Cassie + Garrett

August 8, 2020, Cassie and Garrett officially became Mr. and Mrs. Green! So glad to have you as a part of the Believe Bride Family! Here’s to many years of love, joy, and happiness. Cheers!

The Proposal: He took me to dinner and surprised me on HIS birthday! haha

The Big Day: Our wedding was perfect for us! Too many details to put lightly. Our venue was outdoors- barn vibes and perfect weather! Made for great photos! We partied till it got dark out. It was such a fun night. We had make your own pizza- which for an outdoor country chic wedding was perfect! So many twinkle lights too! I had Sola wood flowers so I got to keep my bouquet- along with the bridal party and family. It was rustic and beautiful! Our colors were kinda unique- dusty rose, pale yellow, creme and grey! We also did a Bubble send off at dusk and it was so pretty! It was exactly what I wanted! We also had a coffee cart for free drinks for guests!

What was your favorite part of your wedding?:Getting to feel beautiful/confident and marry my best friend.

Special Memories: I had my dads tie modified with a little saying on the inside! I also balled when I did the first look with my dad. And getting to do the first look with my husband was special!

What advice would you give to future brides?: Plan early! I had all my planning done 6 months early!

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Vendor Credit:

Venue: The Barn on Wild Rose Prairie
Photographer: Stolen Images
Coffee Cart: Golden Gem Mercantile

10 Most Common Wedding Dress Alterations

If you’ve ever tried on wedding dresses, you’ve almost certainly been told “they can fix that in alterations”.

What you might not know, is that almost every bride needs some sort of alterations to her wedding dress. These changes can range from minor tweaks to full reconstruction or design changes! So we chatted with our incredible in house alterations team to talk about the most common alterations that our brides have done to their dress so that you have a better idea of what to expect!

1. Adjusting the hem - wedding dresses are generally made in a standard length to accommodate a bride who is 5’10”. So, unless you’re the exact height of the sample size, or the designer offers an option to order the dress with a different hem length, chances are you’ll need a hem adjustment.

2. Adjusting straps - Straps will almost always be too long, because having them too long is substantially easier to remedy than having them too short. Depending on the type of strap, this could be a simple alteration!

3. Adding in bra cups - Whether you’re looking to add a little lift, or smooth out the shaping of the dress, bra cups can make a huge difference in the comfort and fit of your dress.

4. Bustle - This is the term we use to describe the process of getting your train up off the floor by way of attaching it to the back of your dress. Your bustle can come in any number of styles, and is made to be invisible until you need to use it.

5. Adding a sleeve - If your dress is strapless or comes with thinner straps, and you’re wanting something with a bit more detail or coverage on the arms, adding a sleeve is a great option! This type of alteration falls into the custom work category since the seamstress is substantially altering the design of the dress

6. Altering the neckline - Sometimes, you find the perfect dress, but you wish it didn’t have quite as deep of a plunge, or vise versa! This is where altering the neckline can be a relatively small change that makes a really big impact on the overall look of your dress.

7. Taking in/Letting out the sides - The secret to a perfectly fitted dress, is a talented seamstress. When your dress is ordered, it is ordered to fit you as best as the designer’s pattern can. From there, your seamstress can take in or let out sections of the dress to allow it to perfectly sit on your frame.

8. Lowering/raising the back - With low backed wedding dresses very on trend, sometimes you want to add a little something to your dress to give it even more drama. This could be an option!

9. Adding layers - If you dream of a giant ball gown, with enough fluff to stand completely on its own, that’s something your alterations team can definitely help with! This also applies if you’re dying to add a layer of sparkle tulle, or maybe even a colored liner to your dream dress.

10. Custom Accessories - Last but not least, a lot of times, a bride wants her veil or headpiece to match her dress exactly! Your alterations team can often find matching or complimentary lace, tulle, or other textiles to make your accessories look like they came from the same designer as the dress itself! Talk about the icing on the cake!

Renesha + Lee

October 17, 2020, Renesha and Lee started the amazing new chapter in their love story at Priest Lake! So glad to have you as a part of the Believe Bride Family! Here’s to many years of love, joy, and happiness. Cheers!

The Big Day: We got married at Hills resort at priest lake. It was the most BEAUTIFUL location. Intimate because it's off season and perfect weather! The lake was calm and beautiful and we even got a shot of a plane flying over! The overcast was perfect to make my dress stand out

What was your favorite part of your wedding?: Seeing my husband's face when he first saw me.

