Attention to Detail…A Summer Wedding and Reception

Attention to Detail…A Summer Wedding and Reception

My niece Elise and her husband Oswaldo’s July wedding was a beach celebration in Eastern Washington. The bride’s mother and friend Julie designed a comfortable welcoming reception around a bright palette of blue, teal, light green and coral.

Cascade Gardens, Yakima, Washington was the setting for a late afternoon/evening reception. Activities were held in various rooms of the gardens. An old shade house hosted the cocktail hour, dinner was served in an open-sided covered pavilion. After dinner, dancing took place in a patio area, which contained a paved square, perfectly sized for the occasion.

Tips For Keeping Guests Entertained at your Summer Wedding

The wedding mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral began at 2:00 pm, and guests began to arrive at the reception at around 4:00 pm. Keeping guests entertained and happy while they await the arrival of the bride and groom, can be tricky. Elise and Oswaldo’s friends and family were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while waiting for the bride and groom to arrive.

Although the shade house had its own rustic beauty, the scene was completed with cocktail tables, flowers, and a variety of whimsical shapes hung from wooden beams. Everyone made themselves at home by strolling the grounds, snacking and enjoying a refreshing beverage. The bride and groom arrived in a vintage Camaro convertible, which further invoked the beach theme.

Dinner was a mix of the caterer’s suggestions, paired with a traditional Basque rice that is a family favorite. The mother of the bride and helper Julie were prepared for the hot afternoon sun by keeping table umbrellas and misting fans on hand to ensure the comfort of guests. A welcome surprise for tired feet was a trunk filled with flip flops to get everyone into a beach mood and ready for dancing.