Home Sweet Home: Betsy + Josh

Want your celebration to really feel like home? Check out how our Tapestry couple transformed their five-acre home into a multipurpose event space, with a little help from us. Today’s spotlight is on the lovely Betsy and Josh, a wedding planner’s dream couple. With their creativity and go-getter attitude, we were able to make the most unique and unforgettable weekend celebration together. 

TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

Flashback to eight months before the wedding: Betsy and Josh had celebrated one year in their quiet home on Camano Island! The two wanted a more laid-back lifestyle, and Betsy started her flower farm business from this new space. With high hopes, they reached out to Tapestry to see if having a weekend Camp Out celebration would be plausible September 2022. After learning a little bit more about the couple, we fell in love with their clear purpose and good intentions. Not only did they want to reignite their community and open up their home to their loved ones after a couple years in pandemic mode, but they also wanted to share these special moments with the bride’s father while he was still in good health. When they displayed an eagerness to partner on some big property developments, as well as the emotional intelligence to digest the journey ahead on a slightly accelerated timeline, we knew it was a go for us. We wanted to make this happen for them even with a few months turn-around time. The cherry on top? They were members of the Burning Man community–how could we say no!? 

We immediately jumped into the planning process. Betsy and Josh planned their celebration around their new homestead and were extremely realistic about what needed to be accomplished to ensure their property was ready to host a weekend-long wedding celebration. We took a trip out to their property and did a detailed walk-through. We took pictures, mapped out the area, created a list of developmental milestones, and made sure they had the budget to bring their vision to life. We also grabbed some fish and chips after the walk through to bond and nerd out on all the things we had in common. After surveying the space, we gave advice on which changes needed to be made: adding new lighting fixtures, clearing the driveway for deliveries, developing a sound and power plan, and adding coverage for rain. Tapestry even worked with Betsy on which permanent fixtures could be added to use for both her personal lifestyle and flower business.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

The invocation of community in their wedding is truly inspiring, and we want to give Betsy, Josh, and their entire support squad a big shout out. Betsy and Josh never once strayed from supporting local businesses, friends, and family. Each vendor was chosen with intention and gratitude for their individual talents. With everyone’s combined skills, friends worked together to assemble floral arrangements, hand drawing the paint by numbers guest book, collaboratively DJing the entire event, making popcorn, creating a lawn game tournament, and developing a hammock grotto on site!

A HOMESTEAD-STYLE SOIRÉE.

As we mentioned earlier, this was a full weekend’s worth of activities. Friday was dedicated to acclimating everyone to their new home but cutting and prepping flowers, erecting initial decorations, stocking the bars, and getting settled in at the campsite we booked out for guests just a two-minute drive down the road. We guided Betsy and Josh heavily on how to organize all the DIY tasks, assign them to their community, and provide video and written tutorials on how to get the job done while feeling supported and appreciated along the way. After giving everyone the rundown, friends and family grabbed a bite to eat at a BBQ food truck at the nearby Oddfellows Campground. We booked out this site so that guests would stay for the duration of the weekend, build community, and have a safe nearby location to call home throughout the festivities.

Saturday morning approached and it was time for Betsy and Josh’s community to spring into action! Whilst the groom and bride prepared themselves for their big day, Tapestry guided vendors to their stations and helped friends with key roles in the day.  Guests hopped on a shuttle from the campground and made their way to the main event space. After snapping a few photos, it was time for the ceremony, which was personally written by the groom. One of their closest friends had the honor of officiating the wedding and it was beautiful to see their community gather around to shower them in nothing but support and love. 

After the ceremony, the couple had a BIG surprise in store for everyone…a full on marching band! The band led the guests to cocktail hour where they grabbed some appetizers and jammed out to some big band takes on classic and modern songs. Dinner was served and accompanied by heartfelt toasts, desserts, and a beautiful sunset. The couple was the first to take to the dance floor and were swiftly followed by the rest of the wedding crew. The marching band graced us with their presence one last time before heading out for the night, and let’s just say they were a complete VIBE.  After the reception, the party did not stop there. Guests were shuttled back to the campground for outfit changes and returned to a silent disco, popcorn, and a late night fire pit hang. Talk about some wonderful hosts!

Sunday morning was a day for recovery and relaxation. Friends had put their own flare on a lawn game tournament for everyone to join. After a small brunch, guests were sent on their way after a weekend of love, laughter, and craziness. Why have a housewarming party when you can just have a wedding on your new homestead?

OUR POST-WEEKEND REFLECTION.

Overall, this was such a fun event to plan and coordinate and we had an absolute blast. Betsy and Josh are a perfect example of how far keen planning, enthusiastic partnership, determination, flexibility, and creativity can take you. We have no doubt that they will do amazing things in the future and we are so lucky we cultivated a long-lasting friendship with this outstanding couple. It was a super unique experience to work in a private space and plan out a physical infrastructure that could be used for both a wedding event, and in day-to-day life. 

Photos Courtesy of Kirsch Creative.

If you would like to keep your celebration close to home (literally), we would love to chat with you! Tapestry can be your right hand in all things planning. Whether that includes transforming your space or fostering an event that aligns with your personal values. We are here for you!

-Sarah, Tapestry Blogger

THE VENDOR TEAM.

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

Officiant: Jenn // Seattle, WA

Photographer: Karen // Kirsch Creative // @karenleannkirsch // karenleannkirsch.com // Seattle, WA

Caterer: Brooke + Alyssa // TABLE Catering Co. // @tablecateringco // tablecateringco.com // Seattle, WA + Beyond

Hair + Makeup Artist: Kyah // @kyahs.beauty.portfolio // Stanwood, WA

DJ/MC: Matt + DB // Seattle, WA

Live Music: Luis // Chaotic Noise Marching Corps // @chaoticnoisemarchingcorps // chaoticnoise.com // Seattle, WA

Rentals: Charlotte // CORT Party Rental // @cortpartyrental // cortpartyrental.com // Everett, WA

Jarrod + Mike // Ideal Rent-All // idealrentall.com // Everett, WA

Transportation: Jess // A&A Limousine & Bus Service // a-alimo.com // Kenmore, WA

Campground: Oddfellows Campground // Camano Island, WA