Featured Couple - Jennifer & Jeff

THE BRIDE: Jennifer Vlasman, 30, Program Coordinator

THE GROOM: Jeff Schell, 30, Systems Administrator

THE DATE: July 30, 2005

THE SCENE: Ceremony and reception were in The Prestwick Terrace at The Golf Club at Newcastle.

SCHOOL OF LOVE: Jen and Jeff first met at the University of Washington where they both attended school. They lived in the same dorm, one floor from each other, and also had an English class together. They would see each other in the dorm, cafeteria, class, and at parties and started to spend more time together.

That summer they started dating and 10 years later Jeff surprised Jen on Christmas day. They had moved to California only a couple months prior and weren’t able to spend the holidays with their families in Washington. Jeff had set-up a video camera to record he and Jen opening presents, under the ruse, Jen believed, that they could show their parents opening up the gifts they had sent and still share part of the day with them. As Jen unwrapped and opened up the new suitcase from Jeff she had asked for, a ring slid down on a ribbon inside the suitcase. Jeff got down on one knee and proposed to a surprised Jen who was laughing and crying simultaneously, and he managed to get it all on tape! They posted the proposal on-line and shared it with their families and friends that day.



THE PLANNING BEGINS: A tough decision was made to move the wedding to Washington so more friends and family could be present to join in the celebration, especially Jen’s large family of 10! Jeff and Jen knew they wanted an outdoor feel to their wedding and researched what weekend in the summer had the best chance of no rain in the Northwest. The last Saturday in July was it, so July 30th was set as the date. After a couple of trips to Washington looking at wedding site options, The Golf Club at Newcastle Prestwick Terrace came up on top for the spectacular panoramic views, rolling green hills, and the indoor/outdoor element Jen and Jeff were looking for. The date and location were set and Save the Date magnets with the couple’s engagement photo were sent out.

CLASSIC ELEGANCE: Now that the date and location had been set, an overall look for the wedding was decided. Jeff and Jen wanted their wedding to be classic and elegant with fun elements of themselves, family, and friends. The colors were pale pink to fuchsia, whites to creams, and black with green and silver accents. Jen wore a diamond-white strapless gown in satin with a corset back and embroidery using pearls and Swarvoski crystals by Maggie Sottero. The bridesmaids wore classic, double-v, black satin dresses with clear crystals around the belt buckles and shoes. They carried round bouquets of roses in pale pink to fuchsia while the bride’s bouquet used lighter color roses, fragrant white gardenias, and stephanotis with pearl pins in the center. The flower girls wore pale pink silk and tulle dresses. To tie it all together, the groomsmen wore black suits and vests with pale pink ties and cufflinks while the groom wore a black suit with a white vest and white satin tie.



THE BIG DAY ARRIVES: As guests arrived and were being seated on a beautiful sunny day, the string trio, The Bella Trio, played songs from Jeff’s favorite band, The Beatles. After guests were seated, Jen and Jeff’s immediate family were part of the processional and were seated last before the bridal party entered and a remembrance candle was lit in memory of Jen’s father. Right after the ceremony, the cocktail hour got underway followed by a sit-down dinner and reception. Each table had a tent card with one side having the name of a city that Jeff and Jen have traveled to together, and the other side with their favorite memories of that city. Thank you favors were placed at each seat in silver tins to the couple’s guests. Inside were Dutch cookies and chocolates, a nod to Jen’s families heritage. Amidst a breathtaking sunset, the night unfolded with food, drink, music, dancing, and laughter. An unforgettable evening for all.

Photography by Ron Henry