Under a canopy of 1,000 hand-folded paper cranes, Stephanie and Owen’s wedding unfolded as a poetic blend of modern elegance and cultural symbolism. The design, led by Gian Events, balanced timeless beauty with personal detail—soft florals, clean lines, custom signage, and subtle nods to Japanese tradition came together in a setting that felt both luxurious and deeply intimate. Every detail spoke of intention, transforming the winery into a space filled with light, emotion, and quiet meaning.
Location: Washington, USA
Style: Timeless, refined, personal
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Winery
Season: Summer
They met in Japanese class, drawn to each other by a shared love for the language and culture. Over time, that initial connection deepened into a relationship built on intentionality, thoughtfulness, and a quiet appreciation for the little things. “We wanted anyone to be able to look at our wedding and see the beauty of it,” they said, “but we also wanted those who know us to see pieces of us in the details.” From the cranes to the music, every element of their day reflected the story they’ve written together—layered, personal, and filled with meaning.
Bridal Morning
Stephanie got ready surrounded by her closest women, sharing quiet hugs, laughter, and a few happy tears. The room buzzed with warmth as she slipped into her gown and turned to the mirror, taking in the final look. When she stepped out onto the patio for her bridal reveal, her bridesmaids—dressed in mismatched neutral satin—lit up in joy, their reactions a mix of awe and affection. The soft morning light, the floral-lined terrace, and the gentle energy in the air set the tone for everything that followed.
Her dress was a Louvienne gown she had her heart set on since the earliest days of wedding planning. “It was literally the second dress I pinned after I got engaged,” she said. Clean and sculptural with a romantic off-shoulder neckline and a high slit, it struck a perfect balance between elegance and playfulness.
Her accessories told a personal story too—her earrings were chosen on a special outing with her parents, a future heirloom handpicked with her dad. The cathedral-length veil was the most meaningful detail of all: delicately embroidered with “To Whatever End,” it was a quiet, powerful tribute to a shared favorite book series and a promise stitched into the fabric of the day.
Groom's Fashion
Owen’s morning started lightheartedly, playing a game of bocce ball outdoors with his groomsmen before getting ready. He chose a tailored tan suit for the big day—modern and slightly unexpected, yet timeless enough to rewear. “He wanted something that would allow him to stand out,” Stephanie shared. Paired with a crisp white shirt, tone-on-tone tie, and a single white rose boutonnière, the look was polished and understated. On his wrist, a clean, minimal watch—a piece he also gifted to each of his groomsmen that morning, adding a personal, lasting touch to the day.
First Look
The first look took place beneath soft white blooms and flowing drapery, where light filtered through the canopy and everything seemed to pause. Stephanie approached Owen from behind, her long veil trailing behind her, and gently tapped his shoulder. As he turned, their eyes met, and emotion filled the space between them—quiet, raw, and unspoken. Surrounded by gardens in full bloom, it felt like the perfect pause before the day began—intimate, grounding, and full of love.
"From the moment they saw each other at their first look, Stephanie and Owen’s love radiated in every glance, every touch, and every shared laugh."
Ceremony
Set beneath a canopy of trees, the ceremony space felt serene and romantic with soft afternoon light filtering through the branches. Rows of white chairs lined a gravel aisle, each accented by rounded clusters of ivory roses and baby’s breath. At the end of the aisle, two floral columns stood tall against the bold red backdrop of the winery wall—unexpected, striking, and grounding the all-white palette in a modern setting. The flowers by Fena Flowers were lush and monochrome, enhancing the timeless tone of the day without overpowering the natural surroundings.
Stephanie and Owen both walked down the aisle with their parents, choosing instrumental Star Wars music—an unexpected detail that made guests smile and quietly said this is us. The ceremony was officiated by Stephanie’s sister, who helped write the entire script, ensuring it felt deeply personal. Their vows were heartfelt and intentional—months in the making—and set the tone for a celebration that was both joyful and grounded in meaning.
"Listening to each other's vows was by far the best part of the ceremony. We each spent months working on writing exactly what we wanted to say to one another."
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour took place on the winery’s open-air terrace, surrounded by blooming hydrangeas and shaded by sleek white canopies. Guests mingled with glasses in hand, signing the photo guestbook and gathering around tables lined with local wines from Novelty Hill Januik Winery. A custom bar setup showcased not just signature drinks, but a sweet nod to the couple’s dog with illustrated signage and napkins. Lush white floral arrangements added elegance to the space, while the relaxed layout made it easy for guests to move, talk, and take in the setting before dinner began.
"After the ceremony we couldn't wait to get to the cocktail hour to see everyone. We were very intentional about being at cocktail hour so we could really soak up celebrating with everyone."
Decor & Setting
Inside the winery, 1,000 white origami cranes—folded by Stephanie’s family—floated overhead, transforming the ceiling into a symbolic canopy of love and longevity. “It is a Japanese tradition to have 1000 hand-folded paper cranes at your wedding,” Stephanie shared. “But when I handed them over a week before, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Seeing them suspended like that… it was surreal.” Paired with softly glowing candlelight from Aventurine Candles Hire and romantic white florals by Fena Flowers, the atmosphere felt both ethereal and deeply personal.
Each design choice, from the stone and gold table numbers to the clean, modern signage by On the Wall Design Studio, reflected a curated sense of minimalism and meaning.
What made the room feel truly magical was how seamlessly it all came together—thanks to the care and precision of Gian Events. “Reneille walking us through the reception space before guests were let up will always be something we remember,” Stephanie said. “To see all of these abstract ideas come to life in a way we didn’t even know was possible—it was unforgettable.”
Reception
As everyone moved to the reception area, the space filled quickly with conversation, music, and laughter. Dinner was served with the couple seated among their friends and family, enjoying every bite and every moment. Toasts brought both laughter and a few quiet tears, as loved ones stood to share stories, gratitude, and heartfelt wishes.
After dinner, guests were treated to a display of artfully curated desserts from Sweet Wheels Seattle, followed by a sleek, all-white wedding cake by Lady Grey Seattle. With its clean design and soft detailing, the cake echoed the mood of the day—elegant, but never overdone. The couple took a moment for the cake-cutting surrounded by laughter and clinking glasses, keeping the atmosphere light and joyful before heading to the dance floor.
The night ended on a high. With Music by J.Fields behind the booth, the dance floor stayed full from the first beat to the last. “Everyone was having such a great time dancing that almost every person stayed until the DJ was packing up to leave!” Stephanie said. The couple had arranged shuttles for guests, but no one wanted to go. It was that kind of celebration people didn’t want to end!
"Seeing all of our family and friends together, having a blast, and not wanting to go home was such a highlight for us."
Advice from the couple:
• Find and work with a coordination team that you fully trust. It’s incredible to be fully present at your own wedding, and it’s something that can only be achieved with a lot of help. We spent months planning out the wedding. It takes great attention to detail to ensure the day goes off without a hitch, and is something that’d be impossible to do without the help of Reneille’s team. It’s certainly a privilege to work with a team that we can fully trust to bring our vision to life!
PLANNER Gian Events | PHOTO & VIDEO Julie Bulanov | VENUE & CATERING Novelty Hill Januik Winery | FLORALS & INSTALLATION Fena Flowers |MAKEUP Kayla Kollection | HAIR Zo & Co Styling | SIGNAGE On the Wall Design Studio | CANDLES Aventurine Candles Hire | RENTALS CORT Party Rental | DJ Music by J.Fields | CONTENT CREATOR Gian Agency | DESSERT Sweet Wheels Seattle | CAKE Lady Grey Seattle | STATIONERY Minted Weddings
