Few things are certain, but one I know to be true is trends will come and trends will go. A difficult aspects of planning a wedding is choosing how you want to incorporate trends into the ceremony and reception while staying authentic to you and your partner as a couple and as individuals. There’s no right or wrong way to integrate popular trends. Many of the couples I’ve worked with have put their special twist on popular wedding traditions. Here are just a few of the unique, Olympic Peninsula adaptations.
Quirky Dessert Tables
One of the most popular wedding trends is a quirky dessert table. Some couples choose to have donuts, cupcakes, or a candy bar in lieu of cake.
Kaitlin and Jake knew exactly what dessert they wanted at their reception. Jake’s mom is famous for her delicious and decadent chocolate birthday cakes. His mother and aunts baked over 10(!) these special cakes for their reception, adding a meaningful and homemade touch to the celebration.
Photo Credit: Jen Lee Light
Photo Credit: Luma Weddings Photography
Cutting the Guest List
Intimate weddings are a popular 2018 trend for a variety of reasons including sustainability, less costly, and more personal. With These Rings has had the great pleasure of hearing so many beautiful stories of elopements. Whether it’s you and your partner in hot air balloon soaring over Olympic National Park or with family and friends in a treehouse - it’s a beautiful way to say “I do.
Photo c/o Lindsey Wayland
Unexpected Entertainment
There are more entertainment options for weddings today than ever before. This year unexpected entertainment like astrologers, photo booths, or lawn games is a popular trend. A beautiful option here in Port Townsend is the event calligraphy by the incredibly talented, Lindsey Wayland.
Lindsey is a poet and calligrapher who will come before or during your reception to calligraph advice and wisdom from your loved ones into a book or onto postcards that will be mailed to you and your partner during the first year of marriage. It is a beautiful, artistic way to celebrate the words of wisdom from your loved ones.
Photo c/o Northwest Maritime Center
Nontraditional Venues
Last year traditional venues dropped by 16% with couples opting to celebrate their nuptials at barns, museums, wineries, and historic homes. Often these less traditional venues hold significance to the couple, are more affordable options, and can provide intimacy.
The Olympic Peninsula has an abundance of unique wedding venues for all types of wedding, big or small. Listed below are just a few of With These Rings many favorite nontraditional venues in Port Townsend and beyond:
Finnriver - a working farm with delicious cider, apple orchard, and sweeping views of the Chimacum Valley offering offering elegant elopements
Fort Worden - a 434 acre property with a rich military history & abandoned bunkers, historical buildings, and miles of beach and trails
Morning Star Balloon - exchange your vows as you fly over Olympic National Forest in Captain Crystal’s hot air balloon with up to 10 guests
Northwest Maritime Center - as close to being on Puget Sound while staying on dry land in a stunning, LEED certified building
Puget Sound Express - say “I do” aboard a whale watching boat with the most majestic wedding crashers - orcas, humpback, and minke whales
Photo Credit: Jen Lee Light
Flowers: Wilderbee Farm
Unique Flowers & Flower Arrangements
While roses, peonies, and lilies are beautiful and classic choices for wedding florals, many couples are opting style living plants like succulents and more colorful flower choices for table decor to bridal bouquets this year. Flowers and greenery can be incorporated into wedding arches, chandeliers, aisle runners, and more.
One of my favorite options for DIY florals/wedding activities in Port Townsend is to gather friends and family for u-pick flowers at Wilderbee Farm. Leisurely stroll the flower garden full with colorful dahlias, zinnias, daisies, sunflowers, and more. If you want to design your centerpieces and bouquets on the spot or bringing a group, call ahead to reserve time at the farm. Wilderbee will provide you with a picnic table for floral arranging and a complimentary 5-gallon bucket of wild greens including ferns, salals, and snowberries.