Serving up high-caliber design and service to only the coolest couples and queerest weddings in the Seattle metro area. We serve Seattle, Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, Snohomish County, and the greater Pacific Northwest.
I’ve been planning live events since 1995, when I got hooked on the behind-the-scenes work that happens in live theatre. As a stage manager, I worked with all kinds of personalities to create unique experiences, handling every small detail without losing sight of the big picture. That’s the A game I’ll bring to your wedding (Read more about why stage managers make great wedding planners here. You’ll notice that I’m not the only one of those on my team.)
While planning my own (first) wedding in 2010, I noticed all the bride-centric, sexist, homophobic nonsense and it pissed me the fuck off. So I decided to do something about it. In 2011, I switched gears from theatre to weddings and focused on advocating for couples who are marginalized by society and the wedding industry to get y’all the joyful, beautiful, offbeat, love fests you deserve.
Since then, I’ve gotten really good at weddings – and I’ve trained a fantastic team to help me get it all done.
I have an unstoppable urge to create and be creative.
When I’m not planning weddings, you can probably find me doing one of four things: making something, eating something, reading/learning something, or experiencing some kind of art. On Mondays, you’ll find me getting my hands dirty in the pottery studio – that’s my current favorite way to spend a day off. My other crafty hobbies include embroidery, painting, sewing, quilting, and pretending like I will one day have a woodshop in which I make beautiful furniture. Two nights a week, I’m learning Italian because my partner was born in Italy and I’ll be eligible for dual citizenship soon – but only if I pass a language test. That’s cool because I love languages. The other nights my brain is toast TBH, so I’m probably doomscrolling while playing a game on my tablet while half-watching TV. Right next to my partner who is doing the same. Unless it’s a really good show and then it might get my full attention!
On the weekends, I love going for (slow) hikes with my partner, looking for seals and other aquatic creatures at the Ballard Locks or Golden Gardens, eating out, and getting to know this still-somewhat-new-to-me city. I’m a lifelong theater kid and I love to see live performances, especially musicals.
I think a lot about this TED Talk I watched years ago – the speakers were a queer & trans couple talking about their marriage. And something one of them said really stuck with me: “The gift of queerness is options.” Read my blog post on this here.
Without having hundreds of years of tradition and thousands of years of proscribed gender roles pushing down on us, as LGBTQ+ folks getting married, we can do anything. Our weddings can very literally be whatever we want them to be. We don’t have to care or think about traditions or what media or a wedding magazine says we should do (hint: there’s nothing you should do anyway).
I’m a proud West Point grad and served as an Army officer for eight years. During that time, I planned and oversaw hundreds of military operations, and led teams in the most dynamic and stressful situations. Now as a civilian, I bring the same precision and attention to detail to make wedding dreams come true!
I’m a mom of two little girls, an avid Boston sports fan, and I’ll always want to hear about you pets.
Colleen joined us in 2021 and quickly grew from wedding day assistant to an associate planner, helping behind the scenes to make our processes as efficient as possible. She also had top secret clearance in the military – so you know she can keep any wedding planning secrets you want to confess! In 2023, she completed her wedding manager training and she’s now taking on clients of her own. She’s a tremendous asset to our team and to every wedding she works.
I come from a theatre stage management background where it is all about being prepared for any situation at a moment’s notice – with a live audience watching every move.
Outside of work, I am an avid board gamer and quilter – somehow the two go together, but, I have yet to quilt a board game. I watch a lot of who-done-its while doing so, from old classics like Poirot to modern “masterpieces” like Pretty Little Liars.
Jennifer joined us in 2022 and is a wonderful addition to our team! With our shared stage management background, we have an instant shorthand to get things done together, especially under pressure. Jennifer has recently been promoted to managing weddings on her own, so expect to see her taking charge!
I am a producer, performer, and troublemaker. When I’m not in a theatre somewhere – or at your wedding! – I can usually be found at a dog park listening to a podcast. I am proud to call the Pacific Northwest my home.
Fun fact: Maddy’s wedding was the very first one we booked after moving to Seattle back in 2019 – they had such a great experience with us that they applied to join our team! With a background in theatrical stage management and production, Maddy is an expert at putting on a show – and that’s kind of what a wedding is in many ways. We are thrilled to have them on our team!
