Black Raven Brewing - Woodinville

Rehearsal Dinner

Chateau Lill featuring Lill Family Wines

Ceremony - Reception to follow

W Bellevue

After Party! 

Tavern Hall

Sunday Brunch

Fall

Our Wedding

I&nbsp;matched&nbsp;with&nbsp;Joel&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;dating&nbsp;app,&nbsp;Hinge,&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;summer&nbsp;of&nbsp;2020.&nbsp;Due&nbsp;to&nbsp;everything&nbsp;being&nbsp;shut&nbsp;down&nbsp;because&nbsp;of&nbsp;COVID,&nbsp;I&nbsp;took&nbsp;a&nbsp;leap&nbsp;of&nbsp;faith&nbsp;and&nbsp;met&nbsp;him&nbsp;at&nbsp;his&nbsp;house&nbsp;for&nbsp;a&nbsp;beer&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;patio.&nbsp;(Yes,&nbsp;I&nbsp;know&nbsp;I'm&nbsp;not&nbsp;supposed&nbsp;to&nbsp;do&nbsp;that,&nbsp;but&nbsp;it&nbsp;all&nbsp;worked&nbsp;out.)&nbsp;We&nbsp;hit&nbsp;it&nbsp;off&nbsp;immediately.&nbsp;We&nbsp;spent&nbsp;the&nbsp;next&nbsp;7&nbsp;days&nbsp;hanging&nbsp;out&nbsp;after&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;off&nbsp;work.&nbsp;At&nbsp;the&nbsp;end&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;week,&nbsp;I&nbsp;informed&nbsp;him&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;now&nbsp;my&nbsp;boyfriend,&nbsp;and&nbsp;although&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;slightly&nbsp;taken&nbsp;aback,&nbsp;he&nbsp;luckily&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;fight&nbsp;me&nbsp;on&nbsp;his&nbsp;new&nbsp;title. I&nbsp;moved&nbsp;in&nbsp;with&nbsp;Joel&nbsp;in&nbsp;January&nbsp;of&nbsp;2021&nbsp;and&nbsp;helped&nbsp;him&nbsp;convert&nbsp;our&nbsp;tiny&nbsp;basement&nbsp;into&nbsp;a&nbsp;much&nbsp;more&nbsp;livable&nbsp;space&nbsp;for&nbsp;us.&nbsp;Our&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;challenge&nbsp;was&nbsp;Shadow&nbsp;hogging&nbsp;the&nbsp;entire&nbsp;bed&nbsp;at&nbsp;night&nbsp;-&nbsp;we&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;gave&nbsp;in&nbsp;an&nbsp;purchased&nbsp;a&nbsp;larger&nbsp;bed.&nbsp;I&nbsp;also&nbsp;had&nbsp;to&nbsp;insist&nbsp;that&nbsp;Joel&nbsp;stop&nbsp;living&nbsp;out&nbsp;of&nbsp;bins&nbsp;full&nbsp;of&nbsp;clothing&nbsp;and&nbsp;invest&nbsp;in&nbsp;an&nbsp;item&nbsp;called&nbsp;a&nbsp;dresser. Over&nbsp;the&nbsp;last&nbsp;three&nbsp;years,&nbsp;we&nbsp;have&nbsp;spent&nbsp;many&nbsp;summers&nbsp;in&nbsp;Spokane&nbsp;visiting&nbsp;and&nbsp;staying&nbsp;with&nbsp;his&nbsp;family.&nbsp;They&nbsp;all&nbsp;welcomed&nbsp;me&nbsp;with&nbsp;open&nbsp;arms.&nbsp;As&nbsp;an&nbsp;only&nbsp;child,&nbsp;I&nbsp;am&nbsp;also&nbsp;grateful&nbsp;to&nbsp;inherit&nbsp;two&nbsp;lovely&nbsp;nieces&nbsp;-&nbsp;Leora&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ari.&nbsp;Joel&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;regularly&nbsp;attended&nbsp;Mariner's&nbsp;games&nbsp;with&nbsp;my&nbsp;parents&nbsp;as&nbsp;we&nbsp;share&nbsp;a&nbsp;love&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;team.