Today’s Real Wedding is as sweet as can be. It was a cozy and charming summertime celebration, photographed by Cheri Pearl Photography and filled to the brim with personal touches. Suzanne and Brent wanted a small wedding, so they chose to include only their closest friends and family for their sunny garden ceremony at Parson’s Gardens and their waterfront reception at the classic Seattle restaurant, Palisade.

To make it their own, Suzanne and Brent were super creative in involving their loved ones and incorporated some of their favorite things. Their officiant was a good friend, each guest at the small ceremony signed their marriage certificate, the best man supplied their get-away car (a brown 1965 Triumph convertible- cool!), the invitations were a DIY project, and instead of a traditional wedding cake, they chose their favorite dessert, a coconut cream pie from the Dahlia Bakery.

Not wanting a traditional wedding, they also opted for alternative wedding fashion. Brent bought a rich chocolate brown suit from Nordstrom, and paired it with a brown, bronze and periwinkle striped tie. Suzanne found a stunning bronze silk dress with delicate periwinkle lace trim and inserts at Mario’s. Their style fit perfectly with their overall color palette, and they couldn’t have looked more glowing and in love! Get the full scoop on all of the professionals they worked with in our Real Weddings section.

Alternative wedding dresses can be a fabulous way to add your own style to your wedding, or to make your event a non-traditional affair. I love the rich colors and beautiful detailing of these long evening dresses for an dramatic night time wedding.

Top row left to right:
Laundry by Design strapless charmeuse gown in ocean from Saks
3.1 Phillip Lim Strapless waterfall gown from Net-a-Porter.com

Bottom row left to right:
BCBG Max Azria rouge jersey ruched beaded dress from BlueFly.com
BCBG Max Azria beaded crinkle chiffon gown from Saks

Any of these white dresses could double as fantastic alternative wedding dresses for an elegant evening wedding or a sparkling cocktail party wedding.

Top row left to right:
Badgley Mischka Platinum Label strapless organza gown from Saks
A.B.S. ivory sateen strapless black ruffle dress from BlueFly.com
Notte by Marchesa empire chiffon gown from Saks

Bottom row left to right:
A.B.S. ivory satin contrast bow dress from BlueFly.com
Alberta Ferretti ivory silk chiffon beaded dress from Net-a-Porter.com
A.B.S. pearl brocade beaded scoop neck dress from BlueFly.com