After years of planning heartfelt weddings for engaged couples throughout the Pacific Northwest, Alyssa Ayala, the founder of Pacific Engagements Wedding Planning and Design, planned her own wedding on Whidbey Island. The island, with its charming beaches and lush landscapes, held a special place in Alyssa and Ethan's hearts, as it was a place where Ethan spent a majority of his childhood playing at his grandfather’s waterfront home. Over the years of their relationship, the home developed a deeper significance by becoming the setting for relaxing family get-togethers and holiday gatherings. They decided together that this idyllic setting would be perfect to celebrate their marriage.
Check out our favorite candid moments of parents of the bride and groom below and try not to get emotional:)
In the heart of April, Sarah and Garry married at Walnut Creek’s Ruth Bancroft Gardens, an immaculately landscaped property planted with numerous species of cacti, succulents, and drought-tolerant plants from all around the world.
The gravel garden path leading towards Ruth’s Folly was lined with wooden bentwood chairs, arranged meticulously to follow the evolving curves of the adjacent garden beds. Guests selected their seats in the asymmetrical rows and eagerly awaited the ceremony’s beginning.
Following the ceremony, the celebration continued in the sun-dappled shade of Ruth Bancroft Gardens’ Eucalyptus Grove. Round reception tables were surrounded with natural wooden chairs, and the tabletops were covered with colorful floral bud vase groupings, lovingly crafted by Sarah and her bridesmaids. Guests were presented with a delectable, organic, farm-to-table, family-style dinner during the al fresco dinner reception.
Katie and Brandon’s wedding at The Woodmark Hotel was an absolute dream. From private boat charters on Lake Washington for guests to enjoy to a live painter capturing their ceremony space in an acrylic medium, this Lake Washington wedding has stolen our hearts.
Our essential guide to hosting your wedding at home walks you through how to organically elevate your household property into the perfect setting for a sentimental wedding ceremony and reception space.
Throwing a wedding celebration is one of the first times you and your partner will play “host” together, meaning your guests’ comfort and enjoyment is a top priority. From deciding who to invite to creating a welcoming atmosphere, navigating navigating the intricacies of wedding guest etiquette can be a bit challenging. To assist you in this endeavor, we've compiled some of the most pressing questions you might be pondering, along with our knowledgeable answers.
Planning a wedding involves a meticulous orchestration of myriad details, with the timing of formal photos emerging as a particularly significant consideration. Scheduling formal wedding couple photos, posed wedding party group shots, and family portraits before the ceremony can markedly elevate the overall experience of your wedding day.
Read on to examine how this non-traditional scheduling shift reveals several compelling advantages.
The bride, Sarah, along with her sister, Emily, and their mother, opted to undertake the intricate task of designing all of the wedding flowers themselves. Armed with an array of seasonal blooms and a shared vision, these women dedicated themselves to curating arrangements that would not only complement the picturesque garden setting, but also bring Sarah’s idyllic wedding vision to fruition.
Below, in an exclusive interview with sister-of-the-bride, Emily, she provides a firsthand perspective on the meticulous planning, artistic decisions, and poignant moments shared during the process of creating their own wedding florals. Discover the behind-the-scenes narrative of how the family planned, prepared, and executed the floral arrangements, the challenges met, and the joys experienced as Emily reflects on her family’s journey in wedding floral design.
We love brides and grooms that care about the environment and who genuinely care about living sustainably. What we love even MORE are couples who express interest in going green for their wedding day. So much waste comes out of large-scale events, and at Pacific Engagements, we are more than willing to help couples brainstorm ways to make a wedding eco-friendly. We have compiled ideas to make your wedding sustainable with the hopes that you’ll do your part for the earth while wedding planning.
Utilizing low-cost white folding chairs at your wedding can detract significantly from the sophistication and elegance you desire on your special day. It's important to recognize that the choice of seating plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the entire event. When you opt for these inexpensive chairs, your wedding aesthetic may suffer, creating a visual discord that feels jarring and out of place. Despite investing in quality linens, stunning floral centerpieces, and fine china, the mismatch with cheap, generic seating can undermine the overall ambiance you're striving to achieve.
Incorporating subpar seating reminiscent of low-budget events not only cheapens the visual appeal but also impacts the perceived quality of your wedding. Guests might perceive the use of these chairs as a compromise on quality, leading to a less-than-impressive impression of your celebration. To elevate the atmosphere and ensure your wedding exudes elegance and sophistication, it is well worth the extra investment to opt for higher-priced chair rentals. By choosing chairs that complement the overall theme and ambiance, you can create a seamless, aesthetically pleasing experience for both you and your guests, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and refinement.
Fall weddings offer the unique opportunity to blend rustic charm with elegant simplicity, creating an ambiance that is both cozy and chic.
In the upcoming sections, we will explore practical and stylish fall wedding decor ideas. From seasonal centerpieces to various ways to feature fall foliage, these suggestions will inspire you to incorporate the essence of fall into your wedding celebration.
Whether you love the look of greenery garlands on long reception tables, or wild and lush arrangements displayed throughout your venue, you can’t go wrong with this trending wedding decor.
When it comes to creating the perfect ambiance for your wedding, every detail matters. From the flowers that adorn the aisle to the color scheme of the tablecloths, each element plays a vital role in shaping the atmosphere of your special day. Among these, one item stands out for its timeless charm and ability to add a touch of enchantment – candles.
Whether you love the look of greenery garlands on long reception tables, or wild and lush arrangements displayed throughout your venue, you can’t go wrong with this trending wedding decor.

On June 21st, Robert crafted a dream proposal for Marissa, envisioning a perfect romantic movie moment. They made a spontaneous stop at Seattle’s Gas Works Park, where “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett played as he proposed with the sparkling waters of Lake Union in the background. After Marissa said yes, they celebrated with friends at a SLU rooftop bar, overlooking the park where it all began.