Pilar + Nathan by Sonya Le

We wanted a simple, intimate wedding without giving up the feeling of something special.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We live in Seattle, WA. Nathan is an engineer, and Pilar is an entrepreneur. We’re both big food lovers, always looking for new places to eat, and we enjoy going to concerts, hosting small parties, and traveling when we can. Pilar is originally from Colombia, and Nathan grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, so we come from very different backgrounds, but we’ve built a life that blends both.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in Greenville, South Carolina, at the beginning of the pandemic through Bumble. On our first date, we accidentally showed up in matching outfits, jeans and blue shirts. There was this quiet calm between us from the beginning that just felt right.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

We wanted a simple, intimate wedding without giving up the feeling of something special. The mood we imagined was inspired by a spring backyard dinner with our closest people, nothing too formal, but still thoughtful and beautiful. We also wanted to incorporate modern florals and pieces that would bring us back to this year. Color was important. It represents joy and energy, and since Pilar is always wearing something colorful, we wanted that to be reflected in the flowers. They were bold but balanced, and helped tell our story in a really natural way.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The florals were definitely the centerpiece of our styling. Since everything else was kept pretty minimal, we wanted the flowers to stand out and they did. Combining them with fruits was a beautiful touch. They brought so much color, joy, and life to the day without overpowering the space. We also loved our venue, it had so much charm and versatility. It made it easy to capture different scenes and layers of storytelling throughout the day. Whether it was during the ceremony, dinner, or portraits, every corner had something special to offer and helped the day flow beautifully.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Planning was both fun and a little overwhelming, there are so many options, trends, and outside opinions. What helped us most was staying grounded in what felt true to us. Pilar had so much fun designing the wedding of her dreams. The best advice we can give is: it’s your wedding. Don’t try to please everyone, especially if it means compromising what matters to you as a couple. There’s no official rulebook for what a wedding should look like. You’re allowed to add, change, or completely skip anything that doesn’t feel right for you. Focus on what makes you feel excited, comfortable, and connected, that’s what you’ll remember most.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We really loved every vendor we worked with. Our cake vendor, Lil Sprouts, was a hidden gem. The cake was vegan with two layers, chocolate and caramel on the bottom, raspberry and coconut on top, and we were obsessed. It looked exactly how we imagined. Pilar’s hairstylist, Stefanie, was amazing. Pilar’s hair was super short and a mess that morning, but Stefanie worked magic and made her feel like a princess. And our photographer, Sonya Le, was incredible, so professional and creative. She understood our vision.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Pilar originally had a trendy dress in mind that she’d seen everywhere. She tried it and loved it, but also tried on a Sarah Seven dress that stuck with her. It took some time to decide, but she chose the Sarah Seven one because it felt more authentic, sophisticated, comfortable, and just the right mix of sexy and modern. Everyone said, “That dress is so you.” For Nathan we went with a white and black suit option from Suitsupply. We also didn’t want it to be just a plain all black suit, so we picked something a little different, slightly out of his comfort zone, but he loved it.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Pilar’s engagement ring is from a local Seattle brand. She wanted something simple and timeless that could go with anything, and that’s exactly what she got. Our wedding bands are from And Arlen, a small local business Pilar has followed for a while and really admires. Her band has bezel-set circular diamonds that add a fun, unique touch, while Nathan went for a classic wedding band, something clean and traditional.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Food was huge for us. Since the whole reception was basically a dinner party, it had to feel thoughtful and delicious. We searched for a while to find someone who could do a fully vegan Italian menu, and Cru Catering really delivered. The food was beautiful and so good.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

The ceremony — Standing there, holding hands, looking into each other’s teary eyes. Surrounded by our closest friends and family, everything else simply faded away. It was intimate, emotional, and completely unforgettable. We’ll never forget that feeling.