Real Bride Friday | Irene and Travis

Wedding Date: September 9th, 2020

Gown Designer: Stella York

Cape: Alyson nicole

Belt: Stella York

Tiara: Mariell Designs

Venue: The back deck of our new home in the mountains

Photographer: Nicole Clark

Menswear: Mens Wearhouse

Cake: Melanie's Crazy Cakes

Why did you pick your venue: “So we can always see where we got married.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The Poof!”

Why did you pick your dress: “Because I wanted to feel like a princess for a day and the dress made me feel like one! Disney lover here!”

Three words to describe your day: “Breathtaking, special, and beautiful”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Disney!”

How you met: “Kodiak Dart League”

How they proposed: “At the Kodiak Harbor outside of the boat that used to belong to my late Grandfather. We visit this boat every year it is docked in Kodiak, when we thought we were taking our yearly photo near the vessel Travis had my brother record instead of what we thought were pictures, got down on one knee and popped the question!”

Any other fun memories/moments from the day: “The maid of honor speech and father of the bride speech were phenomenal, special, memorable and heart warming”

Tip Tuesday | Celebrating Your Bridesmaids

Celebrating your bridemaids is so important, they are there with you from the beginning and standing by your side as you say “I Do!” to the love of your life! Here are a few fun ideas and ways to make your ladies feel special!

Real BBB Bride: Jennifer Bailey | Photographer: Jamie Taylor Photography

1. Ask them in a special way - this could be a cute box, a date night, or even a sweet letter!

2. Treat them to a mani/pedi before your big day!

3. Take them shopping for their bridesmaids gowns! This will help ensure that everyone feels beautiful and confident on the wedding day.

4. Listen to their suggestions - these ladies are going to be a wealth of knowledge and ideas during your planning.

5. Personalized gifts - something special for the day of the wedding is always a nice treat, a personalized necklace or bracelet can really complete the look and make them feel extra special.

Last but not least, don’t forget to tell them, thank you!

XOXO,

Team Bateau

Tip Tuesday | Planning Your Outdoor Wedding

Planning an outdoor wedding is all the rage, especially living in the most beautiful state, Alaska! We all know that the weather can be a bit tricky to plan for and can cause some stress leading up to the big day! Here are a few tips and tricks that we have found helpful and are sure to make your special day a huge success!

1. Have a backup plan!

   Having a backup plan is key when planning an outdoor wedding in Alaska! We never know what the day will bring and being prepared for anything will alleviate a lot of stress. Having a tent, indoor space, or even umbrellas can save the day if it decides to rain. Always have water bottles and/or drinks for those really hot days and it can be a nice touch to have some blankets for your guests during those stunning winter weddings!

2. Pick your ceremony time wisely

   We all want the most beautiful pictures, so picking a ceremony time when the sun is behind your guests is best! This will allow the natural light to make you glow, rather than blinding your guests during your vows.

3. When it comes to decor, less is more!

   The nice thing about outdoor weddings is that when it comes to decor, less is more! There is so much natural beauty surrounding you that you won’t need to spend a ton of money on decorations. You can focus on the natural elements and maybe include an arch as the focal point for your ceremony.

We wish you the best with your outdoor wedding planning and congratulations!

As always - with love, Team BBB

Photographer: Rachel Tweggs Photography

Real Bride Friday | Sarah and Eric

Wedding Date: January 2nd, 2021

Gown Designer: Private Collection

Venue: Palmer Train Depot

Photographer: Rachel Tweggs Photography

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Wild Poppy

Hair and Makeup: Haley Talbert

Catering: Smokehouse BBQ

Cake: Verdas Cakes and Things

Tailor: Aggies Sewing Shop

The best part of the venue: “The history!”

Why did you pick your venue: “History and COVID”

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the lace and pink hue.”

Why did you pick your dress: “The fit and the intricate lace over lace.”

How you met: “We met in high school but didn’t date until we graduated from college.”

How they proposed: “On a hike at the Government Peak Recreational Area on Blueberry Knoll.”

Tip Tuesday | Finding the comfort in your shoes!

Finding comfort in your shoes is not impossible, but it may require a little bit of work. The one thing that all brides want is to be comfortable and able to focus on their wedding day, not their feet hurting. Here are some tips that we find helpful!

Break your shoes in!

It is so important to wear your shoes around the house (or somewhere safe that they won’t get dirty) for a few days prior to your wedding so that your shoes are broken in and ready for you to dance the night away in!

Purchase shoe accessories!

Purchasing accessories for your shoes can make a huge difference in how your feet feel after a long day! We offer an amazing selection of Foot Petal accessories that can help bring comfort to your stylish shoes.

Have a backup pair!

If all else fails, have a comfortable pair of dancing shoes on standby! This could also be a fun gift for your bridesmaids! Kick-off your heels and throw on some cute sandals or even Toms!

Make it stylish and comfortable

We wish you the most fun evening of dancing and of course, happy feet!

XXX, Team Bateau

Tip Tuesday | 5 Reasons to have a First Look

Are you debating on having a first look? Here are 5 reasons why you should!

1. Your first look will most likely be the only private and intimate time that the two of you have together. Your wedding day flies by, so being able to share a few minutes of one on one time with your soon-to-be husband will be a very special memory!

2. A first look will help relieve some of the pressure that comes with walking down the aisle! You will have already seen each other so now you are able to relax and enjoy your ceremony.

