Confession: I never wanted a wedding. I know...I know. I’m a wedding magazine editor. Just hear me out. My darling husband and I tied the knot almost 14 years ago in a very modest ceremony at Seattle’s King County Courthouse. I wore a black sheath dress and carried a small bouquet of purple calla lilies that he ordered for me because I wasn’t even certain where to get a wedding bouquet. We had friends take grainy photos on their iPhone 4. While I mostly wouldn’t change a thing, seeing the incredible feats of beauty this Washington wedding community creates on the daily definitely has me second-guessing. (For one, I didn’t even know elopement photo sessions existed.)
If you find yourself in a similar cloud of uncertainty (in my case, cluelessness) or are just in the market for the perfect planner/caterer/photographer etc., to bring your dream to life, then this Fall/Winter issue of Washington Wedding Day is your issue. In our Best of 2026 feature (page 52), you’ll discover a curated list of Washington’s most talented wedding professionals, nominated and voted on by local couples, readers and fellow industry experts. It’s truly an essential planning resource—one that past me would have consulted many, many times.
As you thumb through the rest of these inspiring pages, you’ll encounter modern, sculptural bridal fashion masterfully posed near (and in some cases under) renowned works of art at the Olympic Sculpture Park (page 60). (Special shout out to their team for snagging us a single red chair before they were all sent off for repainting!) We also traveled to the secluded, mossy grounds of Saiuen Gardens in Granite Falls, where an inviting scene (page 72) led by Sage Event Co., unfurled on a very chilly, damp day.
Don’t miss local love stories (page 111), a new speakeasy-style event space in Snohomish (page 24) and a helpful guide on what to do if you just got engaged (page 30).
It’s funny to think that planning a dream wedding was never part of my journey, but now, I have the opportunity to watch all of you work your magic, then write about it—and for me, that’s the real dream.
With love,
Lauren Mang
