Real Bride Friday | Dylan and Elliot

Wedding Date: March 18th, 2023

Gown Designer: Private Collection by Bateau Bridal Boutique

Jumpsuit Designer: Willowby by Watters

Venue: Alyeska Resort

Photographer: Kenzie Mehan with Bare Bones Creatives

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Lorell David with I Do Events

DJ: Eric Robinson with Alaska Professional Entertainment

Menswear: Men's Warehouse

Florist: Alina with Lily of the Valley

Hair and Makeup: Hair by Mandy Leslie with Behind the Bangs, Makeup by Tiffanee with Vibe Artistry

Cake: Anita with Midnight Sun Cakery

Tailor: Celeste with Celestial Designs

Favorite part of your gown: “I felt like a queen, I looked strong and beautiful. It was bold, elegant, and special. Simply special.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I fell in love with how I looked and felt in it, we were able to tweak the underlay to make the details pop. I felt like a prettier version of myself.”

The best part of the venue: “Gorgeous snowy mountain views.”

Why did you pick your venue: “One lovely place for people to ski, snowboard, and visit the spa for our wedding weekend! We love Girdwood.”

Three words to describe your day: “Love & Festive & Glamour!”

Inspiration for the day: “Moody and romantic, a pinch of Morticia Adams, a heavy dose of Great Gatsby, a dash of Noir, a smattering of Ethereal, and a healthy pour of Glamour.”

How you met: “We met training submission grappling.”

How they proposed: “Elliot proposed at our home, in our kitchen, with our perfect dog as our witness.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Dancing to "can't take my eyes off of you" for our grand exit, what a magical party it was!”

Real Bride Friday | Kristina and Tyler

Wedding Date: August 27th, 2022

Gown Designer: Stella York Bridal

Venue: Johnson’s Airstrip

Photographer: Narrow Roads Productions

DJ: DJ Bizz

Menswear: Amazon

Hair and Makeup: Kelsey Morris with Maxim Salon and Jenna Bakk for makeup

Catering/Cake: Kristina’s Sister-In-Law

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the sleeves and lace detail.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I instantly knew when I put it on, they say you cry .. I cried!”

The best part of the venue: “ We loved the beautiful view and the outdoor gazebo.”

Three words to describe your day: “Romantic, Fun, and Hilarious!”

Inspiration for your day: “Dark moody romance!”

How you met: “Tyler and I met in Spanish class.”

How they proposed: “Tyler proposed while we were in Mexico.”

Real Bride Friday | Savannah and Gavyn

Wedding Date: August 27th, 2022

Gown Designer: Evie Young Bridal

Veil Designer: Bel Aire Bridal

Venue: Alaska Sunset View Resort

Photographer: Isabel Forester Photography

Hair and Makeup: Sunday Sheers

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the unique lace and the beautiful train.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I picked my gown because it made me feel like a bride.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We picked the venue because I love the water.”

Real Bride Friday | Teyah and Zach

Wedding Date: August 20th, 2022

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Hair Piece Designer: Bel Aire Bridal

Venue: Alaska Sunset View Resort

Photographer: Lost Peak Photography

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the sleeves and the lace!”

Why did you pick your dress: “It had all of the details that I was looking for.”

The best part of the venue: “We loved that we were able to rent the venue for the whole weekend.”

Why did you pick your venue: “The lake view!”

Three words to describe your day: “Fun, memorable, exciting”

How you met: “Zach and I met through mutual friends”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “We danced all night!”

Real Bride Friday | Emily and Sean

Wedding Date: July 24th, 2021

Gown Designer: Private Collection from Bateau Bridal

Veil Designer: Jennifer Leigh

Belt Designer: Bel Aire Bridal

Earring Designer: Ti Adoro

Venue: Emily’s Parents’ Home on the River

Photographer: April of Hazel and Elle Photography

Menswear: Frank’s Menswear in Fairbanks

Florist: Just us, my mom, and sisters!

Hair and Makeup: Emily’s Older Sister

Catering/Cake: Sinfully Sweet for our cake and my mom made our food

Favorite part of your gown: “The lace. I’ve known I’ve always wanted a simple dress covered with beautiful lace and this was perfect. The scalloped edge was the icing on the cake.”

Why did you pick your dress: “The way I felt in it was magical. It made me feel like a bride - which I know is cliché, but it’s true. I suddenly felt like yes, this is my dress for our day. I didn’t want to take the sample gown off!”

