This backyard wedding in Seattle literally exploded with color

colorful smoke

Ashlyn and CJ met at an EDM concert, and it wasn't long before they were inseparable. After a number of years together that included many music festivals, the adoption of their dog, Flapjack, and the purchasing of a home in Washington, CJ proposed to Ashlyn with a family heirloom ring, and the rest was history! As both the sister and the wedding planner for Ashlyn and CJ's special day, Sandra of Savvy Weddings had the unique pleasure of bringing to life an elegant backyard wedding that was as unconventional as it was enchanting. Drawing from Ashlyn's creative expertise in video game design and CJ's skilled craftsmanship in welding, their wedding was envisioned as a "fantasyland" - an immersive experience that perfectly captured their personalities and love for music festivals. Captured on camera by Katelyn Kristine Photography, this wedding is an absolute must-see for anyone looking for ways to make their wedding day extra special.

rainbow wedding invitation suite

Preparing for a backyard wedding

The wedding was set in the couple’s expansive backyard in Poulsbo, Washington, adjacent to the serene Puget Sound. To prepare for their wedding day, the bride and groom (with help from their parents) planted an array of colorful flowers in their garden, and CJ’s dad even repainted their house. Upon the first site visit, Savvy Weddings mapped out the property and determined the best spaces to utilize, as well as the overall flow of events. After walking through this, she and the couple came up with a plan to expand the upper deck and include a staircase for a dramatic entrance down the aisle. They also decided to level the lawn to allow for a tent and dancefloor to be put down on the property.

rainbow bridal accessories

ombre rainbow veil hot pink wedding suit

colorful wedding party attire

Wedding style: Striking statements

For the event, the wedding party was dressed in pastels and floral prints, with CJ making a striking statement in a hot pink suit, and Ashlyn in a stunning iridescent sheen satin gown, accessorized with a watercolor ombre veil from Canvas Bridal.

iridescent rainbow photo wall

iridescent beverage dispensers custom dog napkins

Iridescent beverage welcome station

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a DIY pastel pink welcome sign adorned with colorful floral accents, made by the bride's sister and father. An iridescent beverage station and colorful pastel pink, blue, and lavender parasols welcomed guests into the ceremony space.

rainbow pastel wedding party

wedding ceremony parasols rainbow and baby's breath floral arrangements

rainbow boho bouquet

Rainbow floral A-frame arch

Nestled in a grove of trees, the setup featured a breathtaking rainbow floral A-frame arch and a half circle of white Chiavari chairs, surrounded by a meadow of rainbow ground meadow floral arrangements by Desert Bloom Florals. Ceremony music featured tracks including Lana Del Rey's "Say Yes to Heaven," and an instrumental version of "Video Games" for Ashlyn’s walk down the aisle.

casual outdoor cocktail hour

Cocktail hour amidst a tree grove

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were escorted into a grove of trees, lit with string lights, and scattered with iridescent sequin cocktail tables with ghost chairs. Guests were served Mexican and Asian themed hors d’oeuvres from Chef Kaimana on pastel serving trays. Signature cocktails were served in iridescent and vintage eclectic glassware from a bar lit by a neon "Drunk in Love" sign.

lavender dog-themed seating chart dog tag seating chart

Dog-inspired lavender escort board

A lavender escort board themed with different dog breeds that corresponded to tables led guests into a draped, clear-top tent. This board was another DIY project courtesy of the bride's sister, Savvy Weddings!

muted rainbow linens

rainbow table runner dog-themed table numbers

clear tent with drapery sides

Floating tent with color-changing chandeliers

The tent from Alexanders Party Rentals seemed to float among the trees and was adorned with twinkling lights, ethereal clouds of painted baby's breath and LED color-changing chandeliers. Guests were seated at a mixture of round and rectangular tables covered with different shades of lilac, blush, and light blue linen. Each table was styled with rainbow floral arrangements, iridescent charger plates, rainbow flatware, a variety of vintage glassware, and surrounded by a sea of candles in soft pastels.

large rainbow floral a-frame

Iridescent sequins and a repurposed A-frame

The couple was seated at an iridescent sequin linen-covered table adorned with colorful florals and a floral covered A-frame arch behind them.

iridescent aprons

Creating a diverse dinner menu

Dinner was a culinary representation of the couple's diverse palates. Ashlyn's love for sushi was catered to with a bespoke sushi station, elegantly set with Japanese lanterns and pastel chopsticks, while CJ's preference for heartier fare was met with a vibrant taco bar, complete with personalized papel picado and light blue tortilla warmers.

butterfly-accented wedding cake

Must-have party favors

As the night continued, the dance floor buzzed with energy under a canopy of stars thanks to heart-shaped sunglasses and neon light sticks handed out to guests. There was even an epic photo taken of the bride's 93-year-old grandmother in heart-shaped sunglasses on the dance floor! Music included a mix of EDM, punk, and pop music tracks, setting an upbeat, celebratory tone that had everyone dancing late into the night.

hot pink wedding suit

Advice from the wedding planner

Sandra of Savvy Weddings shared, "My advice is to stay true to your vision and personal story. Ashlyn and CJ’s wedding was a testament to the beauty of embracing one's individuality and the quirks that make a relationship special. Don't shy away from incorporating unique elements that represent your journey together. The most special weddings are the ones that feel like they are meant for that couple. My other key takeaway is don’t be afraid of color! So often, I find that couples are afraid of color or not sure how to incorporate color into their wedding design. This wedding is the perfect example of how color can be both elegant and impactful."

View All Images