Kara and Shawn’s Wedding: A Classic Ballroom Setting with Vintage Touches

Something Borrowed, Something New, Something Blue   


The bride’s classic wedding upheld classic traditions. The bride even doubled up on her "something borrowed"! A vintage cameo brooch in her hair was lent by the groom’s grandmother and a vintage diamond and pearl bracelet was courtesy of her dearest friend. The bride treated herself to a pair of rose gold and crystal earrings as her ‘something new’. The entire wedding party embraced the concept of ‘something blue’ by popping a bottle of blueberry scented bubbles pre-ceremony!

Bride and groom

Colors & Décor


Emerald, gold and champagne were the colors of the evening. Pulling inspiration from the color palate of the venue itself, these colors were no short of regal. Using champagne as a neutral backdrop throughout, the emerald and gold elements were able to shine through. Emerald touches could be seen through the bridesmaids lace dresses, bridesman’s bow tie, satin cocktail table runners, and succulent floral greenery on the dining tables and ceremony cross. Variations of gold were found on the rose bud kissed candelabra centerpieces and glitzy table runners. Champagne and gold vintage furniture completed the vanity suite to create the perfect pre-ceremony space for the bride and her wedding party.

Bride on vintage white and gold furniture
Vintage bride gets ready at the Great Hal
Emerald bridesmaids at the Great Hall
Bride and bridesmaids (and one bridesman!) pose on vintage furniture at the Great Hall
Gold vintage wedding details
Emerald and gold guestbook table
Vintage rose bud kissed candelabra centerpieces
Gold table runners
Gold vintage wedding details
Emerald, gold and champange tables
The Great Hall at Union Station Vintage Wedding
Bride place setting
Great Hall at Union Station Reception Set Up

It Starts with a Kiss

 
The bride and groom decided to have a "first look" at the venue prior to their ceremony. This enabled the couple to have a special and private moment prior to the madness of the wedding ensuing. A photographer loves nothing more than to capture a candid moment such as this. The ‘first look’ also allowed for family and wedding party portraits to be taken prior to the ceremony. Every bride and groom deserves to relax and enjoy their own cocktail hour, especially when devouring Jewel Hospitality’s delicious appetizers.

Bride and groom first look
Bride and groom in front of the emerald backdrop at the Great Hall
Bride and groom

Pioneer Square & Occidental Street


In the heart of Seattle’s historic district, the Great Hall at Union Station neighbors elegant Occidental Street. With classic architecture dating back to the late 1800’s, Romanesque and Victorian inspired buildings line the street. Stunning northwest maple trees made the 92 degree heat of this scorching Seattle summer day bearable for this brave Seattle couple and wedding party!  

Groomsmen
Groomsmen in Pioneer Square
The bridal party
Bride and groom
Bride and groom

Tying the Knot


The ceremony was held in the front of this stunning ballroom. The bride created an intimate space by using ivory colored pipe and drape to segment the ceremony off from the reception. With simple elegance at the forefront, gold chivari chairs and glass hurricane candles completed this romantic setting. The couple was able to incorporate elements of Catholicism into their ceremony through the handmade cross by the bride’s step father and unity candle lighters from their local church. The bride walked down the aisle to ‘Marry Me’ by Train, bringing tears to the groom’s eyes.

Great Hall at Union Station Gold Ceremony Setup
Bride getting ready to walk down the isle
Great Hall at Union Station Ceremony Setup
Great Hall At Union Station Cermeony
Bride and groom Great Hall at Union Station
The happy couple!

Dining & Dancing the Night Away

Guests were greeted during cocktail hour with an assortment of delightful appetizers, from classic crab cakes to braised pork belly skewers with Washington peach chutney. Dinner was served family style on elegant long dining tables. Platters of delicious food graced the tables. The couple’s personal favorite was the wild king salmon filets drizzled in a caviar beurre blanc. First dances took place on the stunning black and white tiled floor for all to view. Embracing the groom’s Filipino culture, the ‘Money Dance’ added a surge of enthusiasm into the evening. The couple was greeted during a slow dance with a hand made money lei from Honolulu and were eventually showered with money from all guests. From slow dancing to some might say questionable dance moves, the ‘Money Dance’ was a success. The couple was showered with love and best wishes of a prosperous future.

Bride and groom's first dance at the Great Hall
Bride and groom money dance
Bride and groom money dance
Bride and groom money dance
Bride and groom do the money dance
Money dance

The Sweet Side


A classic four tiered wedding cake was created by Jewel Hospitality’s phenomenal in house baking team. This stunning rosette designed cake was hard to miss as it sat royally under the black and white vintage clock, waiting to be sliced. The couple cut their luscious vintage red velvet cake in a traditional cake cutting ceremony. Without prompting, Jewel Hospitality sent the bride and groom home with the cake topper as a keepsake to be frozen and enjoyed on their one year anniversary.

