Wedding Coordinator: Kirstie Warren of Simply Wed
Photography by Paul Sanders Photography

Cher and Kris
August 5, 2006
Seattle, Washington

ABOUT THE BRIDE: Cher grew up in small-town Iowa with her brother, Kurt, and parents Duane and Betty. Growing up, the front door was rarely locked and family road-trips were summer vacations. After attending Iowa State University, Cher turned her sights on the Pacific Northwest where she has been ever since. Cher is currently a technology manager for Starbucks Coffee.

ABOUT THE GROOM: Kris grew up on the undeveloped plateau overlooking Issaquah, Washington on a farm with horses, chickens, and a menagerie of other animals. He attended the University of Washington and met his closest friends in the Greek System; these friends remain a huge part of his life today. Kris currently is an IT quality assurance leader for Starbucks Coffee.

HOW WE MET: Kris ended a relationship about a year before his buddy, Rick, suggested he give online dating a try as a way to ease his way back into the dating scene. Rick sent Kris profiles of women he thought his friend might be interested in, and one of them happened to be Cher's. After exchanging a few email messages they realized one evening that they both worked for Starbucks. They met the next night after work and went to a local pub....they were inseparable from then on.

ENGAGEMENT: In the fall of 2004, Kris and Cher had just built a new house together and the holidays were fast upon them. Cher's parents spent a week with them in their new home; Kris and her dad worked on a few projects together in their new house. If ever the time was right for a proposal it was then, but the holidays passed without mention of it. On New Year's Eve they opted to stay in because Kris had been under the weather. They decided to call it a night and Cher went to brush her teeth. When Kris didn't come up behind her she walked back downstairs and turned the corner into the kitchen. There stood Kris with a bottle of champagne, two flutes, and a little red box.

PLANNING: One thing was certain from the start; that was to create a celebration that centered on great food, shared by friends and family, with a ceremony that embodied the relationship built between Kris and Cher. Hiring Kirstie Warren of Simply Wed as the photographer and Laksmi Sam as the makeup artist for the girls. These two referrals turned out to be priceless. Kirstie also worked hard to help incorporate smoked prime rib from a family friend's meat shop, Silvana Meats. In the spirit of a menu that would wow everyone this was a "must-have".

ATTIRE: Cher wore a Justina McCaffrey gown from the Bridal Garden. The dress was a sheath made of rich duchess silk satin with a fluted pick-up hem. Her attendants wore black Belsoie chiffon sheath gowns with a cascading train. Kris and the men wore Ralph Lauren two-button black tuxedos, with a notch lapel, black vests over white wing-tip shirts, and black silk ties.

THE CEREMONY: In the year before their wedding, Cher officiated at the marriage of two close friends, Sean and Vanessa. When it came time to choose their officiant Kris and Cher asked Vanessa to do the honors. Kris walked down to the "Darth Vader March" which brought laughter and applause. Cher walked down to "At Last" by Etta James and by the time Vanessa pronounced the couple married there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

THE RECEPTION: The reception immediately followed the ceremony at The Canal along the Ballard Locks in Seattle. Cocktail hour included passed hors d'oeuvres while a classical guitarist played. Dinner included all of Kris and Cher's favorites: sushi, dim sum, smoked prime rib, grilled salmon, roasted asparagus, creamy risotto, and even homemade mac & cheese for the kids. Their favorite local band, 2 Buck Chuck, started off the dancing with a special rendition of "Your Song" for Kris and Cher. Soon the triple chocolate cake was cut and the evening was complete.

VENDORS WE USED:

Wedding Coordinator: Kirstie Warren of Simply Wed
Photography: Paul Sanders Photography
Venue/Catering: The Canal & Jewel Catering
Smoked Prime Rib: Silvana Meats
Florist: Laurie Cinotto
Cake: North Hill Bakery
Wedding Dress: Bridal Garden
Tuxedos: The Tux Shoppe
Makeup: Laksmi Sam
Hair: Heidi Keough
Classical Guitarist: Julian Catford
Band: 2 Buck Chuck
Car Service: British Motor Coach

If you have questions or comments for Cher and Kris please e-mail them at cherolynn@comcast.net.