Engagement Rings

Find engagement rings you actually love
Browse Rings →

Find Your Venue

Explore venues for every wedding style
Browse Venues →

Wedding Favors

Custom chocolate bars for every event
Shop Now →

Win a Luxe Escape

St. Maarten trip + $1.3K in gifts!
Enter Now →

Ad Placeholder Title

Ad Placeholder Subtitle Featured here

Timeless Black and White Wedding at Alderbrook Resort and Spa

Share

Romantic wedding couple posing under green archway

Adrianne and Bryan had an elegant black and white wedding in an outdoor resort setting at Alderbrook Resort and Spa. Adrianne wanted the day to feel timeless and elegant with modern touches, which resulted in an emphasis on acrylics, simple decor, and a timeless color palette, which starts with stationery by The Fancy Cat Studio.

Sam and Sola Lee Studio were there to capture all the fun details, Emerald Media Wedding and Films to film, and Hallea Events planned every detail. You can see all the images in the full gallery.

Smiling bride in white dress holds flowers outdoorBride and groom kiss at their outdoor wedding venue

Q: What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?

A: It’s hard to pick one thing that was the most anticipated moment. I personally loved having the morning with my girls, our first look, and walking down the aisle with my dad. Those are moments you envision throughout the whole wedding planning process. What I did not expect was the most epic bridesmaid toast/songs from my best friends. They blew us away with their lyrics to our favorite songs and they sounded amazing. It’s something we have re-watched with friends and family over and over again already and we will cherish that memory forever!

Happy groom kisses bride shoulder in wedding bliss

Bride and flower girl in white dresses at wedding outdoor

Wedding Vibe

Q: Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette? Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?
A: I really wanted the entire wedding to reflect a classic yet modern vibe. No crazy colors jumping out at you, but simple elegance and neutral tones.

Bride and bridesmaids in black dresses with white bouquets

Smiling bride with bridesmaids in black dresses outdoorsGroom and groomsmen in tuxedos pose at outdoor wedding

Wedding party poses outdoors by lake and mountains

WEDDING FASHION

Q: Let’s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.

A: For Bryan, we knew right away that he wouldn’t wear a basic tux. He has worked a corporate job for almost 10 years and wears blue or grey suit to work every day. We wanted him to feel special and really elevate his look for the wedding. He’s not afraid of making a little fashion statement either. As soon as he tried on the white tux jacket, we knew it was the perfect choice for him. As for the bride, I wanted a dress that had elements of clean and classic cut with a little bit of flare so I chose a Theia gown from The Dress Theory (Seattle). The plain crepe skirt mixed with the embellished top was the perfect mix for me. For my hair and makeup, I actually had my hair pulled up in an updo for my trial. I liked it but didn’t feel like myself (I never wear my hair up). I had my Michelle Wight Hair and Makeup Artistry do a soft half-updo with loose curls for the wedding day and it couldn’t have been more perfect. For my bridesmaids, I knew I wanted them to be in sleek black gowns. It sounds a lot harsher than it turned out. But everyone looks good in black and the contract with the natural colors of the outdoors really balanced it out. The girls looked stunning and it photographed better than I could have imagined!

Outdoor wedding reception details on a white linen table

Wedding wine bottle signing station for anniversaries

Newlyweds share a kiss on their wedding day with flowing veil

Wedding Theme

Q: Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?

A: Planning the decor was really fun for me. Instagram and Pinterest were my main sources of inspiration. I found myself gravitating towards a lot of acrylics or anything with a modern handwritten script. The same handwritten script could be found everywhere – from the program to the menus to the head table name place cards and signage. We also had simple string lights, white candles or flowers in clear glass hurricanes, and neutral greige tablecloths. Because the ceremony and reception were both outdoors, I really tried to not overdo it. I definitely wanted the decor that I chose to bring the elegant flare, without taking away from the beauty of the trees, water, and mountains that surrounded us. The one thing I am so glad we splurged on was the clear acrylic chairs. I felt like they helped us transform the space and make an outdoor grass lawn feel like a fancy wedding! CORT Party Rental and Yay! Parties & Co. provided all of the rentals for this perfectly classic event.

Outdoor reception table with numbered wine bottles and floral decorationsRomantic wine gifts for five and ten year anniversary

Wedding anniversary wine bottle table setting decor

Elegant wedding seating chart with white roses and greenery

Garden wedding reception with round tables ghost chairs

Outdoor wedding The Duncans neon sign floral decor

Elegant outdoor wedding reception table setting with flowersTable number 12 wedding reception with white flowers

Elegant wedding place setting for bride with menu cardElegant wedding groom place setting with menu cutlery

The Duncans outdoor wedding first kiss at reception

Wedding Personalizations

Q: Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

A: Some personalized touches:-a custom white neon sign that said “The Duncans” positioned on a black grid metal frame, behind us during dinner-one of our favorite meals that we bonded over – chicken and waffles. We turned this into a mini version as one of our late-night snacks. Also, a candy bar because I am obsessed with candy over baked goods-Wine bottles with sharpies as our guest book because we can use them as decor in our home for years to come (even after we drink them).

Bride smiles back on dock after waterfront weddingBride and groom walk on dock holding hands wedding day

Bride and groom share a tender kiss on their wedding day

Elegant wedding cake decorated with flowers on a fancy golden stand

Event Planning & Design: Hallea Events
DJs: DJ Rocryte
Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Michelle Wight Makeup Artistry
Paper Goods & Calligraphy: The Fancy Cat Studio
Photographers: Sam and Sola Lee Studio
Rentals: CORT Party Rental
Rentals: Yay! Parties & Co.
Venues: Alderbrook Resort and Spa
Videographer: Emerald Media Wedding and Films
Wedding Dresses: The Dress Theory (Seattle)
Wedding Dresses: Theia

Continue to

Next Story

From a custom Alena Leena gown to a moonlit dance party overlooking the cliffs, every wedding detail felt deeply personal and effortlessly elegant.
Set against the lush gardens and open fields of Hidden Meadows, this late-summer wedding beautifully blended personal tradition with modern celebration.
A romantic barn wedding featuring soft creamy florals, fresh fruit tablescapes, a lush outdoor ceremony, and an elegant barn reception.