"What Junebug Loves" featuring Jacky Grotle of Event Success

 We're so excited to see so many Weddings in Woodinville vendors featured on Junebug Weddings "What Junebug Loves".  Check out the details below:

Contemporary Seattle Wedding at Olympic Sculpture Park - Rhea and Justin

Today's fabulous celebration was in a sleek, modern setting warmed up with all sorts of personal vintage touches that magically combined to make for one meaningful day! I love that Rhea and Justin carefully considered the meaning behind each step of their ceremony and added unique touches that made the day their very own - doesn't hurt that they have the cutest car ever either! Enjoy Rhea's great stories about the day and the beautiful images captured by The Popes!

The Couple: Rhea and Justin

The Wedding: 9.17.11 - Olympic Sculpture Park Seattle, WA

What were the top three priorities for you in planning your wedding? First, we wanted to select a venue that would have wonderful views and be near the water. We hoped to get the best DJ or band we could find because we really wanted to throw a memorable and fun party. Also, we wanted to include as many personal details as possible, which was the reason that we chose The Olympic Sculpture Park. It's where we had our first date! It's also why we included our antique 280SL in the celebration, a gift to my mother from my father when she found out she was pregnant.

What wedding traditions or cultural traditions did you incorporated into your wedding and what did they mean to you? We chose to walk down the aisle as a couple, as a symbol of our equality entering into our marriage. We also decided to surprise our guests by walking in towards them. Instead of having our backs to them the whole time, we could see their expressions! Another special detail was a small heart-shaped locket I wore in memory of my father to keep him close to my heart.

Were there any places where you “broke the rules” in your wedding planning? Why and how did you do that? What comes to mind is that we almost got arrested for trespassing when we tried to walk down the aisle! We had to close the area known as Sera’s Wake, where we would be walking in for the ceremony. However, nobody told the security guard that we would be entering on that side. When we snuck down past our guests to do our “surprise entrance” we were stopped by security and told, “Stop you can’t come through here, we are closed for a wedding!” At this point the music had already started, our bridal party was in place and all of the guests were waiting. I think both of us were ready to tackle the guard if necessary! Fortunately after my fiance said, “Yeah we are the wedding!” we just pushed past him and attempted to regain our composure quickly. In the end it became one of our favorite stories about the big day.

What was your biggest wedding planning success? Getting passed that security guard! Oh, and also our wedding dance. I was so proud of my husband for having the guts to step out of the box a little and do a fun dance routine with me. We spent several months taking lessons at Dance Sport International in Lake City and worked with two fantastic dance instructors, Robert and Monique Horuda. We even went to the venue to dance it in the actual space before the big day. It meant so much to me that my husband took the time to learn to dance with me and he looked fantastic on the big day! Everyone was really impressed and my mother was brought to tears.

What was the most important thing that you learned through the wedding planning process and what would you tell other brides-to-be? I did not believe this at the time, but the stuff that goes wrong and the things you don't plan sometimes make the best memories later. One example, after our wedding reception was over we had a car take us to a park that overlooks Seattle, so that we could have a few quiet moments together before going back to our hotel. When we got to the park there was a party bus there and tons of 20-somethings running around the park. We almost left, but instead decided to get out of the car and take a chance. The moment the people saw us we were showered with attention! They picked us up and carried us around, told me how beautiful I looked and took photos with us like we were movie stars! It was insane (in a good way). Also it was a total surprise and nothing we could have ever planned or purchased. Sometimes the best moments in life are free!

The Wedding Team:

The Photographer: The Popes
*Event Planner: Jacky Grotle of Event Success 
Ceremony/Reception Venue: Olympic Sculpture Park
Officiant: Reverand Mary Calhoun
*Invitation Designer: Merchants Design
Catering: Seattle Art Museum
Florist: Queta Schaffer
Wedding Cake: Cupcake Royale
*Wedding Dress: Luly Yang Couture
Bridal Accessories: My Glass Slipper
Bridesmaid's Apparel and Accessories: La Belle Elaine's
Groom and Groomsmen Apparel and Accessories: Wall Street Clothiers
*Hair and Make-up: Salon Maison
DJ: Emerald City Productions
Live Music Seattle String Quartet
Transportation: Seattle Town Car
Dance Instruction: Dance Sport International
Rentals: Rented Elegance
Rings: Costco
*2012 Vendors of Weddings in Woodinville

Rhea and Justin, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and unique wedding story with us!