"Cindy and her team are worth their weight in gold.
I genuinely cannot recommend them enough. We worked with them for two years, and my stress level over my wedding for that period of time was a ~*fraction*~ of what it could have been. That’s a long period of time for one’s mental health to be benefitted. My partner and I both have ADHD, so we can kind of suck at task management and responding to emails. Cindy and her team were so, so good about it and helped us so much with no judgment. I’m incredibly grateful for that. I came into the wedding planning world with a ton of self-induced pressure for it to be both perfect and entirely different from any wedding I had seen before. I knew I had no idea what I was doing and that I’d cry myself to sleep forever if I got it wrong, a deadly combination. Cindy and her team actually made it happen. I am so over-the-moon happy with what my wedding became, and it could not have happened without them. Thank you Aisle Less Traveled!”
-Heather & George
“Hire them immediately. Cindy and her team took such good care of us, worked with our budget, and they empowered us to make sure our wedding was about us, our vibe, and not what other people "usually" do or what's on trend right now or whatever.
They also helped us so much with some pre-wedding design as well, which was so helpful because this is very much not our skillset and we needed help reining in our ideas (our Pinterest board was a smorgasbord of everything ever). This support helped us book additional amazing vendors, and I can’t say enough good things about the Aisle Less Traveled team! Hire them ASAP!”
-Susan & Matt
“From our very first encounter we were absolutely wowed with Cindy's through approach and positive energy.
Planning our wedding with Cindy and the Aisle Less Traveled team at the helm could not have been more delightful. In the months, leading up to our wedding, Cindy provided us with timely reminders, and resources to support our planning so that it never felt overwhelming. She also documented truly EVERY detail which made us feel very prepared.
Day-of, Cindy ran our wedding flawlessly. Safety pin, scissors, lint roller, late guests arriving MID processional, ensuring the brides were fed, and the parents were well behaved, all of the above was handled so precisely. It all looked and felt effortless.
As a queer couple, wedding planning can feel extra daunting- especially when the industry is generally geared to one specific version of what weddings are and what they include. Cindy asked so many thoughtful questions about what we wanted, who would be present, how our people would participate, never making assumptions and supporting each of our unique visions. She was also excellent at marrying (pun intended) our different styles and requests which felt super special.
We could not recommend Cindy enough as your wedding planner, and as a person to just know!”
-Tracey & Jackie
We don’t just know weddings; we know LGBTQ+ weddings. We’ve been planning them since before they were legal. We live and breathe queer culture and we understand how it affects LGBTQ+ weddings.
AKA we handle stress well. We can solve wedding problems in a 30-second blackout, or can solve it in 5 minutes with the lights on. Weddings are so much less stressful for us because we come from theater. Our problem-solving skills are bar none.
Is there anyone who knows how to put on a stellar event as well as a queer artist? Our artistic backgrounds and design experience help us to curate a thoughtful, excellent experience for you and your guests.
We’re super organized, really efficient, and detail-oriented. If you feel like you’re not any of those things, or your brain works differently, working with us will feel like a breeze! We’re kind of mama bears for our clients, and ensure that the process is clear, streamlined, and relaxing for both our neurodivergent and neurotypical clients.
It’s impossible to prove this in a sentence on a website, so you’re just going to have to take our word for it. Better yet, schedule a complimentary discovery call and find out for yourselves!
You know you can plan your wedding just the way you want it. And you also know that you can’t be everyone everywhere all at once, so you’re handing the details and execution over to our team of pros.
You want to handle all of the planning on your own but you’re too smart to believe that your day can run itself. You want your loved ones to get the full guest experience (no working at your wedding!) and you want to actually enjoy it, too!
We handle all of the details so that you don’t miss the moments that matter most.
Let us take all of that pressure off of you. We’ll put our art degrees to work and make a beautiful event that feels authentic to the two of you.
You want to hand off all of the tedious parts of the planning process to a pro, while staying involved in all of the details. You appreciate a clear and efficient process. You’re ready to make decisions quickly, but thoughtfully.
On your wedding day, you’re the VIPs. And with our Bespoke Event Production service, you’ll feel like a VIP from day one.
