that Saturday morning in May, Jessica’s gorgeous curly red hair was styled by Heather at Salon Vlasa (253-225-2283), who also coiffed the wedding party, and they were off to the photo shoot.

They had planned on taking their pre-wedding portraits at Silverbow Farms on the Key Peninsula, where they had picked a portion of their wedding flowers, however, it was rainy and muddy and NOT the place for Jessica’s beautiful gown to be. Providentially, the couple’s friend had just moved into a beautiful home that was graciously offered as a substitute. Adrian Busse of Studio 6 Photography, who provided all the images herein, took fabulous advantage of this lovely home -




Using various crystal chandeliers and loose crystal hung in corkscrew willow branches, they transformed the sanctuary of Community Bible Fellowship in Gig Harbor into a romantic landscape lit by the warm glow of candlelight.







Of course, it wasn’t all serious. Turns out that Drew and Jessica are kind of Star Wars Geeks. So after changing into their “Red Leader” and “Red Two” sneakers, the couple re-entered the hall, now reset for the reception, under a gauntlet of light sabers wielded by the wedding party. DJ Dennis McBroom provided the appropriate Star Wars Theme as an accompaniment.








Dinner was provided by a team of women from Community Bible Fellowship – and as another blogger I admire says, “church women can cook!” Tri tip, chicken, dangerously good potatoes, and a salad that I still crave! Proof positive that if you’re serving a wedding feast, but don’t have the budget for a caterer, there are still lots of great options out there. Although their budget was modest, Drew and Jessica were able to create a beautiful day, with the help of family and friends.






The lesson? Don’t be afraid to ask for help… it might turn out to be better than you imagined!

Wedding Planning… the Hard Way – Lesson Six
Just to be clear, I am not a “I-loved-planning-my-own-wedding-so-much-I-started-my-own-business” event planner. I have worked in meeting and event planning for both corporate and non-profit entities. However, I did learn a few things in the process, and in order to save you a bit of wedding planning grief, I share these lessons with you:

Our wedding reception took place a warm September evening on the church patio and the canopy of twinkling lights absolutely shimmered. After a simple buffet dinner, everyone, well, nearly everyone danced. I’m fairly certain my Baptist grandmother did not. It was a bit quirky by the various standards being used, certainly not flawlessly executed, but it was a memorable and charming blend of both worlds. If you ask my mother in law, she’ll tell you people are still talking about how nice it was.

Lesson Six… in the end, with even a little help and forethought, nearly every wedding works out to be a beautiful event: the happy couple is joined in marriage, families reconnect, new family bonds are forged and celebration ensues. Even the foibles and faux pas become part of the tapestry of a beautiful memory.