It’s All in The Details

By Kalea Harrison, for Yakima Valley Bride

The wonderful thing about planning a wedding right now is the number of resources that we have at our fingertips. Yet with the magnitude of wedding blogs, shows, magazines and books out there that constantly feed us with new wedding ideas and heaping doses of inspiration, it’s hard not to feel like you’re drowning in a sea of wedding possibilities.

How do you know where to start to make your own wedding unique? How do you make your wedding, well, YOU?

Let me fill you in on a little wedding secret: The difference between a cookie-cutter wedding and one that will impress your guests has nothing to do with your budget. It’s all in the details! Details make all the difference. That’s it! Every detail, no matter how big or small, expensive or inexpensive, is what will give your wedding the “wow” factor.

Now, much to the chagrin of my very patient fiancé, my wedding radar for trendy details is constantly buzzing. Yet every so often, one will really catch my eye. If I had to narrow my list of “really fantastic wedding trends,” here are five I am currently loving (okay, obsessed with)…

Lawn games Okay, okay, I admit that this trend is definitely an outdoor reception type deal (lawn games in a hotel ballroom = disaster). But since our reception is at a lodge along the river, I’m 100 percent on board for this trend. I think it’s a super idea to give guests another option at the reception. If they don’t want to dance and they don’t want to sit, please play a game! I love that there is something for everyone to do.

Burlap No longer reserved for potato sack races, burlap is making a very chic reemergence! Use it with everything from invitations to table runners, napkin ties to a wrap around your bouquet. Burlap adds a neutral color, a little texture and big dose of creativity to rustic, outdoor, vintage or earthy inspired weddings.

Alternatives to the traditional guestbook I yawn when I see a guest book. I’m not sure why anyone needs a book full of congratulations, and I certainly don’t think couples frequent this book more than once or twice in their lives. Solution: a thumbprint tree! I’m so obsessed with these. Each guest leaves a nice little thumbprint on an empty tree and then signs his or her name. The best part is that you have a poster-sized print to hang in your house. A guestbook that doubles as art? I’d say that’s a score for sure!

Color! Wedding shoes, bright nail polish and a colorful bouquet. Don’t get me wrong, I plan on wearing white as much as I can get away with leading up to our wedding, but one trend I love is colored bouquets, pops of bright nail polish and colored shoes. I love a bride lifting up the bottom of her dress to reveal a pop of color. Let your shoes be your “something blue” or maybe they could match your bridesmaids’ dresses. Shoes can be a great way to show some personality. Add a colorful bouquet that will really stand out against your white dress or show off a wedding ring with bold and colorful nail polish!

Homemade, edible favors I’m sorry but no one wants a can opener or a candle as a wedding favor. What people do want is something they can eat. Even better, something you made yourself! Like cookies or homemade canned pickles, honey or jam. Offer a favor that means something to you. Please don’t just give your guests a gift because you feel like you should (because you don’t have to!). To really say thank you, put some thought and effort into your favors.

Finally my last bits of advice — sit down with your fiancé and narrow down a “feel” for your wedding and reception (and they can be different!). Make sure you aren’t mixing genres (no plated six-course meals served in a barn please!), and try to make all your details cohesive. Finally, go easy on yourself — there is no right or wrong way to plan your wedding. Give yourself permission to change your mind, mix it up, allowing the wedding to morph into exactly what you want. Get creative with your wedding! DIY as much as you can. Think outside the box. Gather inspiration from anything that catches your eye. And I promise the details will make all the difference.

Congratulations! This is your big day!

Kalea Harrison spent her junior and high school years in Yakima before moving to Seattle and attending Seattle Pacific University. She and her fiance, Nate, are planning a spring 2012 wedding in Yakima.

Gresham & Liddicoat • 5-28-11

Names Katie Gresham and Michael Liddicoat
They live in Yakima, WA
Ceremony & Reception American Homestead

HOW THEY MET their parents introduced them

HE PROPOSED on stage at the Akin Theatre in Yakima, right after the play Michael was in, Barefoot in the Park

NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS 5

NUMBER OF GUESTS 190

COLORS CHOSEN WERE bright pink, yellow and orange

THEY SPENT THE NIGHT AT the cute cabin at American Homestead

THEN HONEYMOONED on a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean, Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and St. Maarten • Traditional or unusual wedding? “Pretty traditional, but a lot of personal touches made it unique.”

