Amidst the serene beauty of the Sleeping Lady hillside, Rena and Adam Layman orchestrated a wedding day that was nothing short of magical. This celebration was a vibrant tapestry woven with the rich hues of Indian culture, set against the majestic backdrop of mountainous splendor, encapsulating the essence of a destination wedding while remaining within the warm embrace of locality. Their day was adorned with brightly colored bouquets that mirrored the joy and vibrancy of their union, while the breathtaking ceremony location offered a view that seemed to bridge the expanse between earth and sky. Every element, meticulously chosen for its beauty and significance, echoed the couple’s desire for a wedding that harmonized Mother Nature’s majesty with the spirited festivity of their heritage. Rena and Adam’s special day was a testament to the beauty of blending cultures, the splendor of nature, and the unbridled joy of love celebrated amidst friends and family.
How did you meet?
Rena’s version: We met in 2015 at Swedish Medical Center Redmond, Washington. Adam was transitioning out and I was rolling in. I ended up taking his Patient Care Coordinator role, as he moved into IT Support. I spent my first few days training with him and was just mesmerized by his kindness to all, especially the geriatric patients. He was patient, attentive and simply caring, which was so rare to see. Day 1: I was like, this guy is soooo sweet, which made him extra attractive. Day 2: It was his going away work party, which I was NOT invited to, but Lauren made sure I was there. I showed up, sat at the complete opposite end of the table admiring how many colleagues were there for his send-off, it was SO ATTRACTIVE and spoke to his character. Day 3: HE brought coffee in for everyone – who does that? Day 4: I was like damn, is he single? haha. The rest of the year I befriended some co-workers who really played matchmaker (Lauren, Denise and Jerry). Lauren reminded me daily to be patient (and still does)! Denise would contact Adam frequently, telling him she had a girl she wanted to introduce him to and Jerry encouraged it all, trying to sell me by saying Adam was an ex Sounder player (Seattle Sounders soccer team) & that I needed to reach out to him.
Fast forward a year later, THEY invited Adam to MY going away party and boom, he asked me for my phone number. Four years later he asked me for my HAND :)
ONWARD!
Adam’s version: What she said, but she asked for my number.
What is your proposal story?
I got the best birthday gift I could ever dream of and gained the title of fiancee on my 33rd birthday. <3
As I got to Adam’s place, he bolted out in front of me saying he accidentally left my birthday gift out. I walked into the house shortly after to find him on one knee in the living room. (After asking my father for my hand a few hours before), he asked if I would marry him, my response was absolutely, yes. The best part, he recorded the entire thing. I love it so much. And of course, Millie was there.
We’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter of our lives with you.
Tell us a little a bit about your wedding
We wanted something that felt like a destination wedding but was still “local” enough for most of our friends and family. Mother-nature beauty was a must.
Tell us about your attire choices.
I knew I wanted 2 dresses one long sleeve for sure. Comfort was most important to me, i needed to feel good in what I was wearing and be able to dance in it! Adam knows what he likes and makes anything look good.
What was the most important to the two of you while planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or skip?
Splurged on meals because who wants to eat crappy food at a wedding, we skipped “favors”. It was really important to us to know everyone at our wedding celebrating with us, we wanted an intentional guest lists so limited the number of plus ones.
What were your favorite parts of the day?
First look with girls, husband and outfit change at reception! – Bride
Dinner and dancing! – Husband
Tell us about your wedding flowers.
Absolutely dreamy and so easy! Find a florist who has a “style” you like and it should be very easy to work with them!
Tell us about your wedding cake.
non-traditional because it taste better :)
What did you do for favors?
Open bar- be careful or prepared to spend a lot on this.
Please describe any DIY, handmade, or personal details.
I made our welcome sign, seating chart, and other signage. It was a labor of love and i enjoyed every minute of it.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?
The day is about YOU TWO not any one else, most of the time people will understand, do not feel responsible for other’s feelings.
Try not to get too tied up in the weeds of details. But also have fun with it, I know I spent WAY to much time on our wedding invitations, but I was excited and it was the first phase of wedding planning for me- just be mindful, people really just want the important stuff.
Be sure to tell your photographer what you want captured and let your event planner/day of coordinator make it happen!
Have the best day, stay hydrated and make sure your MOH & BM take care of you AFTER the ceremony too!
We love the outdoors and the beauty mother nature has to offer. Every time we are outdoors or hiking, we get this overwhelming feeling of peace and gratitude, two people in a majestic picturesque small part of the world. We wanted a venue we could revisit to relive our unforgettable dreamy wedding day. Keep in mind some of your guests or family members may not be able to hike/walk to where you want photos taken. Have a back up plan or second location picked out.