Lake Chelan is one of Washington’s wine lovers’ destinations and among all the lovely venues from which to sample the country’s best wines, is Tsillan Cellars. It also houses Sorrento, the area’s top fine dining locale AND with wine, food and a beautiful setting to boot, Tsillan is also one of Chelan’s most sought after wedding destinations. Christina and Nick’s romantic Tsillan Cellars Summer wedding was a sight to behold. These two real estate pros really know how to throw a party. Planned in only FOUR months by our very own Ellie Haisch of Ellie Haisch Events, Christina and Nick’s wedding was everything they could envisioned.
We spoke to Christina recently over email about their big day.
What was your favorite part of the wedding, the most memorable?
There’s more than one!
The day was perfect, It was absolutely everything I could have dreamed of. What is most memorable is having ALL of our family and loved ones there to experience our wedding. My family is from Florida, so a destination like Lake Chelan is not an easy trek. It was so incredible to look into the audience while standing at the altar and see everyone who we love most. All in one place. To witness our love. What a joy!
My next favorite thing, the EPIC dance party we had. A four-hour, non-stop dance party. I don’t think Nick or I ever left the dance floor, we had the BEST time ever!
I also loved having a ‘first-look’ with my dad. It was a few moments, pre-wedding, that were so special and one I will never forget. As a total daddy’s girl, this was important to me to have a few words with him (and tears) before I said I-do.
What would be your top three tips for brides and grooms planning their wedding?
1) You don’t need years to plan a wedding. This wedding was done in 4 months. (Thanks to our dream Venue having a spot open for us, we JUMPED on it.) Because our wedding was in under 6 months I didn’t have time to second guess anything. I went with my gut and never looked back.
2) Also, those “Small details’ brides tend to stress over? Don’t. It’s just not worth it. My wedding planning was blissful, and day of was stress-free. Crazy, right? I let go of everything (rare for me, as I am ultra Type-A).
For example, I went light on decor and flowers. Our venue is naturally so breathtaking. I knew it didn’t need over the top decor and floral arrangements. We were able to save on flowers. We also didn’t do favors. Does anyone ever remember their favors, anyways? Another $1000+ we saved. The little things add up.
3) MUST: A day-of Wedding Planner. Ellie was truly SPECTACULAR. She helped make our day so incredibly special and thought through so many things I would have never thought of. She was so calm, always five steps ahead of me. I couldn’t have planned this wedding without Ellie and her help! Thank you!
4) Destination Wedding – There is something so special about being away from home with your family and friends. We can’t recommend a destination wedding enough! Everyone who came wasn’t in a rush to get home. Everyone was invested, relaxed and ready to have fun. It was a mini-vacation + a wedding for our guests! We were able to rent boats the day after and have a big party the day after the wedding. We also did a fun day the day before the wedding. We rented three giant houses on the same street, so between the two houses there were about 50+ people staying. So much fun!
Any thank yous you want to shout out to friends and family?
Given a destination wedding, everyone traveled to be at our wedding. We are so grateful for everyone that came. A big big thanks to my family from the East Coast- Melissa and Gary from Connecticut, and the rest of her Fernandes Family from Florida, including, Joe, Dennise, Eddie, Renesse, Maria, Lori, Michael, Tony, and Julia, Jemma, and Joell the flower girls and ring bearer 🙂
A special thanks to my parents Joe Fernandes and Sue Darnell for contributing to our wedding.
Last but not least, thank you to the following WONDERFUL wedding vendors!
Venue: Tsillan Cellars
Groomal attire: Mens Warehouse
Florals: Lake Chelan Flowers- Lynn Tuttle
Catering: Sorrento’s
Decor: Rentals : Lake Chelan Rentals
Music: DJ Cam Smith
Video: Rachel Patterson
Pie Bar: Deb’s Delights
Hair: London’s Salon (Sarah)
Makeup: Linda Crase
Lashes: Lush Lashes (Kia Smith)
Maid of honor sending a boob pic to her hubby, no big deal.
An emotional First Look with dad, Joe.
Prompt: “Now I want you to walk down this hill and by the time we’re down there, you’ve made a baby.”
I know, I’m incorrigible.
This photo has been requested so many times but I never get bored of replicating it.
Such a good job by Ellie Haish and Lynn Tuttle!
Seriously THE BEST best-man’s toast I’ve ever heard – and I’ve heard A LOT.
How hot are these two? I don’t know. VERY.
Commencing the most epic FOUR-HOUR DANCE PARTY. On a little island around which was a moat. You’ll see what I mean (last photo).
Planning a Romantic Tsillan Cellars Summer Wedding? Wanna hire a rad Lake Chelan wedding photographer? Drop me an email!
