Sherri very suddenly became busy. So busy. Too busy to say hello to her co-worker's brother who was visiting Seattle, despite having seen a photo of him and commenting how handsome he was. Little did Sherri realize that when she claimed to be too busy for an introduction, John saw a game on solitaire on her computer screen. Oh, but how busy did she pretended to be! The next time John was in Seattle, he went with moving boxes because the city was where he settled for college. Sherri casually offered to show him around town, but every time John called, she said she was busy.
Years later, Sherri insists the game of hard-to-get was unintentional, but her friends roll their eyes because–really–the couple was smitten immediately after that solitaire-introduction. Their first date turned into a first kissed, which turned into years of growing together. They've become best friends and solid counterparts in a shifting world. Together they promised to weather anything life thrusted their way and asked their closest family and family to witness their ceremony and vow to support their promises to each other.
On a gorgeously overcast day in Seattle, John and Sherri married at the Olympic Sculpture Park surrounded by stunning views of the water, nature, and art. Their love, much like the oversized sculptures, was displayed for all to see…and admire.
Sherri and John, my heart overflows with love for you both. You are the type of people who make the world better, inspire others, and believe staggering odds are simply an opportunity to shine. You love makes others want to support you in deep and profound ways, and I'm honored to have documented your first day as husband and wife. I am thankful to have been invited into your lives and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you both! Much Love and Appreciation… j*
Sherri is owner of Elegantsi, a Seattle-based interior design company. She and John opted to leverage their aesthetic for a Scandinavian-inspired wedding, which included homemade invitations, incorporating gorgeous fabric and thread…
The wedding day was strung together by gorgeously simple details and design…
While the bride and groom prepared at Seattle's Ballard Hotel, JD documented John getting dressed…
Sherri's perfect wedding bouquet was a wrapped air plant…she even said, “You know me…always dare to do things different! John and I actually challenged ourselves to design an entire wedding with out a using a single petal or bloom!”
In another suite at Ballard Hotel, I photographed the bride getting ready….
Just before departing for the ceremony, I photographed the bride on the rooftop of the Ballard Hotel…we were incredibly fortunate because it had been raining the entire week before the wedding, but we avoided the wet weather all together…
John and Sherri married at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park, but opted to see each other before the wedding ceremony…this was the groom's reaction to seeing his gorgeous bride…
…it's safe to say the bride was happy to see her groom…
Before the wedding ceremony, we had plenty of time for photos, so we roamed the Olympic Sculpture Park…
The groom looked extraordinarily dapper on a gorgeous fall day in Seattle…
Their love sparks a fire of adoration…
The couple decided for an intimate wedding ceremony on the tiered lawn of the Olympic Sculpture Park, with pops of color to brighten the day…
Oh, these two…love them.
Sherri's dad was beyond proud to give his daughter away….
Sherri surrounds herself with amazing men…
The wedding ceremony…
Officially husband and wife…
After the ceremony, we roamed the Olympic Sculpture Park for more wedding pictures along the water's edge…
Just at the right moment, the sun peaked through the clouds…
Seattle is home for the couple, so the rooftop of Ballard Hotel was the perfect venue for their intimate wedding reception…the reception venue was Olympic Rooftop Pavilion…
Sherri mixed succulents, air plants, and artichokes as part of her reception decor…which only an interior designer could do so perfectly!
A grand table hosted their closest friends and family for dinner…
In addition to being a college football coach, John assists Sherri as part of the design company. He actually made the wooden dinner chargers for guests to dine on…
The rooftop of the Ballard Hotel was the perfect place for views of Seattle at sunset…
A beautifully simple cake…
The First Dance…
John strung the Italian lights on the rooftop and Sherri created a starry-night backdrop, which boasts over 10,000 white lights…
Yes, this.
The team at the Ballard Hotel was simply fantastic…the dinner was beyond perfect…
Beautiful toasts were given…
…followed by perfect clinks…
The night ended with dancing on the rooftop…
…and lots of laughter…
I'll end on this photo because it's the perfect depiction of John and Sherri's love: intimate, warm, and real.
Many thanks to the following team who made the wedding perfect…
Wedding Venue: Olympic Sculpture Park
Reception Venue: Ballard Hotel
Makeup and Hair: Nikoma Souza
Florist: Cozbi Jean
Photographer: Jasmine Star
