Christine & Eric’s Columbia Collective Wedding in Seattle

Christine and Eric’s wedding at Columbia Collective was a beautiful combination of tradition and originality. With the help of their planner, Hannah Coots from Simply Planned Events, the couple put together a beautiful celebration full of thoughtful personal touches, a few unexpected weather surprises, and a dance floor, spearheaded by Emerald City Sound, that turned out to be much wilder than anyone might have anticipated.

An Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Columbia Collective

The morning started with a decision: despite the forecast, Christine and Eric wanted to move forward with their outdoor ceremony rather than move everything inside. Naturally, the moment I arrived to begin photographing, it was absolutely pouring. Classic PNW!

Thankfully, the rain stopped just before guests arrived, and the couple got the outdoor ceremony they’d hoped for without needing umbrellas or a backup plan. Sometimes the wedding-day Etsy Witches come through at exactly the right moment! Their dog, Winston, also made an appearance down the aisle with help from Christine’s brother. He was an exceptionally good boy and a very sweet addition to the ceremony.

Thoughtful Wedding Details That Made Everyone Feel Special

One of my favorite details from the day was the couple’s decision to handwrite individual notes for every guest (cries). They also created a seating chart using Polaroid photos of their guests, making the reception feel personal from the moment everyone found their seats.

There were plenty of tears and laughter as friends and family discovered their notes. It was such a lovely reminder that the most meaningful wedding details aren’t always the most elaborate. Sometimes, they’re simply the things that make the people you love feel seen. More than these personal touches they also featured beautiful florals by Karrie Michelle Floral Design which livened everything up. Creating a beautiful intentional spae for your guests is such a thoughtful part of wedding design .

From a Shy First Kiss to an Unforgettable Dance Floor

Christine and Eric were adorably shy throughout the ceremony. Eric even asked me how long they were supposed to hold their first kiss! When I reminded them to kiss again after their planned dip, they giggled their way back into it.

But once cocktail hour began, things took a turn (does this sound ominous enough, haha!) An espresso martini was enthusiastically consumed, the groom’s shirt came off after concerns about overheating, and soon several of the guys had joined him. The dance floor escalated from there, complete with impromptu lap dances and a whole lot of laughter.

By the time my coverage ended, the party was still going strong, with another half hour of dancing ahead. Honestly, I couldn’t have predicted that ending when I first arrived that morning. Christine and Eric’s wedding was such a fun reminder that a wedding day doesn’t have to be perfectly polished to be unforgettable. It’s about making space for the people you love, embracing the unexpected, and letting yourself enjoy the celebration.