&nbsp;Dating&nbsp;Joel&nbsp;has&nbsp;also&nbsp;brought&nbsp;me&nbsp;lifelong&nbsp;friendships&nbsp;with&nbsp;some&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;greatest&nbsp;people&nbsp;in&nbsp;our&nbsp;lives.&nbsp;A&nbsp;lot&nbsp;of&nbsp;them&nbsp;will&nbsp;now&nbsp;be&nbsp;standing&nbsp;by&nbsp;our&nbsp;sides&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;big&nbsp;day. Joel&nbsp;proposed&nbsp;on&nbsp;Mariner's&nbsp;Opening&nbsp;Day&nbsp;2023&nbsp;-&nbsp;March&nbsp;31st.&nbsp;I&nbsp;was&nbsp;completely&nbsp;surprised,&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;ring&nbsp;was&nbsp;the&nbsp;one&nbsp;I&nbsp;had&nbsp;found&nbsp;with&nbsp;our&nbsp;friend&nbsp;Kelli&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;weeks&nbsp;prior.&nbsp;I&nbsp;found&nbsp;out&nbsp;later&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;went&nbsp;back&nbsp;the&nbsp;day&nbsp;after&nbsp;I&nbsp;saw&nbsp;it&nbsp;and&nbsp;purchased&nbsp;it&nbsp;for&nbsp;me.&nbsp;We&nbsp;went&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;family&nbsp;walk&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;trail&nbsp;behind&nbsp;the&nbsp;house&nbsp;with&nbsp;Shadow,&nbsp;and&nbsp;right&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;creek,&nbsp;he&nbsp;got&nbsp;down&nbsp;on&nbsp;one&nbsp;knee.&nbsp;Shadow&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;were&nbsp;ecstatic&nbsp;to&nbsp;say&nbsp;the&nbsp;least!&nbsp;(He&nbsp;likes&nbsp;to&nbsp;point&nbsp;out&nbsp;that&nbsp;I&nbsp;cried&nbsp;immediately.)&nbsp;We&nbsp;finished&nbsp;our&nbsp;walk&nbsp;as&nbsp;I&nbsp;called&nbsp;my&nbsp;parents,&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;practically&nbsp;skipped&nbsp;all&nbsp;the&nbsp;way&nbsp;home. We&nbsp;proceeded&nbsp;to&nbsp;go&nbsp;to&nbsp;Opening&nbsp;Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;tradition&nbsp;we&nbsp;plan&nbsp;to&nbsp;keep&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;rest&nbsp;of&nbsp;our&nbsp;lives.&nbsp;We&nbsp;even&nbsp;got&nbsp;a&nbsp;baseball&nbsp;before&nbsp;the&nbsp;game&nbsp;(sorry&nbsp;that&nbsp;it&nbsp;hit&nbsp;you,&nbsp;Mike!)&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;Mariner's&nbsp;win!&nbsp;It&nbsp;was&nbsp;the&nbsp;most&nbsp;perfect&nbsp;day&nbsp;to&nbsp;say&nbsp;the&nbsp;least! I&nbsp;love&nbsp;you&nbsp;Joel,&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;knew&nbsp;early&nbsp;on&nbsp;that&nbsp;you&nbsp;were&nbsp;the&nbsp;one&nbsp;I&nbsp;was&nbsp;going&nbsp;to&nbsp;spend&nbsp;the&nbsp;rest&nbsp;of&nbsp;my&nbsp;life&nbsp;with.&nbsp;I&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;wait&nbsp;to&nbsp;marry&nbsp;you&nbsp;and&nbsp;start&nbsp;our&nbsp;next&nbsp;chapter&nbsp;of&nbsp;this&nbsp;crazy&nbsp;life&nbsp;as&nbsp;husband&nbsp;and&nbsp;wife!

