Floral-Focused Brunch Wedding at Washington Park Arboretum
It was such an honor to capture my wildly talented/creative/stunning hair & makeup artist, Amanda, on her own wedding day. Every last detail of her brunch wedding at Washington Park Arboretum to Dodd was unique and intentional and I have to give a massive freakin’ shoutout to all of the vendors who brought together this amazing day ✨
Amanda + Dodd’s Washington Park Arboretum Wedding
A floral-focused autumn celebration full of chic details
As always, I must start by praising the details of Amanda and Dodd’s wedding day, as they were what truly made up the magic of the celebration from start to finish. The pair decided on an autumn wedding in Seattle, which can be a little risky, sure—but the dreamy, overcast light we had all day made the chilly temperatures oh-so worth it. The gray skies and dense clouds really allowed the details and decor of this day to shine, to embody the modern glam aesthetic they were envisioning; from the smallest pearls featured in Amanda’s jewelry all the way to the grand, elegant floral installation present at their ceremony.
Amanda and Dodd opted for a chic, brunch time party full of sparkle, glam, and, most importantly, florals abounding everywhere you looked! Their florist, Piper, is AMAZING and an absolute genius, as is easy to tell by scrolling through the photos from this day. I’d say that besides the bride and groom, the florals were undoubtedly the star of this show! Piper managed to incorporate vibrant blooms, lush greenery, and all sorts of organic patterns + textures into every element of this wedding; into even more than simply the main ceremony arrangement and bridal bouquet that one typically expects of wedding florals.
Dodd, for example, wore a unique arrangement of greenery and small, delicate flowers draped over his left shoulder to match the whimsical bouquet Amanda carried around with her. I was head-over-heels in love with this bouquet and the way that Piper managed to make it so full of life, energy, and color, while keeping it fairly minimal, with multiple large blooms and layers of greenery that fell gracefully over Amanda’s arm.
Now the ceremony space was a masterpiece of its own, featuring a rectangular wooden arbor covered completely in sprawling greenery, colorful petals, unique textural elements, and more. I’m not quite sure how Piper managed to make such a boxy, geometric shape look so organic and earthy, but wow, did she do it seamlessly! Even the aisles themselves were lined with a variety of white and yellow blossoms and greenery that looked as if it were taken straight from a PNW forest, ready for a graceful journey to the altar by the bride and groom.
The brunch tables were no less magical, keeping on theme with vibrant pinks, bright whites, and varying shades of green—but Piper also added in a few extra layers of large leaves and lush foliage, including a variety of plants you might find inside your own home, or in a tropical greenhouse (hello, monstera beauties!). She truly managed to bring together the most spectacular array of soft fall tones, lively colors, elegant neutrals, and luxurious greens in the most effortless way. Amanda and Dodd’s personalized cookies were even created in the shape of flowers and trees, and featured dainty floral frosting designs to match ✨
A wildly stylish pair + one-of-a-kind wedding attire
Onto the couple we go—though I could truly dedicate this entire blog to the floral mastery Piper brought to the celebration! Amanda and Dodd are two of the most beautiful humans I’ve had the pleasure of working with, both inside and out; they make a powerful duo with the blend of their unique personalities, likes, dislikes, dreams, visions, and even their fashion choices. And let me tell you—the fashion choices on their special day were absolutely iconic!
Amanda’s dress of choice was a dreamy silk gown from IDINA Bride, featuring a delicate train, an elegant high neckline, and an air of effortless beauty that Amanda already emanates so naturally. Her gorgeous auburn curls were kept in a high ponytail, with face-framing waves in front dangling in sync with her chunky, golden pearl earrings. I was obsessed with the way she let her badass shoulder tattoos shine with this sleeveless gown! She was prepared for the chilly autumn moments, too, with a cozy shawl draped over her shoulders as needed that also doubled as a beautiful accessory. Speaking of accessories, Amanda added one final touch to her breathtaking bridal attire in the form of a pearl-encrusted purse, which I was obsessed with next to her bouquet! Truly a queen in every sense of the word.
Dodd showed up & showed off, as well, ditching the traditional black and white tuxedo for a sleek set of beige trousers and a matching overcoat. With multiple layers, an asymmetrical belt, and a series of slits, folds, sparkling gold buttons, and varying textures, Dodd truly brought his A-game through an outfit that embodied his own unique style, personality, and tastes!
A dreamy ceremony at Washington Park Arboretum
Amanda and Dodd were surrounded by the people they loved most for their ceremony, which took place amidst the lush greenery and lively blossoms of the Washington Park Arboretum. Glasses of champagne were passed around, along with endless hugs and falling tears, as Amanda made her way down the aisle to meet her soon-to-be-husband. After having Amanda present at my own wedding to do my hair and makeup, it was so special getting to be there to capture her own special moment! The two said their vows under the cloudy autumn Seattle skies, sharing sweet words and sentimental promises that were a joy to be witness to. What a truly unforgettable way for these beautiful humans to finally become husband and wife!🥂
Post-ceremony brunch under the afternoon sun
I’m a sucker for a good brunch, so you know I was thrilled when Amanda and Dodd hosted a brunch time wedding and invited their guests to eat + celebrate with them! The next few hours were spent clinking glasses, sharing embraces, telling stories, reminiscing on old memories, and creating brand new ones with Amanda and Dodd’s friends & family members. We were lucky enough to get a little bit of afternoon sun peeking through the trees as we took family and bridal party portraits, and what a stunning group this bridal party was to photograph! So filled with light, joy, and celebration for these two humans that they loved; everyone was radiating happiness, smiles, and laughter throughout.
Sunset dinner at Salty’s on Alki Beach
Amanda and Dodd’s afternoon garden party soirée was followed by a sunset dinner reception at Salty’s, an upscale seafood restaurant right on Seattle’s beautiful Alki Beach. I adore the way these two planned out a day that fit their own unique vision, without limiting themselves to a certain set of expectations, or just one location to host it all—choosing multiple locations for your wedding is an amazing way to create distinct atmospheres for different parts of the day. They enjoyed a delicious dinner at Salty’s with their closest loved ones, looking out over the Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline through the large windows. What a spectacular way to end the night; the biggest congrats to these beautiful newlyweds!
If you’re loving these classy dinner party vibes, then you’ll adore Allison & David’s Intimate Dinner Party Wedding at The Corson Building!
Seattle wedding vendors
HMUA: Amanda Dang | @a.nd.beauty (the bride!)
Gown: IDINA Bride | @idina.bride
Planning: 3eleven Events | @3elevenevents
Florals: Petals by Piper | @petalsbypiper
Venue: Washington Park Arboretum
Rentals: CORT Party Rentals | @cortpartyrentals
Signage: Honest Calligraphy | @honest.calligraphy
Cookies: Lolly’s Craft Bakery | @lollyscraftbakery
Catering: Pam’s Kitchen | @pamskitchenseattle
Washington Park Arboretum Wedding Photographer
Hi, I’m Allie—a Seattle-based wedding photographer ready to capture the good times, good vibes, and even better company on your one-of-a-kind wedding day. Whether you’re planning a garden wedding at Washington Park Arboretum or a private elopement on the Washington Coast, your day deserves to be documented in its most raw, honest form. If you love the idea of photography that inspires you to be wholly, unapologetically yourself, and helps you celebrate your individuality right from the get go, I’d be honored to create with you. Get in touch here, and let’s make some magic together!
Searching for more nature-inspired, earthy weddings like Amanda and Dodd’s? Take a look at a few of my favorite weddings below, all of which feature a variety of lush greenery, vibrant florals, and organic patterns, textures, and shapes!