Readers, discover more wedding inspiration in Junebug Weddings Real Weddings Libray!  

Emerald City Applause Award Congratulations

We would like congratulate all of the winners of this years Emerald City Applause Awards!  We are especially proud to share with you the following vendors who participated in Weddings in Woodinville this year who received the following recognitions for their great talents.

Lisa Dupar Catering for BEST OFF-PREMISE CATERED EVENT for their
"Intel AppUp Elements 2011" event

Marni Good of Coat Check Complete for BEST EVENT SUPPORT SERVICES for the "Corbet-Cawley Inaugural Ball"

Jacky Grotle of Event Success for BEST EVENT PRODUCED FOR A NON PROFIT OR ASSOCIATION with a BUDGET UNDER $25,000 for "The Seattle Foundation Luncheon"

The Emerald City Applause Awards celebrate the very best achievements of locally based event experts, non-profit organizations and wedding and meeting professionals and is produced by ISES, the International Special Events Society – Seattle Chapter.

ISES Seattle Chapter membership is comprised of special event professionals from all over the Puget Sound region. These companies provide invaluable resources and services that will benefit your efforts in producing a successful special event.  They promote professional development: CSEP certification, education, recognition, resources, strategic alliances & networking.

Many of their members are nationally and internationally recognized for their high quality of products and services, as well as their expertise and creativity.

Interested in joining?  Attend the next ISES Seattle Chapter Meeting, held the third Wednesday of every month and showcase different venues and members. To learn more about the exciting opportunities to network and learn from the industry’s best, please visit www.isesseattle.com

How to make the most out of your experience during Weddings in Woodinville

The tour is almost here and our vendors have been busy creating the most memorable wedding show experience for you!

Here are a few tips on how to make the most out of our show & what you can expect:

- Dress for the Northwest!  As unpredictable as our weather is, please plan on experiencing all the seasons during the tour.  Many of the venues have outdoor spaces decorated for you to experience the entire venue and although they all offer covering and heaters (thanks to our fantastic rental companies who know how to plan for our wet weather better than anyone) it still can get cold so please bring a jacket, scarf and walking shoes that can hold up to the many surfaces you’ll experience between the venues which ranges from loose gravel to paved concrete. 

- No need to create a list of who to see as our tour is designed to give you ample time at each venue (transportation is designed to take you to each venue during the 4+ hour tour) to meet & greet all the vendors. 

- Be sure to take a program at registration.  Each venue will offer their own program that will highlight the vendors you will see at that location but the main program is a fantastic reference guide for future use that lists the over 100 vendors total who participated in the show.

- The tour is a wedding show but we’ve thrown in a wine tour to make the experience even more fun!  Local Woodinville wines will be served at every venue. So please bring your ID.  Since we do serve wine at each location, this is a 21 and older event.  Wine will also be available to purchase at each winery if you can’t leave without getting a bottle (or 2) for later.

- Every vendor in our show offers a product or service that directly relates to your wedding day. There are no unrelated companies.

- Be tech ready.  Download a QR code reader (for more information on QR Codes read our blog Why you need a QR Code {& what they are} to enhance your experience at Weddings in Woodinville) to your Smartphone and be on the look out at each vendor’s table for those checkered blocks.  Many of our vendors are offering discounts, specials or freebies. 

- Tangerine Tango is the color for 2012.  Be sure to check out Jacky Grotle of Event Success, planner for DeLille Cellars, inspiration on the color for weddings this season with her V-E-G (Vibrant Elegant Garden) décor.

- Curious what the latest wedding trends are?  After reception bites is just one of them that you will experience at Weddings in Woodinville.  Molly Moon's (yes, the scrumptious local homemade ice-creamery that is worth the line down the block to get) will be serving scoops so you will finish the show with two full hands… one for the ice cream and the other full of all the materials and goodies you’ve picked up along the tour. 