Jen's Version

I remember the first day I met Jen, it was right before Covid. We had gotten to know each other over a dating app and finally wanted to meet and get to know each other. She came over on a sunny afternoon where we sat on the porch and sipped beers while chatting and learning more about one another. I remember how refreshing it was to just be able to sit and get to know someone. She told me about her life in Arizona, and about her dog. She told me about her parents, and about her crafting abilities. I remember thinking how comfortable I felt talking to her, and how easy it was. I remember when she was leaving that I didn't really want the afternoon to end. Fortunately for me I would spend the next seven straight days with her; it was one of the better weeks I've ever had in my life. I wouldn't change a thing about it. I had always told her when the time came that I would only be able to afford a ring pop. I think over the years she started to believe me. I proposed on opening day of the Mariners season, we took our dog for a walk and I chose a nice spot near a stream. I was much more nervous than I thought I would be, so I decided if I didn't just get on one knee right then, that I would probably chicken out. I told her that unfortunately I didn't have a ring pop but I did have something else. I opened up the box of the ring she loved that she didn't think she'd ever see again because she found it at a once a year gem show. She immediately started to cry, clearly disappointed that it wasn't a ring pop. But I think it all worked out in the end. Over the years we have grown up so much together, she has helped me take so many positive steps in my life and in our life together. For example, I do laundry now. Pretty cool. I never want to go back to my life before her, she is my favorite part of every day and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with her. And my laundry piles smelled pretty terrible. I cannot wait to marry you, Jen. I love you.

Joel's Version

Our Story

Photos

Kevin Bell

Kelli Compton

Bryce Compton

Jade Hersch

Geoff Hersch

Blair Howisey

Josh Wallgren

Katy Wallgren

Jordan Patterson

Danielle Cunneen

Leora Maeander

Jamie Patterson

Ariana Heady

Wedding Party

Dinner Menu

Passed Hors D'oeuvres

Open Faced Philly Cheese Steak BitesMamma’s Lil Peppers. Caramelized Onions, White 	Cheddar Chili Crusted Ahi TunaSambal Ginger Cream &amp; Wasabi Caviar (GF) Crispy Honey PrawnsToasted Pistachio &amp; Sesame Crust (GF) Goat Cheese Mousse TartletsHeirloom Tomato Bruschetta, Basil &amp; Pine Nuts

Salad

Washington SaladOrganic Field Greens, Gala ApplesShaved Beechers White Cheddar, Spiced PecansBing Cherry Vinaigrette

Plated Dinner Options (Choose 1)

Grilled Filet MignonWild Mushroom &amp; Syrah Demi GlazewithRoasted Garlic &amp; Sour Cream Whipped Gold PotatoesMixed Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic &amp; Truffle Essence

Brown Sugar &amp; Smoked Paprika Wild Pacific SalmonMeyer Lemon Beurre BlancwithRoasted Garlic &amp; Sour Cream Whipped Gold PotatoesMixed Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic &amp; Truffle Essence

Bowtie Pasta (V)Wild Mushroom RaguShaved Pecorino &amp; Fresh Herbs

HOTELS

Luxury hotel in downtown Bellevue, ~25 minutes away from venue. (Marriot Bonvoy Hotel) Bride and Groom will be staying here the night before and the night of the wedding!

The W - Bellevue

Reasonably priced hotel near nightlife, ~30 minutes from venue. Located near downtown Bellevue and short drive to shopping and restaurants.

Red Lion Hotel Bellevue

Hotel closest to venue and parents of the bride residence, ~10 minutes from venue

Courtyard by Marriott Seattle Kirkland

Hotel near nightlife, ~25 minutes from venue. Located in heart of downtown Bellevue and within walking distance of shopping and restaurants.

Hyatt Regency Bellevue On Seattle's Eastside

RESTAURANTS & BARS - BELLEVUE

Perfect for some PNW seafood! ($$)

Duke’s Seafood

Owned by Richard Sherman and Cam Chancellor from the Seattle Seahawks Legion of Boom, this bar offers specialty cocktail drinks as well as a variety of southern comfort food. You may even catch a glimpse of Seattle Pro athlete! ($$)

Legion Sports Bar

Brazilian Steakhouse ($$$) located in downtown Bellevue

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

RESTAURANTS & BARS -  REDMOND

Bride's family's favorite local breakfast diner. ($$)

Village Square Cafe

Offers brunch as well as dinners. ($$)

Pomegranate Bistro

BELLEVUE - SEATTLE ACTIVITES

Located just outside of downtown Bellevue. Grab a cup of coffee from Copper Kettle Coffee Bar on site, and wander the grounds.

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Argosy Harbor Cruise shows off our stunning city from the water. During this hour-long, narrated cruise you'll learn the history of the area. Pick up and drop off is at Pier 55 on the Seattle Waterfront. Drinks are available on board for purchase.

Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront

Located next to the Seattle Space Needle, enjoy the amazing large glass art pieces.

Jennifer & Joel

Jennifer & Joel

J&J

Ceremony - Reception to follow

After Party!

Sunday Brunch