Royal blue chinoiserie, a 100-year-old steamship and the Seattle skyline at golden hour. Wini & Brandon's August 2023 Virginia V wedding felt like a summer weekend on Cape Cod, if Cape Cod had the Space Needle. With 50 guests, it was classic and elegant with a playful streak, and it was built around family from the first moment of the day to the last song.
As featured on Wedding Chicks.
Getting ready at the Washington Athletic Club
Wini & Brandon are members of the Washington Athletic Club, so the San Juan Suite was home base for the morning. The palette was royal blue, white and gold, and Wini wore it head to toe. A jeweled royal blue headband, vintage sapphire earrings (very Princess Kate) and a vintage diamond heart pendant.
Her A-line Jenny Yoo gown from BHLDN had a bow at each shoulder that floated like a veil. Her Kate Spade heels were blue-and-white chinoiserie, too. The invitations had a gold sketch of the Virginia V, gold wax seals and vintage stamps, and the wooden ring box was engraved with the steamship.
The real scene-stealers? Brandon's twin daughters, in matching chinoiserie sundresses and full Parent Trap mode all day long. They even got down on the floor to help tie Dad's shoes.
First look and portraits around South Lake Union
They shared their first look in the suite, with two little spies peeking over the back of the couch. Doing it at the club made the rest of the day so easy. They traveled together, no sneaking around, and we had a head start on portraits.
We started in the WAC library, all leather and old books. Then we headed to the docks at South Lake Union Park and made a quick stop at MOHAI for the lakefront architecture before walking down to the boat.
All aboard the Virginia V
When we got to the Virginia V, the twins were waiting with squeals and hugs. Cue my heart melting all over the dock.
Guests boarded to live music and craft cocktails on the stern while the boat pulled away from the dock. Wini & Brandon set out gold, royal blue and white disposable cameras for everyone. I made it my personal mission to fill one of them. I regret nothing. Inside, the tables were set with blue-and-white chinoiserie plates, ginger-jar centerpieces and "advice and wishes" cards, plus coloring kits for the kids.
Pro tip: the Virginia V is full of little frames. Portholes for the lake, and a deck fitting near the bow that lines up perfectly with the Space Needle. Ask me how I know.
A ceremony on the bow
They said their vows on the bow of the boat in the middle of Lake Union, with the Seattle skyline glowing behind them. The twins walked their dad down the pilothouse stairs as his "Best Girls." Wini's brother Nate, her Man of Honor, walked her down, then stepped up to the mic to officiate. Not a dry eye on deck.
Right after the ceremony, Wini, Brandon and their witnesses popped a bottle of Schramsberg, the sparkling wine that's been poured at the White House for decades. For two serious foodies it was the perfect first toast. Then we cruised. The University Bridge raised for us as we headed toward UW and Husky Stadium, the sun dropped low and we snuck up on deck for golden-hour portraits with the whole lake glowing pink.
A dance party back at the dock
Once the Virginia V docked back at South Lake Union, the bow turned into the dance floor. After their first dance, Wini & Brandon skipped the traditional parent dances and pulled the twins in for a family dance instead. Guests were cheering and crying at the same time.
After the cake cutting (a buttercream cake topped with "The Gillins"), the LED glow wands came out, the city lights came on and the party went until the very last song.
The glow-wand exit
To close out the night, guests lined the dock with glow wands and sent Wini & Brandon off through a tunnel of light, with the steamship lit up behind them.
Planning a Virginia V wedding
A boat wedding has a lot of moving parts: boarding times, a departure you can't push back and a captain who keeps the schedule. The team at It's All in the Details kept every one of them on track, and handled every request and hiccup so smoothly that Wini & Brandon got to just enjoy the cruise.
This wedding has a fun sequel, too. Karen & Greg found me because they saw Wini & Brandon's photos and wanted the same Virginia V magic. I introduced them to It's All in the Details, and we got to do it all again.
Testimonial:
"Becca's personality really helped on our wedding day. She takes command and is prepared for anything, putting you at ease no matter what. Family photos after our ceremony were quick and easy, allowing us to enjoy some of the cocktail hour with our friends. Becca's style is light and airy, making it perfect for our summer boat wedding."
— Wini & Brandon, Google review
My Virginia V wedding tips
Do your first look on land. The boat leaves on time, no matter what. A first look and portraits before boarding mean you never miss your own cocktail hour.
Build in one stop near the water. South Lake Union Park and MOHAI are a short walk from the dock, and they give you a totally different look from the boat.
Plan the ceremony for golden hour. The bow faces out over the lake, and the skyline glows behind you.
Give guests something to do while you cruise. Disposable cameras, live music and a signature cocktail on the stern kept everyone happy during boarding.
Keep the guest list around 50. That felt like the perfect amount for this space. Any more and it gets tight, and guests can't see the ceremony on the bow.
End on the dock. A glow-wand or sparkler exit with the steamship lit up behind you is the shot of the night.
Virginia V Wedding FAQ
Where does the Virginia V dock? At the Historic Ships Wharf in Lake Union Park, right next to MOHAI in South Lake Union.
Do you photograph Virginia V weddings often? Yes! I'm a Virginia V preferred vendor, and I've photographed several weddings on board. I know where the light is, where the portholes line up with the Space Needle and how to work around the boarding schedule.
How many guests work best for a Virginia V wedding? From my experience, about 50. Wini & Brandon had 50 and it was perfect. More than that starts to feel tight, and guests have a hard time seeing the ceremony on the bow.
How far ahead should we plan a boat-wedding timeline? I build a custom timeline with every couple at our planning consultation, and for a boat I plan backward from the departure time.
Dreaming of a wedding on the water?
See my collections and book a complimentary consultation. We'll build your timeline around the tide (okay, the departure time) together.
Related reading : Seattle boat wedding photographer · Mike & Melissa's Virginia V wedding · Karen & Greg's Virginia V wedding
Vendor Credits
- VenueVirginia V Steamship
- PlanningIt's All in the Details
- Getting ReadyWashington Athletic Club
- GownJenny Yoo
- Bridal ShopBHLDN
- Bridesmaid DressesIvy City Co
- Shoes & ClutchKate Spade
- JewelryCline Jewelers, VRAI & Jewels by Grace
- Hair & MakeupDivine Touch Bridal Artistry
- FloralsFlora D'Amore
- CateringA Lovely Night
- CakeHoffman's Fine Cakes & Pastries
- DJSide One Entertainment
- InvitationsOlympic Place Prints
- OfficiantNate Leung, Wini's brother
- PhotographyB. Jones Photography
