Alicia and Paul’s Family Oriented BBQ complete with a ring ‘bear’

The Glö-Couple:

Alicia, a Microbiologist + Paul, a Web Publisher

A fun fact about the couple:

Alicia is great at parallel parking, Paul is a South Paw

Celebration Date & Location:

July 10, 2011
Hood Canal Vista Pavilion
Port Gamble, WA USA

Tell us how you got engaged:

It was 4th of July, 2010. I had taken Paul to my hometown which is known for its spectacular fireworks show. After the show I was freezing and wanting to go inside but he asked me to just sit with him and watch the lights. Then he got down on one knee and asked me. I replied by screaming, “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?” twice…before I believed he was actually proposing. After I was thoroughly convinced I said, “yes” and sealed it with a smooch =)

What’s the overall ‘feeling’ you’re aiming for with your celebration:

We wanted it to be comfortable, not stuffy and a whole lot of fun. I wanted cute kids in the wedding party and we only had one person standing for each of us. We had a schedule and it was loosely minded, it wasn’t stressful and there was a lot of dancing, great toasts and love. It was very important to me to have kids be a part of the day. I didn’t want to be bossing people around or be angry…and I wasn’t! It was beautiful.

Are you adding any fun twists on tradition:

Our choice for a ring bearer couldn’t say ‘bearer’ so when he came running to me announcing that he was going to be my ‘ring bear’ and his mom told me he had bear paws I knew it had to be. My mom raised me until I was 6, when she met my step-dad. I wanted to honor her commitment and sacrifice for me so we had a mother-daughter dance that she LOVED. I think that was the best part of the reception for both of us. Paul and I are big fans of Brandi Carlile and a lot of her music really speaks to us and is part of our relationship. We incorporated some lyrics into our vows as well as used ‘The Story’ as our first dance, complete with the rock out in the second verse.

What was the inspiration for your Glövite and Glösite design?

Classy, simple and beautiful. That’s all we really strove for in our celebration and the Glovite designs really helped us achieve that.

Now show us your Glövites and Glösite

Any good planning tips and tricks for the couples who are just starting to plan?

I would have left earlier than I did to get ready, I only had 1 hour to do: my hair, make-up AND get my dress on. I really missed out on a lot of lady bonding time with all my friends and family.

What’s the biggest “say what?”  moment or funny story that’s happened since you started planning?

Oh the stories I could tell… We received a gift 4 mo. before the wedding, and I sent her a thank you note. She emailed me asking why we weren’t waiting until after the wedding to open them. I gently tried to explain to her that 4 months is a long time to wait for acknowledgement let alone a thank you, and assured her that we wouldn’t use them until the ‘deal was sealed.’ I think she then got the idea of how absurd she was being.

Your fabulous vendors:

Our AMAZING photographer: Keri Pinzon | Catering: Mike Richman | Flowers: Tajah Downey | Alterations: Trish Jens | Jeweler (MOB, MOH & bride): Andrea Matni | Jeweler (wedding bands): Jeanette Betton