FAVORITE MOMENTS Throughout the ceremony, Michael and guests would look toward the sky, wondering if the rain would hold off. It rumbled a couple times, but held off right until the pastor said, “I now introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Liddicoat.” Guests ran for the barn and into the reception site.

AT THE RECEPTION there was karaoke and a photo booth.

THEIR FAVORITE MEMORIES “waiting with my dad to walk me down the aisle” • seeing the reception hall decorated • everyone dancing to Shout! and singing along • Katie’s sister gave a maid-of-honor toast, which Katie said, “brought me to tears” • “our first dance” • Cutting the cake to the song, Sugar, Sugar • Leaving the reception to a line of guests with sparklers

Katie and Michael’s team

Photography 7 Safaris Photography, www.7safaris.com
Videography family friend
Flowers KatieJo Creations, 509-833-8150, katie-jo-creations.com (I made the flowers myself out of fabric, felt, synthetic flowers and brooches.)
Invitations from Michael’s, self-printed
Rentals from American Homestead
Wedding gown David’s Bridal
Attendants’ gowns David’s Bridal
Rings E.E. Robbins and Fred Meyer Jewelers
Shoes Urbanog.com
Tuxes Lin-Paul’s Bridal & Tuxedo, Yakima, linpaulsbridal.com
Hair & Makeup Buffy Smith, Belu Salon, belusalon.com
Music Duane Coffey, family friend
Cake Joyce Miller, family friend

White & Cortez • 8-13-11

Names Lindsay Noelle White and Michael Cortez
They live in Yakima, WA
Ceremony & Reception Fontaine Estates Winery, Naches, WA

OCCUPATIONS She’s a project manager at Idea Marketing, he’s a Washington State Trooper

THEY MET at WSU, where his fraternity and her sorority were homecoming week “partners.” “We were inseperable that week — the beginning of our love story.”

HE PROPOSED in front of friends at a special dinner the night before a WSU football game in Tempe, Ariz.

NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS 12

NUMBER OF GUESTS 250

COLORS WERE red, orange, yellow and corals

BRIDESMAIDS WORE wrap dresses of different colors; each wore it the way it suited her best

THE THEME FOR THE DAY WAS DIY Vintage/Country Chic •

A SPECIAL MOMENT was when Lindsay and Michael placed letters to each other in a special box to be opened on their first anniversary. “It was overwhelmingly amazing to see everyone’s faces and just take it in for a moment.”

ON THE MENU BBQ: Pulled pork, brisket, baked beans, sweet Yakima corn on the cob and baked potatoes

THEY GOTAWAY IN a town car. “But we did have a blue school bus as transportation to and from the wedding for our guests. It was my something blue.”

THEY SPENT THE NIGHT AT the Hilton Garden Inn in Yakima

THEN HONEYMOONED in Maui

FAVORITE MOMENTS when Michael’s father gave his speech and “Walking down the aisle and seeing Michael with tears in his eyes.”

AND ALL THE FUN STUFF… the program was on a large chalkboard • a Mariachi band represented the Cortez family, performing as guests entered the cocktail hour • a country-style barbecue represented the White family’s Texan roots • place cards had antique skeleton keys tied to them and were hung on an antique door • each centerpiece was different and placed on hand-made burlap table runners • Lindsay’s dad helped her make a photo booth that featured photos of the couple’s parents and grandparents on their wedding days • guests could fill up paper sacks with goodies from the “candy bar.” “There wasn’t a Lemonhead or M&M to be found by 10 p.m.” • A simple yellow cake with buttercream frosting and cupcakes with sparkles and raspberries were made by two of the bridesmaids and displayed on cake plates borrowed from friends and family.