Special Memories: My favorite moment was when my sister made a speech about my dad who died a few years ago. They even had a seat reserved for him with white roses

What advice would you give to future brides?: Have fun! Don't take things too seriously. You will not please everyone and it's YOUR day!

Vendor Credit: Hills resort was the best venue
Rose and blossom did my flowers and they were perfect

Becky + Jason

July 4, 2020, Becky and Jason celebrated the first day of their happily ever after at Beacon Hill! So glad to have you as a part of the Believe Bride Family! Here’s to many years of love, joy, and happiness. Cheers!

The Big Day: Our wedding was everything I imagined it would be. At first I was a little disappointed that it would be smaller, but it ended up being low-stress, full of special touches, and a beautiful celebration of the long journey that led my husband and I to that day. Having it on the 4th of July turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate my husband's military service, one of his favorite holidays, and enjoy Spokane fireworks!

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to incorporate as many small touches as I could. My grandmother was a big supporter of our relationship and unfortunately she died in April 2019, prior to our engagement. To include her in our wedding, I wore her pearls and I took several photos in her veil. We also included both of my grandmothers' favorite flowers (gladiolus and lillies) in my bouquet and our ceremony florals (thanks Tia at In Bloom Flower Farm for making that happen!). Our ring bearer was someone very special to me. I am a special education teacher, and he is one of my former students. We have an incredible story, and he and his family hold a special place in my heart. When the pandemic meant he could not attend in person, we were able to include him as a ring bearer from afar thanks to technology and the help of some wonderful friends. It was so special, and I will treasure that forever.

Our wedding party was smaller than planned due to travel restrictions. Many of our friends are in the military, stationed across the U.S. While four of our dear friends were unable to stand with us in person, we wanted to include them as groomsmen and bridesmaids in absentia. We missed them, but their love and support was felt that day!

What was your favorite part of your wedding?: I have several favorite parts of the wedding. My overall favorite part of the wedding was all of the love we felt, from those able to attend in person and from those celebrating from afar. It was so special to have people from different aspects of our lives come together to celebrate our love story and offer their love and support for our future together. That love was tangible in the air the entire day. Another favorite moment was walking down the aisle with my dad. He and I have always been very close, and we love to joke and laugh. Our walk together was no different. Most of the photos show us cracking jokes and laughing--classic us. Jason and I also decided to forego a first look; our first look was when I met him at the end of the aisle. I will never forget the look on his face. It was everything I hoped I'd see on my groom's face: love, joy, excitement, and the man I love so much.

Special Memories: I surprised my dad for the father-daughter dance, and got him really good! I knew I didn't want to use a traditional song, so I went with an upbeat country song (Sneaky Snake by Tom T. Hall) that we used to dance to in the living room when I was little. I'd been keeping that a surprise since November. We loved getting to dance to a song that meant so much to us!

While COVID changed a number of our wedding plans, it also created some special memories that I'll treasure forever. My grandfather was planning to attend but as a family we decided that him traveling on a plane was not best. Thanks to the staff at his assisted living facility, he and I were able to FaceTime before the ceremony. He of course noticed right away all the special touches I'd included to honor my grandma. While it wasn't quite as good as having him physically there, I'll always be grateful to be able to have that memory with him.

We were able to honor a dear friend of ours with a couple of special touches at our wedding: he was our groomsman in memoriam and we gave a special toast. Wish you could have been there buddy!

What advice would you give to future brides?: My mantra the day of the wedding was "No stress." Remembering that our day was a celebration of a new journey together kept me present in the moment, and not stressing about everything being perfect. Bring a journal everywhere as you're wedding planning and having your ceremony. You'll want to write down all of those memories and fun moments from picking out your dress, bridal shower, getting ready, and your special day itself. You won't regret it!

Vendor Credit:

Venue: Beacon Hill Events http://www.instagram.com/beaconhillevents
Photographer: Danell Harrison http://www.instagram.com/labellebella.photography
DJ: Tim and Tina Coles
Video: Kelly Pendergest and Pam Lunger
Cakes: Krystal Hagerty
Florist: In Bloom Flower Farm http://www.instagram.com/inbloomspokane
Makeup: Kiss and Makeup http://www.instagram.com/kissandmakeup114
Hair: Kristen Swanson http://www.instagram.com/kristen_thehairsultan

Nancy + Peter

Nancy and Peter said “Yes” to forever on August 22, 2020. Congratulations you two! And thank you so much for sharing your special day with us!

