The Best of the Best: Our Favorite 2014 Jewel Events

Marcia Evans February 6, 2015

Jewel Hospitality produces hundreds of spectacular weddings, corporate and social events every year. Charming and intimate, or large and exotic, the creative experts at Jewel Hospitality will plan, design and produce an unforgettable experience for you and your guests!

What makes an exceptionally fabulous event? It all lies in the details of ingenious planning coupled with exquisite food, beverage and ambiance! Take a look at the some of our favorite events from 2014 that took place at The Canal, The Ballard Bay Club, The Stimson-Green Mansion and the Great Hall at Union Station.

The Canal

The Canal is located in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood next to the famous Hiram Chittenden Locks. With its unique Northwest style and elegant ambiance, The Canal is perfect for any event! A beautiful covered and heated patio, gives you a picture-perfect view of the water any time of the year! The Canal weddings below are full of color, unique details, and lots of smiles!

Photo: Meredith McKee Photography

Photo: Jenn Repp Photography

The Ballard Bay Club

The Ballard Bay Club is the ideal venue for that rustic, yet elegant feel, coupled with an amazing view. The space provides beautiful unobstructed views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Magnificent accents of hardwood floors, spacious outdoor patios and beach access; deliver the essence of the Pacific Northwest. We’re in love with how the turquoise and peach colors chosen for the wedding below really compliment the space and truly blend with the sunset – take a look!

Photo: Arlene Chambers Photography

The Stimson-Green Mansion

The historic and charming Stimson-Green Mansion was designed by architect Kirtland Cutter and completed in 1901. The mansion is known as one of Seattle’s best examples of “eclectic architecture.” The magnificence of the Stimson-Green Mansion derives from an assortment of vintage artifacts, fixtures, fireplaces, a vintage pool table, and leaded windows. This eclectic location is perfect for a corporate luncheon, holiday party, an elegant wedding or any social event. The lovely wedding below incorporated a lot of beautiful colors and flowers to complement the mansion’s ambiance.

Photo: Starr Photography

Great Hall at Union Station

The Great Hall at Union Station is full of elegance and charm. This iconic 11,000 square foot classic ballroom is located in the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square. The beautiful architecture of The Great Hall is complemented by hundreds of glowing lights overhead in its majestic barrel-vaulted ceilings. This setting is perfect for an elegant corporate party, or a stunning wedding. Events here are anything but simple – take a look at some photos from an extravagant Old Hollywood themed holiday party.

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Which event was your favorite? Contact Jewel Hospitality if you’d like to book an event at any of our 4 fabulous venues, have us provide off-site catering – and more!

Photographers:

Meredith McKee Photography

Jenn Repp Photography

Fino Photography

Arlene Chambers Photography

Starr Photography

Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo courtesy of Clane Gessel Photography

7 Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Wedding

Marcia Evans November 19, 2014

Planning a wedding can be stressful – but it doesn't have to be! It’s all about making good decisions, giving yourself enough time to do everything, and sticking to a budget. Jewel Hospitality makes it easy for brides to have a stress-free wedding. All you have to do is pick a florist, photographer, and DJ – and you’re all set!

Here are some tips for planning a stress-free wedding:

Set a Realistic Budget

It’s not uncommon for couples to set a budget, but end up going a bit overboard with the spending. It’s definitely not ideal to start your marriage off in a lot of debt. Create a realistic budge by doing some research on how much everything costs, figuring out what you can afford, and going from there. Once you see how much money can be spent, the planning and booking can begin. This wedding budget calculator gives a general idea of what you are going to have to spend (remember it’s just an estimate!)

Pick the Dress That YOU Want

Photo courtesy of C2 Photography

Picking out a wedding dress is one of the most exciting part of the wedding planning process! Remember to pick what you love and feel comfortable in. Take family and friends input into account, but remember that they are not the ones wearing the dress. If you envisioned a mermaid dress but it turns out a ball gown looks better – go with that! If you wanted to go with the traditional white but find that ivory looks better on your skin, stick with ivory.

Create the Guest List First Thing

Finalizing the guest list is one of the first things that should be done before you start planning. Many venues have a max guest count that is non-negotiable due to fire codes, and sometimes a venue that fits 200 doesn't do so very comfortably. At Jewel Hospitality, we give you a realistic max guest count so your guests will be comfortable. Once you have the exact guest count (or a close number), a venue can be booked. Have a Rain Plan for Outside Weddings

While Seattle is beautiful during the summer – it does rain sometimes! Don’t risk it. It is always a good idea to have a backup plan, whether it be an indoor location for the wedding or a rented tent on hold.

Don’t Stress About Having Identical Wedding Party Sizes

Photo courtesy of Meredith McKee Photography

Just because your fiancé has 7 best friends for his groomsmen, doesn't mean you have to find 7 people. Don’t feel that you need to pick someone just to have the same number, or because you feel obligated to. The cost of bouquets, boutonnieres, thank you gifts, and anything else provided (hair, makeup, etc.) can really add up! Pick the friends and family that you trust and you want to be up there with you on the big day. If there are more groomsmen then bridesmaids, two groomsmen can walk with a bridesmaid down the aisle, and vice versa.