Jewel Hospitality created this beautiful rosette wedding cake at the Great Hall
Beautiful rosette wedding cake on a vintage cake stand
Rosette wedding cake

Sparklers! Sparklers! Sparklers!


It started with a kiss, it ended with a kiss. Love was pouring out of this couple from their first look to their sparkler send off. Guests were handed a sparkler and a custom gold matchbox embossed with the bride and grooms first names and wedding date. To prepare for the big finale, guests lined the brick roundabout of this classic 1910 train station. Sparklers lit up the night as the bride and groom were surrounded by their loved ones. The Great Hall at Union Station became the perfect mix of timeless elegance embracing new traditions. A truly classic wedding completed with a modern day send off.

Great Hall Sparkler SendOff
Sparkler sendoff at the Great Hall
Sparkler Sendoff

Thanks to all of the fabulous vendors who helped create this gorgeous wedding! 

Venue: Great Hall at Union Station

Catering: Jewel Catering

Rentals: Pedersen’s Rentals & Vintage Ambiance

Ceremony Draping: Prop Gallery

Flowers: Ravenna Bloom

DJ: Baby Van Beezly

Photography: Alante Photography

Day Of Hair & Make Up: Off White Makeup & Beauty

Wedding Dress: Romashka Bridal 

Bridesmaids Dresses: Nordstrom Bridal Suite

Custom Calligraphy Design Work: Songbird Paperie 

Another Jewel Member is Getting Married: Kara and Shawn’s Fabulous Engagement Shoot!

With wedding season just around the corner, the Jewel Hospitality staff is excited to be producing not one, but two beautiful management staff weddings this summer! We already shared Cybal and Ben’s spectacular engagement photos, but now we are excited to be sharing Kara and Shawn’s!

Read More

Elegant Winter Wedding at the Great Hall

The Great Hall at Union Station is the perfect location for an elegant black and white wedding reception. For this event, the hall was filled with classic touches including black and white linens, silver-rimmed china, a variety of gorgeous white flowers surrounded by lush greenery!

The Couple and Bridal Party

The bride and groom selected a classic black and white look for their tux, dress and flowers. A touch of color was added for the bridesmaids, who wore magenta gowns with beautiful fur wraps.

The bride and groom were driven from the ceremony at Our Lady of Fatima to the Great Hall in style – in a Rolls Royce! The couple posed for photos in front of the fabulous old-fashioned car next door at the King Street Station in Pioneer Square.

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

The Invitation and Wedding Favors

The couple chose simple and sophisticated wedding invitations, setting the tone for their classy black and white affair. Customized wedding favors were made with the couple’s name and wedding date, and were given out to guests at the end of the night.

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

The Décor

The Great Hall at Union Station is a perfect location for ornate and elegant décor. With a stunning 55 foot barrel vaulted ceiling, over 400 white lights, and black and white mosaic tile – it doesn't take a whole lot to create a breathtaking look! Candles and stunning centerpieces including white flowers, mini lights, and rich greenery were set on every cocktail and dining table. They also incorporated a theme of the train station into their decor, with each table distinctively noted as a track number. 

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

The Food

This gorgeous wedding reception continued to impress well throughout the night – especially when it came to the food! After some passed appetizers during cocktail hour, guests were given our delicious Pecan & Gorgonzola salad for a starter. Their family-style meal also consisted of roasted beef tenderloin medallions with a port wine-peppercorn demi-glace, mesquite grilled Vancouver Island salmon with herb butter, butternut squash ravioli, and fire grilled vegetables.

After the guests danced the night away with the bride and groom, the late night snack menu was brought out. The cheese zombies, mini meatloaf sandwiches, and cheese stuffed roasted jalapenos were the perfect delicious finale to a lovely evening! 

 Cheese Stuffed Roasted Jalapenos - Jewel Catering | Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

 Cheese Stuffed Roasted Jalapenos - Jewel Catering | Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Mini Meatloaf Sandwiches | Kristi Lloyd Photography

Mini Meatloaf Sandwiches | Kristi Lloyd Photography

Mini Meatloaf Sandwiches | Kristi Lloyd Photography

Mini Meatloaf Sandwiches | Kristi Lloyd Photography

The Dessert

The couple provided assorted desserts (including these adorable macaroons!) and a simple, white wedding cake filled with a varied selection of delicious flavors. The guests were given a choice of vanilla cake with strawberry filling, chocolate cake with salted caramel, and red velvet cake with a cream cheese filling.