I had ask my groom to practice our first dance prior to our special day. We never quite got around to it. When our song began to play I entered the dance floor slightly nervous only to be literally swept off my feet by my groom who is truly an excellent dancer

Tell us about the proposal! We LOVE to hear these stories. : In the light rain, overlooking beautiful water and scenery, he got down on one knee behind me without me noticing and gave me the most beautiful speech about how much he loved me I almost forgot to say yes!

Description of Your Wedding: Rustic Romantic themed very intimate and wonderful. Ceremony was led by my officiants my twin brothers. We laughed and we cried. Then we ate amazing homemade street tacos with all our family and friends. The photo booth was a hit would recommend. One of my dearest memories was all the couples dancing on the dance floor with so much love in the air. We exited our perfect party with a bubble tunnel full of well wishes and laughing, smiling faces.

What was your favorite part of your wedding?: Sitting down at our table watching everyone eat and laugh and look so happy

What advice would you give to future brides?: Please don't sweat that small stuff. At the end of the day you are married and that is all that truly matters.

Vendor Credit: 

Complete Weddings cause well they're the complete package. DJ, Photo booth and photographers.

Sarah + Brandon

August 16, 2020, Sarah and Brandon officially tied the knot in Clayton, WA! So glad to have you as a part of the Believe Bride Family! Here’s to many years of love, joy, and happiness. Cheers!

The Proposal. Brandon proposed in July 2018 in my favorite place ever, miami! On the beach after a yummy sushi dinner. It was amazing!!

The Big Day: Our wedding was amazing! It was the best day of my life, hands down! We splurged on a great photographer and amazing videographer. Ate macaroons and street tacos, drank coronas and champagne. It was a day my husband and I will never forget.

What was your favorite part of your wedding?: My favorite moment of my wedding was taking 10 minutes with my new husband right after our ceremony and marriage license signing! We sat alone without our phones and smacked & drank beers. It was so nice to just have some time with him right after everything to get to digest the awesome moments we just experienced.

Special Memories: Dancing with my dad was such an amazing moment. My parents are my favorite people, besides my husband, so it was amazing to get to share those sweet moments with them!

What advice would you give to future brides?: Pick bridesmaids who have had the type of wedding you’re having!! It makes a huge difference having people there by your side who have been though it before!

Vendor Credit:

Photographer: Tiffani Given @tiffanigivenphotography
Videographer: Miranda Brittan @mirandalynvideo
Venue: Denison Ridge @denison_ridge
Florals: Rose and blossom @roseandblossomspokane
Dress: believe bride :)
Alterations: Nina Cherie @byninacherie
Hair: Tyra Blazek @hairbytyrablazek @kleurstylehouse
Makeup: Alyssa Walsh @alyssafayemua
Rentals: event rents @eventrentswa
Catering: Borracho @borrachospokane
Macaroons: Lo and Lex Macs @loandlexmacs
Cake: sweet frostings @sweetfrostings
DJ: complete weddings and events

Halie + Colben

Halie and Colben said “Yes” to forever on September 19, 2020. Congratulations you two! And thank you so much for sharing your special day with us!

One of my favorite parts of our special day was when it started down pouring rain, everyone was running for cover but my in-laws walked out to the dance floor and started dancing, then my husband and I shared our first dance to the end of Copperhead Road, not the song we were supposed to dance to first but the moment was too perfect.

Tell us about the proposal! We LOVE to hear these stories. : We are avid hunters and we went to set up hunting camp on October 7th of 2018 where we set up the 'hut' and then went out to go scouting for opening weekend. This was the one time where I was pushing to go hike and really get serious about it, Colben was not about it and was almost insulted I wanted to do so. He kept pushing and pushing to get higher up on the mountain. Once we got up there everyone was parked around and I was trying to explain where I think we needed to set up and no one, and I mean NO one was listening to me. I was absolutely clueless and didn’t understand why no one had their head in the game. I turned to look at Colbens family and his dad had his camera up and I giggled because he sometimes takes cute candids of all of us when we are out and about and when I turned around Colben was down on one knee asking for my hand. It was absolutely perfect, all of our family around, beautiful scenery and what we now call proposal corner. It will forever be our landmark in our sacred hunting camp.

