Chelsey and Sam's wedding at the Olympic Rooftop Pavilion located at the top of Hotel Ballard was a beautiful blend of elegance, connection, and unforgettable moments. From their emotional first look to their intimate ceremony, every detail was thoughtfully designed to reflect their personal style and true bond to one another. The day balanced the couple's love with meaningful touches for their guests, making it an experience everyone will remember.
The morning began with getting ready photos at Hotel Ballard, where Chelsey and Sam were surrounded by their closest friends and family as they prepared for the big day. As I took photos of the couples detail items (vow books, perfume, jewelry), the room was serene and natural light flooded in through the windows. There was a sweet and an emotional moment as Chelsey's mother helped her into her gown. Pacific Brides was onsite for day-of beauty services and perfectly styled Chelsey’s hair into a chic "party pony". Her bridesmaids' reaction to her final look was EVERYTHING! Meanwhile, Sam’s getting ready space was filled with laughter and excitement as he and his groomsmen prepped for the day ahead.
After the morning preparations, the day continued with an intimate first look at the Ballard Locks. For Sam, the anticipation of seeing Chelsey for the first time was the moment he’d been waiting for, and when it finally arrived, it was pure magic. Surrounded by the greenery of the Locks, the couple shared a quiet, heartfelt exchange. The dappled lighting and tranquil surroundings created a timeless, cinematic moment that was a joy to capture. Sam’s tearful reaction says it all. From there, we took portraits of the couple walking through the Locks in the dappled light as the wedding party arrived for group photos.
For C, the most anticipated moment was walking down the aisle to marry S. Perched atop Hotel Ballard with sweeping views of the city and Puget Sound, The Olympic Rooftop Pavilion provided a breathtaking backdrop. C could hardly contain her excitement as she walked toward S, ready to exchange heartfelt vows. I especially love the black-and-white photo of her taking a deep breath before stepping forward! The ceremony was deeply personal, with C sharing words that moved everyone in attendance; including her mother, who wiped away tears. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, the ceremony truly reflected the couple’s love and commitment.
Chelsey’s gown was the perfect mix of modern romance and timeless elegance - Archie by Made With Love, purchased from A&Bé Bridal. The gown featured flowing fabric and dramatic shoulder draping, which added a romantic flair. The best part? The draping was removable, allowing Chelsey to personalize her look throughout the day. I loved capturing photos both with and without the draping! Later in the evening, she slipped into a second, equally stunning dress for the reception, ready to dance the night away in style.
The reception was an elevated celebration, expertly coordinated by Willow and Ivy Events. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen - from the custom floral arrangements by Colibri Blooms to the candlelight and table-scapes that created a warm, inviting atmosphere as the sun set over the course of the evening. As the Pavilion was transformed for dinner, guests enjoyed custom craft cocktails and exceptional cuisine from Stoneburner, the venue’s acclaimed restaurant known for its stone cooking and market-fresh menu.
Chelsey and Sam shared their first dance in the middle of the pavilion as their friends and family looked on. Afterwards, they served up cake, mini-desserts and even more dance moves! DJ Tone of Integral DJs kept the dance floor packed, curating the perfect mix of music to keep guests dancing under the Seattle sky. Congratulations, Chelsey and Sam! It was an absolute joy to capture your love story and be part of such a beautiful celebration.
Wedding Planner: Willow and Ivy Events | willowandivyevents.com
Venue: Olympic Rooftop Pavilion - Hotel Ballard | hotelballardseattle.com
Bridal Gown: Archie by Made With Love, from A&Bé Bridal
Website: madewithlovebridal.com (for the designer)
Website for A&Bé Bridal: aandbebridalshop.com
Hair & Makeup: Pacific Brides | pacificbrides.com
DJ: DJ Tone of Integral DJs | integraldjs.com
Reception Restaurant: Stoneburner | stoneburnerseattle.com
Cake: Sift and Gather | siftandgather.com
Videography: Ridgewood Films | ridgewoodfilms.com
Stationery: The Fancy Cat Studio | thefancycatstudio.com
Floral: Colibri Blooms
Planning a wedding at the Olympic Rooftop Pavilion? You may also enjoy this Fox Hollow Farm wedding or this Thornewood Castle wedding.