Planning a Destination Wedding Weekend in Seattle

Planning a destination wedding in Seattle is an exciting journey. You can explore the city’s rich culture, enjoy its stunning scenery, and create unique experiences. Working with Mel and Matt—a couple dedicated to an “experiences over things” approach—we designed a weekend full of unforgettable moments that showcased Seattle’s best. The Tapestry team’s organization and communication kept the planning process seamless, even while Mel and Matt were living across states and continents.

Meet the Couple: Seattle Roots, East Coast Connections

Mel and Matt’s story began in a speakeasy in New York, but their Seattle wedding felt like a homecoming. Mel grew up in Bellevue, Washington, and has always cherished Seattle’s natural beauty, which made her passionate about sharing the city with Matt’s East Coast family and friends. With their deep ties to both sides of the country, they wanted their wedding to be a weekend that brought everyone together in the spirit of community and connection. As a chef, Matt is dedicated to hospitality, and Mel, a filmmaker on a docuseries about a regenerative farm, loves telling stories that focus on conservation. They envisioned a wedding that blended their community and all the excitement and wonder that Seattle has to offer.

Why They Chose Tapestry: A Shared Vision for a Meaningful Celebration

After being recommended by Mel’s cousin, Rebecca Armstrong of Phosphorous Botanical, Mel and Matt connected with Tapestry. Our shared values in creating a wedding centered on love, care for nature, and community resonated deeply with them. Mel wanted to highlight Seattle’s marine conservation and her own Catholic traditions, while Matt looked forward to showcasing the city’s culinary excellence. With so many ideas and a limited ability to travel back to Seattle for planning, they needed Tapestry’s full-service support to bring their vision to life. Thankfully, that’s exactly where we thrive at Tapestry. We’ve done weddings all over Seattle and even have a guide for couples and their guests. Our ability to intentionally communicate and lead the planning lifecycle with confidence, whether you are in the same city or across the world, allows us to help couples create their ideal wedding experiences.

Planning from Afar: How We Organized Their Seattle Wedding

With Matt and Mel moving between Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and eventually London for Mel’s grad school, our planning process relied on proactive communication and a clear roadmap. Every call was part life update and part strategy session. Our goal was to create a cohesive experience where Seattle became more than just a wedding backdrop—it was the central theme. Mel’s local family connections allowed us to weave meaningful locations into the weekend itinerary.

In the last two months of planning, Mel got into a Master’s level film program in London that started the month before their wedding. Matt traveled with her to assist with the move and acclimatization, scouting for when he would return after the wedding to settle into their lives internationally. They did an excellent job of “being where their feet were” while leaning on Tapestry to carry the coordination load in the final months. We zipped up details and pinged them for important decisions and deadlines, keeping the train on the tracks as their lives demanded their attention be focused elsewhere on the next great adventure.

Together, we crafted a wedding weekend that embraced Seattle’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant community spirit. Tapestry’s team was structured to handle all planning and logistics remotely, while building a multi-member team to seamlessly manage the guest experience at multiple locations across the city.

We’re not strangers to planning from afar in unique venues, check out one of our recent weddings at the famous China Harbor!

Seattle Travel Guide

$15.00

Matt and Mel used our Seattle Travel Guide to enhance their guests experience. It goes into where to stay and what to do, and is perfect for locals with lots of family traveling in or a destination Seattle wedding

Seattle Wedding Experience: From Boat Tours to Aquatic Receptions

For Mel and Matt, every detail needed to reflect their love for Seattle’s landscape, good food, and their passion for conservation. We designed a schedule that introduced guests to the city’s iconic experiences:

Welcome Boat Ride on Lake Union: Mel’s father, “Captain Mike,” led a scenic boat tour for guests, offering a view of Seattle’s skyline from the water.
Friday Welcome Party at Pike Place Market: Hosted at the Atrium Kitchen, this reception was full of fresh, local flavors, setting the tone for the weekend with an intimate, lively gathering.
Ceremony at St. Joseph’s Parish: The couple’s Catholic ceremony was held at this beautiful Capitol Hill church, which meaningfully brought together family traditions.
Reception at The Seattle Aquarium: With conservation at heart, the aquarium was the perfect venue, providing interactive touch tanks, otter feedings, and a unique floor to ceiling fish tank backdrop for speeches and dancing (you have to see it to believe it!).
Farewell Brunch at Caffe Vita at KEXP: Guests enjoyed brunch in a beloved Seattle spot for the final gathering, sending everyone off with full hearts and stomachs.

