A Rustic, Outdoor Greek and Italian Wedding in Washington State

Amanda and Johnnie

bride and groom walking holding hands — La Vie Photography

For Amanda (a non-profit consultant and director of development for MassEquality) and Johnnie (a business development director), it was friendship at first, though the chemistry was there. Two years passed and a romance blossomed, with Johnnie popping the question on their one-year anniversary, and Amanda following up moments later with a proposal of her own. Both exchanged rings bought at the same store without even knowing, or planning. And on August 3, 2013, with 90 loved ones surrounding them on a perfect day in the Pacific Northwest, they married and sealed their fates together.

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Pretty Pink Invites

Elum Designs created the simple invitations, which included a card directing guests to the couple's wedding website for more information on the weekend's events and to RSVP.

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A Washington Welcome

Drawing on Amanda and Johnnie's hometown of Seattle and who they are as a couple, welcome bags boasted the city's skyline and were filled with local goodies like stamped postcards, small bottles of alcohol, imported Italian and Greek candies, hangover snacks and remedies, and of course some Starbucks coffee. A strap tag from Paper Moxie read, "You made it!"

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The Location

The brides confirmed Bella Luna Farms was their venue within five minutes into their visit. They were wowed by owner Pamela Thompson, who lives on site, makes cheese there, maintains the grounds, and takes care of the animals, like Vincini the donkey.

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The Fashions

Amanda wore a pale pink Monique Lhuillier gown, Badgley Mischka shoes, Debra Moreland veil, Catherine Weitzman crystal bezel earrings and necklace, Debbie Fisher rose quartz bracelet, and Mandrel Studio rose-cut diamond engagement ring and eternity band.

Johnnie chose a Hugo Boss dress, Burberry shoes, Jamie Joseph engagement band, Mandrel Studio wedding ring, and a gold cuff and earrings by Elena Kougianou.

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The Bouquets

Amanda and Johnnie carried bouquets created by Rented Elegance with a loose, organic feel. Amanda's, shown here, included anemones, ranunculus, scabiosa, roses, and assorted berries. Johnnie's was a petite nosegay with similar blooms.

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The Entrance

After Johnnie and her mother entered, Amanda followed on the arm of her father, with "I Go to the Barn Because I Like The" by Band of Horses playing.

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The Ceremony

Amanda's brother and sister-in-law wrote and performed the late-afternoon ceremony, which took place in the venue's grape house. Fresh floral wreaths tied together with ribbon in traditional Greek stefana fashion were placed atop their heads, switched around three times by Johnnie's sister, and the ritual, which signifies the couple's eternal bond, was explained by Amanda's best friend.

Another friend read an excerpt from The Little Prince, Amanda's mother recited the Apache Wedding Prayer, and the newlyweds exited to "40 Day Dream" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

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The Reception Tables

Apothecary and cloche jars housed floral vignettes. Milk glass vessels dotted the long farm tables, which were dressed with long swaths of lace.

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The Menu

Bella Figura's letterpressed menus with blush-pink painted edges were tucked into folded napkins atop each plate.

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The Dinner

A family-style dinner inspired by Italian and Greek flavors included baby arugula and endive salad with sweet peppers, shaved parmesan, and picked red onion vinaigrette; artisan breads with herbed sea salt butter; Tuscan fusilli with sun-dried tomatoes, julienned vegetables, Kalamata olives, reggiano parmesan, and basil-balsamic vinaigrette; pan-seared black-cod with lime crema and caper berries; parmesan-crusted chicken with lemon-thyme emulsion; and grilled vegetable lasagna with herb-marinated vegetables, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, and rich garlic tomato sauce—all prepared by Lisa Dupar Catering. It took place under a tent, and was followed by dancing in an A-frame near the barns.

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Plenty of Cakes

An all-white single-tiered cake was placed on each table, for those guests to share. Some were decorated with lace, others were more frilly, and some a simple buttercream pattern. Flavors were varied—a shaved coconut cream option, lemon chiffon cake, and a chocolate mousse ganache confection.

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Sweet Treats

In addition to the cake at each table, attendees fed their sweet tooth thanks to a table of cookies. Another nod to the brides' families and traditions, these treats evoked their childhoods and the family suppers they both grew up with. All the recipes were either Greek or Italian.

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The Beverages

The couple offered two signature drinks of the day: Johnnie's was a "Not So Old Fashioned," and Amanda's was a "Sparkling Lavender Lemon Drop." They also had Ouzo and Limoncello on hand, a nod to their families' heritages.

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The Lounge

An outdoor living room was created with comfy seating for guests to relax on if they weren't dancing. It was dog friendly, too, with the couple's beloved Bruno testing it out too. He wore a gray bowtie and two dear friends had walked him down the aisle as a member of the bridal party.

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The Favors

Each guest was given a monogrammed handkerchief with his or her initials. Fonts and colors were tailored to each person. "We wanted to give our guests something they would use," Amanda said. "Handkerchiefs are so beautiful and inspired memories of our grandparents and traditions. A month later, our friend married and used her hankie on the altar. That was really special for us."

The keepsakes were wrapped with paper from Smock that fused the modern flare the couple has with the organic atmosphere, bound with twine and a tag—and also served as escort cards.

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