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A Modern Pink-and-Navy-Blue Wedding Outdoors in Washington

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A Modern Pink-and-Navy-Blue Wedding Outdoors in Washington

July 28, 2011

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Melody and Adam

Ella Blue Studio

Adam had actually met Melody five years before he asked her out. Once they'd begun dating, it took him only a year to realize that she was the one. Though the couple lived in Washington, D.C., they went back to Melody's hometown in Washington State for their late-summer nuptials.

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The Church

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Growing up in Poulsbo, Washington, Melody always dreamed of having her wedding ceremony in the sweet little church in nearby Port Gamble. On a late August day she got her wish, when she wed Adam at St. Paul's Church.

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The Ceremony

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Four flower girls in pink seersucker dresses and white headbands held pomanders of mixed white blooms as they led the way for the bride.

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The Ceremony

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Melody's father, Hank, walked her down the aisle of the small church.

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The Ceremony

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One hundred and fifty guests attended the 5 o'clock nuptials, which were performed by the matron of honor's father. At the ceremony, members of the family sang songs, and a piano, violin, and cello trio played music composed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet for the movie "Pride and Prejudice." Adam's sister (and Melody's best friend) had introduced the couple in a manor reminiscent of Jane Austen's "Emma," so the musical selection had seemed natural.

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The Photography

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Crystal and Jason, of Ella Blue Studio, captured the summer wedding, complete with a brief portrait hour in town following the ceremony.

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The Bridal Party

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The groomsmen wore khaki J.Crew suits and ties with white Jack Purcell sneakers. The bridesmaids wore navy Alfred Sung dresses with punchy pink heels from Nine West.

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The Fashion

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Melody wore a Reverie by Melissa Sweet gown, pink shoes by Something Bleu, and a custom veil by Shawnie Sherie Veils. A diamond pendant from Tiffany & Co. completed the look.

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The Bouquet

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The bouquet of mixed pink blooms and striped navy ribbon fit perfectly into the day's color palette. Melody's friend Elaina Trostad used local flowers to create the arrangement.

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The Boutonniere

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Adam wore a boutonniere of craspedia and daisies tied with a blue ribbon.

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Quick Stop

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On the way to the reception site, the couple and their photographers stopped at Point No Point Lighthouse in Hansville. With the sun casting a gorgeous light on the water behind them, Melody and Adam posed for a few seaside portraits.

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Quick Change

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For the reception, Melody swapped out her long veil for a birdcage and fabric-flower creation by Shawnie Sherie Veils.

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The Reception

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Custom signs from The Back Porch Shoppe welcomed guests to the backyard reception at a friend's cliffside home on Puget Sound. The shabby-chic sign was just one way the couple achieved their vintage, preppy aesthetic.

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The Escort Cards

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Melody and Adam created an escort card display inspired by their love of travel. Since the bride and groom have lived all over the world, and their guests came from near and far, they framed a large map and added tacks pinned to some of their favorite destinations. Each city represented a table, and guests found their names listed near each point on the map.

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The Reception

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Round tables with navy tablecloths and sheer striped overlays held assorted vases of mixed flowers and yellow craspedia. Tealight candle holders with magenta stenciling completed the centerpiece arrangements.

To highlight their shared weakness for cheeseburgers, the couple worked with Twelve Baskets Catering to create a gourmet burger bar.

Wine from Chateau St. Michelle and the local summer ales from Redhook Brewery were also served. The bride's favorite drink of the night? A dry rose called Nellie's Garden.

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Table Names

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City names subbed as table numbers; they were displayed on cute cards that explained the importance of the location to the couple.

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Dessert Display

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Melody's father also made a large arbor to frame the dessert display. Embellished with another custom sign for a bit more personality, it perfectly framed the cupcakes and the stunning view of the bluff and the water below.

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Cupcake Flavors

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Cupcake Royale created three flavors of cupcakes: chocolate with vanilla frosting, vanilla with vanilla frosting, and the bakery's flavor of the month, lemon with raspberry frosting (the bride's favorite). "We waited all summer to hear about August's flavor, and I was so excited when they chose raspberry lemon," said Melody.

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Cupcakes

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Miniature vanilla cupcakes sat on a pink Depression-glass pedestal that had belonged to Melody's great-grandmother. The smaller sweets were ideal for younger guests.

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The Cake

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A small cake decorated with striped ribbon was used for the traditional cake cutting.

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Guest Book

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An antique table displayed note cards stamped with the couple's names, where guests could jot down their favorite memories of Melody and Adam.

Photos of the couple growing up were hung nearby, and portraits from family weddings across the generations were also displayed.

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Lawn Furniture

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Adirondack furniture made by Melody's father marked a more casual lounge area.

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Candy Table

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A sweets table decorated with striped ribbon and hanging tissue-paper pom-poms offered guests taffy and lollipops to go.

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Night Light

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Trees ripe with hanging tealight candles dotted the property. As the reception progressed, the candlelight (and bistro lights hung above) cast a romantic glow over the yard.

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Speeches

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Heartfelt speeches and toasts were given on the porch of the house.

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Dancing

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Residents of the nation's capital, the couple found inspiration for their first dance in the presidential inaugural ball. Like the Obamas, Melody and Adam swayed to "At Last."

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Sources

Ella Blue Studio

Photography: Ella Blue Studio
Planning and Event Design: Elaina Trostad
Ring Pillow: 5eizen
Clutch: Emma Gordon London

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A Modern Pink-and-Navy-Blue Wedding Outdoors in Washington

1 of 27

Melody and Adam

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The Church

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The Ceremony

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The Ceremony

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The Ceremony

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The Photography

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The Bridal Party

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The Fashion

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The Bouquet

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The Boutonniere

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Quick Stop

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Quick Change

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The Reception

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The Escort Cards

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The Reception

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Table Names

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Dessert Display

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Cupcake Flavors

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Cupcakes

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The Cake

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Guest Book

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Lawn Furniture

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Candy Table

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Night Light

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Speeches

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Dancing