Seattle Barn Wedding: Kayla Jean + Shane

bride wearing spagehtti strap wedding dress

Happy Monday lovelies! I hope you all had a relaxing weekend. :) Jason and I watched a few romcoms this weekend which I just love..I mean who doesn’t love a good love story?! And speaking of love stories, today’s wedding is just that. A real, true love story. Just read the note below…

written love story wedding


Pretty romantic, right? Well, Kayla Jean + Shane wanted to keep their love story as the main inspiration for their wedding.

From Kayla Jean, “Even as we searched for a location, made crafty decorations with our families, chose music for the ceremony, and wrote our vows, we kept our love story in mind – making sure that every piece of our special day represented it. Everything had to fall under that umbrella. We wanted all of our guests to feel our love, and be loved at our wedding – so that they might also leave the wedding with fuller cups, loads of joy, and a taste of what real love is.

As far as decor, my dad was so helpful in executing my vision for a lot of the handmade wooden structures and designs I had in mind to add to the rustic element of the barn. Nearly every detail was handmade (right down to the heart shaped velvet ring pillow-something I made when I was 7 years old for my mom). I drew a lot of inspiration from blogs (GWS specifically!). I wanted the wedding to be full of romance, and for all of those who came to be invited into that feeling.”

Thanks so much to Phil Chester for letting me share his photos + their story today!

barn wedding location

red and pink bouquet

bridesmaids

groomsmen in suspenders and ties

groomsmen, barn

sweet first look

bride and groom

peach and red bouquet

bride and groom

bride and groom

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Bridal Party: Shang-ri La by M. Ward; Bride: Claire De Lune by Claude Debussy

Recessional: To Go Home by M. Ward

First Dance: Eyes On the Prize by M. Ward

ceremony backdrop

indoor ceremony

indoor ceremony

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Sharing vows...
I'll never forget the moments when we were standing at the altar in front of all the witnesses, staring at each other. I shared my vows, and he shared his. (Our eyes got real full of water, and there were certainly lumps in our throats, and butterflies in our bellies.) It was like receiving the best, most permanent, most meaningful gift. True love promises. It truly did resonate in the deepest and sweetest way. I'll also never forget the moment the doors opened, holding my dads arm, and slowly stepping forward. I could immediately feel that ‘warm love feeling.’ It just felt like thick, atmospheric love all around me, with my favorite person standing at the end of the aisle. I couldn’t have been more happy, or felt more safe or more celebrated.

indoor ceremony

ribbon ceremony backdrop

burlap wedding sign

typewriter guest book

draped lights and ribbon

lace tablecloth reception

floral tablecloth reception

mr and mrs wooden signs

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Work together! Dream together! Be in love! Make lists! Do what YOU want. And pull on the creativity and help of your loving families and friends. People will surprise you with how skilled, helpful, and willing they are to go out of their way to make it a beautiful day for you.

Also make sure to protect those little date nights together (during the wedding prep). They can easily slip away or get pushed aside by wedding related activities. We had a very short engagement, so the busyness piled up quickly, but we still wanted to soak up our time together as an engaged couple. It’s important to set aside time that focuses on remaining light, and having fun with your best friend, so as to not get overwhelmed with the details and the pressure you put on yourself.

photography: Phil Chester // venue: Kelley Farm (ceremony), Marion grange (reception) // wedding dress: Galina from David’s Bridal // bridesmaids dresses: Forever 21, H&M // groom suit: H&M // flowers: Pike Place market in Seattle and then were arranged by the bridesmaids the night before

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