Victoria + Chris
November 11, 2023 in Spokane, WA
Welcome back to the Ivory Bride Blog, where we share stories about our real brides and their gorgeous weddings! In today's post, our real bride shares all the details of her timeless, downtown Spokane wedding! Get ready to be inspired!
By our real bride, Victoria:
What was the vision for your wedding?
The first hurdle of wedding planning was finding the perfect venue. I grew up in Spokane and Chris and I met in Spokane while he was assigned to Fairchild AFB for military training even though we live in New York now, coming back for the wedding was a must, but planning a long-distance wedding is not for the faint of heart. We wanted something that was going to be timeless and showed off Spokane! Having an "off-season" wedding meant trying to have all our friends and family, most of who were coming from very far away, inside...which wasn't easy to find in downtown Spokane, but The Centennial gave us exactly what we were looking for.
I always knew I would go to Honest in Ivory to find my perfect wedding dress. I have had so many friends be so happy when they went there and it was important to me to have that moment with my mom and maid of honor when I found THE dress. The dress process went perfectly, we had the shop to ourselves and I tried on SO many dresses. I felt comfortable speaking my mind and found exactly what I was looking for. Next was finding a wedding coordinator who was going to be the sounding board during the next year as we navigated wedding planning from 2,000 miles away and hopefully easing some pressure from my parents who were our wedding storage unit for the year. I contacted many planners just after getting engaged and each time I broached the subject with my new fiance about the importance of hiring someone to help out...he was not 100% on board. I knew this was someone I NEEDED on my team. I went to the Spokane Bridal Expo with my mom and found Paige Martin at the vendor stand, I said a few words about what I needed and she immediately remembered we had spoken a few months earlier over the phone and at that moment I was sold. I couldn't believe she remembered me and it made me feel so special. I left the expo with a wedding coordinator and needed to convince Chris that it was going to be money well spent. (On the wedding day...he said he couldn't have imagined our day without her, so it worked out!)
The rest of our vendors were picked based on many hours of digging on social media and sending a lot of emails. We chose vendors who we felt would elevate our day and fit within our budget. Rose and Blossom was a dream to work with. I changed my flower vision at least 10 times and they made communication so easy and took on my ever-changing mind without hesitation. We truly had an incredible team who were all so flexible with us as we navigated planning this from so far away and we are so grateful for everyone who was a part of it. We had an incredible sunset during the ceremony. Our guests got to see everything from the mountains to the river and a bonus that we didn't need to transport guests from one venue to the next. We were able to flip the Skyline Ballroom during cocktail hour and dance the night away with a view.
How did it go the day-of?
Our wedding day was a breeze...literally, it was 50+mph winds that day! The girls' hair and makeup team showed up bright and early and were able to keep us on the timeline we had planned. Paige made sure every detail and moment went on just as we had envisioned. Chris and I made private vows in our ceremony location after our first look and it was incredibly special to have that time just for us and to soak in the ceremony space before it was filled with all our favorite people. Having both my parents walk me down the aisle and give me away was truly a special moment that I will never forget. We did all the "traditional" wedding festivities in our suit and gown and after the dance floor opened up we snuck away to change into our matching Nike sweats it was the best decision and showed off us as a couple! And for future brides/grooms...everyone is going to have an opinion on what you should/shouldn't be doing...do what feels right for you and your relationship.
What is your #1 tip to future brides?
Don't be afraid to speak up and tell your vendors exactly what you want! It is YOUR day and you have likely spent a lot of time, money, and thought into planning it all and making sure it goes off exactly like you want though a vendor might be exactly what you want based on Instagram or Google you never know what that couple asked for. So...speak up! Make a 'must have' photo list, make a 'must play' music list, and remember the day is about you and your love. You are the guest of honor and everyone is there to celebrate your love.
