Winter Wedding at MV Skansonia on Lake Union in Seattle WA – Kelly & Derek

Kelly and Derek’s winter wedding was at MV Skansonia. which is an old refurbished ferry boat permanently moored in Lake Union in Seattle, WA. Kelly and Derek are both laid back and go with the flow people and clearly a little brave when they decided they were going to try for an outdoor wedding. An outdoor wedding in January!!! I think we all kept a close eye on the weather leading up to the wedding. Rain rain and more rain was forecasted, but somehow we completely lucked out and enjoyed a beautiful albeit freezing cold day on a boat in Seattle. It rained a little during the reception but I think that just made the Seattle skyline look all that more beautiful during the evening.

Kelly and Derek met through a mutual friend and finally after going out with their group of friends on numerous occasions they went on their first date together alone. They were both super nervous as they met each other in a restaurant in Bellevue. Fast forward a few years to the day of the proposal. The previous evening Kelly had announced that she planned to spend the day with her horse. Derek had other plans, he got up early and at about 8am was down on one knee nervously asking for Kelly’s hand in marriage. She was really surprised but said yes. And yes, she spent the day with Derek not her horse.  He had planned a couples massage and a romantic dinner for the two of them (the horse was not invited).

Derek and Kelly are kind hearted people who clearly are head over heels for each other. Neither like to be the center of attention, but on their wedding day all their friends and family rallied around them and the atmosphere was just lovely.

We started the day in a beautiful AirBnB at Lake Union with Kelly and her bridesmaids and bridesman (who all happened to be her siblings). From there I met Derek at Gas Work Park for some groom’s photos and then we positioned him for the first look.  I’m a sucker for first looks… They hugged tight and looked at each other with love in their eyes as they saw each for the first time on their wedding day. We were sooooo lucky to not have rain during their portraits. It was cold, no it was freezing. By the time we were done my shutter finger was blue. At least I wasn’t wearing a skimpy dress like the bridesmaids – brrrrr. No one complained and everyone was cheerful so we had a great time and captured some beautiful photographs together.

After portraits at Gas Works Park we went to the boat on lake Union – MV Skansonia. We met Kelly and Derek’s family and did their family formals and then afterwards Kelly and Derek went inside to chill out (well to warm up actually – did I mention it was cold?!)

Right before the ceremony some really menacing looking black clouds were rolling in so we all decided to bring the ceremony forward 15 minutes. The ceremony was short, sweet and heart warming. I love this venue for many reasons one being the amazing views of Seattle skyline. After the ceremony the guests enjoyed cocktail hour and then scrummy food and a great dance party.  The DJ did a fabulous job and the dance floor was packed all evening, I may or may not have got on the dance floor for a few moves myself 😉

I hope you enjoy a small selection of Kelly & Derek’s photos from their wonderful wedding. Feel free to leave the happy couple a note in the comments below wishing them well. I know they’d love to hear from you.

Vendor team:

Venue: MV Skansonia

Wedding coordinator – Vicki Spears

DJ – Sounds Unlimited

Hair and make up Stylist – Sara Butler 

Bridal gown and coverup – BHLDN

Cake/Desserts – Lake Union Cafe

Officiant – Reverend Ray Van Winkle

Joanna Monger is a wedding and boudoir photographer located in Snohomish, WA serving the Greater Seattle area. Photography coverage including but not limited to Seattle, Snohomish, Bellevue, Everett, Woodinville, Monroe and surrounding areas.

Joanna Monger Photography – Snohomish & Seattle Wedding Photographer

If you liked this post, you may also like these posts:

Ballard Bay Wedding, Seattle

Hall at Fauntleroy Wedding, West Seattle – S & L

Pacific Tower Wedding, Seattle