The Big Fake Wedding

The Big Fake WHA?!!?!? 

Yep you heard correctly! The Big Fake Wedding is an amazing new kind of "wedding show." They actually put on a wedding ceremony with a real couple - who is renewing their vows - and all the fun that goes along with a wedding. And this year, your's truly got to be apart of it.

The BFW, as it abbreviated, took place this year at Within SODO in Seattle Washington. The best part about this kind of wedding show is that it really gives you a feel for what a wedding may actually be like, I know it sounds crazy but some engaged couples have actually NEVER been to a wedding before. Believe me, I know a couple. This show really helps paint the picture for them of what a wedding is all about.

The show took place on a gloomy and rainy day in Seattle...typical...and as guests were arriving it was absolutely POURING down rain...lovely. But that didn't stop the awesome event turn out with several hundred in attendance.

The Color Palette and Inspiration

Cyanotype...yeah I have never heard the term either but I was a big fan of the colors. I used navy as the main color in my own wedding. There is just something timeless and classic about navy. The day certainly fit the overall mood for the event as well. Vendors featured dark and moody hues in navy, deep sea blues, gold and cream colors.

The Color Palette

About the Vendors

First off, the wedding vendors there are a select few, so this is not like the big wedding shows in Seattle, Everett or Tacoma. And while those shows are great for gathering information, they are extremely impersonal and over whelming. I would know, I went to several as a bridesmaid and then again as a bride.
Here is a list of the awesome vendors in attendance this year with links to my favorite vendors, not that the other's aren't good, I just like working with these awesome and talented vendors:

• Bartending: Party on the Rocks
• Dresses: Romashka Bridal
• Ceremony Music: Sophie D Harp
• Catering: Suite J
• Chair Rentals: Noble Rentals
• Clean Up Crew: Pacheco's Weddings & Events
• Day of Coordinating: Event Envy 
• Dessert Bar: Seatown Sweets (That's Me!!) 
• DJ: Orion Entertainment
• Event Rentals: Alexander Party Rentals
• Event Design: Willow & Ivy Events
• Floor Design: Petal+Vine, Forever Events Wedding, Jessica Vann-Campbell Flowers, Grace & Blooms
• Hair & Make Up: Beauty in a Box
• Invitations: Sablewood Paper Company (Modern Heirloom), Libby Tipton (Hand Drawn Florals), Southern Charm Wedding (Abstract Watercolor), RJ Calligraphy (Handmade Paper & Table Runner)
• Live Painting: Sam Day (See picture below)
• Photography: Breanna Marie Photography, Adina Preston Weddings, Stolen Glimpses
• Tux Rental: Top Tier Tux
• Venue: WithinSodo
• Vintage Rentals: Northwest Vintage Rentals
• Other Dessert Vendors: Eastside Specialty Cakes, Hey Sweets, Mousse Boutique

All the Pretty Details

The Head Table - Absolutely Stunning

Ok now the moment you have been waiting for now that you know who all was there...let's talk about the goods...and believe me they are absolutely to die for!

The evening started off with guests arriving just like you would at a normal wedding. A real ceremony was put on, we are talking dresses, tuxedos, bridal party and all! After the couple recessed, guests were allowed full access to the venue and the reception began! I was in the back so I did't get to see the actual ceremony take place. But the "real couple" renewed their vows for all to see. Talk about a room full of wedding crashers!

Below are a couple of collage boards I put together of some of my favorite pictures captured by our talent photographers, keep scrolling for lots of pictures though. (Yes I made them and I am totally giving myself a pat on the back! HA!)

The Big Fake Wedding - Moody and Romantic Decor

WithinSodo, if you haven't been, has a very industrial and modern vibe, you have probably driven past it on 1st Avenue S in Seattle and never even knew it was there. The "main entrance" is actually located in the back off the main street. I was near the back entrance to the venue which is actually off 1st avenue, and many of the guests came through that way which there seemed to be some confusion on. I was ok with it because everyone got to walk past me and see my desserts! 

The Big Fake Wedding Seattle 2017 - Dark, Moody and Romantic Wedding Details

After the ceremony, all the guests were able to walk through the "Tunnel of Love" this is where all the amazing vendors featured their table and were able to interact with the guests. Again I was on the outside of the tunnel of love, which was probably a good thing because that room got LOUD and hot! 

