You’re driving down a dirt road out near the boundaries of Redmond. You have your backpack, your camera, and the instructions to park near a barely visible path. Following the path into the woods, you stop short when around the corner you see an elaborate tree fort poking out of the trees. You see huts, swings, and treetop walkways that cover an entire clearing. The best part? You can get married here.

THE DETAILS OF THE SHOOT.

The magic of this styled shoot was in the ethereal details that juxtaposed the dirty nature of having a ceremony outdoors. The beautiful moss and richness of the evergreens create an atmosphere that looks like a fairy tale, but underneath their fancy outfits, the couple was wearing sturdy boots. The whimsical tree house in the middle of ten acres of forest was the perfect backdrop for a day of playing in the woods in pretty clothes.

OUR MODERN PNW COUPLE.

Amber and Tony fully adopted the concept and collaborated wonderfully with the creative team. Friends of the florist, they eagerly agreed to do the shoot when Angelene of Villanelle Floral asked if they wanted to join the team on this day. They thought it would be a fun and unique way to spend a day (and it was!). 

Amber and Tony fell in love almost nine years ago at a bar in Belltown where Tony was bartending. Amber let her friends move on to other bars without her as she chatted with Tony for the rest of the night. Since then, their appreciation for each other’s sense of humor, easy-going enjoyment of life, and unending laughter has brought them closer and closer together, as well as their pet bunny Burrito. They are committed life partners, and it was easy to see how their personalities complement each other on the shoot.

Already having declared a life partnership without marriage, they entered into this styled shoot ready for a day of pampering and enjoying each other. When the day started, they stepped into the mindset by getting glammed up with Crystal of Crystal Jenkins Makeup and stepping into the gorgeous gown and tux by Daci Gowns and the Black Tux. They were ready to get into the mindset of luxury, ease, and love at the core of any elopement styled shoot.

HOW THE VENDORS RAN THE DAY.

While the couple was getting prepped in the yurt, Kate of Tapestry Event Co., Ashley of Beginning and End Photography, and Megan of Megan Montalvo Photo were all prepping the tree house at the Emerald Forest. Ashley took the reins to set up the space and handed them off to Kate to do the final design, while Megan was able to be a secondary photographer to take additional shots. This venue is so unique because it is only thirty-five to forty minutes away from Seattle, but feels like it is off in the Olympic Peninsula. The Emerald Forest offers many amenities on its property, including a movie screen, nets for hanging out in trees and gazing into the sky, a stage, restrooms, a yurt for getting ready, and a fire pit. For couples that want to host a retreat-style celebration, they even allow for camping on their property and offer a cabin just a short walk away from the tree house. Using this property for an elopement allows for a sense of privacy and intimacy in a beautiful landscape with a tree house structure that just screams play time.

This shoot was put together by the Runaway With Me Elopement Collective, so, as usual, we had the blessing of multiple photographers collaborating in the process. Lynnsey of Lionlady Photography was also there with her video camera to give a more intimate perspective on the movement and light of this special venue.

THE EMERALD FOREST AESTHETIC.

The dress from Daci Gowns was ideal for the woodland fairy look that Runaway was going for in the bride. Amber rocked it with a pair of hiking boots, beautiful jewelry pieces, and a custom jean jacket. The pieces from Raw by Olivia Mar were natural cut stones that complemented the look. Kate started with a Madewell staple and turned it into a body chain glamour statement piece. Angelene from Villanelle Floral designed flowers that brought in rich reds and warm pinkish colors with wildflowers that added contrast to the white and green neutrals of the set. The stationary by Stacey of Oh Hey Face pulled on the burgundy color palette that was contrasted by pale green and a lovely tan. She designed an invitation suite as well as a poetry broadsheet for the couple’s place setting. The cake from Lady Grey used that same pale green to create a soft floral design. The details all fit together to create an atmosphere of luxury in the middle of the forest.

Tapestry Event Co. always loves a chance to coordinate a fun shoot with their Runaway collective! Thanks to everyone involved for creating such a classic and woodsy Pacific Northwest shoot. And thanks to Amber and Tony for being such fantastic muses.

— Kelleen, Tapestry Content Manager

THE RUNAWAY WITH ME ELOPEMENTS COLLECTIVE VENDOR TEAM.

Designer + Planner: Kate // Tapestry Event Co. // @tapestryeventco // tapestryeventco.com // Seattle, WA + Beyond

Photographer + Planner: Ashley // Beginning & End Photography // @beginningandendphoto // beginningandendphoto.com // WA + Beyond

Photographer: Megan // Megan Montalvo Photography // @meganmontalvophoto // meganmontalvophotography.com // Seattle + Tacoma

Videographer: Lynnsey // Lionlady Photography // @lionladyphoto // lionladyphoto.com // Seattle, Wa + Beyond

Florist: Angelene // Villanelle Floral // @villanellefloral // villanellefloral.com // Seattle, WA

Baker: Lady Grey // @ladygreyseattle // ladygreyseattle.com // Seattle, WA

Venue: The Emerald Forest // @emeraldforestevents // emeraldforestredmond.com // Redmond, WA

Hair + Makeup Artist: Crystal // Crystal Jenkins Makeup // @crystaljenkinsmakeup // Seattle, WA + Beyond

Stationer: Stacey // Oh Hey Face // @ohheyface // ohheyface.com // Seattle, WA

Jeweler: Raw by Olivia Mar // @rawbyoliviamar // rawbyoliviamar.com // San Diego, CA

Jacket Designer: Kate // Tapestry Event Co. // @tapestryeventco // etsy.com/tapestryeventcompany // Seattle, WA + Beyond

Dress Designer: Daci Gowns // @dacigowns // dacigowns.com // Boise, ID

Suit Designer: The Black Tux // @theblacktux // theblacktux.com // Worldwide

Couple: Amber + Tony // @amber.harr + @tony+ballew