This thoughtfully curated lineup gave guests an immersive Seattle experience, from historical tours to waterfront views, which brought out all that Mel and Matt wanted for their community on the wedding weekend.

It can be hard to know when planning a full wedding weekend what you’re going to pay for and what is your guests responsibility. Thankfully, we’ve created a whole blog post on that topic to help you!

Building Connections and Memories Through Tapestry’s Planning

Each gathering allowed Mel and Matt’s two communities to become one. Between the morning ceremony and evening reception, we planned a walking tour of Pike Place Market complete with local guides and pre-paid tastings to give out-of-town guests a personal look at Seattle’s vibrant market culture. At the reception, kids enjoyed a scavenger hunt while adults mingled around exhibits, highlighting the aquarium’s conservation efforts.

The details went beyond logistics—our staffing strategy ensured a seamless flow throughout the day. From managing shuttles to coordinating vendors and keeping timelines on track, Tapestry was behind the scenes, creating an experience where Mel, Matt, and their guests could relax and connect.

Tapestry’s On-Site Support: A Seamless Guest Experience

For Mel and Matt’s wedding, Tapestry’s staffing made the day feel effortless. With a dedicated team member managing transportation, we ensured the wedding party and guests had a seamless experience from shuttle pick-ups to timely arrivals. Our split-shift staffing model was essential for this 170-person event, with 3-4 staffers covering every aspect—from managing the physical setup of expansive venues to coordinating with vendors and handling guest logistics. Our clear communication and division of roles created a smooth flow, from the morning ceremony to the late-night after-party.

What Tapestry brings to the table from inquiry to support post-event is invaluable. Our wedding planning options that include full service or entire wedding weekends, will not only take the load off of your but enhance the entire experience for you and your guests. Check out our options to find what is right for you.

Highlights from the Day: Sentimental Details and Thoughtful Touches

Mel and Matt’s wedding was full of heartfelt moments. Here are some of the highlights that made their day unforgettable:

Personalized Ceremony: Father Chris at St. Joseph’s Parish collaborated with the couple to create a ceremony honoring Catholic and interfaith traditions.
A Piece of Home: The Seattle Ukulele Players Association performed during cocktail hour, bringing Mel’s childhood memories of Seattle to life.
Unique Reception Activities: From live animal exhibits to custom cakes and dessert spreads, the reception reflected Mel and Matt’s shared values of conservation and culinary arts.
Surprise Dances: Dances performed during the dinner, including a surprise dance from the aunties (almost 20 people!) and a Bhangra dance that Matt performed with the friends who taught him as a child.
Sweet Speeches: Toasts of the sweetest nature, including a surprise song performance from the groom’s sister. We helped coordinate audience participation to recreate a scene from Mel’s favorite movie, Almost Famous that brought her to tears to the tune “Tiny Dancer”.
Sentimental Touches: Mel’s brother, a former aquarium volunteer, had special memories tied to the venue. Mel crafted a welcome sign using photos from their first date on Hinge.
Family Connections: Matt’s family joined in a garland exchange to symbolize the joining of both families, while his friends surprised him with a Bhangra dance, a nod to childhood memories.

Creating a Destination Wedding that Feels Like Home

Mel and Matt’s Seattle wedding was a testament to how a destination event can feel personal and connected. With thoughtful planning, their wedding became a weekend experience that honored family traditions, shared new memories, and gave guests a taste of Seattle’s rich culture. Tapestry’s commitment to detail and seamless organization allowed Mel and Matt to focus on celebrating, knowing that every detail was carefully handled.

If you’re planning a destination wedding and want an experience that speaks to who you are as a couple, Tapestry is here to bring your vision to life. Let’s make your wedding more than just a single-day event!