The best part of the venue: “Everything! Especially being right by the river and having the intimacy of a small, meaningful place.”

Why did you pick your venue: “The location! Plus you can’t beat the cost!”

Three words to describe your day: “Dreamy - Intimate - Romantic”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Honestly, old fairytales. I grew up next to the forest, so I really wanted to have a dreamy outdoorsy vibe.”

How you met: “In college. We are both cellists, and we were stand partners in orchestras and pits for musicals around town. We were able to learn so much about each other and how to work together before we entered our relationship.”

How they proposed: “He surprised me with a trip to Girdwood for a hike! He proposed in front of a waterfall along Virgin Creek trail.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “My favorites were being able to spend time with all of our close friends and family, and that one of my husbands groomsmen booked a last minute flight for my MOH so she could stay an extra night in town. Our cake was fantastic, our photos turned out so beautiful. It rained the morning of our wedding - which is good luck! So it honestly couldn’t have been more perfect if we’d tried.”

Real Bride Friday | Carlee and Adam

Wedding Date: July 13th, 2022

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Venue: Backyard Wedding

Photographer: Madelynn Mae Photography

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Daccori (friend)

Hair: AK Upstyles

Catering/Cake: Arctic Moon Bakery

Tailor: Aggie’s Alterations

Favorite part of your gown: “The details and the fit. I always thought I’d fall in love with a very simple dress, little to no detail, maybe a halter or straps. I ended up with the complete opposite lots of detail, form fitting and strapless.”

Why did you pick your dress: “A feeling. When they say you’ll know when you found your dress you will it’s not about what you think you’ve always wanted or what someone else says looked good on you. It’s about how you feel in it and I had that moment.”

The best part of the venue: “It was at our first home which made it that much more special. Also the first time our families got to see our home.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We planned on having a more traditional reception in NY where we are both from. So, for our ceremony we wanted it very special and close to heart and what better place than our own home. We had our mini ceremony up at Hatcher’s Pass before heading back to our house to celebrate.”

Three words to describe your day: “Intimate, emotional, perfect”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “I am a visual person so seeing things I liked from other weddings, Pinterest, etc. brought the whole idea together.”

How you met: “Started dating 8 years ago, we knew each other from mutual friends. Chatted here and there online and finally bit the bullet and went on a movie date and have been together since.”

How they proposed: “He actually proposed twice, he didn’t think the first ring was good enough. First time was shortly after we moved here on a hike, Virgin Creek Falls. We just made it all the way in when he popped the question. Second time we went to Alyeska for our five year anniversary. We were having dinner at Seven Glaciers on an extremely cloudy December day when literally in the middle of dinner the clouds cleared. We had the servers hold the food so we could go take pictures of the views when I turned to go back he was on one knee.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “We got matching hockey jerseys with our wedding date and our married name and had everyone who celebrated with us sign them. We had a “walk through our journey” activity on our trail on our property showing photos of us through the years and how we got to where we are together.”

Real Bride Friday | Sharayah and Zach

Wedding Date: June 5th, 2021

Gown Designer: Willowby

Venue: Family Homestead - McCarthy Road

Photographer: Theresa McDonald

Band: Blackwater Railroad Co.

Menswear: Mens Warehouse

Florist: The Teal Door

Hair and Makeup: Courtney Strahan

Catering/Cake: Royal Dezzerts

Favorite part of your gown: “The embroidered flowers.”

Why did you pick your dress: “It was the last dress I tried on and the only one that made me feel like a bride.”

The best part of the venue: “The scenery and how everything came together.”

Why did you pick your venue: “It was a dream of mine to get married at my family's property.”

Three words to describe your day: “Joyful, memorable, perfect”

Your inspiration for your day: “Modern/nature wedding aesthetic”

How you met: “Playing rugby!”

How they proposed: “He proposed after my birthday dinner.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Getting to take a victory lap in my Uncle's Cessna after the ceremony. Playing touch rugby on the runway. When a bunch of the wedding guests and the band jumping in the lake at the end of the night.”