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Kristi Lloyd Photography

Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

The Party

Substantial space at The Great Hall leaves plenty of room for a sizable dance floor, even with a wedding of 400 people! The couple had their first dance out on the floor, then invited the rest of the guests to join them.

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

Photo: Kristi Lloyd Photography

The Great Hall at Union Station is truly a spectactular setting for an elegant wedding, reception, corporate party and more! Visit our contact page to get more information

All photos courtesy of Kristi Lloyd Photography.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette and How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Stationary

Save the Date: TheMunch via Etsy

Save the Date: TheMunch via Etsy

Your wedding invitation is truly one of the most important aspects of your wedding. After all, it is the first thing your guests see! Once the date, theme, and color scheme has been decided – it’s time to get to work on your lovely invitations. Read below for tips and etiquette for sending out proper wedding invitations and save the dates.

When to Send

Save the dates typically should be sent out three to four months beforehand. If your guests are spread out across the country, sending them out a little sooner is courteous. Formal wedding invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding, with an RSVP request for two to three weeks beforehand so you can provide your vendors with a final headcount. 

What to Include

Save the dates should include the couple’s names, date, and a note that says the invitations will be sent out closer to the wedding date. Invitations should include the full names of the couple, the place, and the time. Your wedding website can also be included so that people can access your registries. If you have several out of town guests, it is courteous to include travel information as well, such as places to visit, hotels, and transportation. Remember to be clear about who is invited. For example, if children are not invited, just include the adult’s names on the invite, not the “Smith Family.”

Wedding Invitation: JulieHananDesign via Etsy

Wedding Invitation: JulieHananDesign via Etsy

Pick Your Design

In order to keep the wedding theme consistent, we suggest picking out beautiful save the dates and invitations that go together. The wedding invitation is the one thing that each guest will see; it helps set the mood for your wedding. Do you want it to be simple and elegant? Bright and colorful? Incorporate these feelings into your invitation and pick colors that go with your scheme. If you’re getting married in an elegant ballroom like the Great Hall at Union Station, try going with a timeless, classic invite that embodies the hall. If your wedding is taking place on the outside patio at The Canal, a stylish floral design is a good way to go. 

Elegant Wedding Invitation: PinkDahliaPrintable via Etsy

Elegant Wedding Invitation: PinkDahliaPrintable via Etsy

Floral Wedding Invitation: EnchantedPrintables via Etsy

Floral Wedding Invitation: EnchantedPrintables via Etsy

Decide on a Print Style

Before printing, you need to decide which print style fits your theme and budget. The four most common types of print style for wedding invitations are letterpress, thermography, flat printing, and engraving. Letterpress leaves deep impressions on the surface and has a more artsy feel. Thermography is printed with raised letters on the card, giving it an elegant look. Engraving is one of the most classic styles of invitations, with the design etched onto a copper plate and filled with ink. Flat printing is the most simple and reasonable cost of printing, creating invitations that are smooth; with nothing raised or indented.

Once you have designed your gorgeous save the date and wedding invitations, you can start planning your wedding on our Pinterest page!

Contact Jewel Hospitality if you are interested in learning more about our delicious catering or our four beautiful wedding venues.

Martha Stewart Magazine Feature: Wedding at the Great Hall

Martha Stewart Weddings Spring Issue

Martha Stewart Weddings Spring Issue

We are thrilled to announce that one of our wedding ceremonies at the Great Hall at Union Station has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine! This spectacular wedding ceremony was filled with bursts of color, beautiful gowns, and classic, elegant touches.

The photographers over at Belathee Photography shared some beautiful photos from the ceremony that were not featured in the magazine; take a look below!

The Couple

While the bride (Hanna Ritt) and groom (Bret Richheimer) share an apartment in New York City, they chose to have their large wedding ceremony in the bride’s hometown of Seattle. According to Martha Stewart Weddings, the bride’s wedding planners Sinclair and Moore recommended the Great Hall. “When I saw it, I was ecstatic,” she recalls. “Its black-and-white tile floors resonated with me. Our apartment is furnished in all black and white.” The bride decided to incorporate a sunset rainbow color theme, with shades of yellow, orange, coral, and fuchsia incorporated into the décor and details.

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

The Bouquets

The bride’s lovely and fruity bouquet included garden roses, tea roses, poppies, kumquats, tangerines, Meyer lemons, ranunculus, phalaenopsis orchids, peonies, blackberries, clematis, and sweet peas. The bridesmaids created an enchanting rainbow with their flowers, starting with yellow and ending with fuchsia.  

