I have known Katie since we were in middle school. We grew up on the same club gymnastics team. Over the years our moms grew close as friends as well. So when Katie and her mom started planning Katie and Tim's wedding, it just made sense they would ask me to coordinate the wedding.

Katie, Lori and I met at the venue on an open house day in March to walk the property and talk about Katie and Lori's ideas and wants for the wedding day. This gave me a good feel for the overall vision of the wedding. We proceeded over the next few months to plan and check items of the to do list. We met again at the venue about a week and a half before the wedding to finalize plans and make sure we had everything in order.

Katie and Tim wanted a somewhat traditional wedding, but also a memorable party for their family and friends. Katie's family goes to church at The Olson Mansion so the venue easily fit the bill of what they were looking for in a venue. It is an old barn that has been completely and beautifully re-done inside with an attached courtyard. As long as the weather stayed nice the ceremony was to be held outside in the courtyard with the reception in the barn.

Myself and a team of family members showed up at 2:00 pm for set-up. Set-up included everything from tables and chairs to decor. It took about 15 of us to set-up the venue from top to bottom in 2.5 hours. There were a lot of details, but the final look was perfect. The ceremony space was decorated with wine barrels and flowers. It is already a pretty outdoor space and doesn't need much in the way of decor. The reception tables were set with a navy tablecloth, a coral runner, a tin box with flowers, three mercury votive candle holders and table numbers. Each place setting was set with a silver charger, white plate, coral napkin folded with a pocket to have the silverware placed into and a cookie favor. The navy, coral and silver colors complimented each other nicely. Each white wedding chair was also tied with a coral chair tie. For the guestbook, there was a photo to sign and wooden hearts for each guest to write a message to the couple and put in a keep sake box. There was also a sweet memorial of pictures for Tim's father who passed away a few years prior.

While set-up was happening photos were taking place around the venue. the Olson Mansion sits on a golf course and provides some stunning back drops. By 4:30pm, the bride and bridesmaids were in hiding as guests were starting to arrive. The groom, groomsmen and family mingled until the ceremony was ready to start.

The ceremony started at 5:00 pm. It was a beautiful evening for an outdoor ceremony. The ceremony was short, but sentimental. Following the ceremony the guest were asked to head into the reception barn for a cocktail hour. 45 minutes later the bridal party and the bride and groom were introduced into the reception and started off the buffet. While Katie and Tim's guests were finishing dinner, the bride and groom left the venue to take some beautiful sunset photos.

Once guests were finished eating and the sunset photos were wrapped, the toasts started. The matron of honor, who we both also did gymnastics with, started them off, followed by the best man, the bride's father and the mother of the groom. Tim and Katie then said a few heartfelt words to thank their guest for sharing their special day with them. Once toasts concluded, Katie and Tim cut the cutting cake which signaled the opening of the dessert bar. The guests had an array of desserts to choose from. The cake cutting led into the first dance, the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance. I think the formal dances might be one of my favorite parts of a wedding. You can just see the love between the couple and each of their parents shine through. The last of the traditional items was the bouquet and garter toss and then the dance floor was opened and the guest had a great time dancing the evening away. Katie and Tim's wedding came to a close by 10:00pm and they weren't sent off into the night by glow sticks to their awaiting town car.

Katie and Tim - thank you for making me such a big part of your wedding day. Katie - it always means so much to work with someone I grew up with. Congratulations on your marriage and I look forward to watching it grow.

VENUE// THE OLSON MANSION, MAPLE VALLEY, WA
DAY OF COORDINATION// CASSIE RENAE EVENTS, LLC
PHOTOGRAPHY// SELECT PHOTOGRAPHY
CATERING AND BARTENDING// B DAZZLED CATERING
DESSERTS// THE SWEETSIDE
FLOWERS// MARIBETH ST. PIERRE, FAMILY FRIEND
DJ// SG MOBILE DJ
OFFICIANT// KERRY KNIGHT, FAMILY FRIEND
RENTALS// PALISADE
HAIR AND MAKE-UP// PERSONAL FRIEND
MAKE-UP// FLAWLESS BEAUTY BAR
RENTALS// AMERICAN PARTY PLACE

Kaela and Ben are two of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Emphasize sweet. And so are their families. This couple was truly meant to be together and you can see that with the way they look at eachother and the love they radiate for one another.