Tell Us About Your Wedding: Our wedding day was nothing short of perfect to Colben and I, we had some trials we had to overcome getting to that day. Our original venue cancelled on us due to COVID and we searched endlessly for a new venue that checked off all of our boxes. We were very adamant on being able to have our bridal party stay at the venue, we wanted to be able to have campers there and a relaxed environment that was surrounded by mountains and timber. We struggled finding somewhere until our amazing photographer asked if we had looked into the SouthFork River Ranch in Stites Idaho. It was perfect….We had a whole palette of colors, dusty blue, dusty rose, soft pinks and peaches, yellows, tans and greens to go with our BoHo/Chabby Chic/Country themed wedding. All of our decorations came from the Hanger Mall in Clarkston WA. And let me tell you, no one could picture it when I would explain to them how I wanted it or why my bouquet had enough flowers to fill a flower shop, my homemade hair piece, and the homemade flower arrangements, but when it was done, everyone had that ah-ha moment. It was everything I had pictured, down to the last detail. It was perfect. We made it through the ceremony, pictures, sat down to eat and then it started raining, and I mean cats and dogs raining. But it was amazing. We danced in the rain as everyone ducked for cover. The environment was perfect and it all fell together how it was supposed to. Many people could not make it due to COVID and older relatives decided not to come due to the thick thick smoke that covered the whole west side of the US and smothered our hometown and venue, but the show must go on. After it poured rain the smoke cleared and we seen the golden sun for the first time in weeks. Heather, my mother in law, had told me that if I feel a flutter or just that feeling, it was my dad. I tell you what, I knew in that moment, not only my dad but all of those we have lost and couldn't be there in person were looking down on Colben and I in that moment. I felt it and I'm pretty sure everyone else did too. Amanda, one of my bridesmaids even asked me if I've ever heard holes in the floor of heaven before. Our day was absolutely perfect.

*edited for length and clarity

Special Memories: I am a huge gift giver and I am not close to a lot of my family members so for the wedding day I had gotten special gifts for my Mother-in-law / best friend and my Father-in-law. And when I say gift giver, I mean the kind of gifts that make your eyes well up, and they did just that. I really don't think there is a time leading up to the wedding or on the wedding day that wasn't special to me. My mother in law helped me make all of the flower arrangements with the bridesmaids and close friends and family, the decorating of the arch to dress shopping. Means our dad passed away when we were young I wanted to have a tribute song to him with my sister, she just didn't know it, so we called her up on stage and she dance with me to Even though I'm Leaving by Luke Combs, we cried, everyone cried but it was amazing. I shared the father daughter dance with my father in law who also walked me down the aisle. My sister did all of the artwork for our invitations, save the dates and thank-yous. All of our wedding was perfectly us.

What advice would you give to future brides?: Weddings are stressful, there were many nights I felt like pulling my hair out because I was worried we weren’t going to find a venue, things weren't going to pan out, we weren’t going to have enough time but you just have to take a step back and breathe. You are getting married no matter what, trashbag dress or not, at the end of the day you are walking out a married woman to the love of your life. The details don't matter. No one is going to know if you paid hundreds of dollars on the keepsakes, signs, or decorations. Its your day, there are going to be stressful moments but make sure you have more fun moments than stressful ones. Lean on others around you they are all there to help.

Vendor Credit: Venue - SouthFork River Ranch Stites Idaho http://southforkriverranch.com/
Dress - Believe Bride https://believebride.com/
Caterer - The Love Shack Kitchen https://loveshackkitchen.com/
Beer - Groundwork Brewing https://groundworkbrewing.square.site/
Photographer - Courtney Kammers Photography https://www.courtneykammers.com/
Art work - Harley Decius
DJ - Our close friend Robert
Videographer - Pure Production https://pureproductionsmedia.com

Sarah + Matt

Sarah and Matt said “I do” on August 1, 2020. Their intimate ceremony is what dreams are made of! We believe that love should be the forefront of you big day, and the new Mr. and Mrs. Moffatt definitely embraced that! Wishing you both a lifetime of joy.