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Pre-Ceremony Drinks

These delicious pre-ceremony cocktails included champagne with a scoop of sorbet, all matching the bride’s color scheme! These elegant black and white striped napkins had the wedding’s theme, “A wonderful love,” foil-stamped onto them.

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

The Flower Girl and Ring Bearer 

Hanna’s 5-year-old cousins took over as the flower girl and ring bearer. This cute snap was taken on one of the Great Hall’s antique and historic bench. 

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Details

This stunning wedding was covered in flowers galore. The programs and flowers were laid out with the same rainbow effect as the bride’s bouquet. The florist created a fabulous 200-foot-long isle, which was created by piling rose petals four inches thick, and was also given a beautiful ombré effect. The bride and groom stood under a gorgeous ivy and rose chuppah, which was made to honor Bret’s late mother; Ivy. 

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Photo: Belathée Photography

Can you imagine a more spectacular wedding ceremony? Take a look at the entire Martha Stewart Wedding feature here, and visit our contact page to learn more about having your wedding or next event with Jewel Hospitality at the Great Hall!

Ceremony Hall: Great Hall at Union Station

Photography: Belathée Photography

Event Planning, Flowers, and Design: Sinclair & Moore

Stationery and Calligraphy: La Happy

Rentals: ABC Special Events Rentals by Cort

Chuppah Rental: Dennis Warshal

Linens: Choice Linens

The Best of the Best: Our Favorite 2014 Jewel Events

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: Meredith McKee Photography

Photo: Meredith McKee Photography

Photo: Meredith McKee Photography

Photo: Jenn Repp Photography

Photo: Jenn Repp Photography

Photo: Jenn Repp Photography

Photo: Jenn Repp Photography

Photo: Jenn Repp Photography

Photo: Jenn Repp Photography

The Canal
The Canal Wedding Ceremony
The Canal Wedding Reception

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

Photo: Arlene Chambers Photography

Photo: Arlene Chambers Photography

Photo: Arlene Chambers Photography

Photo: Arlene Chambers Photography

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

Photo: Starr Photography

Photo: Starr Photography

Photo: Starr Photography

Photo: Starr Photography

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

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

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

An Elegant Old Hollywood Party at the Great Hall

The Great Hall at Union Station is a magical location for a large event, whether it be a wedding or a corporate holiday party. This iconic venue in Seattle’s Pioneer Square is an 11,000 square foot classic ballroom. With antique and historic benches, black and white mosaic tile, and barrel vaulted ceilings – it is the perfect location for a classic glamorous event.

This past holiday season, Jewel Hospitality produced an Old Hollywood themed party for over 600 guests. This spectacular event was the definition of glamorous. We brought in historic black and white movies, gold sparkle and jeweled table linens, antique typewriters, beautiful floral centerpieces with tall white feathers, a photo booth, elegant candles and more. Guests were entertained by our fabulous Jewel DJ, dancers, and The Rat Pack featuring Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and even a Marilyn Monroe! Our cigarette girl passed out cigars, and the paparazzi captured photos of this dazzling event.

Take a look at some of the gorgeous details below, and contact Jewel Hospitality for more information on creating a stunning holiday party for 2015!  

Details

Details, details, details are what make all of the difference at an elegant party. The Golden Era of Hollywood called for a red carpet, a room filled with old typewriters, antique cameras, gold sparkles, feathers, and of course, the Rolls-Royce parked outside. Many guests dressed the part, making the whole evening feel like we had been transported back to that golden age of Hollywood charm and glamour.

The Great Hall at Union Station | Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

The Great Hall at Union Station | Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Floral and feather centerpieces | Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Floral and feather centerpieces | Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Entertainment

Good entertainment is important for any big party. This event didn't settle on just one form of entertainment. There were black and white movies projected on the wall, West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop dancers, singers, a DJ, caricature artists, and even more to entertain our guests throughout the evening. Never a dull moment! 

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Marilyn Monroe next to the Rolls-Royce | Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Marilyn Monroe next to the Rolls-Royce | Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography 

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo: Kathryn Krogstad Photography

Photo Booth

Photo booths are becoming a staple for any great party. This photo booth included several fun props, feather boas, mustaches, funny signs, fake cigarettes, fans, hats and loads of laughter!  

Photo Booth: Limelight

Photo Booth: Limelight

Photo Booth: Limelight

Photo Booth: Limelight

Photo Booth: Limelight

Photo Booth: Limelight

Thanks to our vendors for helping make this holiday party a success. Make sure to contact Jewel Hospitality for a breathtaking event in 2015!