The Camp Out: Kathleen + Akash

What’s better than one wedding celebration? TWO wedding celebrations. Take a dive into Tapestry’s Camp Out Package, a full weekend's worth of guidance, hands-on support, activities and more. Here’s how this Tapestry couple chose to make this planning package work for them on their customized campus in Islandwood.

LET’S PLAN.

Kathleen and Akash have family from all around the world and A LOT of love to give. That being said, these two knew that they wouldn’t be able to execute every single tradition and meaningful detail in only one day. As we discussed the logistics of their celebration, we decided that the Tapestry Camp Out package would be best suited for their needs. This package includes two days worth of nonstop onsite coordinating, and for the many bells and whistles that the couple wanted to incorporate, this was right up their alley. 

Kathleen and Akash would have two celebrations over the course of a weekend. One would be a traditional Indian wedding and the other would be a Western wedding. The two wanted to share their favorite aspects of each culture with their family and friends. To find a space to accommodate a celebration of this scale, we decided on Islandwood, a nonprofit space whose mission is to share environmental education within the Pacific Northwest region. With these values in mind, the couple would be able to accommodate their guests on a customized campus, equipped with over two hundred and fifty acres of space, beautiful lodges, catering, an onsite staff, and MUCH more.

DAY ONE.

It was time for the festivities to begin. Starting on Thursday, family and friends began to arrive on campus and were greeted with the couple’s Welcome Event. This took place around Islandwood’s firepit and was only the beginning of the many unique activities that the couple had in store for their guests. With Bollywood dances and Henna services, family and friends were instantly immersed in the couple’s vision. After a round of speeches by the fire, board games, and snacks, everyone was accustomed to the new space and it was time to wind-down and rest for the days-to-come.

DAY TWO.

On Friday morning, the Tapestry Team arrived and it was time to get down and dirty. The day started off with morning activities hosted by the Islandwood staff. This included a hike down to the ravine, a journey across a suspension bridge, and an ascent to the top of their 120 foot Canopy Tower! After an energetic start to the day, the couple was ready to share their traditions with their loved ones with a Haldi ceremony. A Haldi ceremony is meant for the Bride and Groom to be blessed and cleansed on the day of their wedding. The couple applies the Haldi paste to their face, neck, hands and feet, with members of the family waiting in line to do the same and send them off with positive affirmations on their consummation. Our favorite moment was when the groom’s father went in for a giant hug with the couples after they were covered from head to toe in Haldi paste. It set the perfect tone of playfulness for everyone else who was present.

Throughout the day, guests enjoyed the surrounding nature and began getting ready for the Baraat, which is a procession of dancing and singing to lead their guests to the location of the ceremony. Tapestry led the way in a golf cart with a massive speaker and we made sure everything was running like a well oiled machine. As we arrived at the meadow, the Indian ceremony then took place. The couple had included pamphlets that translated the events of the ceremony, created in partnership with their Pandit and the Tapestry team, so that all their guests felt involved. After the ceremony, it was time for guests to dig into an amazing display of Indian food. Family and friends continued to drink, dance, and give some lovely toasts for the couple of the hour. 

However, the day does not stop here! Kathleen and Akash had a surprise waiting for everyone…their very own Bollywood dance routine (which they had practiced for six months!). The couple had hired a certified Bollywood dancer to come on site and surprise teach a routine to the crowd. Everyone was intent on learning this dance with about sixty people joining in on the lesson. After this lovely night, family and friends wound down by the campfire once again to reflect on the amazing course of the day.

DAY THREE.

The morning started off a little bit slower, allowing everyone to come down from the exciting energies of the day prior. There was group yoga, hiking, and just a general appreciation for the amazing space that they were in. Guests could be found playing football and going on runs throughout the campus. While friends and family took advantage of the outdoors, Kathleen was busy getting prepped with her crew in her private glam space. 

When it was finally go-time, the couple exchanged intimate notes and gifts with each other and had their first look. The Western ceremony took space in a secluded grove of trees and was swiftly followed by cocktails and a delicious dinner. 

Guests were once again gathered in the great hall, where loved ones gave toasts and expressed their love and gratitude for their couple. (Tears were shed!) Kathleen and Akash had their first dance and shared a dance with their parents, as well. Towards the end of the night, Kathleen and Akash revealed a giant dessert and bar buffet to pump up the wedding party after the speeches. 

Friends closed out the night with a few fraternity dance traditions. Also, as we mentioned earlier, guests were practicing the Bollywood dance all around campus and once again exhibited it on the dance floor, which was such a beautiful and exciting way to wrap up the night. This was truly a dance party for the books.

DAY FOUR.

Sunday morning was dedicated to rest and relaxation, with everyone sharing their thoughts at breakfast before they checked out of the campus and went their separate ways. Kathleen and Akash took off for their honeymoon and Tanzia where they would embark on a safari. Overall, this was such an amazing blend of cultures and the couple executed it perfectly. Each guest was made to feel included and special in each of the activities. We are so thankful that we got the opportunity to work with these two and are blessed that we had their full trust to make their experience come to life.

THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES. 

As you can probably imagine, there are MANY moving parts when it comes to having a celebration of this scale. Tapestry worked as an organizer and overseer of the events, proactively making sure everyone had what they needed, hosting vendors on a large campus, and navigating  travel to and from the island for guests and vendors alike. With such a busy event and schedule, we had to think five steps ahead at all times. The vendor team on each day consisted of upwards of twelve different teams of professionals. To respond to the needs of vendors and the exhaustive use of the campus for full days of activities, our Camp Out package allowed us to staff up appropriately and manage the event professionally. The venue was absolutely outstanding and we loved working with them as much as they loved working with us. We got the chance to bond with their team and share our excitement for our future endeavors together.

If this kind of event sounds like you, we would love to hear from you! Our Camp Out package can be customized and tailored exactly to your vision. As planners, we want to help your dreams come true and make sure that everything, even the smallest of details, are seen on your special day.

-Sarah, Tapestry Content Manager

THE VENDOR TEAM.

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

Venue + Caterer: Islandwood // islandwood.org // Bainbridge Island, WA

Photographer: Lenaig // Weiss Photo + Film // @weissphotoandfilm // weissphotoandfilm.com // Seattle, WA + Beyond

Officiant: Srinivas // Pandit Srinivas Khedam // Seattle, WA

Rental Provider: Olympic Farm Style Events // olympicfarmstyleevents.com // Olympic Peninsula

Rental Provider: Katrina // Love Blooms Wedding and Event Design // @lovebloomsweddings // lovebloomseventdesign.com // Snoqualmie, WA

Florist: Hannah + Jesi // Ondine // @ondine.co / ondine.co // Seattle, WA

Hair + Makeup Artist: Anne // Anne Timss // @mstimmssmakeupandhair // annetimss.com // Seattle, WA + Beyond

DJ/MC: Kilmarnock // Integral DJs // @integraldjs // integraldjs.com // Seattle, WA

DJ/MC: Satish // DJ Sats // Seattle, WA

Entertainment: Deepali // Live 2 Dance // @live2danceseattle // live2danceseattle.com // Seattle, WA

Henna Artist: Rini // Rini’s Henna // @rinishennaseattle // rinishenna.com // Seattle, WA

Henna Artist: Nisha // Henna Art by Nisha // @hennaartbynisha // facebook.com/hennaartbynisha // Bothell, WA