Kaela has been my little sisters’ (twins) nanny for a couple years. I hadn’t met Kaela yet when I was hired to coordinate the wedding, but I knew my sisters’ ADORED her and Ben, so I couldn’t wait to meet them both. When we finally met, I could see right away why my sisters’ loved them. Again, sweet, kind, caring and they both have huge giving hearts. We met up for the first time in January 2015 to talk about where they were in the planning process and go over what I had to offer. The meeting felt like old friends catching up.

When we met for the first time, the wedding was five months away, but before we knew it Kaela and Ben’s wedding day had arrived. They had an early afternoon wedding ceremony time of 1:00 pm, so set-up of the venue started promptly at 8:00 am. Remeber how I said the couple has the sweetest families? Well, they do. I had a great group of family show up to help with set-up since we had a small set-up window. This was a 250 person wedding, so every inch of the venue was utilized.

While we were setting up Kaela, Ben, immediate family and the bridal party were taking pictures around the property.

Since it was a really nice June day, we held the ceremony outside in front of the lake. On a day like today, we were thankful it was an earlier wedding, so we wouldn’t be outside at the hottest part of the afternoon. But, don’t get me wrong, it was definitely still hot! A white arbor sat in front of the lake adorned with a beautiful flower swag Kaela made. The aisle was lined with tulle and every other row was decorated with another DIY floral piece. At the begining of the aisle were tall shepherds hooks with streamers blowing in the breeze. The ceremony was about 20 minutes long and ecompassed what Kaela and Ben are looking for in their marriage, faith, trust and love.

Following the ceremony, guests were asked to head inside, grab a drink and find a table. Each table had a coral tablecloth with different blue fabric squares in the center. A mason jar wrapped with burlap and blue and white twine sat in the middle with gorgeous white and coral flowers. Along with nuts and M & M’s to munch on, the guests each could take home and enjoy a specially made wood burned magnet to remember the day.

The sweetheart table had a white tablecloth with a blue and white chevron runner, bud vases with white roses and the bride and bridesmaid bouquets. Simple and sweet.

As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Church were introduced into the reception, lunch was served. The couple chose lasagna, salad and french bread. With a short time at the venue we had to move things along quickly. Once everyone had a plate of food we moved into toasts. Each toast was heartfelt and showed exactly who this couple is. Very loving selfless people.

Toasts turned into cake cutting, followed by the first dance. A sweet moment where everyone could see a couple madly in love. The father-daughter dance was beautful to watch, as was the mother-son dance. Although, that one turned into fun! After a couple slow dance moves, the mother and son busted it out! Following those dances, the bride and groom got down to dance with the flower girls. It was the cutest thing. After dances, came what most single people either love or dread, the bouquet and garter tosses. That varies at every wedding. The dance floor was then opened for everyone to get down and boy did they.

About 30 minutes later, the day was coming to a wrap and the new husband and wife were on their way out the door to begin their life as Mr. and Mrs. Church.

Congratulations Kaela and Ben! It was a beautiful day! I wish you nothing but the best in you new adventure together!

VENUE// LAKE WILDERNESS LODGE, MAPLE VALLEY, WA
DAY OF COORDINATION// CASSIE RENAE EVENTS, LLC
PHOTOGRAPHY// LAURIE ASCANIO PHOTOGRAPHY
CATERING// ATHENS PIZZA AND PASTA
BARTENDING// NAOMI EDIE
FLOWERS// ALICE OCTAVIA FLORAL SHOPP
DJ// SOUND SATIONAL MUSIC
BAKER// HILLCREST BAKERY
OFFICIANT// PASTOR PAUL DELASHAW
HAIR AND MAKE-UP// FAMILY FRIEND
INVITATIONS// WEDDING PAPER DIVAS
GUESTBOOK// ETSY