Wednesday, February 12, 2014 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
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Some dos and don’ts for planning an island wedding
Tips for tying the knot on Vashon By NATALIE MARTIN Staff Writer
There’s nothing like saying your vows on Vashon, a place full of beauty, romance and rural charm. But planning an event at a place surrounded by water can present some challenges as well. Whether your wedding is a big garden gala or a small ceremony by the water, consider a few dos and don’ts for your island celebration. Do shop and hire locally when you can. Local merchants have a lot to offer, and it feels good to support Vashon’s small businesses. It’s much more convenient to work with locals, and in most cases their prices are comparable or even better than those found in Seattle. There’s no reason not to order a cake, hire a photographer, choose a musician or rent tables and chairs on Vashon. Consider looking off-island or online when you’re looking for a particular deal, want to order in bulk or have special preferences that can’t be found on Vashon. Don’t turn to Seattle wedding magazines or those comprehensive wedding websites like The Knot to find wedding resources on Vashon. They won’t be listed. Check in with the local chamber of commerce for island wedding resources. And oftentimes the best way to connect with vendors on Vashon is word of mouth. If you live on the island, ask your friends and acquaintances if they know anyone who caters, does wedding-day hair, designs invitations, etc. If you don’t live on Vashon, ask merchants you’ve already signed with to connect you with others, or find someone who has been married on the island and make them your new best friend. Do book any lodging required for your wedding as soon as possible, especially if you’re planning a summer wedding. There are no hotels on Vashon, so housing
family, friends and wedding attendants on the island can be a challenge. Vacation rentals and B&Bs book up fast, and many places only take week-long or multi-day reservations in the summer, making options limited. Check out VRBO.com, www.airbnb.com and www.vashonchamber.com to find the perfect spots for your guests. Don’t forget Vashon has no big box stores, so some wedding items simply won’t be available on the island. Plan ahead for the shopping or ordering you’ll have to do off-island, and remember Vashon stores also have limited hours for picking up those last-minute things. It shouldn’t present a problem if you think ahead. Do keep in mind that many of your guests won’t be familiar with the ferry system. Consider including a small card in each invitation that lists suggested ferry times and reminds guests to arrive at the ferry early. Make sure out-of-town guests understand which ferry route they are taking so they don’t find themselves getting on the boat in downtown Seattle or driving off the ferry at Southworth. Don’t take your wedding too seriously. Vashon is a great setting for a tasteful but relaxed celebration. Consider holding your wedding in a barn, at a public park or at the beach. Ditch the heels for flip flops, have a backyard barbecue for your rehearsal dinner or consider adding a fun element to your ceremony, such as having the bride and groom arrive in kayaks. And don’t let unexpected circumstances — rain, heat or even ferry delays — ruin your day. Do take advantage of the helpful Vashon community, especially if you live on the island. As addressed earlier, friends and acquaintances can point you to vendors who often operate by word of mouth. And many people are
Say,
Marla Smith Photography
eager to help with arrangements, offer a hand with projects and even lend items you would otherwise have to purchase or rent. Do encourage your off-island guests to stay a while on Vashon. There’s plenty to do and see on Vashon, so they can easily make the wedding trek into a day trip or weekend trip. If you live on Vashon, it’s a chance for them to see your home, and if you don’t, it’s still a fun mini-vacation. Steer them toward a good vacation rental and provide copies of Destination Vashon — map included — for them to plan out activities. — Natalie Martin is The Beachcomber’s editor. She was married on Vashon last year.
I do!
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