Minimalist Elegance at Historic MV Skansonia

After meeting on Hinge in 2020, Heather and Eric spent the stillness of the pandemic building a relationship around long walks through the arboretum, cozy evenings at home and spontaneous escapes into the Pacific Northwest. When it came time to plan their wedding aboard the historic MV Skansonia, they wanted to capture a bit of that intimate, romantic spirit. Before the ceremony, they slipped away to the top deck for a private first look and personal vows, echoing the quiet vibes of the groom’s proposal beside a secluded lake near Mount Rainier.

Moody skies hovered above the waterfront as the couple said their “I do’s” in front of friends and family with the city skyline as their backdrop. Soft ivory blooms mingled with airy greenery, while bridesmaids wore mix-and-match neutrals that mirrored the muted palette of the harbor beyond.

Throughout the celebration, the retired ferry’s rich maritime character offered layers of nostalgia, from vintage boat imagery tucked into the getting-ready spaces to the iconic Skansonia life preserver stationed behind the couple during the cake cutting. The design leaned into understated refinement. As evening settled in, the newlyweds stepped onto the bow for one final dance—starting and ending their nuptials alone together, along the same waterfront where they first fell in love. —Megan Simpson Teeter