- Forget bringing a pen to write your name & email address 20 times for those vendors you would like more information from.  Bring already printed out labels with your name, email and wedding date. 

- You will not be hungry after our tour!  Each venue will have a full-range of appetizers, passed bites and sweets for you to munch on.  Between the 7 venues we have 15 caterers ready to serve you multiple adventures in culinary excellence and even the fantastic team at Espresso Elegance ready to keep you caffeinated.

- Don’t leave without visiting with the team at Banquet & Event Resource Inc. (at Woodhouse Wine Estates) for your Wedding Resource Guide.  This book isn’t called the “bridal bible” for nothing!

- Visit with our additonal media sponsors, Seattle Bride Magazine & Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom Magazine at Willows Lodge & DeLille Cellars respectively for your complimentary copy of their latest issues.  The pages are overflowing with inspiration and many of the vendors you will have met are featured in their pages.  (Be sure to check out Melody Davis of MG Davis Events, planner for JM Cellars, in the "Ring’s" section of Seattle Bride and Vintage Ambiance (also at JM Cellars) in the "Real Weddings" section of Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom.

- Parking is FREE!  There is plenty of free parking available at Woodhouse Wine Estates and Butler Valet will be on hand to help direct you to the perfect spot. 

Venue Themes for Weddings in Woodinville 2012

The third consecutive year of Weddings In Woodinville is being held on Sunday, January 29 2012.  This unique wedding wine tour is designed to give couples, their families, bridal party and friends a preview of what a fully-decorated venue could look like for their own special wedding day and meet with industry professionals that can help them put it all together in a personal, interactive, engaging atmosphere.  Our vendors do not simply stand behind a table displaying their talents, they are particpating in the party and celebrating with you while you interact within the environemnt they have collaborated with their wedding planner to bring to you. 

Our three founding wedding planner board members, Jacky Grotle of Event Success, Melody Davis of MG Davis Events & Jennifer Taylor of Taylor'd Events with Jennifer, along with our three guest planners, Erin Lindeman of Lindeman Events, BreeAnn Gale of Pink Blossom Events and Janel Schlit of Occasions, LLC are proud to bring you the following feasts of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch with their following venue themes.  

Columbia Winery
Theme Décor/Planner: Erin Lindeman, Lindeman Events

"The Royal Gardens"

Come see for yourself how we transform Columbia Winery’s ballroom into ‘The Royal Gardens.’  This is a great illustration of how to turn a classic elegant room into a chic and personalized wedding reception without having to spend a fortune.  The use of rented trees, dramatic draping and lighting will be the backdrop of this majestic soirée.  Wish a rich selection of champagnes and a dash of black crystal chandeliers, we have given the traditional palette more of a modern sparkle.

We will also be showcasing the latest wedding dress trends along with a host of other talented vendors.   So come delight your senses by savoring the delicious food, fine wines and visual decadence at Columbia Winery.

Matthews Estate
Theme Décor/Planner: BreeAnn Gale, Pink Blossom Events 

"Love Is In The Air"

When designing the theme for Matthews Estate for this year’s event we wanted to utilize both the Tasting Room and Estate House but making sure we kept with the same theme throughout. Succulents with pops of robin’s egg blue and burgundy led the way to a romantic rehearsal dinner in the Tasting Room and an elegant picnic wedding reception up at the Estate House.  As you tour Matthews Estate allow yourself to envision not only your wedding day but also the perfect location for your rehearsal dinner! The inspiration board incorporate both the inspiration for the rehearsal dinner in the Tasting Room and the elegant picnic reception up at the Estate House.

Novelty Hill/Januik Winery
Theme Décor/Planner: Jennifer Taylor, Taylor'd Events by Jennifer

“Chandelier Lounge”

My inspiration for my design was “The Chandelier” at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.  I loved all the crystal and glass being used.  I wanted to bring glitter and glamour to the modern feel of Novelty Hill-Januik Winery.  The reason I chose to do a reception style with soft seating is to showcase the little used Reception style, it is a great way to mix and mingle with your guests.