3. You will actually get to enjoy your reception, without having to step away for as many pictures! This also allows for more time with your special people and the ability to be fully present.

4. During this special moment together, you can always take the time to share private vows, a drink, or even a prayer.

5. Last but not least, more time for photos! You will have more time on both ends, from intimate portraits to fun dancing photos, you won’t regret having a first look!

Real Bateau Bride | Mcki and Zach

Wedding Date: March 6th, 2021

Gown Designer: Stella York

Fur Designer: Linda Richards

Venue: My Parent’s House!

Photographer: Donna Marie Photography

Menswear: Men’s Warehouse

Catering/Cake: Aurielle’s Cheesecakes

Tailor: Angie’s Fabric

The best part of the venue: “The huge field and view!”

Why did you pick your venue: “The beautiful view, it was the perfect size for guests, and honestly it saved us a lot of money! Plus it ended up feeling so comfortable!”

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved how elegant and stunning it is! It is so simple and so beautiful. (Plus pockets!)”

Why did you pick your dress: “I started crying before I even saw it on. It felt so perfect! My family’s reaction mirrored that, and no other dress compared. The buttons all the way to the floor, and exposed boning are such perfect details. When Rachel put a veil on me it was game over.”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “We wanted it to be the perfect day for us! Close family and friends, fun, drinking, and good food! Zach worked on the Time Bandit this winter, and brought home a box of crab from the boat for dinner! We skipped dancing because neither of us enjoys that, and spent time with our friends and family the whole night.”

How they proposed: “Our friends invited us on a hike to Grewingk Glacier, Zach hates hiking (or anything non-atv involved) so I was shocked when he said sure! It was a beautiful day, with a bear and cub scare on the way to the glacier. Thankfully there was no turning us around. The glacier was stunning, and we hiked around the lake for a while, before deciding to head back. Zach stopped me and proposed, nobody had any idea he had it planned! It was so perfect.”

Any other fun memories/moments from the day: “It was all fun! My veil would not quit blowing in the wind, my sister ended up jumping up and putting a chunk of snow on it to keep it down! My dad said he was all ready for the wedding, and walked out in a grinch suit! Not that that isn’t a recurring event with him😂 Donna had us take some photos outside at sunset, and my brother and brother-in-law ran outside and started shooting Roman candles at each other! Which then started one of the most beautiful fireworks shows to celebrate our wedding.”

Real Bateau Bride | Erica and Charlie

https://www.facebook.com/forestandfieldphotography/

Wedding Date: June 22nd, 2019

Gown Designer: Willowby

Venue: Ski Land - Fairbanks, Alaska

Photographer: Lindsay Saunders (Forest + Field Photography)

Menswear: Frank's Menswear + Dillards

Florist: Bloominous (assembled by friends + family!)

Band: Steve Brown and the Bailers

Cake: Little Owl AK

Catering: The Oasis

The best part of the venue: “The best part was the views! We also loved being able to camp with so many of our friends at the place we met, got engaged, and got married!”

Favorite part of your gown: “It was the only dress I tried on that made me feel like a bride but still like myself. I loved the lace, the color, the fit, everything. (And as a bonus it dried quickly after it rained during the ceremony!)”

Why did you pick your dress: “I wanted a dress that felt like me - a little adventurous, fun, and down to dance all night long.”

How you met: “Charlie and I met skiing at SkiLand and had our first date skiing in the Eastern Alaska Range.”

How they proposed: “We went biking and ended our ride on SkiLand's "wedding rock" - Charlie got down on one knee, bike helmet and fanny pack still on, and the rest is history.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “The whole day felt like this incredible celebration of our community - people from across the country laughing and eating together, my heart has never been so full.”

Real Bateau Bride | Melissa and Corbin

Photography: Kristian Irey

Wedding Date: June 18th, 2019

Gown Designer: Kite and Butterfly

Venue: Alyeska Resort

Photographer: Kristian Irey

Menswear: Men’s Warehouse

Florist: Bloomsbury Blooms

Tailor: Celestial Designs

Why did you pick your venue: “I picked the venue because it embodies Corbin and I’s love for the outdoors perfectly.”

The best part of the venue: “Getting to be in the heart of Girdwood, one of our favorite places, because it the perfect place for our personalities. Also, getting to take pictures on Winner Creek Trail!”

Favorite part of your gown: “Definitely the empire waist with the bow in the back!”

Three words to describe your day: “Ethereal, Adventurous, Meaningful”

Your wedding inspiration: “The greenery in Girdwood was where most of my inspiration came from. I love the big trees and the ferns that cover the forest floor. I wanted bohemian/earthy/light/elegance.”

How you met: “We met on a hike with friends 2 years before we actually started dating, then we got to go on plenty more hikes together.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “At the end, my bridesmaids and the groomsmen threw the leftover flower girl’s petals in the air for us to kiss under for our last picture of the day.”

Tip Tuesday | The Grand Exit

Photography: Donna Marie Photography

Well the time has come, you’ve danced the night away and the party is ending, now what? You need a grand exit!

Sparklers, bubbles, confetti, you name it, the possibilities are endless! Whatever you chose, it is a fun way to get your guests involved one last time, and of course, grab that perfect photo.

Cheers to the newlyweds! 🥂

Photography: The Good Vibe Tribe, Park Of Clear Water, Sarah French Photography, Renee J North Photography. and Joshua Veldstra Photography