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Backyard Wedding on Guemes Island – A Simple, Nautical, Joy-Filled Day

Every once in a while, there’s a wedding that feels like one big, happy hug. This backyard wedding on Guemes Island was exactly that. Simple, elegant, deeply personal, and so much fun, this backyard wedding on Guemes Island quickly became one of the most memorable and joy-filled weddings of the year for me.

The venue was the bride’s family home, which already made the day feel intimate and meaningful. But it wasn’t just any backyard—her mom had spent months pouring her heart into the gardens, building up the flowers and landscaping to make sure everything looked beautiful for the wedding. You could feel that love in every bloom, every bed of flowers, every little corner that had clearly been tended with care.

This backyard wedding on Guemes Island was made even more special by the bride’s family home, which already made the day feel intimate and meaningful.

Of course, as any mother-of-the-bride does, she was so stressed about the grounds looking perfect. But all that time and effort absolutely paid off. By the wedding day, the backyard looked like a private garden oasis on Guemes Island, the perfect setting for a simple and elegant celebration with a touch of coastal charm.

A Nautical, Elegant Design

The bride’s design vision was very clear: simple, elegant, and sprinkled with nautical touches that nodded to island life. Maliah Kelly at Mastered Moments brought that vision to life beautifully, handling the design, coordination, and florals.

Maliah created so many thoughtful details, including custom signage like the ferry schedule sign and the seating chart, which felt perfectly on-theme for a Guemes Island wedding. Everywhere you looked, you’d find little personal touches that tied everything together without feeling overdone.

One of the most special details was the calligraphy place cards written on oyster shells. A family friend made them, and the bride was absolutely thrilled with how they turned out. They were such a pretty and meaningful way to blend that nautical, PNW feel with a refined, elegant table design.

Each detail at this backyard wedding on Guemes Island was crafted with care, adding to the overall atmosphere of love and joy.

The florals matched the overall feel—soft, romantic, and effortless. Arrangements were tucked around the property, on tables, and in key spots to highlight the natural beauty of the backyard without overwhelming it. It felt like the flowers had just grown there on their own.

Dogs, Family, and So Much Joy

One of the things that made this backyard wedding on Guemes Island so special was how much it centered around family, friends, and the couple’s personalities. Their dogs were a huge part of their life, so of course they had to be part of the wedding day. The couple’s dogs, along with the bride’s family dog, happily wandered around the backyard, greeting guests, getting pets, and trotting into photos whenever they felt like it. It added this casual, happy energy that made the day feel even more like a big family gathering.

The couple’s dogs were a huge part of their backyard wedding on Guemes Island, symbolizing the joy and warmth of their shared life.

The ceremony was officiated by a family friend, which kept things heartfelt and personal. You could hear the warmth in every word, and there were plenty of laughs and tears in equal measure. It wasn’t a stiff or formal ceremony—it felt like everyone there was truly part of something special.

Classic Style with an Island Twist

The bride looked stunning in her gown from La Belle Elaine in Seattle. It fit the setting and her style perfectly—timeless, elegant, and effortless in that way only a well-chosen dress can be. Hair and makeup were done by Justyne Skye and Hannah Howell, who kept her look natural and polished, letting her glow and personality shine through.

The groom and groomsmen wore navy blue suits from The Black Tux, which tied beautifully into the nautical hints throughout the day. Navy against the soft greens of the garden and the overcast island sky was such a classic combination.

Fun, Food, and the Best Dance Party

For dinner, the couple chose something a little different and incredibly fun: paella, catered by Paella Works. Giant pans of fragrant, colorful paella cooked on site added to the festive, relaxed vibe of the evening. Guests gathered, watched, and then enjoyed the most delicious meal together right in the backyard.

The festive, relaxed vibe of this backyard wedding on Guemes Island was truly a highlight, with guests enjoying delicious paella together.

Dessert was from Pure Bliss, and it absolutely lived up to the name. Guests kept going back for seconds (and I don’t blame them one bit).

And then there was the dance party. Their DJ, Christian from Orion Entertainment, is one of my all-time favorites for a reason. He knows exactly how to read a crowd and keep the energy high, and this wedding was no exception. The dance floor stayed full, and the joy was contagious—from big group dances to sweet, quiet moments between the couple.

One of the most special moments of the night was the first dance. Instead of pressing play on a track, the bride’s wonderfully delightful father sat down at the piano and played for them. It was such an emotional, intimate moment—just the two of them dancing in the backyard of her childhood home while her dad played. That’s the kind of memory that stays with you forever.

This moment exemplified what made their backyard wedding on Guemes Island so memorable, filled with love and family connection.

A Gloomy Day That Still Felt Bright

Like many Pacific Northwest summer days, this one was a little gloomy and overcast, but it honestly didn’t matter at all. The clouds made the light soft and beautiful, and the couple never once let the weather dampen their spirits. If anything, the cozy, moody sky made the warm laughter, colorful details, and glowing lights stand out even more.

This cozy, moody sky perfectly matched the spirit of the backyard wedding on Guemes Island, making the day even more beautiful.

In the end, this backyard wedding on Guemes Island was everything a wedding should be: personal, joyful, meaningful, and full of moments that truly reflect the couple and their people. It was simple but never plain, elegant but never stuffy, and filled to the brim with love, laughter, dogs, paella, and great music.

Indeed, the essence of this backyard wedding on Guemes Island was personal and joyous, capturing the love of everyone involved.

It’s the kind of day that reminds you—beautiful venues and elaborate details are wonderful, but there’s just something extra special about a family home, a thoughtfully designed backyard, and a couple who clearly had the time of their lives surrounded by the people (and pups) they love most.

This backyard wedding on Guemes Island reminds us that the simplest settings can hold the most profound memories.