1. Real Weddings

A Classic Waterfront Wedding at Alderbrook Resort and Spa in Union, Washington

Jeff Garrison (30 and an investment manager) proposed to Michelle Gregoire (29 and deputy prosecuting attorney) during a stay at his family's beach ho

Jeff Garrison (30 and an investment manager) proposed to Michelle Gregoire (29 and deputy prosecuting attorney) during a stay at his family's beach house along the water in Washington. So when Michelle and Jeff started planning their wedding, they couldn't think of a better area to say "I do" than where Michelle said "Yes." Located on the Hood Canal in Union, Washington, Alderbrook Resort and Spa created the ideal natural backdrop for their outdoor ceremony. Michelle and Jeff stood at the wrought iron archway covered in leafy greens and white blooms, matching the flower arrangements created by Lynch Creek Floral that lined the grass aisle. They decked the indoor-outdoor space in a neutral color scheme, accenting everything from the bridal party attire to the many arrangements. At the tented reception, guests found their seats at tables named after landmarks located along the Hood Canal, captured on camera by La Vie Photography. And for dessert, everyone feasted on the two-tier white wedding cake designed to look like a birch tree—topped with a wooden bird decoration carved out by a family member. Although we adored many details that made up this classic waterfront wedding, we loved the escort card display that resembled a teepee structure—made of old wooden rowboat oars that came from Jeff's beach house. See more of these classic details at this waterfront wedding, below.

Michelle picked out a pair of ivory silk Kate Spade shoes with a peep toe and gorgeous ribbon design on top. Her white lace garter laid in front of the shoes, both going along with her white Monique Lhuillier dress.
Michelle held a gorgeous round bouquet filled with garden roses and spray roses in shades of peach and white. "Inside my bouquet, we secured my 'something old,' a brooch from my nana (paternal grandmother), and my 'something blue,' which was a family ring from my husband’s mother," Michelle says. "The bouquet base was wrapped with my 'something borrowed,' fabric from my mother’s wedding dress."
The ceremony took place on the front lawn of Alderbrook Resort and Spa in Union, Washington, with a beautiful backdrop of Hood Canal and Mount Ellinor in the distance. Arrangements perched on top of birch logs lined the aisle, leading up to the arch draped in hydrangeas, garden roses and greenery.
Michelle and Jeff shared a moment in the middle of the ceremony, where they sat next to each other and smiled. Jeff sported a light gray suit, paired with a light gray tie that all the groomsmen matched.
When guests entered the ceremony space, they each grabbed a thin kraft-paper program with heart-shaped designs decorating the front. Baker's twine tied in bows topped each wedding program.
Michelle and Jeff stood on the dock surrounded by their bridesmaids and groomsmen, dressed in accents of champagne and light gray. The bridesmaids dressed in sleeved champagne-colored dresses with matching wedges, while the groomsmen sported light gray suits paired with light gray ties.
Jeff rocked a white rose, eucalyptus and leaf boutonniere, pinned to the lapel of his gray suit. The boutonniere matched Michelle's beautiful bouquet, filled with white garden roses and spray roses speckled with peach blooms.
The reception took place under the white tent set up on the lawn at Alderbrook Resort and Spa in Union, Washington. Elegant chandeliers covered in leafy greens hung from the ceiling, bringing the surrounding landscape in for the celebration.
"Our escort cards attached to clothespins hung from a teepee-like structure made of old wooden rowboat oars, faded by years of use in the sun and saltwater along Hood Canal," Michelle says. "These oars came directly from my husband’s family beach house. The design and execution were left to some of the more crafty members of our extended family."
Guests found their seats at dining tables marked with signs, inspired by places along the Hood Canal. White and peach floral centerpieces accented the middle of dining tables, surrounded by votive candles on top of champagne runners.
Michelle and Jeff stood in front of the gorgeous wooden Alderbrook Resort and Spa in Union, Washington, serving as a backdrop throughout the whole outdoor occasion. Michelle and Jeff stood in front on the dock, gleaming with joy to get married on Hood Canal—where Jeff had proposed to Michelle.
"Our favors were bottles of wine with a label that our friend designed," Michelle says. "The label had an engagement photo of us, our names, wedding details and a note from us on the back."
At the reception, a sign that read "All you need is love and maybe a little ice cream" marked the ice cream bar location. In addition to the savory treat, guests also enjoyed the two-tiered wedding cake designed to look like a birch tree.
The white wedding cake resembled the look of a white birch tree, with a lovebird topper carved out of wood by a family member. In addition to the cake, guests helped themselves to the ice cream bar provided by Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.
Michelle and Jeff shared a kiss as they made their exit from Alderbrook Resort and Spa. Friends and family members paved the way for their exit, holding sparklers above their heads.