Lindsay and Michael’s team
Catering Hog Wild BBQ, hogwildbarbeque.net, 509-307-6339
Wine Chateau Ste. Michelle, Trevari Cellars, 14 Hands, Cupcake Vineyards
Photography Kristen Honeycutt Photography, kristenhoneycutt.com
Flowers + Cake Flowers Arranged by Patrick Dickinson, a family friend with help from other friends
Invitations Design by Idea Marketing 509-452-0405 Printing by Print Guys, printguysprinting.com
Rentals Party Palace, partypalaceyakima.com
Wedding gown Pattis Harper gown/La Belle Elaine’s Bridal in Seattle, 206-404-0888
Alterations La Belle Elaine’s Bridal
Attendant gowns NataJane wrap dress, etsy.com
Shoes Badgley Mischka, myglassslipper.com
Tuxes Tuxedo Club, Kirkland, tuxedoclubkirkland.com
Makeup & Hair My Flawless Tan, Kirkland, myflawlesstan.com (makeup) and Molly Walsby at Belu Salon, belusalon.com, 509-965-1731 (hair)
Music Jesse Doyle Platinum Entertainment Pasco, 509-547-8760
Cake + Cupcakes Kristen Feeney (bridesmaid) & Cameron Fay (bridesmaid)
Hotels Hilton Garden Inn, 509-454-1111

 

Campbell — 30 Years

Paul and Kathleen Campbell of Yakima are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary today.

Paul Campbell and Kathleen Kinder were married Jan. 1, 1982. They are lifelong area residents.

Mr. Campbell retired as a teacher from the Toppenish School District and is the director of the local Amateur Athletic Union program. Mrs. Campbell volunteers in the local AAU program.

They have four children, Dan O’Hara and Carrie O’Hara-Gutierrez, both of Moxee, Rebecca Campbell-Hunt of Raleigh, N.C., and Rob Campbell of Keller, Texas. They also have seven grandchildren.

Miller — 45 Years

Jerry and JoAnn Miller of Huffman, Texas, celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with a renewal of vows ceremony last summer.

Jerry Miller and JoAnn Curtis were married Dec. 31, 1966, in Independence, Mo. Mr. Huffman lived in the Yakima area for 17 years.

Mr. Miller is an Air Force veteran and retired from Pan Am.

They have one son, Jerry E. Miller of Humble, Texas. They also have one grandchild.

Adams — 50 Years

Floyd and Bettyle Adams of Yakima celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary during a dinner party with family and friends at Tony’s Steakhouse. The event was hosted by their daughters and sons-in-law.

Floyd Adams and Bettyee Burchak were married Dec. 16, 1961, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Roslyn.

Mr. and Mrs. Adams have three daughters, Kristen Goss of Renton, Connie Blevins of Edmonds and Stephanie Waterman of Ellensburg. They also have seven grandchildren.

Chittock — 70 Years

Clinton and Marie Chittock of Selah are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary today.

Clinton Chittock and Marie Rutherford were married Jan. 1, 1942, in Eugene, Ore. They have lived in the area for 59 years.

Mr. Chittock retired as a printer from Shields Bag and Printing. Mrs. Chittock is a homemaker.

They have five children, Sharon Patrick of Bellevue, Lynnette Nilsen of Sedro-Woolley, Heather Hinze of Yakima and Carla Hull and Susan Wells, both of Selah. They also have seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Vye-Blumenthal

Kent Vye and Diane Stoothoff, both of Yakima, announce the engagement of their daughter, Erika Jean Vye, to Nicholas Ryan Blumenthal. He is the son of Mark Blumenthal of Anchorage, Alaska, and Denise Blumenthal of Joplin, Mo.

The bride-to-be earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Portland. She is a post-operative recovery unit nurse at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. The bridegroom-to-be earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Louisville. He is a pilot in the Air Force.

A fall 2013 wedding is planned.

Zirkle-Johnson

Sarah Kristine Zirkle and Tyler Johnson have announced their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Jim and Cheri Zirkle of Yakima. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Wes and Les Johnson of Yakima.

The bride-to-be is employed with New Northwest Broadcasters. The bridegroom-to-be is employed with the Yakima Convention Center.

