Seattle-area weddings are some of the most beautiful around as they often feature incredible natural surroundings, fresh local bounty and truly creative ideas {we love Seattle’s style!}.

Here are our Top Tips for Planning a Memorable Seattle Wedding:

• Always have a Plan B {and C and D}. No matter the season, Washington State can have unpredictable weather so check with your venue to ensure they have plans to cover inclement weather. Reserve tents, patio heaters and umbrellas well in advance. You can always cancel your order prior to the big day.
• Go fresh. In the Pacific Northwest we have so many delectable caterers, bakers, wineries and the like that can truly help create an amazing wedding menu. Serve up fresh apple cider grown from your favorite orchard, seafood bounty plucked fresh from the Pacific or give your guests a creative experience with a wine flight sampling during cocktail hour.
• Make the most out of seasons. If you’re considering an off-season {non-summer} wedding you can open up the celebration to new venues and surroundings. Think: hosting guests in a magical ski lodge surrounded by a blanket of snow, and island celebration in springtime or a wedding in the woods with golden leaves falling in autumn. Make the most out of the season and run with that as your ambiance and setting.
• Take it to the streets. Optimize your portraits by staging around your favorite old brick building downtown, with the Olympics in the background, or on a ferry or a rocky beach. There are endless creative ideas for portrait shots.
• Look ahead. Plan around construction projects, ferry wait times and sporting events if at all possible.

Black and white photos: Jeremy Leffel Photography for Valley & Co.
Woodland photo: Amore Studios for Valley & Co.

Thank you to our awesome guest editors!  Aleah + Nick Valley; Principals and Purveyors of Fun of Valley & Co. Weddings | Parties | Design – we are so lucky to have their support and insight!