The Big Fake Wedding - "The Tunnel of Love" WithinSodo, Seattle

The bartenders were serving non-alcoholic blue punch drinks which were delicious! The caterers were passing around food as well as a buffet table. And of course there were lots of desserts to choose from as well. Including myself there was also a pie specialist, lava cakes and custom marshmallows, beautiful and classy mousse cakes, which are more of an eastern European desserts, something that is newer here, as well as a cake/cupcake vendor. 

The Big Fake Wedding - Moody Blues, Romantic Pink and Green Hues, Vintage Furniture Accents

You may have been noticing all the beautiful vintage rentals in the pictures...and how can you not, they are simply stunning with the bride and groom. In the picture above you will also see handmade wedding marble wedding invitations! Now, I consider myself a something of a "DIY-er" but that I think I will leave to the professionals. 

Dessert Time! - Let Them Eat Cake

My Dessert Table Sans Flowers

Now, since this was my first time at this event, I admit I really didn't know what to expect. All the vendors definitely brought their A-game and for me...well I was a little bit more focused on the desserts than the decor on the table, which is something that I am learning to get better at for sure!

For my table I featured a square marble cake with blue hues and gold sprinkle covered top layer for texture. I received a lot of complements on the cake especially regarding the texture - nailed that one! Was it real? - No...I mean what am I going to do with that big of a cake?!

Also on the table I staged some custom cookies with monograms as well as my favorite - bling rings with "I do" in them. And because a dessert table needs a little POP, I added a plate of decorated large cupcakes. At the end I gave away these cupcakes as people were leaving. SEE! What did I tell you? It paid to be by the door.

Monogram Wedding Cookies

It was so funny as people were leaving and I was starting to clean up, I would ask if they wanted to take anything home with them and they replied..."oh no I am so full.." to which I said, "I have to go bags..." "REALLY?!"

Haha everyone loves a good little doggy bag. And -added bonus- some of the attending brides didn't drag their fiances to the event so it was a nice way for them to have some samples as well, one bride commented, and I couldn't agree more!

Ok but I am getting ahead of myself, back to the dessert table details. For my samples, I let people try my signature sugar cookies, vanilla and chocolate cake pops as well. I couldn't get over how many people commented on how they liked the dessert table idea verses just doing straight cake. AMEN SISTA'! I am all about the dessert tables. I feel like cake is just mostly wasted and so many people have had bad wedding cake over the years that people are totally turned off by it.

Well NEWSFLASH there is actually good wedding cake out there, you just have to know where to find it (ahem...moi).

Cake Pops and 3D Flower Cookies

So remember above how I said that I am working on the decor aspect to my dessert tables...

After I finished setting out my desserts, I walked into the tunnel of love since I had some time before the show started to mingle with others. I had about a 6 foot table, and the vendors in the tunnel only had a cocktail table which were all beautifully displayed and packed to the brim with cool stuff....OH CRAP...I thought to myself...I didn't bring anything like that?!

Two Texture Square Cake

I was hoping that some of the florists would be around to help spruce up my table with some extra stems, but mostly everyone had been there earlier in the day to set up and I missed them. They would be coming back before the show of course... so I had to wait.


Luckily my friends at Petal+Vine designs SAVED THE DAY - and I mean no joke! They had some extra greenery in the car which they gladly shared with me...HALLELUJAH!

Big Fake Wedding - Dessert Table

Now the next problem was finding the photographers again to come back and re-shoot the table, I was able to snag one as she was passing by, so I made due...but I certainly learned my lesson.

The whole event went really well. I met a lot of wonderful brides and grooms and I hope they will be reaching out to me soon for their weddings! *fingers crossed*

3D Buttercream Flower Cookies

But not only that, I made some great connections with other local, wedding industry professionals, who are a lot of fun to work with. I think wedding industry individuals are some of the most creative, dedicate and hard working people around. Weddings just keep getting better and better and it is thanks to these people who help drive the industry - and I truly believe that.

I am looking forward to sharing more fun events that I am involved with and there are some good ones coming up! So be sure to come back and check them out when I post!

What are others saying?

Want to see and hear more about the event? Check out these awesome articles for wedding industry professionals at the event! 

Check out the event on Ruffled and The Big Fake Wedding Blog and Seattle Bride Magazine. 

Also see the live video from the event made by Ashley L Productions.

We want to hear from you!

If you were at the Big Fake Wedding please share some of your favorite highlights of the show? What do you want to see more of? What are some things that really stood out? Did you get any ideas and inspiration for your own wedding!! Tell us!!!