It’s every detail taken care of, without you having to lift a finger. No researching, no vetting, no thinking about logistics, no inbox full of wedding-related emails.
All we need from you is your vision and your guest list and we will take care of the rest.
You have a clear vision for your wedding, but you have absolutely no desire to do the work of planning it. You want a trusted and experienced professional to make it happen, knowing that you’ll love the results.
(And if you’re worried that you won’t? Don’t be. Because Bespoke Event Production includes a full preview of your wedding day, with the chance to change anything you don’t like.)
Nick and Franklin wanted a modern, refined aesthetic that still evoked the warmth and coziness of a Pacific Northwest forest in the fall. Trinity Tree Farm is a working Christmas tree farm nestled in the foothills of the Cascades, which made it the perfect choice for this enchanted forest vibe.
A magical forest vibe can easily lean into whimsy, which we didn’t want, so we also took inspiration from Nick’s Nordic heritage to elevate the design with clean lines and minimalist styles. A big part of that was adding depth with contrast; our main colors were forest green and burgundy, accented with pops of ballet pink. We paired warm wood tables with black chairs and dishes to add drama. But we didn’t leave out the forest in the process! We draped greenery down the center of the tables and above the dance floor to create the feeling of being in the forest.
Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue: Trinity Tree Farm • Photographer: Jamie Buckley Photography • DJ: Puget Sounds – DJ Kelli • Florals: Flora D’Amore • Catering: The Tall Chef • Farm Tables: Seattle Farm Tables • Cake: Lydia’s Cakes & Confections • Stationery: Minted • Suits: Indochino • Transportation: A&A Limousine • Hotel Blocks: JC Room Blocks
Jackie and Tracey had a wedding that was so very them that it couldn’t possibly have been for anyone else. They really brought the FUN! From the moment guests arrived, they knew they were in for a fabulous time — because they were greeted by a drag queen handing them a glass of champagne.
The good times continued with a drag performance and an absolutely epic dance party, which was all the better because of their design choices. The bold color palette of navy, coral, and gold brought a vibrant edginess to the day, which was complemented by dynamic and colorful lighting throughout the evening.
Wedding Planning: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue: The Hall at Fauntleroy • Photographer: Jay Eads • DJ: DJ Dark Wiley • MC/Drag Performer: Betty Wetter • Photo Booth: Hello There You • Florals: Odd Flowers • Lighting: Crimson Haze Event Lighting • Catering: Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes • Dessert: The Sugah Shack • Hair & Makeup: Lana Eisenbarth • Stationery: Minted • Jackie’s Dress: Sarah Seven • Tracey’s Suit: Nordstrom, Indochino • Tracey’s Shoes: Al’s Attire
Sid and Ren are nerds of the best variety, and when it came to their wedding, they wanted to showcase their favorite interests. It started with their outfits. They decided on full adventurer attire, with capes, corsets, boots, and swords, each topped off with a flower crown.
When it came to decor, they wanted to highlight the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and complement the beautiful trees and flowers at the venue. They chose a color palette of greens and purples, with lots of moss, wood, and live mushrooms! We loved their table assignments – each table was named after a different woodland animal and a beautiful illustration of each animal was set in the center of every table.
One of the most fun things we’ve ever had at a wedding was at theirs: instead of a first dance, they performed a first duel! We called on our theater background and enlisted a stage combat choreographer to design and teach them the fight sequence, which ended with a kiss and a roaring cheer from the crowd! And – you better believe they cut the cake with a sword, too!!
Wedding Planning & Officiant: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue: Twin Willow Gardens • Photographer: Rove Coast Photography • DJ: Orion Entertainment • Florals: Twisted Bramble • Farm Tables: Seattle Farm Tables • Catering: Shooby Doo • Cake: Simply Sweet • Transportation: A&A Limousine • Swords: Jesse Belsky StageSwords • Adventurer Outfits: Celtic Fusion • Shoes: American Duchess • Accessories: Lykos Leather, Dark Age Leathers • Sid’s Jewelry: Balbaox • Ren’s Jewelry: Joo Jewel, Baleen • Invitations: The Knot • Signs: Niki Press Designs • Woodland Animal Table Numbers: Studio In Budapest
Steph and Lauren dreamed of a warm and cozy early fall wedding that would show off the beautiful gardens at Willows Lodge and incorporate their love of nature. We chose a color palette of rich evergreens, warm earthy tones, and pops of peach pinks and coral. Working closely with our vendor team, we selected peach, sage, and hunter linens accented with copper glass votives.