JM Cellars
Theme Décor/Planner: Melody Davis, MG Davis Events

"Contemporary Classic Vines"

The beautiful natural surroundings of JM Cellars, and the unique, romantic gathering places that the winery offers, inspired our creation this year of a wedding that portrays contrasting elements of nature and nurture . . . of comfort and style.  We've blended neutral color hues and textures found in the natural world, with the classic sophistication of porcelain, silver, and crystal.  Hanging over a grand, communal pine table is a custom designed chandelier that artfully joins old world architecture and vines with sparkling glass.  The tablescape beneath displays a mélange of timeworn classics alongside modern elements and romantic flowers. 

Our ceremony will be presented in two locations: Amid the copper doors in the Barrel Room and under the rustic birch arbor on the lower terrace. 

Both indoor and outdoor spaces reflect the importance of friends and family, encouraging conversation and the nurturing of community.   

 DeLille Cellars
Theme Décor/Planner: Jacky Grotle, Event Success

"Vibrant-Elegant-Garden Theme"

V-E-G will be highlighting bright Oranges and Greens as they are the opposite sides of the color wheel and will create the effect and mood we are looking for.

The gold accents will add a touch of elegance and glamour to the garden.  Using Obelisks, herbs, floral and textured linens our garden wedding will fit right in with the sheep on this gorgeous ten acre property.    

Willows Lodge
Theme Décor/Planner: Janel Schlit, Occasions, LLC

“Woodland Glamour”

Our superior design team has created a lush and romantic experience that encompasses the Northwest feel of the lodge with pure glamour!  Between Aria Style and Occasions, LLC what more would you expect?!  To say the least, we love this venue and this theme for our tour for Weddings in Woodinville 2012.  From the sparkle of the crystals to the lighted branches this project has let us dive into uncharted territory.  We love the idea of combining casual elegance to over top glamour to achieve pure rustic elegance!   

We are looking forward to showing off our creativity, partnership and of course passion for weddings!

World's Best Planners named by Junebug Weddings at Weddings in Woodinville

We are bursting with excitement that 2 of our wedding planners, Jacky Grotle of Event Success and Janel Ellefsen of Occasion, LLC have been named World’s Best Wedding Planners by Junebug Weddings. 

Here’s what these award-winning planners had to tell us about this distinct title:

What does it mean for you to be titled World’s Best Wedding Planner by Junebug Weddings for wedding planning?

Jacky:  It is an honor and privilege to be recognized for the work we do.  We have won Local & National awards but WOW "The World's Best Wedding Planner" that is truly special.

Janel:  It’s a huge honor!  I’ve been a member since they started and I would never leave!

What about you & your style make you in this elite group for Washington State?

Jacky:  I think it is a combination of things but definitely years of success in this industry and the complexity of events that we have successfully executed both locally and at destination locations.

Janel:  Because we’re awesome!  Clearly! Ha ha.  No, really I think it’s because we specialize in full service more complex weddings with many details.  We strive for a very complete look for every client.  We each bring a very strong talent to the table so we pull from the specialist in that category if need be.  Between the three of us we give 150% to each full service client.

4.  What are other titles you've held/hold for planning?

Jacky:  We have won "Chapter Program of the Year" Award from National Association of Catering Executives, Top 3 Planners by Evening Magazine/King 5's Best in the Northwest designation, & most recently the Emerald City Applause Award for "Best Event Logistics".  I hold the title of CMP (Certified Meeting Professional), which you must have at least 10 years in the industry and pass a very difficult exam too. 

Janel: Best of Planner for the Knot, State Coordinator for ABC and we are on the Style Me Pretty Preferred Black Book.

5.  What is one of your favorite wedding moments during each ceremony?  Or what particular moment stays with you after all these years from that one unforgettable wedding?

Jacky:  I love when the couple exchanges their vows; I tear up almost every time.  I surprise myself that after almost 500 weddings, I still get emotional!  I can feel the commitment the couple is making to one another- it is an intimate moment that they are sharing and I think that is very special.

Janel:  When the bride makes it down the aisle!  Father of the bride toasts!  Hands down the best part.

Janel Ellefsen & team, Occasions LLC named World's Best Planner by Junebug Weddings
Jacky Grotle, Event Success named World's Best Wedding Planner by Junebug Weddings