Stephanie + Mike | Nautical Seattle Wedding on the MV Skansonia
Speak Easy Vibes
This beautiful Nautical Seattle Wedding on the MV Skansonia started with the trek to Seattle’s rich downtown neighborhood. Lessie and I met up in our hometown of Sumner, and thankfully, the drive north wasn’t super packed. We left incredibly early and were able to grab some coffee and chat… two of my favorite things to do. From there, we headed over to Seattle’s Roosevelt Hotel. This place was extraordinary. The reception area was alike a quaint speakeasy with a modern twist. Leather chairs, a velvet couch and dozens of mirrors really gave the place a unique vibe. And the rooms were simply stunning. The light was absolutely gorgeous inside and made for wonderful detail shots.
Mid City First Look
Stephanie and Mike were simply adorable together. Joined by their one groomsman (Stephanie’s son), Mike and I walked down to Westlake Center where we waited (not so) patiently for their first look. I positioned Mike towards me before Stephanie and Lessie rounded the corner, and was elated to see how thrilled Stephanie looked when she first saw Mike. These two had such wonderful chemistry and completely trusted Lessie’s vision. Once we were finished, we headed out to Gasworks Park for family and couples portraits. The rain decided to make an entrance as soon as we arrived, so hauling gear and umbrellas we took cover in one of the large buildings. Finding fun areas to shoot through was an interesting challenge. But Stephanie and Mike just rolled with it, and their portraits turned out wonderful.
A Waterfront View
The MV Skansonia was only a few blocks away, and arriving on board, I was stunned at how gorgeous the interior was. Pictures simply don’t do this venue justice. The MV Skansonia is a retired ferry permanently docked on North Lake Union. The vintage nautical decor gives the venue a very classic vibe and was an amazing accent to Stephanie and Mike’s vision. From the playing card favors to the beautifully adorned cake, everything felt like walking into an old Hollywood movie.
A Unique Ceremony Idea
Their ceremony vision was one I’d never heard before. Instead of the traditional ceremony style, where the alter is in front of all the guests, Stephanie and Mike invited all of their guests to gather around. They stood in the center while their most important friends and family circled around them, and the love that flowed was palpable. They read vows they’d written each other, exchanged rings and shared their first kiss. Between the ceremony and reception, we managed to sneak them away to the upper deck with gorgeous views of the Seattle Skyline. A few quiet moments and then it was time to party.
The Perfect MV Skansonia Reception
Their reception began with their introduction, then dinner and toasts. The Mother of the Groom sang, while another guest played the guitar. This group was a fun bunch to watch, as they held their battery operated candles in the air, rock concert style. This was a perfect start to my 2017 wedding season. A huge thank you to Lessie of Lessie Blue Photography for allowing me to join her.
