Elise is just pure cuteness and after meeting her mom and dad, I totally see where she gets it from.  Their home in West Seattle is lovely and filled with natural light - LOVE!  We hung out in Elise's room and their sweet pup Cooper came sprinting up for a quick visit - check out the balancing act!  I loved getting to spend an afternoon with this wonderful family & can't wait to do it again!

If you haven't already seen Mike & Serena's first post, scroll below to see their sweet ceremony on New Year's morning.  A few hours after their brunch ended, I met Serena & Mike in their suite at The Sorrento Hotel to capture them hanging out with friends and getting ready for their reception party up at Uptown Hideaway later that night.  The boys hung out in the main room while the ladies dolled it up in the bedroom.  Mike got his 'first look' as Serena came out of the bathroom and his facial expression said it was totally 'worth the wait'.  After a few leaps on the bed, we headed up to Uptown Hideaway for their cocktail (including two drink creations from the bride & groom) party.  The speeches were really touching, I fell in love with the goat cheese & red pepper swirls and the cupcake arrangement was made by the women of Serena's book club, The Audacity of Book Club (how sweet is that?!)  It was a wonderful night and an extremely awesomesauce way to start out the new year.  I really hope to know this couple for many years to come!

You know when you meet people and it's not just like you already knew them but you dig them big time and you totally dig their dog?  That would be me in relation to Serena & Mike.  We had such a nice time together for their engagement session last month, I knew that their wedding day would be big fun, but it was super big fun!  The day started at 9 a.m. for me and ended a little after 10 p.m.  With the events of the day being so varied (three locations!), they are getting two blog posts.

So, the morning of New Year's Day was pretty flippin' chilly and down at Golden Gardens beach, it was kind of on the windy side...like 'flip an umbrella inside out' kind of windy.  The ceremony was totally perfect however...

The smile on Serena's face and the amazing way Mike looks at her - combined with the big group of friends and family that put on their REI/Patagonia gear and their 'wellies' and beamed with love while holding pink gerbera daisies (from Ballard Blossom no less)!  I loved Serena's hair blowing free and the little drops of rain that you see in just about every photo.  Their close friend Elizabeth officiated for them (amazing woman by the way) and the ceremony was lovely. 

Everyone then headed to Mike & Serena's Ballard home for a brunch catered by many of their friends and family.  It was a combo of sweet things, savory things and lots of wonderful folks.  Heather of Paprika Event Design also did a rock star job of coordination as always. I hope you enjoy the photos 1/2 as much as I enjoyed the morning.  Next up...The Sorrento Hotel and Uptown Hideaway!