Crosby and Graham had a garden wedding in mind from the beginning. During their relationship, they’d spent countless hours in a small garden where Graham once worked. It was where he first asked Crosby to be his girlfriend and, years later, where he proposed. When they discovered that Jardin del Sol was available on their seventh dating anniversary, they booked it.
The celebration was relaxed and informal, with guests gathering for cocktails in the garden before dinner and dancing. Crosby and Graham kept the decor simple and spent more on the things they loved most: music, food, and drinks. They even put together their own cocktail hour playlist to get the party started.
What We Love About This Jardin del Sol Wedding
- A garden venue booked for the couple’s seventh dating anniversary
- An ivory corseted wedding dress with a matching neck scarf
- The couple’s dog serving as ring bearer and running after them down the aisle
- A handwritten seating chart displayed inside a framed art print
- Two camcorders used by guests to capture candid wedding footage
From a Teenage Crush to a Wedding on Their Seventh Anniversary
Crosby first met Graham in 2016 during a family ski trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She was 16, he was 19, and although they barely spoke, she developed a huge crush on him. She even imagined taking his last name, Keys, because she thought it had a nice ring to it.
Three years later, they unexpectedly crossed paths again. Crosby was attending university in Tacoma, Washington, when a family friend invited her to spend a weekend away from campus. She didn’t realize Graham, who lived in Seattle, would also be there. “I was really glad I wore a cute outfit!” she recalls.
They immediately connected and began dating. During their relationship, a small garden where Graham worked became a favorite place to spend time together. He eventually proposed there, so finding an outdoor wedding venue was especially important to them.
Jardin del Sol was the first venue they visited. When they learned that their anniversary was one of the few remaining available dates, they didn’t need to look any further.
Personal Vows and an Unexpected Moment With Their Ring Bearer
The couple arranged a first look and finished their portraits before the ceremony, leaving more time to spend with guests afterward.
Crosby’s older sibling accompanied her down the aisle, and she and Graham exchanged vows they’d written themselves. Several guests were moved to tears, with some later telling the couple that they were among the most beautifully written vows they’d heard.
Their dog also had a role in the ceremony, serving as ring bearer with Graham’s sister holding the leash. After the newlyweds shared a dip at the end of the aisle, Graham’s sister released the leash, and their dog ran after them as they walked away.
Before joining cocktail hour, Crosby and Graham spent a few quiet minutes together. Their coordinator brought them their signature cocktails and appetizers while guests mingled outside. Crosby had prepared the playlist, choosing music to suit the garden setting.
Featured Vendor:
Eryndae
Earthy Garden Details and a Coordinated Wedding Party
With the venue’s lush gardens, string lights, and reception tent already in place, Crosby and Graham didn’t need much additional decor. They chose a few of their favorite flowers and classic table settings, with muted shades of green, orange, and blue appearing throughout. Crosby made the seating chart herself, framing one of the couple’s favorite art prints and handwriting each table assignment. Her love of calligraphy made it one of her favorite DIY projects.
Their wedding attire followed a similar palette. Crosby wore an off-the-shoulder ivory gown with a corseted bodice, textured fabric, and a matching neck scarf. Graham chose a dark brown suit, while his three groomsmen wore lighter brown suits.
Each of Crosby’s three bridesmaids wore a different color from the wedding palette and chose her own dress style. The groomsmen’s ties matched the bridesmaids’ respective colors, tying the wedding party’s outfits together without making everyone look identical.
Crosby wore her natural curls in an updo, just as she often does in everyday life. She and her bridesmaids also opted for natural makeup, with everyone choosing hairstyles they were comfortable wearing.
Good Food, Great Music, and a Packed Dance Floor
Music, food, and drinks were Crosby and Graham’s biggest priorities when deciding where to spend their wedding budget. Once they’d secured the venue, they began looking for their DJ and caterer.
They found their vendors following recommendations from the venue owners. Crosby handled most of the planning herself but hired the venue owner, who was also their day-of coordinator, for additional planning support closer to the wedding.
The celebrations began with a small rehearsal dinner on Thursday at one of their favorite date-night restaurants. They reserved the outdoor space for their closest family and friends, leaving Friday free for last-minute preparations and some downtime.
At the wedding reception, the music was a particular highlight. The dance floor stayed packed throughout the night, and guests continued complimenting the couple on the music, food, and drinks long after the celebration.
Two Camcorders Instead of a Traditional Wedding Video
Crosby and Graham decided against hiring a videographer and instead used two camcorders to document the wedding. They asked a few guests to record their vows and capture footage throughout the evening.
One camera was kept in the bridal suite and the other in the groom’s suite during preparations, giving them recordings from both sides of the wedding morning.
They were also fortunate with the weather. An entirely outdoor wedding had made them a little nervous about the forecast, but their wedding day was sunny, and everything went according to plan.
Their Advice on Wedding Priorities and Last-Minute Planning
Crosby and Graham wish they’d had more time to talk with guests during cocktail hour. Even with their portraits finished before the ceremony, the afternoon passed surprisingly quickly.
For couples planning their own wedding, Crosby recommends hiring a partial planner toward the end of the process. Having someone take over vendor communication during those final weeks relieved much of their stress and was more affordable than hiring a full-service planner from the beginning.
She also suggests deciding which parts of the wedding matter most before getting caught up in smaller details. For Crosby and Graham, that meant booking their DJ and caterer soon after securing Jardin del Sol, then working through everything else.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Eryndae
Venue – Jardin del Sol
Floral Design – Mandy Hereth
Catering – Act 3 Catering
DJ – Jeremy Williams
Makeup Artist – Makeup by Lina
Hair Styling – Janey Wahl
Wedding Dress – Anthropologie Weddings
Bridal Accessories – Azazie
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino
Rings – Green Lake Jewelry Works
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