Winter Wedding | Snowfall, Homemade Shawls, Mountain Views

Welcome to Tony and Kato's beautiful winter wedding at Pine River Ranch in Leavenworth, Washington. Kato was nice enough to send her wedding pictures our way after their February wedding to share with future brides the snowy wonderland we have to offer for winter weddings at Pine River Ranch.

I loved Tony and Kato's "he said, she said" version of how they met. To some, Tony sounded like a die hard romantic, to others (Tony included) he sounded "awkward and creepy." I laughed when I read their wedding website at the "he said" version when Tony shared: "I was in love. I knew I was way out of my league, but I was determined. I just knew I needed to ask this woman her name and let her know just how impressed I was with her as a person or I would regret it forever. So I left without saying anything." Luckily his determination payed off and he frequented Kato's workplace (every night) until he worked up the courage to talk to her. Almost 10 years later and they are just as smitten as the third date. (The first few dates didn't go so well!) If you have a minute to read the entire story, it will put a smile on your face: http://tonyandkato.com/more.html

Your favorite detail/decoration:* My mom knitted all the bridesmaid's shawls, including mine and a scarf for my "John of Honor." They were beautiful and it was the sweetest gesture. John (my best friend and said "John of Honor") also did all the flowers himself and they were more beautiful than my wildest dreams.

Inspiration for the wedding/approach to your wedding style:* We LOVE Leavenworth. No matter what season, or how many times we've made the drive up Hwy 2, we are just awestruck by the natural beauty and giddy over the festive vibe of the town. Since most our friends and family are from the Seattle and Bellingham area, we wanted to set the wedding in a bit of a "destination" and make it fun for everyone, but not an expensive plane ride away... and before we knew it our vision of a winter wonderland wedding in Leavenworth was taking shape. Elegant but unpretentious, with exceptional food and drink (all our friends are bartenders, musicians, or non-profit workers), and just really, really fun. The beauty and uniqueness of the venue really helped to set the tone for the whole event. And it was really important to us to be able to bring in our caterer, bar, and decor - so with those details and once we visited in person, Pine River was a no-brainer.

We provided two large shuttles (Leavenworth Tours) for all 150 guests, and they even let us serve a Hot Buttered Rum to each guest as they boarded the shuttle. A fun touch!

The rustic dairy barn served as both the ceremony site and reception site for the winter wedding. Although we have had winter weddings where guests brave the outdoors!

What was your favorite part of the day:* That's a tough one! Getting ready in the bridal room was perfect... and the ceremony of course - set in the doorway with the mountains as a backdrop was just stunning and special. Tony and I wrote our own vows and didn't share them with eachother before the ceremony. There truly was not a dry eye in the place. I loved watching people laugh and eat and have fun. We had an afterparty at a dive bar in town called The Post Office, and one of my favorite moments was getting onto the packed shuttle at the end of the wedding and heading into town, through the gorgeous night drive, stars in the sky, the river reflecting the mountains, everyone laughing and feeling great... and when we arrived at the bar, Tony surprised me by having my band there, set up to play! I'm in a classic country band, and they played the rest of the night, all my favorite old songs, and I even joined them for a rendition of Stand By Your Man, in my wedding dress. :)

This is one of my favs :)

If you could tell a future bride one thing about the wedding planning or advice for the day of the wedding what would it be:* Get help. Plan all you want but on the day of the wedding make sure someone other than you is "directing." The best money we spent on the entire thing was hiring our day-of coordinator, Lauren Guy from Manette Gracie.

Vendor Shout Outs:

Caterer- Bitterroot from Seattle. People went CRAZY over the food, and it's the first thing everyone mentions when I talk to them now. It was incredible, affordable, easy, and just SO. GOOD.
DJ- Just a playlist of our own.
Cake- My older sister made it! An apple, rosemary cheesecake, AMAZING.
Photographer- Kapchur us Photography. The pictures speak for themselves and Richard is wonderful to work with. He did my little sister's wedding too!
Make-Up- Jessica Dodge from Caruh Salon in Seattle.
Dress- Purchased at I Do Bridal and altered at Fragile Fit.
Hair- Also Jessica Dodge from Caruh, she is a friend and my regular colorist
Transportation- Leavenworth Tours - we provided two large shuttles for all 150 guests, and they even let us serve a Hot Buttered Rum to each guest as they boarded the shuttle. A fun touch!
Day-of Coordinator- Lauren Guy from Manette Gracie. I wanted to do the planning and she let me have total control leading up to the day, we met twice and she asked great questions that made sure I was thinking of details I might not have considered and on the wedding day she was a complete angel and rockstar all in one! Sweetly getting 150 people to do exactly what they needed to do for everything to run smoothly.

