A Pink Ombre Destination Wedding in Seattle, Washington

Jamie and Kyle

Jamie Lau, a designer-sewing instructor-fashion editor-author, met her web developer beau Kyle Johnson while dining out on Southern soul food. He was sitting at an adjacent table playing name that tune, but when he mistakenly guessed the post-punk band The Raincoats, she couldn't help but correct him by saying it was The Slits. Playful banter ensued, and about 16 months later, on August 11, 2012, they tied the knot in a wedding they describe as "the ultimate art project". Together, they picked the playlist for their reception and a menu that honored their first encounter.

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Inviting Invites

With help from Hikaru Furuhashi, a graphic designer friend, Jamie dreamed up a digitally printed ombré invitation suite. The initial inspiration was her childhood trips to the paint store and her collection of paint chips in her favorite colors. An idea for an ombre red velvet cake set birthed the color palette, which kicked off with the stationery. The response card prompted guests to note their favorite memory of the bride and groom, and everything was sent in envelopes sealed with washi-tape.

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The Location

The Brooklyn-based couple returned to Kyle's hometown of Seattle and settled on a familiar setting for their venue—the Seattle Yacht Club, to which the groom's family belongs.

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Gifts for the Gals

Jamie made special gifts for her bridesmaids and close female friends, all of who traveled for the wedding. Jamie designed custom reversible totes for each using fabric in colors that suited their individual personalities and even straps that suited their size. The bride began her sewing career making similar bags, so it was also homage to all of their support in her creative endeavors as she shifted her career in the years prior to the wedding.

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Seeing Green

They arrived in style in a mossy-hued 1957 Mercedes Benz 220S that belongs to the groom's father.

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The Dress

Being a dress designer, it was only natural for Jamie to design something of her very own. Italian ivory silk shantung served as the base and dotted flocked tulle from France was draped on top for a light and airy effect plus a bit of texture.

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A Fashionable Feature

The strapless corseted bodice and A-line skirt were cinched together with a geometric waistband adorned with an offset bow.

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The Blushing Bride

A French netting blusher veil by Sara Gabriel was accented with a ruffled silk organza flower and Swarovski rhinestone leaf. Jamie completed the look with a string of pearls and pearl-and-ruby earrings that she borrowed from her mother.

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A Pop of Color

Jamie carried a clutch made by Elizabeth Hikida of Elizabeth Designs that boasted dahlias, roses, zinnias, scabiosa pods, and anemones.

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Made with Love

This hands-on bride designed and sewed the bridesmaids' dresses, using a woven Japanese fabric with a seigaiha wave motif. The print-lover, made two modern silhouettes to suit her bridal party.

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Dapper Dons

Kyle, his best man, and groomsmen all sported BLACK by Vera Wang tuxedos.

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Along the Way

An ombre stretch of flower petals lined the ceremony aisle.

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The Ceremony

After entering the ceremony to a Broadcast song titled "Distant Call", Jamie joined Kyle in front of 55 loved ones. Officiant Khenpo Pema Wangdak offered a short speech on the importance of marriage to a healthy society as part of the secular ceremony. The bride and groom then exchanged vow and rings, and were offered a short prayer of good wishes.

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Showered With Love

At the ceremony's conclusion, guests tossed flowers with joy.

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A Wardrobe Change

For cocktail hour and the reception, Jamie swapped her ivory Celine patent pumps for glossy coral Prada heels. She initially purchased the vibrant shoes with the intent of waiting for the perfect occasion to wear them. Nothing was more perfect than this celebration.

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Double Duty

Escort cards paired perfectly with cherry almond pie pop favors from High 5 Pie brought everything full circle—since the couple first met at Pies 'n' Thighs restaurant after all. Coral yarn bows were tied tight and seating assignments were displayed on clothespins dressed up with washi tape. Another fun element? When guests unclipped their names, they were greeted with a fortune that Jamie and Kyle selected for each guest using a random fortune cookie generator.

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The Reception

Views of the Portage Bay were just beyond the reception tent. Guests dined on an autumn salad of poached pears, sundried cherries, baby greens, caramelized walnuts, goat cheese, and apple cider vinaigrette. The second course was an homage to the newlywed's relationship: a "Southern Comfort Carnivore Platter" for what they were eating when they first met—fried chicken for her and beef brisket for him; and a "Seafood Surprise" as a nod to their first date when Kyle cooked Jamie salmon. There was also a vegetarian option and chicken fingers for the kids.

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The Decor

As a nod to the nautical setting and the couple's mutual love of Japanese aesthetics, Jamie crafted origami sailboats using assorted chiyogami paper for the table decorations. Canning jars held natural arrangements of dahlias, Queen Anne's lace, and roses.

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A Colorful Ceiling

Large paper lanterns in alternating shades of pink were hung from the peak of the tent.

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Dancing With Dad

Jamie and her father danced to "Together" by Tierra.

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The Guestbook

A simple binder made from recycled paper was embellished with stickers in the palette.

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The Cake

The three-tiered wedding cake's exterior was kept minimal with buttercream frosting and subtle piping.

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The Cake Slices

Inside the confection's simple exterior were layers of cake separated by white chocolate cream cheese frosting. The gradation in color mimicked the paint chip inspiration of the stationery.

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