Thinking on past favorite weddings and Emma and Merritt came to mind....

Close & Hess

NAMES Emma Close and Merritt Hess LIVE IN North Capitol Hill OCCUPATIONS She works for a small custom book-design company called Good Stock; he works at Windermere Real Estate in Wedgwood and assists with the youth programs at Epiphany Parish in Madrona WEDDING-DAY WEATHER 70 degrees, a perfect sunny evening WEDDING-DAY THEME Antique French flea market: Emma spent time in France and is always inspired by unique finds NUMBER OF GUESTS 168 WEDDING BUDGET $40,000 NONTRADITIONAL CEREMONY MOMENT Their parents came forward at the beginning of the ceremony to say a blessing; they had a group hug before they sat down. This honored their new commitment and growing families.COLOR INSPIRATION Golden Midwest plains and the green and blue of the Northwest FLORAL INSPIRATION Dahlias from Whidbey Island to represent the bride’s family’s roots in the Northwest, and wheat to represent the fields of Kansas, where the groom grew up and much of his family still lives RECEPTION MENUEverything was local; from on or around Whidbey Island FAVORITE RECEPTION MOMENT Her sister snuck in some sparklers and everyone lit them during the last song; they felt like they were in a movie FAVORS Homemade jams made from Whidbey Island fruit IF THEY KNEW THEN WHAT THEY KNOW NOW They would have videotaped the first dance; they took lessons and choreographed it all, and would love to relive it THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE DAY Joyful, perfect, gorgeousHONEYMOON Mini-moon to Friday Harbor; mega-moon to Costa Rica

Photographs by Libby Lewis Photography

CEREMONY St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Episcopal Church
RECEPTION, CATERING, AND DESSERT Fireseed Catering and Event Gardens
WEDDING PLANNER Whidbey Gatherings
PHOTOGRAPHY Libby Lewis Photography
FLOWERS Farmhouse Flowers
ENTERTAINMENT Disco Royale
GOWN Jim Hjelm from La Belle Elaine’s
MAKEUP I Love Blush
GROOM’S FORMAL WEAR Nordstrom
GROOMSMEN’S FORMAL WEAR The Tux Shop
RINGS Ben Bridge
RENTALS AA Rentals
HOTEL FOR GUESTS Saratoga Inn
REGISTRY Crate & Barrel, REI, Williams-Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, Traveler’s Joy, Simon Pearce