9 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Venue

First off, if you are engaged and still in the planning process, or looking for great ideas or vendors for your wedding day, you HAVE TO go to the Seattle Wedding Show! It is the largest bridal show in the West Coast and is so much fun, plus you get to see us there! This is our 3rd year participating in the Wedding Show and we see great new ideas and meet wonderful vendors every year!
If you haven't been to the Seattle Wedding Show before, I won't give away too much, but there are florists, DJs, caterers, photographers, videographers, planners, venues, invitation designers, photo booths and more! There are cake and catering samples from so many delicious and talented vendors too! Yumm! I always take at least one break a year to walk around and sample all the yummy treats and introduce myself to some vendors who we may get to work with in the future! This year the Seattle Wedding Show is at:

Washington State Convention & Trade Center

800 Convention Place, 4th Floor

Seattle, WA 98101

Saturday January 7th, 2012 from 10:00am to 5:30pm (ticket sales open at 9:30am)

Sunday January 8th, 2012 from 10:30am to 5:00pm (ticket sales open at 10:00am)

Make sure to swing by and say "Hi!"

At the Wedding Show there is a large selection of Wedding Venues.  For many brides and grooms the venue is the first thing they select for their wedding and can be quite the daunting task. We don't do things the same way as many wedding venues because this is your big day and you shouldn't be forced to use our caterers, pay our food and drink minimums and have a pre-packaged wedding just like everyone else if that's not what you want. If you want everything taken care of for you, we can make that happen for you as well with our fantastic local vendors we love to work with.  Here at Pine River Ranch, your wedding is all about you and what you want!
Question #1: What comes with my rental fee?  Many venues have a site fee, then tack on the extra expenses of tables, chairs, linens, food and drinks. At Pine River Ranch, your wedding rental fee comes with all your necessary amenities from tables and chairs to linens and flatware.

• Outside wedding venue, beautifully landscaped with rustic log arbor (Weddings can be moved inside in case of bad, or questionable weather, or if you choose to have an indoor wedding)
• Indoor reception in Historic 1944 Dairy Barn With Dance Floor.
• Beautiful photo opportunities (Nason Creek, meadows, mountains, historical barn, old farm house, small lake with waterfall)
• 2 changing suites for the wedding party with full length mirrors and sinks
• Free Attended Parking for 100+ cars.
• Up to 20 round dinner tables (8 - 10 guests per table)
• All Linens (Including Table Cloths and Cloth Napkins)
• 300 white wooden chairs for the wedding ceremony and reception
• Tables (Coffee, DJ, bridal gift & buffet table)
• Flatware (spoons, dinner forks, salad forks & knives)
• Stemware (water, wine & champagne glasses)
• Plates (Dinner, salad, roll & cake plates)
• Coffee pot & mugs
• Salt and pepper shakers
• Complete Setup, take down, and clean up
• 2 table bussers
• Coolers for beverages

Question #2: Do you have a food and drink minimum? No! Not everyone has the same vision for their wedding day, so we don't want to force you to use our caterers or drink our drinks and pay the expensive costs often times associated with in-house catering and bartending! We have had every kind of food imaginable at Pine River Ranch and we love to see people eat exactly what they love. You bring in your own food whether it is professionally catered or cooked by your friends and family. We have had everything from BBQ'd food like hamburgers and hot dogs and Pizzas cooked in wood fire grills to decadently cooked 5 course meals. As for drinks, you can provide your own as well saving you an exorbitant amount of money on your big day!
Question #3: Does the caterer include equipment or do you have to rent it?
That is a question for your caterer. We have commercial kitchen sinks, and prep tables as well as a full size walk in cooler, but we don't have the cooking equipment. If you want the cooking to be done by your friends or family, they will need to bring their own barbeques, grills etc. as well as serving and chafing dishes. Most professional caterers will provide that equipment.
Question #4: How do you charge for service people?
We do not have any additional fees or charges, the only cost is the rental fee of the venue (and that comes with all of the above amenities). Some wedding venues charge a percentage of the overall fee and others have a separate service fee that can really add up!
Question #5: Do you have any additional fees?
We do not have any of those hidden fees like a cake cutting fee, corking fee, or any of those other hidden costs.
Question #6: How many hours do I have the facility and personnel.
That depends on if you choose a 1 day or 2 day wedding package. With our 1 day wedding package you have the venue from 3 pm the day of your wedding until 11 am the next morning. With a 2 day wedding package the grounds are yours from 3 pm the day before your wedding until 11 am the morning after your wedding (example: Friday at 3 pm until Sunday at 11 am). With either package, your guests have to leave the barn by 10 pm and any guests not staying in the suites have to be off the grounds by 11 pm.
Question #7: Do you have decorations I can use?
We can show you some of the items during your wedding tour that previous weddings have left that you are more than welcome to use! We also have thousands of fairy lights that are already hung in the barn.
Question #8: What other events are taking place at the location and how do you have it scheduled?
None! You will have exclusive use of the entire 22 acres during your 1 or 2 day weddings! You don't have to worry about running into other wedding party guests or confusing your guests about going to the wrong ceremony location!
Question #9: Is there plenty of on-site parking and is there a fee?
There is plenty of parking and no fee! Our attendant will help direct parking for over 100 cars so you don't have to worry about delegating that job to one of your guests!
Asking these nine questions before booking your wedding reception venue is sure to help you find a space that suites your style! Have any more questions for us to answer? Just leave a comment and let us know, or visit our FAQs Wedding Page!
And because everything is better with a picture, enjoy!

