WEDDING IDEAS

The nighttime ceremony and reception took place at Court In The Square, a grand glass-covered atrium nestled between two historic buildings.

Bagpipes accompanied the bride and her father’s walk down the aisle, before the bride and groom exchanged personalized vows in front of a fountain full of floating pink dahlias and flickering candles. Glass hurricane lanterns and streetlamps added to the ambience. “It has a definite street party vibe to it,” the couple says.

Jon and the groomsmen all wore matching black three-button Joseph & Feiss tuxes. (Jon’s pink shirt was from J.Crew.)

The five bridesmaids wore strapless, chocolate-brown, tea-length dresses with empire waists by Dessy Collection.

Empanadas and mini tostadas were served while a live Mariachi band spiced things up during the cocktail hour.

Instead of a traditional cake, the couple opted for dozens of cupcakes frosted in the wedding’s rich colors. The cupcakes were “big and delicious,” Willi declares.

Willi’s fitted Pronovias gown flared into a short train at the bottom and featured a V-neck with off-the-shoulder sleeves. A local seamstress with the Satin Rose made the fingertip-length veil, which detached to leave a blusher that Willi wore all night long. A ruby and pearl necklace that both her great-grandmother and grandmother had worn at their weddings graced Willi’s neck, and the good luck sixpence that Jon’s mom had carried when she got married was tucked into her right shoe.

The couple’s friends and family also had fun with the rented photo booth, pasting their strips of pictures next to their signatures and well wishes in the guest book.
“The booth was busy all night and produced unlimited photos,” says Willi, “so our guests were able to take home a strip (or two) as a memento of our wedding. It was a great idea!”

Willi & Jon in Seattle, WA

After a romantic garden proposal, Willi and Jon were married in Seattle, Washington.

Photos By: Jennifer Stanton/The Cottage Photographer, Seattle

Day-of Coordination: Maegan Both at Bridezilla Events, Seattle
Location: Court in the Square, Seattle

Pink and brown provided the color palette and highlighted the natural beauty of the site -- a courtyard atrium.

The Bride Willi Evans, 25
The Groom Jon Galloway, 25
The Date October 1

As the coxswain for the men’s novice crew team in college, Willi Evans had to sit face-to-face with crew member Jon Galloway every day. “Apparently, he didn’t mind that my job was to boss him around!” she says. They had their first date on October 1, 1998, and were married exactly seven years later, after a romantic proposal. Jon surprised her by proposing in a garden by placing the ring box in the center of a heart made out of rose petals.

-- Allison Alfandre