Remember you Don’t Need to Control Every Little Detail

It’s your big day and you want it to be perfect, but don’t sweat the little things! The professionals you hired know what they are doing and want to help you as much as they can. Let them know what you want and expect – they will let you know if there is an issue they need your input on.

Create a Wedding Day Timeline

Not only is your wedding one of the most important days of your life, but it’s also one of the busiest! Make sure you have enough time to comfortably get ready, eat, take photos, and still have the wedding and reception on time. Jewel Hospitality’s talented team make will help you from start to finish and make sure the wedding goes as seamlessly as possible.

If you are interested to learn more about planning your wedding with Jewel Hospitality, visit our contact page.

Instagram sign via HelloMyGem on Etsy

The Pros and Cons of an “Unplugged” vs. “Plugged In” Wedding – Which One is Right for You?

Marcia Evans October 29, 2014

You have probably seen a lot of wedding photos in your Facebook feed this summer. Some accompanied custom hashtag such as #smithwedding14 or #DaveAndKateWed. With the rise in social media popularity, some couples have decided to either embrace social media or completely banished it from their wedding. Some couples love the idea of scrolling through Facebook the next day and seeing photos of them they might never have gotten, while others are horrified at the idea of unflattering shots being uploaded for the world to see.

What are benefits of having an unplugged (no social media or cameras) and plugged wedding? Read below for pros and cons, as well as ways to incorporate it into the wedding.

Pros of Having a Plugged In Wedding

There is more opportunity for great candid shots of the couple, wedding party, and their guests.
Sharing and snapping photos with everyone is fun – and it will be even more fun to see what is posted the next day!
Invited guests that were unable to attend are able to see what is happening as it happens, and don’t have to wait till the photos come out.

Pros of Having an Unplugged Wedding

Cameras and phones can be distracting to the couple and their guests.
There is no chance of people finding out they weren't invited via Facebook or Instagram.
Tablets, cameras, and smartphones won’t get in the way of that perfect photographic moment the photographer is trying to capture.
Guests will be present at the wedding and not worrying about what they are saying on Facebook or if the filter they chose is perfect for the photo.
There is no chance of unflattering photos being posted without approval.

Sign via TheCrookedTwig on Etsy

How to Have a Plugged In Wedding

If the plan is to incorporate social media into the wedding, the easiest way is to pick a custom hashtag. You can go simple such as #hudsonwedding15 or #mrandmrshudson, or more customized to your big day, such as #hudsonsgetmarriedatthebeach. This is not only fun for guests, but creates an easy way to find all photos posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

There are also several wedding apps that allow guests to share photos publicly or privately everyone, including Wedding Party App, Capsule and Wed Pics.

How to Have an Unplugged Wedding

Sign via DearPoppi on Etsy

If the plan is to have an unplugged wedding, these rules need to be made clear to the guests. Having a “phone check,” including a note in the invitation or a sign with rules is a nice way to let them know. It’s also a good idea to have the officiant say something before the ceremony.

Some couples choose to have an unplugged ceremony, but a plugged in reception. Whatever you choose to do, make sure everyone knows. If you decide to have a completely unplugged wedding, having a photo booth is another great option so guests can take home a lovely memory from the wedding.

What are your thoughts on plugged in and unplugged weddings? Which one would (or did) you choose?

One of Our Own is Engaged - Tips for Taking Beautiful Engagement Photos

Marcia Evans October 8, 2014

Engagement photos are a great way to document yourself as a couple before the big day and provide you with something to send out to relatives, use as your engagement announcement, use as décor at your wedding – and more.

One of Jewel Hospitality’s own shared her engagement photos with us, and we could not be more pleased with the outcome! Her wedding will be taking place at The Canal next summer, which will have many great photo opportunities as well.

These photos are a great example of what to do at an engagement shoot so that the photos not only look great, but show the couple’s personalities as well:

Showcase The Couple’s Interests

Cybal and her fiancé Ben met dancing (how cute is that?) so it seemed only fitting to take a few engagement photos of them dancing at the ballroom where they first met.. Take a few photos doing what you both love. If it’s taking trips to the beach, take a few shots there. If it’s watching or playing sports, take a few shots playing sports or at your favorite stadium – be creative.

Pick a Location That Means Something to the Couple

It’s always good to have variety in your photos (inside and outside) and to choose a location that has some meaning. For example, Cybal and Ben chose to take photos at a nearby park they spent a lot of time at. There is a good chance the photographer has a studio to shoot in – but don’t forget to get outside too. If it is a popular location, make sure to check beforehand that no events are going on so your photos don’t get bombarded.