Leavenworth, WA Wedding | Tandem Bicycles, Memorable First Dances and Beautiful Sunsets

Over the past couple weeks I have been working on creating a new blog, and it is finally time to say goodbye to blogger and hello to our New Blog! I will still be posting blogs on blogger for awhile as everyone makes the transition over to the new blog, so change those bookmarks and join our email list for updates on our New Blog! (Also, if you have any loves/likes/dislikes about the new blog, please let me know!)  

.....

This wedding is going to make you say "WOW"! 

I was blown away by the amazing details, thoughts and absolutely stunning photography from talented photographer Saskia M! Our wedding couple, were married in August at Pine River Ranch Wedding Venue, and as you will be able to see for yourself, they are one genuine, happy, spontaneous and fun-loving couple!

.....

This is a great view of the Wedding Venue here at Pine River Ranch. With 22 acres at your disposal, you are guaranteed to get breathtaking photos

 If you're like me, your already anticipating the beautiful photos Saskia captured as the sun was shining at the Ranch. Our Nature Trail throughout the property serves as the perfect picture setting.

 I had to sneak a couple of my favorite shots in to build the anticipation, now we can resume the chronological order of the wedding! Starting with the Bride and Groom getting ready. At Pine River Ranch the Bride and Groom have separate dressing suites so they can get ready without risking the chance of accidently seeing one another! (And they are plenty big enough for the entire wedding party!)

.....

Like I said earlier, the details were so thought out. Tom adorned his suite with a bicycle pin, and you'll see why later!

Beautiful!

Fields of daises with the setting sun was a beautiful backdrop

 Remember that bicycle pin Tom had on earlier? A bicycle built for two!

Their ceremony was so enjoyable, I love it when a couple goes outside the boundary of "traditional." Their ceremony had three acts: stories, advice and union. The advice portion included words of wisdom from two of the most intelligent people they know: Their Mothers! And as you can see captured in the laughs below, I think the advice from Tom's Mother may have been "untraditional"

Something I can tell you about Tom and Jenny is that they love to dance, their ceremony also included a song where they had their "pre-first dance" (that went a little longer than expected!)

They ended their union by sealing a bottle of wine with their vows in a handmade box. They are going to open their box years down the road on their anniversary.

And now for a grand exit unlike anything you've ever seen! Jenny you are one brave gal!

A tandem bike built for two!

They continued the tandem bike theme in their stationary and place settings designed by Tom's sister Joanna Woitkowiak. 

The beautiful flower arrangements were bought at Pike Place Market.

And if Tom and Jenny couldn't get any better, their "official" first dance had everyone at the reception in tears; tears of joy and laughter that is! Their lively first dances were the perfect ending to a wonderful night.

Real Leavenworth Weddings | Sage and Alex | Dream Come True

As I say every week we are so lucky here at Pine River Ranch to be continually blessed sharing so many great memories and experiences with every couple that sets foot on the Ranch. This week I owe another huge thank you to Sage and Alex who were kind enough to send their wedding photos my way so I could share them with you!

This is a great shot of the 1944 Dairy Barn. We have completely restored the barn and converted it from a milking barn in 1944 that produced fresh milk for loggers to a beautiful wedding and events venue. The barn is remodeled with stunning hard wood floors, bride and groom dressing suites and all the ammenities to complete your wedding day.

