A Pirate Wedding
San Juan Island Pirate themed wedding,
T & R, both 52 years old, a couple from Las Vegas NV. Moved up to WA 6 months before I met them. They found me on Wedding Wire. (Don’t care what anyone says, I like Wedding Wire!) It was Expo season so I thought I would invite them out to the Lynnwood Convention Center for the NW Bridal Showcase where I had my booth. This way they could get wedding inspiration and could meet me on their terms, at the time they wanted and check things out before they committed. (Great idea #1)
They hired me to plan their in-state Destination Wedding and was set on a Pirate theme. I was a bit hesitant at first but was excited most of all to get the show off the beautiful city and state to which I loved and was proud of. During our tastings and such we toured some areas of the greater Seattle area that I think everyone should see if they have never been there. We slowly got to know each other and I began to learn of their love story.
They were delighted that I booked Roche Harbor for Thursday May 16th (Great Money saving idea #2) and also the ship Spike Africa for their Pirate Ceremony. As the months went by, she got her dress, we tasted cake, we looked through multiple Pinterest boards and mood boards, we ordered things and she made things, we met for dinners, talked about the time line and dripped candle wax down empty wine bottles that her friends and family had been collecting for her over the months of planning.
Finally, the week came, our reservations for the Anacortes ferry and once boarded, I hunkered down in a booth near a window to go through the floor plan, timeline, menus and every little detail, one last time. I talked with other passengers on and off until I found out that I was on the same boat as the couple and their family. I was introduced to the MOH, the Grooms kids and grandkids and the Wedding Officiant (whew….the wedding officiant…. That is a whole other post!)
We arrived in Friday harbor and walked over for a pre wedding brunch (Great Ideal #3 – gives guests and couple a moment to relax before the final destination) followed by a final tour of the ship Spike Africa. Things were all falling into place and I was overjoyed to be on the island, doing what I love most with the couple, who were beginning to become good friends. We had a wonderful few days ahead of us and I was eager to get to my hotel, rest and plan for the rehearsal.
I met the rest of the wedding party, family and friends and learned very quick that this was going to be one hell of a wedding. The rehearsal came off without a hitch and soon the Groom’s sister and I were driving back into Friday Harbor to meet the family for a rehearsal dinner. I was hesitant to go as I usually do not attend the rehearsal dinner, but like I said before, they were becoming friends and this time was different. We barged our way into a crowded, laughter filled tap house to take over a large section of the bar tables (Great Idea #4 – get reservations in advance!). I did my best to get everyone together and make sure family could sit together and everyone had the place they wanted. I heard my name from the other end of the area and was called to sit across from the bride. “What an honor, I get to have dinner with the couple the night before the wedding”. Oh, and here is a place for the wedding officiant! (I told you that is a different story, you will have to come back again later for that story!)
The wedding day was filled with a lot of fabric, swords, boots, pirate booty, rum and finally the time to board the Spike Africa from the Roche Harbor marina. The weather could not have been more perfect, the ceremony was everything a pirate wedding ceremony should be.
Setting sail Captain T and Captain R cheered over shots of Rum as Captain Kevin of the Spike Africa, set course for our 3-hour tour. (no this isn’t Gilligan’s Island)
Docked back at Roche Harbor, drunk off rum, love and hilarious family stories, the family and friends all parted ways before the reception. The wedding party was taken out to the mausoleum for pictures, the guests to their rooms to rest and freshen up and me to the banquet hall for the final touches on décor, wedding cake and table settings.
The night was filled with intoxicating food and drink and family singing of Queen and ACDC. The stories brought more laughs, some tears and continued as smooth as the rum was going down. I was grateful to be out at Roche Harbor again as it is one of my most favorite places to work.
The next morning, I ran into everyone eating breakfast and went to say my good byes as I was headed out on the island to explore, just like I do each time I come out. The Bride insisted that I come camping with them on Orcas Island at West Beach Resort and I said I would have an answer by boarding time on the Anacortes ferry. I was hesitant because I was working for them but deep down, I wanted to go.
On my hike around the Island, joined by the wedding officiant we were followed by a bald eagle, got lost in an apple orchard and found a gin distillery in the middle of “nowhere”. We shared our upbringing and what lead us to the Island. Several hours later we left together to the boat where I met up with the couple and their family to accept their invitation to camp for the night.
All my weddings are my favorites, all my clients are my favorites and I am always a bit sad when it’s over because I don’t always know when I will see them again. We share so much while in the planning process that they often become part of the family. But this time was different, they were pirates…from Las Vegas and they proclaimed their intention to adopt me into the family.
Still to this day, a year later, we meet regularly for dinner, movies, BBQ, 5k races, rum and lots of laugher.
~ Oh, a pirate’s life for me!