Real Bride Friday | Tasha and Joshua

Wedding Date: September 17th, 2022

Gown Designer: Bateau Bridal Boutique, Private Collection

Veil Designer: Hushed Commotion

Bridesmaid’s Gowns: Sorella Vita from Bateau Bridal Boutique

Groomsmen ‘s Ties: Sorella Vita from Bateau Bridal Boutique

Mother of the Groom’s Gown: Tadashi from Bateau Bridal Boutique

Venue: Settlers Bay Lodge

Photographer: Rachel Struve Photography

DJ: Ondago Dj and Entertainment

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse and Ties from Sorella Vita / Bateau Bridal Boutique

Floral Hairpiece: Paper Peony

Hair: Mirrors and Shears

Makeup: Firebird Esthetics

Catering/Cake: Midnight Sun Cakery

Tailor: Celestial Designs

Favorite part of your gown: “The beaded bodice and off the shoulder sleeves! It was so pretty and felt so perfect and fancy to wear.”

Why did you pick your dress: “It was the first dress I felt truly like a bride (and a princess!) in. It wasn't at all what I pictured when I went shopping, but it was truly the perfect dress for me. The train was beautiful and elegantly detailed with the lace and I could honestly talk about it forever if you let me.”

The best part of the venue: “We loved the brick path leading to the archway with an amazing view behind it. The big dance floor everyone could party on and the delicious food for catered by Settlers Bay Lodge was also a plus!”

Why did you pick your venue: “Settlers Bay Lodge had amazing catering included, plus we could do both the ceremony and reception in one place.”

Words to describe your day: “Fantastic. Love-filled. Heartfelt. Intimate”

Inspiration for your day: “Classy rustic and natural”

How you met: “We met in theater class in high school, but then lost touch. We rekindled in college and started dating!”

How they proposed: “Josh crafted the perfect day where we did so many of my favorite things, ate dinner at my favorite restaurant (Ginger) and then he took me up to Stuck-Again Heights where he had set up a beautiful archway and picnic overlooking Anchorage and he proposed!”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Our choreographed first dance was so much fun, and our first look with each other was one I'll never forget. We both hid what we were wearing from each other so our first look was a surprise to us both!”

Real Bride Friday | Shayla and Dustin

Wedding Date: October 1st, 2022

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Veil and Hair Piece Designer: Bel Aire Bridal

Venue: The Barn PNW; Dayton, OR

Photographer: Eleanore Rebecca Photography LLC

Videographer: Duran Creative

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Kellye at The Barn

DJ: JT Event Services

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Blooms of Grace

Hair and Makeup: Rust and Roses Beauty

Catering/Cake: Lonestar Catering; Sweetly Baked

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the detail of the lace at the top of the dress in the front and also the deep, open back. It truly fit like a glove and made me feel so beautiful.”

Why did you pick your dress: “I was torn between two dresses, and when trying them back on a second time, the tears started flowing so I knew I’d found my dress!”

The best part of the venue: “We loved the ceremony location of our venue! It was located at the end of an orchard and opened up to a beautiful, unobstructed view of the valley. With both of us being from the Pacific Northwest, it felt like a piece of home.”

How you met: “Dustin and I met through our friends; my teaching partner is married to one of Dustin’s best friends. They set us up on a blind date at Buffalo Wild Wings to finally get us to meet.”

How they proposed: “Dustin and I were in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with some family and friends. It was the final night of our trip, just after dinner, right at sunset when we went out on the balcony for a final picture when Dustin dropped to one knee to ask me to marry him!”

Real Bride Friday | Kristin and Corey

Wedding Date: August 27th, 2022

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Venue: Inn at Turn Lake

Photographer: Joshua Veldstra

Band: H3

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Kathy Devette (purchased from Cedar’s Wholesale)

Hair and Makeup: Carajean Gibbons and Alexis Terra

Catering/Cake: Firebrand BBQ and Desserts made by my mother in law and family

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the details on the back of the corset top and how lightweight and flowy it was! I absolutely adored my dress.”

The best part of the venue: “My husbands parents own the Inn at Tern Lake so it was an obvious choice for us, but even if they didn’t I would have still chosen this location in our beautiful home of Moose Pass. The Inn is in the most stunning location and the entire team at the inn is top notch and will make your day the absolute best!”

Three words to describe your day: “Emotional, dreamy, fun”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “We decided to write and say our own vows during the ceremony and I was really nervous about it but I am so glad we did. It was so sweet and emotional for us to express our love in front of all our friends and family and I’ll never forget it.”