.....

From Sage: "We looked at a number of locations, and it was a simple choice once we found the Pine River Ranch. Their package includes so many of the little things: tables, chairs, flatware, napkins etc... that it saves so much time and energy not having to coordinate all those details. They even include setup and breakdown, and were flexible and accommodating with all our special requests. And the price is unbeatable!"

Many of you have probably read Sage's wonderful review on Pine River Ranch's Wedding Wire page but I will include some snippets just in case because she paints a wonderful picture of Pine River:

"I'm the girl who always fantasized about my wedding day, so the bar was set pretty high. The Pine River Ranch exceeded all of my expectations and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Truly a dream come true!"

"Having the beautiful outdoor garden ceremony, with oak arbors framing the snowcapped Cascade Mountains, was a fairytale backdrop."

Sage wanted to give a big thank you to her Mother-in-Law who is a retired pastry chef and made their wedding cake as Sage says: "It was the BEST cake ever! Carrot cake with butter cream frosting. I think everyone had 2 slices."

I have to post all of Sage's review on the blog because she had such kind words to say about Pine River Ranch. See more Wedding Wire Reviews

.....

(PS- future brides at Pine River Ranch make sure to read the end of her review- She has a great money saving tip!) Thanks again Sage and Alex, we wish you the very best!

5.0 out of 5.0

Quality of Service: (5.0/5.0)

Responsiveness: (5.0/5.0)

Professionalism: (5.0/5.0)

Value For Cost: (5.0/5.0)

Flexibility: (5.0/5.0)

Services Used:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Pine River Ranch was the perfect wedding venue. The staff was friendly and attentive, and everything went smoothly.
Having the beautiful outdoor garden ceremony, with oak arbors framing the snowcapped Cascade Mountains, was a fairytale backdrop.
The indoor 1944 dairy barn reception, with its classic/rustic ranch exterior and beautifully refinished interior, was breathtaking.
With 22 acres at our disposal, there were plenty of opportunities for beautiful photography, and our guests had ample space to wonder the grounds and explore.
The spa suites were romantic, private, and cozy, and the breakfasts were delicious.
It was so convenient to have everything at one location. The barn even has two beautiful bridal dressing suites, so there's plenty of space to get ready.
We looked at a number of locations, and it was a simple choice once we found the Pine River Ranch. Their package includes so many of the little things: tables, chairs, flatware, napkins etc... that it saves so much time and energy not having to coordinate all those details. They even include setup and breakdown, and were flexible and accommodating with all our special requests. And the price is unbeatable!
All of our guests are raving about the location. Its closeness to the charming town of Leavenworth ensured that the fun and beauty continued even after the festivities.
I'm the girl who always fantasized about my wedding day, so the bar was set pretty high. The Pine River Ranch exceeded all of my expectations and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Truly a dream come true!
And here's a tip to those lucky enough to book this venue; get your flowers from the Leavenworth Safeway. I got quotes from the local florists that were criminally expensive. I called Safeway on a whim and paid practically nothing for beautiful floral arrangements! The floral manager even went out of her way to find ribbons and glass marbles for the centerpieces that matched our wedding colors exactly. A total joy to work with, and it will literally save you thousands!

Feilds, Mountains and Meadows for beautiful Wedding Photos

Wedding Season has officially started and I wanted to sneak in a few more pictures from last years weddings while I still had a chance. The grounds look beautiful with the spring flowers in bloom so I wanted to feature some of our outdoor wedding photos.

These two photos are by Gavin Seim, I love the beautiful green fields and they reminded me of the spring time here at Pine River Ranch.

We have beautiful feilds of every color for whatever your vision may be. This shot is from Kene Sperry, but this is great to show you what the grounds look like in the other direction!

 

The coral is one of favorite backdrops by brides and grooms here and depending on the season has an abundant array of colorful wildflowers almost year round (except when its covered by snow!). Photo by Alex Studios

Heres a shot from a husband and wife photography team who make up Sea Studios. This doesn't exactly show off the "feilds and meadows" but I still think this is a great shot, I love her vintage lace dress!

Ok here is another one from Sea Studios that does a better job of showing the fields ;)

Well that is it for now, I'd better get back to work setting up for the next weddings. If there are any shots you would like me to showcase for any potential wedding couples just let me know: ngourlie@prranch.com or if you were married at Pine River I would LOVE to show off your photos, send me a few of your favorites!