Michelle & Roberto were wed February 9, 2013. They are proof that love has a way of finding you, you can't always seek it out. The couple met the day Michelle moved into her new condo at a renovated old Queen Anne High School in Seattle that had been turned into condos. She ran into Roberto(who also lived in the building) in the hall and there was an immediate attraction. After running into Roberto in the building a few more times, it was kismet and the couple fell in love.
Since technically they met in a high school a book theme wedding seemed only fitting. The couple also chose a local restaurant called Book Bindery for their intimate venue sealing the deal. Originally Book Bindery was an old bindery now a delicious restaurant right across the Fremont Bridge along the ship canal specializing in wine pairings that go with their amazing seasonal fare. The cozy restaurant mimics a reading room with book shelves lining the walls, and stacks of books, paintings, and lots of leather furniture.
Being what we would call foodies, Michelle & Roberto chose to offer their guests a lovely three course meal accompanied by wine flight pairings. We created this large welcome wreath for the front entrance made entirely out of a dictionary from the 1940's. Michelle loves vintage 1930-1940's glamour so we infused a bit of feathers, sparkle, and other shine to add to the deco theme.
Michelle knew she wanted a simple color palate of metallics and green. In the middle of winter it can be hard to track down specific flowers, but we managed to jump though some hoops and tracked down some green ranunculus all the way from Holland! We sourced green hydrangea, hellebores, eucalyptus, queen anne's lace buds, fern leaves, berzilla, scabiosa pods,and green anemone for her all green bridal bouquet. We enjoyed working in this monochromatic color palate and in the middle of winter it is always fun to surround yourself with buckets and buckets of gorgeous blooms.
The boutonniere's we made using geranium leaf, green ranunculus, berzilla, and white feathers with a silver metallic wrap.
We sourced vintage books in various shades of green and made small stacks on each table. Clusters of mercury glass vases with green blooms and votives were nestled in around the books. We made the table numbers out vintage book pages and glittered paper.
We made a wishing tree out of pussy willow branches and cut paper feathers we accented with silver leaf edges. Guests wrote their wishes on the feathers and hung them on the tree using shades of green metallic pens.
At the Book Bindery they have a large greenhouse dining area where the ceremony took place. We made an altar out of birch poles, pussy willows and green hellebore plants. Then we created a handmade draped garland using vintage book pages we hand cut and layered accenting each circle with a silver glittered center star burst that reminded us of Michelle's engagement ring from Tiffany's.
At the base of the altar we stacked green and silver books topping them with clear glass cylinder candle holders we wrapped in feathers. We also made some large floral arrangements with geranium leaf, privet berries, green hydrangea, ranunculus, and other greenery. We made some glittered feathers with glass glitter and nestled them throughout the space.
Right after the ceremony the couple was photographed. Michelle is wearing her ceremony dress by Luly Yang. We love her long 1930's style veil. Dinner was served shortly after the ceremony. We made glass glittered feathers with velum name tags as guest escort cards. For each table we made a numbered base covered in a collage of vintage book pages with drilled holes for each feather to fit in.
Here is a photo of guests enjoying their dinner in the gorgeous greenhouse at Book Bindery after the ceremony.
Lucky for us Michelle is a graphic designer, so she designed her own lovely custom menu for the wedding. The gorgeous graphics all tied into her invitation and save the date designs. Her wedding invite was a ribbon bound book with silver letterpress. Each save the date included a book mark, such a cute detail.
What would a wedding be without dessert?
The couple chose Trophy Cupcakes in three flavors on a tall tier covered in moss to bring in the green color scheme. We made a simple cupcake topper that said "and then they lived happily ever after" out of card stock, glass glitter and glittered plastic sticks.
For the guest favors the couple chose Moleskin brand notebooks. Michelle designed a custom stamp and the couple hand stamped each favor in a silver metallic ink. Here is a favor with the couple's wedding rings.
What we loved most about working with Michelle & Roberto was all the love they put into planning this wedding not just for themselves, but for their guests. (Roberto's family came all the way from Brazil & Michelle's from Chicago!) They truly wanted their loved ones to have a great meal and wine, have a lovely view of the water, and have one central place to share their celebration in it's entirety.
We hope you found this book theme wedding inspirational!
Hair & Make-up- Tiffany Lowry
Graphic Design- Michelle Stewart