We opted for loose, organic vibes with the florals, choosing coppery compote bowls to hold our centerpieces and arranging our ceremony florals on the venue’s wooding arbor and wine barrels. We kept the lighting soft and warm, with market lights strung over the reception and paper lanterns lighting the way to the gelato cart for dessert.
Steph and Lauren put their own very special touch on the decor with a custom welcome sign styled as if at the entrance to a national park, and miniature national park signs designating each dining table as a different park.
Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue & Catering: Willows Lodge • Photographer & Videographer: Miranda Florer • DJ: Puget Sounds – DJ Kelli • Florals: Flora D’Amore • Lighting: Glow Lighting • Hair & Makeup: Blush Strokes Beauty • Gelato Cart: Nutty Squirrel • Officiant: Pastor Ellie • National Park Welcome Sign: Timber and Stain • National Park Table Signs: Victor Wood Forge • Steph’s Wedding Dress: Anthropologie • Lauren’s Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero from I Do Bridal • Steph’s Shoes: Nordstrom Rack • Lauren’s Shoes: Aldo • Hotel Blocks: JC Room Blocks
Juliana and Nicole wanted to create an atmosphere of warmth, ease, and excitement. Their vision was a nature-focused event with saturated colors, cozy spaces, and lots of greenery. Our inspiration for color was a sunset – we included a full range from pinks and oranges to blues and purples.
To create the cozy vibe, we added candles all around, rugs down the aisle, and lounge furniture on the patio, which was used throughout the reception. The centerpieces were nestled into beds of moss, with each table having a signature flower as the main point of the arrangement. That flower was also pressed into the table number.
A colorful floral design was chosen for their invitations and signs to bring it all together. And we can’t skip over our absolute favorite part of this design – “curtains” made of flowers strung together to beautifully filter light into the ballroom.
Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue & Catering: The Lodge at St. Edward State Park • Photographer: Amanda Summerlin • Videographer: Shutter & Sound • DJ & Photo Booth: Orion Entertainment • Florals: Floravore • Lighting: Glow Lighting • Rentals: Wander Event Rentals • Cakes: Askatu Bakery • Hair: Sanseveria • Makeup: Blush & Braids Beauty Bar • Hotel Room Blocks: JC Room Blocks
Andy and Victor came to us with a crystal clear vision for their wedding. They wanted an elegant, glamorous affair – and they wanted every single guest to feel like a VIP at an exclusive club. When we started talking about design, they already had a dress code in mind: they would wear black tuxes, the wedding party would wear all white, and they would ask their guests to arrive fashionably dressed in the colors of the rainbow.
They weren’t particularly interested in live flowers and they wanted to keep the event color palette neutral as well, so we settled on black and white with metallic details. We transformed the ballroom from basic to elevated with floor-to-ceiling black and white draping. White ostrich feathers, gold painted palm fronds, and draped crystals made their centerpieces sparkly but chic.
The tablescapes were on point with black linens, gold flatware, and white plates on top of gold-rimmed glass chargers. We never overlook the importance of lighting in setting the mood – which meant warm uplighting around the room for dinner and then a full-color, club style show for dancing.
Wedding Planning & Event Design: Aisle Less Traveled • Wedding Venue & Catering: Suquamish Clearwater Resort & Casino • Photographer: Amanda Summerlin • DJ: Jess the Ripper • Florals: Flora D’Amore • Rentals: CORT Party Rentals • Draping: Quest Events • Lighting: Lovecraft Events • Stationery: Minted • Hair & Makeup: Blush Strokes Beauty • Andy’s Tux: Viktor Luna • Victor’s Tux: Sharpe Suiting • Groom’s Shirts: Indochino • Bow Ties: FloralTrip • Cuff Links: Ox & Bull Trading Co • Reception Jumpsuits: Christian Siriano • Andy’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin • Victor’s Shoes: To Boot New York • Transportation: A&A Limousine • Hotel Blocks: JC Room Blocks