Wear Complimenting Outfits

Deciding what to wear during your engagement shoot is one of the most important decisions. If both people wear black, it may look a little depressing. If one person wears neon yellow and the other chooses green – you may look too intense. Chose colors that complement each other – but the colors don’t necessarily need to match. Cybal and her fiancé chose white and green for one setting, and red and white for the other. Remember to also take into account the colors of the background, and dress accordingly.

Always remember to think of comfort and what suits you. If you are a jeans and t-shirt gal, don’t wear fancy dresses and heals for the entire shoot – it will looked forced. If a certain shirt or dress requires a lot of fidgeting, the photos will look stiff and uncomfortable. Think about this before deciding on what to wear.

Take Posed and Candid Shots

These photos have a variety of posed and candid shots, which gives the couple a lot to choose from. Forget the photographer is there and enjoy being with your fiancé, there is a good chance they will capture something beautiful.

Now that you've read these tips, take a look at their engagement photos below! All photos courtesy of FINO Photography.

The Canal Produces Another Lovely Wedding

Marcia Evans September 29, 2014

The Canal is the perfect venue for a summer wedding. With beautiful views of the Ballard Locks and the Salmon Bay Bridge – you’ll have a gorgeous backdrop in all of your photos!

One of our June weddings that was especially gorgeous was captured by the talented Natalie Hilliard of Natalie Hilliard Photography. The bride chose bright accent colors of red, orange and purple – which looked beautiful both outside and in. The colored lanterns hung on the ceiling at the reception added the perfect amount of color and light to the event.

Check out photos from the ceremony and reception below:

Champagne and Pearls Oscars Party

Marcia Evans February 25, 2014

Not many out there would disagree that toasting champagne with a group of your best ladies makes for an amazing night no matter the reason. But the Academy Awards are right around the corner, and what is a better reason than that?

So get ready to slip on those slinky red stilettos, grab a bottle of bubbly and some good company with this inspired 'Champagne and Pearls' vintage chic Oscars party.

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Set the tone for an elegant event with the invitation | Hannah Marie Photography

Polished pearl and vintage details | Hannah Marie Photography

A successful party begins with the invitation. When a guest receives an invitation, it sets the stage for the rest of the event: so have fun with it and get creative. Custom order invitations from a local specialty paper shop, or show your artsy side and DIY. Simple and chic doesn't need to be expensive.

Statement florals, vintage accents, and divine event design come together to create a stunning Academy Awards event | Hannah Marie Photography

The two most important things to a successful Oscars party: Champagne and Presentation | Hannah Marie Photography

Artistic florals provided by the talented Lola Floral | Hannah Marie Photography

Greet your guests with on-theme decor. From centerpieces to silverware, create a theme, a mood, an ambiance, and carry it throughout the event. We love the way Lola Floral incorporated old film reels into this eye-catching centerpiece. With one statement piece and smaller pieces scattered throughout, your decor can leave guests in awe without breaking the bank.

Gold, black and ivory with pops of red create a refined and stylish ambiance for your Oscars party | Hannah Marie Photography

Catered beverage service from Jewel Hospitality | Hannah Marie Photography

Exquisite and classic details resound with any Oscars themed party | Hannah Marie Photography

Stunning vintage pieces from Vintage Ambiance in Seattle complement the elegant, ethereal atmosphere of The Great Hall | Hannah Marie Photography

Show off your accents. Well-placed accent pieces add more than overwhelming amounts of kitschy decor [Enough with the fake red carpets, please]. Simply elegant pearl napkin rings from Vintage Ambiance bring this 'Champagne & Pearls' party to life.

Reinvented 'Champagne & Strawberries' with sweet strawberries and heavenly Champagne sorbet | Hannah Marie Photography

It's all in the details. These vintage glasses for serving cocktails add another level of elegance and charm. And never compromise the integrity of an impeccable cocktail with crushed ice. These crystal clear ice spheres will chill your cocktail without diluting the spirits [plus, they look divine].

Fare Fit for the Stars. Bring it all together with food, beverage and presentation straight out of Gatsby.

Reinvented Champagne & Strawberries dazzles here with sweet strawberries in a Champagne coup topped with heavenly Champagne sorbet and fresh mint.

Crystal clear ice spheres from Creative Ice in Seattle add a new level of chic to these signature cocktails | Hannah Marie Photography

The Great Hall at Union Station in downtown Seattle is a perfect space for galas, fundraisers, or social events | Hannah Marie Photography

Best Hostess in a Leading Role. As we approach the much anticipated 86th Academy Awards this weekend, be sure to pop that champagne in the fridge and pull out all the stops in designing an enchantingly chic soiree. The Academy [and your guests] are sure to be impressed.

A special thanks to our partner vendors for their contributions

Photography: Hannah Marie Photography

Event Design and Styling: Jewel Hospitality

Floral Design: Lola Floral

Specialty Decor and Props: Pedersen's Event Rentals, Vintage Ambiance, and Creative Ice

Venue: The Great Hall at Union Station