Tell us about the proposal! We LOVE to hear these stories. : We got engaged on Redtop Mountain in Cle Elum, Washington November 2nd, 2019! It was a beautiful Fall day. The skies were blue and clear and Mount Stuart (that is in the view at the look out) was gorgeous and so clear.

The Big Day: My husband and I originally planned to get married in October of 2020. However, with the virus, our plans were altered. We ended up getting married in a small, family ceremony on August 1st, 2020 at my family property in Cle Elum, WA. We had about 16 people at the ceremony due to mandated requirements. The ceremony was gorgeous all thanks to my Maid of Honor and her sister for setting up the flowers and my Father in Law for building and creating a gorgeous cross that we used as our arbor at the ceremony. It was a beautiful and we plan on doing another wedding but this time, large in May 2021!

What was your favorite part of your wedding?: The dress of course! And having the small ceremony like we did with our families. It was very special and intimate.

Special Memories: My husband reading the sweetest vows to me!

What advice would you give to future brides?: I would remember that your day isn’t about what your dream might be, it is always about you and your spouse. It doesn’t matter if you got married in a shed or at the most beautiful venue. If you get to marry your best friend, that is what is most important. Even in the midst of a pandemic, if you want to get married and have the best day ever, you can!!!

Vendors:

Kailey Wallin - Photography

Sandra + Owen

Sandra and Owen became Mr. and Mrs Rust on August 8, 2020. They hosted their beautiful ceremony on their family’s property in Sandpoint, ID. Congratulation you lovebirds! We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

My wedding was an antique, garden theme. Lots of lanterns, beautiful flowers arrangements that my mother made, beautiful vines, the decor was brilliant thanks to my sisters! We had pasta and lots of beer ;)

What was your favorite part of your wedding?: That’s really hard to pick but probably dancing the night away with my husband!

Special Memories: My grandfather gave me away due to my father passing away in 2015. My Gramp cried and cried, hugged and kissed me, it was so sweet. He was very honored and thrilled I asked him. He was devastated by the loss of his son, my dad.. so he was speechless on Christmas Day when I asked him to give me away.

What advice would you give to future brides?: Give yourself at least 1 year and be realistic about a budget!!

Vendor Credit: 

A&P’s Bar and Grill

Ruby Frog Entertainment

Tina Inez Photography

Shawna + Tully

August 22, 2020, Shawna and Tully officially tied the knot at Sacheen Lake, in Newport WA! So glad to have you as a part of the Believe Bride Family! Here’s to many years of love, joy, and happiness. Cheers!

The Proposal. : It was 8:00 am and Tully wanted to go for a walk in 40 degree weather. I did NOT want to go but he kept pushing me so I finally gave in. We took one last walk down by the Spokane river, it was freezing. He said he had something for me and pulled away from me to get down on one knee, which I was not expecting it! He had been in the Air Force for 9 months, and we were finally going to be together again. It was a special moment for us both and I’m so happy he did it in his own way!

The Big Day: One of the most creative things I’ve ever done was our center pieces! His last name is Kerr, and there are Kerr mason jars. I spray painted then rose gold and put some flowers in them and everyone loved it! The venue was his aunts house, a beautiful location and we were so blessed that she let us have our special day there. It was a elegant/rustic theme with purple, grey and rose gold as our special colors. With the theme we chose, not knowing our wedding was going to be at the lake, it tied in nicely with the lake! It was small and intimate and personal to my husband and it meant so much to us to have it at a location that he took a pet in growing up in.

What was your favorite part of your wedding?: Putting on my wedding dress for the first time in months, seeing myself with my hair and makeup done. And the excitement I felt when Tully was going to see me for the first time as his soon to be wife.

Special Memories: My dad seeing me for the first time. Tully’s mom putting on her mother’s pearls on me. Tull watching me coming down the isle. My niece seeing me for the first time. My bridesmaids singing a “love is an open door” adjusted song to me and Tully. Daddy daughter dance. (I never knew how important this dance was until we did it). Our pastor announcing us a husband and wife.

What advice would you give to future brides?: Don’t stress. It’s not worth it! Make sure every person on site has at least one job to handle while you relax and get ready. I didn’t have to worry at all on my special day because everyone knew what I wanted and they knew how to handle certain situations. Take care of yourself on your day!

Vendors:

Photographer: Rebekah Read Creative