1. Real Weddings

Lisa & Aaron: A Formal Wedding in Seattle, WA

Lisa and Aaron tied the knot in a gorgeous, Gothic-style Catholic church and followed with a reception in the striking 2004 Seattle Home of the Year (

Lisa and Aaron tied the knot in a gorgeous, Gothic-style Catholic church and followed with a reception in the striking 2004 Seattle Home of the Year (owned, conveniently, by the groom’s uncle). The Bride Lisa Collins The Groom Aaron Jennings The Date June 11 It took ten years of friendship between Lisa Collins and Shelly Jennings before Lisa was, by chance, introduced to Shelly’s very eligible older brother, Aaron. He had stopped by to rescue his brother-in-law from a baby shower hosted in Shelly’s honor and, even in observing their brief first encounter, Aaron’s sister noticed the obvious attraction. She quickly set them up -- with no disagreement from the smitten pair -- and since then the couple has been virtually inseparable, and never short of romance. Lisa and Aaron spent their first of many weekends together at the Jennings’ family home on Lopez Island, where they indulged in decadent dinners, drank lots of wine, and took leisurely walks along the shore. Seven months later, Aaron, 32 and a vice president of strategic development, proposed to Lisa, 28 and a health-care management account executive, on a whirlwind tour through Germany. The fairytale moment took place during a horse-drawn carriage ride down a snowy mountain after a visit to a historic German castle.

The Boutonniere
Lisa and Aaron chose custom-made invitations by Claudia Calhoun that were both unique and sophisticated. Made of dark charcoal European paper, the invitations were inscribed with copper and silver fleck ink and were hand-delivered by the couple.
Aaron enthusiastically describes their cake as a “three-tier chocolate-hazelnut cappuccino-frosted French one-of-a-kind masterpiece!”
The Lisa and Aaron rode in style in a vintage Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Their bridal party was treated to a Lincoln Navigator stocked with lots of champagne and water.
Lisa's bridesmaids looked understated and chic in black and platinum two-piece ensembles by Mori Lee, finished with coordinating wraps.
The bride and groom recruited their personal friends, owners of Crush restaurant in Madison Valley, to feed guests at the rehearsal dinner and reception. “They provided our guests with the most amazing dining experiences,” remembers Lisa. The delicious cuisine was highlighted by seared scallops over risotto, crab cakes, Hudson Valley foie gras, short ribs, and potato gnocchi.
Gardenias and calla lilies, cuffed in custom-dyed silver ostrich feathers were incorporated in the bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere. “I have always loved exotic feathers and thought it would give my bouquet, and Aaron’s boutonniere, an elegant touch,” says Lisa.