October 23, 2007

Vow Do You Do?

Fall 2007 Wedding Guide

Chapter One: Couple falls in love, decides to get hitched. Chapter Two: Couple starts planning. Chapter Three: Couple panics, has Vegas fantasies. Chapter Four: Couple reads Wedding Guide, breathes sigh of relief.

Vanity Fair
Dress for success in an ethereal gown from Jenny Packham (Voletta Couture, 800 Bellevue Way Northeast, suite 150; 425-454-5020) or a deeply discounted Vera Wang from new bridal outlet Belltown Bride (2226 Elliott Avenue, at Blanchard Street; 206-443-2050). Top things off with Hitchcock’s (1123 34th Avenue; 206-838-7173) new Victorian jewelry collection, then have your own fashion mag-worthy photo shoot with ace makeup artist Brandee Slosar and shutterbug Bootsy Holler (belles@bootsyholler.com).

Great Expectations
Are the stock in trade of wedding planner Shannon Lassen (206-300-6052), who scours the city for undiscovered vendors. Start with old-fashioned letterpress invitations from just-launched Ink Fancy (206-484-3852), then let calligrapher Betsy Dunlap (520-307-2392) gussy up your envelopes.

A Raisin in the Sun
Wouldn’t taste nearly as good as buttercream-frosted cupcakes from newby Wink Cupcakes (206-856-1600). For another sweet reception extra, order personalized bottles of Jones Soda.

The Handmaid’s Tale
Gets a happy ending when bridesmaids convene for pumpkin spice glycolic hand and foot peels and mani-pedis at Julep Nail Parlor (5001 25th Avenue Northeast; 206-985-6644). In return they’ll treat the bride to something classy, like Dessous lingerie (Impulse, 3516 Fremont Place North; 206-545-4854), or wildly sassy, like handmade Tastie Pasties (Bellefleur, 720 North 35th Street; 206-545-0222).

Our Town
Is a food-lover’s paradise. Make your favorite resto a part of the celebration with rehearsal dinners in the sparkly new drawing room at Volterra (5407 Ballard Avenue Northwest; 206-789-5100) or the romantic private dining facility at Crush (611 Pontius Avenue North; 206-324-4549). Finally, have a wine-soaked celebration at breathtaking Cave B Inn and Estate Winery at SageCliffe (348 Silica Road Northwest, Quincy; 509-785-2283).