About the project

When my sister got engaged, one of the first things I wanted to give her was clarity and calm. Weddings come with a lot of moving pieces, and I knew that having a central place to track ideas, decisions, and progress would make everything feel more manageable from the start. I created her a custom planning portal using Milanote so she could organize vendors she had booked, inspiration photos, notes, timelines, and everything she had already accomplished in one place. It became the foundation for every design and decor decision that followed.

As we started dialing in her wedding aesthetic, it became clear that she wanted decor that felt personal, layered, and meaningful, not something pulled straight off a rental list. Leading up to the wedding, she collected gold mirrors in a variety of sizes along with small gold frames for each table. Using my Cricut, I customized wording for every piece, from names and dates to phrases that reflected their relationship and story. Each sign felt intentional and cohesive while still having that collected, heirloom feel she loved.
One of the main statement pieces was a full-length gold mirror that I turned into her welcome sign. It anchored the entry to the venue and immediately set the tone for the day. I also customized a vintage-style keepsake trunk where guests could place gifts, but more importantly, where they could later store wedding mementos, cards, and meaningful items from the day. It wasn’t just decor for the wedding, it was something designed to live on long after.

Because I have a professional photo printer, I was able to print photos locally for her to use throughout the space. We filled frames on tables and built a large photo wall that doubled as a backdrop. It added warmth, nostalgia, and texture to the venue, and it allowed guests to connect more deeply with their story as they moved through the space.

The day before the wedding, while the bride spent the afternoon sightseeing at LeConte Glacier with her friends, I helped coordinate the entire reception setup. Alongside a team made up of both families, we placed roses into glass jars, arranged tables, ironed linens, built ceremony florals, set place settings, decorated the hall, and adjusted every detail until it felt right. Because I had spent so much time with the bride talking through her vision and understanding exactly how she wanted everything to feel, I was able to guide the team confidently and clearly.

That preparation meant she didn’t have to answer questions or make last-minute decisions. She could relax, enjoy her day, and fully trust that everything was being handled the way she envisioned. The space came together beautifully, not because it was extravagant, but because it was thoughtful, personal, and created with care by the people who love her most.

As a Southeast Alaska wedding photographer who also offers planning support and design guidance, this experience reflects how I approach weddings as a whole. I don’t just show up and document what happens. I help couples think through how they want their day to feel, how their story can be woven into the details, and how to create an environment that allows them to be present instead of stressed.

how we helped

→ Created a custom Milanote planning portal to organize vendors, inspiration, and progress
→ Customized gold mirrors and table frames using my Cricut with names, dates, and phrases
→ Designed and created a full-length mirror welcome sign
→ Customized a vintage keepsake trunk for gifts and long-term memory storage
→ Printed professional photos locally for framed displays and a large photo wall backdrop
→ Coordinated full reception setup while the bride enjoyed a glacier sightseeing day

The images featured throughout this blog were captured by Bay Reed Photography, whose eye for natural moments and timeless composition brought this session to life beautifully. I’m so grateful for her talent and for the care she took in documenting this chapter so thoughtfully. @bayreedphoto

PHOTO CREDIT