Emelia+Joe | McMenamins Anderson School Wedding | Seattle Wedding Photographer

Emelia and Joe wed in the coolest venue right outside of Seattle Washington called McMenamins Anderson School. It was one Bothell’s Junior High School and it holds so much interesting history. Many students that attended this school have gone on to do amazing things including the first female U.S. Senator from the State of Washington, a NFL football player, a pioneering physicist, and the first American woman to sail solo around the world!

As you roam through the old hallways of the school you will be charmed by beautiful works of art hanging from all the walls, mix-matched colored lanterns hanging from the ceilings, secret little flower gardens in the courtyard, and interesting structures around the property. The Anderson school is the oldest structure on site and was built in 1931. It’s embellished with art-deco style and is filled with floor to ceiling windows that allows for beautiful natural light to come pouring in. There’s something curious around every corner telling a story of the past including the “Principal’s office” which is a hidden bar on one of the floors of the school.

Emelia and Joe started their day by getting ready with their closest friends on location at the Anderson school. Emelia and her girls sipped on mimosas while they applied their makeup and fixed their hair. Joe and his guys had whiskey and shared cigars on the terrace before making their way up to their groom suite to get ready. They had their first look in one of the gardens on the property and it was such an amazing and intimate moment to witness. You could feel the love between the two of them and everyone had butterflies as we anticipated the moments leading up to the ceremony.

Family and friends from near and far all gathered around for the ceremony. Emelia and Joe wanted to add a little something different than the traditional rituals in a wedding ceremony and decided to include a sage smudging. Smudging is a purification ritual where a sage bundle is burned and waved around the couple with an affirmation or prayer allowing the couple to start on this new path in life together on the right foot. The ceremony was filled with lots of joyous tears and it was perfect for Emelia and Joe.

The reception was held in a gorgeous banquet hall with beautiful chandeliers and works of art and sculptures around every corner. One unique thing that stood out to me that I really loved about their reception was the seating arrangements. They used national park postcards and a corresponding key to help guests find their seats. The couple prepared a homemade seasoning rub as gifts for their guests since Emelia and Joe love to cook together. Another amazing touch worth noting was that all of the flowers used in bouquets and boutineers were all made of paper by the bride. They were as beautiful as they were delicate and she spent so much time perfecting them for months before the wedding. It truly was a perfect day of love.

This beautiful day was made possible by:

Venue: McMenamins Anderson School

Dress: I Do Bridal

Paper goods/Invitations: Zazzle

Florist: All bouquets and boutineers were lovingly handmade by the bride out of paper

Wedding Party Gifts: Homemade meat spice/rub by the couple

Hair & Makeup: Lisa Rexrode

Officiant: Sondra Snyder

Music/Entertainment: DIY

Wedding Pie: Snohomish Pie Co.