Grand Willow Inn Winter Wedding

I love Winter Weddings!

Alyssa and Ethan had come to us for our Christmas Minis, and then the following year she let me know they were now engaged when they booked their mini. I was BEYOND excited and made sure to incorporate Lucy (their adorable corgi) in the photos to show off the ring. Not long after, Alyssa inquired about their winter wedding (she knows I love Christmas too!) and I was hooked. We had also never photographed at Grand Willow Inn, so even more to be excited for.

I asked Alyssa a few questions about their story:

How did the two of you meet?
Ethan and I met in the midst of the Pandemic shutdown. My best friend K has a close friend named N who is close friends with another girl named H-who’s ex boyfriend started dating a girl named J. It’s quite the web-but, it boils down to N and K were messaging and J had asked if either of them had a friend that would be interested in her sweet guy best friend. K then contacted me and asked if I would be interested-I said sure! I added Ethan on Facebook and we started talking that day. We started texting, calling and having FaceTime dates. We decided to “break quarantine” on April 15th to meet in person. Took a walk around Mill Creek Town Center and the rest is history.

How did the proposal happen?
I had been recovering from some surgery complications at my parents house after a few roughy few months. Ethan and I were living apart as Stanwood didn’t have close by hospitals. In October, he said that he needed me to come with him to a VA appointment to set up some insurance beneficiary things. He comes and picks me up and we head to said “appointment.” He the. Says we need to make a pit stop by a friends house on the way-this friend was gone and hanging at Mission Beach. Ethan takes me by the water and we are just chatting. Then he pops the question. I turn to see my best friend and her hubby hiding behind a log and his friend in a kayak lighting fireworks from the water.

Why did you choose this venue for your winter wedding?
The grand staircase is stunning-my favorite movie growing up was Beauty and the Beast, and the staircase just reminded me of Belle coming down the stairs for the iconic Tale as Old As Time dance.

If we were to run into you on a relaxed day off, what would you be doing?
Most likely drinking coffee and eating breakfast (that we made together) our deck and hanging with Lucy (corgi).