An Aug. 25 wedding is planned at Uncle John’s Cabin in the Nile.

Redifer-Walkenhauer

Vern and Sharon Redifer announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Redifer, to Kevin Walkenhauer. He is the son of John and Sue Walkenhauer.

The bride-to-be earned her bachelor and master’s degrees in accounting. She is employed with LarsonAllen LLP. The bridegroom-to-be earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. He is employed with Creekside Physical Therapy.

A May 26 wedding is planned at the Sawyer House, Yakima.

Salo-White

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Salo of Bremerton announce the engagement of their daughter, Katharine Salo, to Daniel White. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David White of Selah.

The bride-to-be graduated from Olympic College of Bremerton and Oakbrook College of Law. She is a paralegal for GSJones Law Group. The bridegroom graduated from Washington State University. He is an engineer with Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport.

A March 17 wedding is planned in Poulsbo.

Hauck-Brozovich-Dunbar

Tara Lynae Hauck-Brozovich and Jamie Scott Dunbar have announced their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Randall Hauck and Tracie Durall, both of Yakima. The bridegroom-to-be is the son of Loren Dunbar of Gleed and Linda DeYoung of Selah.

The bride-to-be graduated from Eisenhower High School. She is a cosmetologist at Paradise Island Tanning. The bridegroom-to-be graduated from Naches Valley High School. He co-owns Yakima Mechanical.

A January wedding is planned at Fontaine Estates Winery in Naches.

Baird-Buchanan

Jordan Michelle Buchanan and Cory James Baird were married July 9, 2011, at the Moxee home of bride’s grandparents. A reception followed.

The bride is the daughter of William “Bill” and Susan Buchanan of Yakima. The bridegroom is the son of Alan and Lauri Baird of Naches.

Heather Young was maid of honor and Kyle Hanson was best man. Other members of the wedding party included Nicole Fischer, Cat Rodriguez, Katryna Haynes, Kelsey Baird, Kevin Beireis, Kailan Dunn, Travis King and Chris Keller.

The bride graduated from East Valley High School and attended Yakima Valley Community College. She is employed with Selah Veterinary Hospital. The bridegroom graduated from Naches Valley High School and YVCC. He is a police officer with the Ellensburg Police Department.

Following a trip to Oregon and California, they are at home in Yakima.

Santo Domingo-Seaman

Lisa Linn Seaman and Felipe Santo Domingo were married Sept. 10, 2011, at Silver Lake Winery in Zillah. A reception followed.

The bride is the daughter of Dan and Dena Seaman of Selah. The bridegroom is the son of Alberto Santo Domingo of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the late Beatrice Santo Domingo.

Lily Aviles was matron of honor and Piero Berardi was best man. Other members of the wedding party included Jill Sterndorf, Po Soo-Hoo, Ashley Baca, Carlos Perez, Jeff Seaman and Devin Seaman.

The bride graduated from Selah High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Washington and her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She is a pediatric nurse practitioner at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. The bridegroom graduated from the American Military Academy and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico and his juris doctorate from the Inter American University School of Law. He is a self-employed attorney in Maryland.

Following a cruise to the Mediterranean, they are at home in Baltimore.

Hoon-Mosier

Sarah Elizabeth Mosier and Curtis John Hoon were married Aug. 27, 2011, at the home of Don and Carolyn Schut in Naches. A reception followed at the Cleman’s View Clubhouse.

The bride is the daughter of Scott and Karen Mosier of Yakima. The bridegroom is the son of Rosemary Meiser and Gary Hoon, both of Zillah.

Mandy Veley was maid of honor, Alison Hoon-Herriman was matron of honor and Cooper Anderson was best man. Other members of the wedding party included Jessica Ford, Emelia Preciado, Justin Herriman, Jordan Houle and Peter Wojcik.

The bride graduated from Eisenhower High School and attended Pacific Northwest College of Art and Central Washington University. She is employed with Townsquare Media. The bridegroom graduated from Eisenhower High School and Perry Technical Institute. He is employed with RJS Electric.

Following a trip to Whistlin’ Jack Lodge, they are at home in Yakima.

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