Tag: soft seating

Halfway through wedding season I received a text from my friend Ashley, asking me if I had any décor ideas for the surprise 40^th anniversary party she was throwing for her parents. Now, when friends ask me for anything during wedding season (other than what time they can come and help me) I often times cringe because I just don’t have much extra time.  But this request was very different.  I quickly texted back and offered to handle all of the décor for this party as my gift to her parents.

Ashley’s parents, Lynne and Gerald Baron, are the owners of Carriage Hill Farm where my design studio is located.  10 years ago I had the opportunity to work with this family on Ashley’s wedding, and since then they have had such a huge impact and influence on my life and business.  It was an honor to give back to them, and make their celebration beautiful.

The celebration was held at Carriage Hill Farm.  It was the middle of August, and we expected a beautiful sunny day. But the day came, and the dark clouds and threats of rain felt more like Autumn.  I wanted to move the party inside to be safe, but Ashley wanted to stick with our original plan and have it outside.  She was hopeful the rain would hold out.

It didn’t.  The rain started and it was more than a sprinkle.  I  ran outside to start the process of moving the party inside, but the family insisted on keeping the dinner as planned.  They weren’t bothered by the rain and they were optimistic that it would quickly pass.  Despite the clouds and the falling rain, they were filled with so much joy.

I walked away that day with an unexpected lesson in marriage, as I realized I had just seen first hand why Lynne and Gerald had made it through 40 years.

In marriage, things don’t often go as planned.  Not every day is bright and sunny.  The rain comes- even when you think it is going to be a beautiful day. You get a little wet, and things don’t look as perfect and beautiful. But… that doesn’t mean you pack things up and call it quits.  You stay strong and weather the storm with optimism, having faith that it will pass.

And you wait for the storm to pass…because it does.   And when it does there is beautiful celebrating that happens.

I have many reasons to be grateful to Lynne and Gerald- one of which is for being a great example to Jamie and I of what a healthy marriage looks like.  I hope Jamie and I weather the storms of life and come out the other side with the same optimism, joy and love that the both of them have.

Happy 40^th anniversary!

You can see more images from this family celebration (and get some great recipes) on Ashley’s award winning blog, Not Without Salt 

All of these images were taken by Ashley’s talented husband Gabe Rodriguez of  Gabrielle Boone Photography 

Stationery was designed by Brittany of Spruce Stationery and Design 

Design, flowers, tables, props, soft seating are from our company,  Sinclair and Moore

Lauren and Kelan.  I liked them from the moment I met them, but I walked away from our first interaction certain I would never hear from them again.  I mean, Jamie wasn’t there, Seattle traffic (and parking) had made me twenty minutes late for our meeting, and… well… honestly, I thought they were just too cool for me. It’s not that they were unapproachable or arrogant, they just had this smooth vibe that is kind of hard to describe. I left that initial interaction feeling like the dork in high school trying to be friends with the popular kids.  But, this dork broke in with the cool kids- and I’m so glad that I did, because Jamie and I had a blast collaborating with them to plan and design their wedding.

I figured out pretty early on (because she clearly told me) that Lauren wasn’t a princess bride who had been day dreaming about her wedding since she was 4 years old.  She is, on the other hand, a no nonsense, no fluff, no unnecessary frills kind of gal, and I loved that about her. She knew what she did and didn’t want, but just needed some help defining and refining her vision.  She wanted her design to look full…but not overdone; she wanted lots of flowers… but didn’t want it to look “floristy”;  she wanted lots of vibrant melon colors… but nothing too bright and tacky; She wanted contemporary detailing… but nothing trendy.  She wanted white linens… with polka dots… they had to have polka dots. She basically wanted it to look DIY, without actually having to do it herself . We worked through every detail until it was perfected-  in both of our eyes.  Her style was a blend of old and new, colorful and muted tones, and detailed simplicity with just a nod to her eclectic, bohemian spirit.  Lauren even got her white polka dot linens.

And Kelan?  Well, he is a great example of a supportive and involved groom that asked the right questions, stated his opinions and ideas (but backed off when they weren’t going to work) and  all along just desired to create a special day for him and his bride.  He also didn’t sport any socks at the wedding- a look that I am a big fan of.

I love this wedding, but even more, I love the people we created it for.  Lauren and Kelan had the time of their lives at their wedding, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing that joy captured in these photographs by Matthew Land Studios 

Although Jamie and I created the style of our wedding together as we talked through every detail, she didn’t actually see it all put together until moments before this photo was taken. Although I had done my best to describe everything that was in my head, I also wanted to surprise my bride with the most amazing reception she had ever seen. I was so excited to take her into the barn on the day of our wedding, so she could experience the details we crafted over our 10 month engagement.

Continue reading “Our Wedding Story part 6: the reception” →