This wedding is featured in Seattle Bride Magazine newest issue on how to make a unique themed wedding classy. I want to tell you more about how this wedding and theme unfolded. I hope this story makes you smile...settle in and enjoy!
When Ryan and Natalie first came to me I instantly knew they had never so much as opened up a wedding magazine before. While this might be surprising to some brides who have dreamed about their wedding since they were a little girl, there was something fun and refreshing about a couple that didn't feel the need to have the "traditional wedding" spread.
At our first planning meeting I asked them what they envisioned for their wedding day and they said, “I don’t know, whatever you think will look good.” Not so much as a real color palette to go on, I sent them home with homework; questions that would get them thinking about how they met and their common interests, etc. I was so excited when they called to tell me they had figured out what it was that their common interests were. They both have always had a passion for Dinosaurs and Japanese Anime (they met in Anime club in college.)
I giggled to myself and said, “Sure let’s do it—it actually sounds like a lot of fun to plan.” Over the months of putting this wedding together Ryan and Natalie really started to take an interest in planning their wedding--down to the little details. Lots of fun ideas were circling the table at every meeting and we had so much fun brainstorming fun ways to make this wedding uniquely theirs.
We married the Japanese Anime to the Dinosaur theme by having the wedding hosted at the Japanese Pagoda at Point Defiance Park. The ceremony was up against a background of lush palm trees and foliage. The reception had so many unique qualities and it put a smile on every single guest’s face that was in attendance. This wedding truly had their personalities woven throughout every detail.
Twelve Baskets did an outstanding job with the catering! Natalie and Ryan couldn't decide on what type of food they liked, so we did an 'Around the World' themed buffet stations. Pan Asian, Home front Theme, Italian food, etc. It was delicious and so well decorated. Just another way we made this wedding unique!
From the start I don’t even think the bride and groom were all that excited by the formality of planning a wedding...but by the time the wedding came I haven’t seen two people more excited and joyful to walk down the aisle to start the rest of their lives together.
I hope this wedding inspires people to do what they want for their wedding day--it is YOUR day and there are NO RULES. While I enjoy planning traditional weddings I had a blast thinking outside the box and getting creative...as did every vendor involved on this wedding.
Thank you to Ryan and Natalie for letting me exercise my creativity, it was so much fun to plan with you guys! I also want to say a BIG thank you to Natalie's family for being so open to this idea and trusting me all the way from the east coast to create a unique, yet classy day for Natalie and Ryan...no matter how outside the box the ideas got! It was such a pleasure working and getting to know all of you!!
Lastly, I want to thank all of the vendors involved in helping make this day so beautiful and fun to be a part of.
Last but not least, a few photos from this memorable day!
Meet Natalie and Ryan
This wedding fell on the week that was super HOT last summer, so we made sure that the guests were well hydrated with bottled waters from Bottle Your Brand at the ceremony, followed by an Italian Soda Bar for cocktail hour.
If there was a wedding in the Jurassic Park movie--I would assume the bridesmaid's bouquets would have looked something like this...
Bringing the Asian vibe to the wedding with programs that doubled as fans for this scorching hot day. Thanks to Paper Fling for this creation!
Kent with 'A Heavenly Ceremony' presided over Ryan and Natalie's wedding ceremony at Point Defiance Park. It was beautiful and full of emotion--and one of the few weddings of last year where the bride and groom waited to see each other until the walk down the aisle! 
Ring bearer "pillow"
A big Thank You to Ruth from Paper Fling (again) as the bride and groom sent approximately 10 names of 10 different dinosaurs--we had to go on the hunt to find the photos that matched the names! (Clearly we were not as well versed in dinosaur species as they were.)
The guest's place card was a Chinese box that they picked up (empty)--after they found theor place setting they got to mozy on down to the Dino "candy bar" complete with dinosaur eggs, etc. It was a creative way to save money as well--combining the place card with the favor! 
Here at Lindeman Weddings and Events, we offer a "candy bar" service. We rent the vases, scoops and get all of the candy prepared for your spread...we even found Dinosaur Suckers for this wedding! 
The use of Monstera Leaves to replace chargers was also a creative yet cost effective way to bring the jungle/Jurassic Park feeling to the table! Don't forget the bamboo flatware and chairs from AA Party Rentals!
A truly epic cupcake scape created by Coco's Cakes. The center being a volcano (that the bride and groom cut into, surrounded by cupcakes for the guests to eat or take home. In the next couple photos you will see that Kristin from Coco's Cakes (my fabulous and wildly creative sister) created a dinosaur chasing after the bride and groom as they are trying to get away in their jeep. (All figures made out of fondant, then painted!) Coco's Cake's info is available upon request.
Ryan and Natalie cutting the cake--(me in the background looking so proud and happy to finally see them get married and see this whole wedding come to life.)
Walking into the grand entrance to the Jurassic Park Theme Song--LOVE it! And a big thank you to Ollie with GenXPro for finding that tune for us!
Lastly, a HUGE thank you to Alex Studio for all of the fun photos!
