Coastal Chic Evening Wedding at Dockside at Duke’s
Filled with coastal-inspired details, the custom draping of my dreams, and bountiful spring blooms, this styled evening wedding at Dockside at Duke’s with Sarah & Milo was one for the books. It’s always an honor to be asked to partake in styled shoots like this with a group of such talented local vendors, especially when the vision is on point: coastal-chic with a hint of a sexy, sultry, cool-girl-drinking-a-dirty-martini vibe. Bolo ties, martini towers, oyster bars, and sunken florals. . . count me in.
Styled Coastal Chic Wedding at Dockside at Duke’s
Draped at dockside
Dockside at Duke’s is a lovely waterfront restaurant and wedding venue located on the shores of Lake Union, so it only made sense that the theme of this shoot was everything coastal. Even the smallest of details carried a sense of coastal charm and quintessential Pacific Northwestern elements, from the oysters scattered across the stationery arrangements, to the gorgeous little stamps featuring scallops and seashells, to the custom menus featuring “fruits de mer”—or seafood in French. Loved the ways this shoot encompassed all things coastal, while elevating it a tad from a more rustic coastal style with little luxury touches in the details & the couple’s accessories. . . especially the enchanting drapery set up in the ceremony space.
Rich tones and lively spring blooms
Spring colors and blooms were front and center for this late April celebration, with primarily burgundy, rose, olive green, and chartreuse accents in Sarah’s suede heels, ribbons, and stationery. Her bridal bouquet boasted rich, warm tones in the ‘martagon’ lilies, the deep red and purple anemonies, the soft white ranunculus, and the pale pink peonies that stole the show with its large blooms. Every piece from Sarah’s bridal bouquet to Milo’s boutonniere, the ceremony arch to the reception installation were such a treat to design, especially with such gorgeous custom draping to play around with inside of the venue—more dreamy draping like this, please!
Planning your own spring celebration? Take a peek at all the flowers that will be blooming during the spring months in the PNW here.
The sunken meadow of my dreams
See those florals in the center of the dinner table? This is what I call a “sunken meadow,” featuring florals that appear to be sinking down into/growing up from the ground. Sunken florals are having a moment, and I’m so excited to be getting more inquiries for these for receptions!
Here are a few things to note if you’re thinking of adding sunken florals to your own wedding:
Not every table needs to have the same design— mix it up a bit with a few statement tables, mixing banquets and rounds, or having one grand head table that shows off.
Size matters! The area that you want filled with florals will directly impact your spend—learn more about what determines the cost of your wedding florals here.
Meal type: We’re not doing family-style with a lush meadow in the middle of the table —you’ll want to opt for plated meals with this design!
Consider soft seating to further elevate a table design, like the cozy green chairs used for this round table design. Again, you don’t have to do it for every table!
Be intentional with your linens! Mix patterns and textures to create the perfect look. If using specialty tables (like a serpentine table), ask your linen rental what size will work best (or, better yet, have your planner do it all for you).
Surrounding this wildflower-esque sunken meadow were a stunning array of minimalist table settings, deep olive-green bubble taper candles, and whimsical bud vases. Or, I guess, bud “bowls” in this case, as we opted for shallow, white bowls rather than the traditional vase to allow the length of the stems to be on display—love the extra little dramatic flair this added.
A celebratory champagne dirty martini tower
Who needs a champagne tower when you could have one composed of dirty martinis, instead? What a fun way to keep the luxury of a champagne tower while customizing it to your own taste—and whew, did these two look good sipping on them! Sarah and Milo changed from their first set of outfits (loved the clean white blazer Sarah wore over her gown) into a more casual one for the latter half of the shoot, when it was time to enjoy the oysters, martinis, and cake. And speaking of the cake, how whimsical does it look with those blackberries, daisies, and the organic textures? Felt like the couple could have foraged these berries and blooms themselves just before heading to the venue to tie the knot.
More spring-wildflower-meadow vibes at this indoor Seattle Canlis wedding ✨
Vendor team
As always, a heartfelt thank-you to the vendors who had the vision for this shoot + helped bring it to life with such unreal beauty.
Venue: Dockside at Duke’s | @docksideatdukes
Planning & Design: Your Perfect Bridesmaid | @yourperfectbridesmaid
Florals & Design: Twisted Bramble | @twistedbramble
Hair & Makeup: Michelle Wight | @michellewight.hmu
Styling: Richard Meharry, Le Finalé | @richardmeharry @lefinale.co
Stationery: June Press | @junepress
Videography: Ochoa Films | @nathanochoa
Photography: Jessika Christine Photo | @jessikachristinephoto
Model: Sarah Walker | @sarah_mwalker
Bar: Tipsy Trailer | @tipsytrailerllc
Dress: The White Door Bridal | @thewhitedoorbridal
Content Creation: Wight Down the Aisle | @wightdowntheaisle
Jewelry: Green Lake Jewelry | @greenlakejewelry
Drape: Quest Events | @quest_events
Rentals: CORT Party Rental | @cortpartyrental
About Dockside at Duke’s, a Picturesque Lake Union Wedding Venue
Curious to hear more about the lovely waterfront venue we used for this shoot? Dockside at Duke’s provides such a fabulous space for weddings, receptions, and events of all kinds, including bridal showers, engagement parties, and rehearsal dinners. The main highlight of this venue (besides its breathtaking views of Lake Union) is its delicious seafood, provided by their exclusive catering team that focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. My kind of catering! Fortunately, weddings and receptions can take place in any of the versatile spaces offered at the venue, both indoors and outdoors to accommodate any weather the PNW might bring—all of which offer stunning views of the water, docks, and boats in the background.
Learn more about getting married at Dockside at Duke’s here.
Whether you’re planning a coastal spring wedding such as this, a summertime soiree, or a cozy celebration in the cooler months, let’s celebrate the beauty that nature is giving us this season. Below, I’ve included a select few of my favorite weddings from each season to help you notice what colors, moods, tones, and blooms call to you the most. Whichever it may be, I’d love to be a part of enhancing your special day through sustainable, local, and eco-luxe floral designs that reflect the beauty and rhythm of the Pacific Northwest—connect today to get started.
