Real Bride Friday | Kallie and Brad

Wedding Date: August 7th, 2021

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Venue: The Cannery Lodge

Photographer: Grace Upon Grace Photography

Florist: Sara Benner

Menswear: Lululemon and Men’s Warehouse

Catering: My best friend’s mom made us a taco bar!

Cake: We had a dessert table that my mother-in-law and aunt made for us.

Tailor: Angie Joy - Soldotna, AK

Hair: Luxe Studio - Terryn Pearson

Makeup: Holly Tzou

Why did you pick your venue: “The view and the options of places to get married and hold the reception, really drew us in. We got married on their beautiful deck and had the reception in a building that opened up to an outdoor space. We had a fire and people could walk and mingle, dance, or play corn hole. We had the most perfect wedding that fit us.”

Why did you pick your dress: “My dress made me feel like a woman. It made me feel timelessly beautiful, gave me butterflies, and was everything I didn’t even know I wanted. It made me feel sexy, but classy and most of all it made everything feel real. The open back with three simple straps, the peek a boo sides, the beautiful lace details all over the dress was more than I could have imagined I wanted.”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Simply us. We wanted a wedding that reflected who we are as a couple, as individuals, and what means the most to us. For us that was small, intimate, simplicity, tacos, corn hole, and fun with friends and family. What more do we need.”

How you met: “We met our freshman year of college. He was on the hockey team at UAA, I was on the gymnastics team at UAA. We talked all night one night beginning of sophomore year and it was game over. Seven years later - we are married and have two adorable fur babies.”

How they proposed: “He proposed on Christmas Eve 2020. He got dog tags for our two dachshunds- we always joke about our dogs name tags. So he told me he got new ones for them and to check them out. I looked at Millie Rose (our female) name tag it said “will you” and then at Tater Tot (our male) and it said “marry me?” I turned around and he was down on one knee and asked “so will you marry me?” I said yes! And he turned to the dogs and goes “she said yes! You guys did so good! Thanks for all the help! That was a lot of pressure for us all” It was so perfect and so us!”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “One of my favorite memories from that day, and only a few people got to see this was as soon as I turned the corner to walk down the aisle, I locked eyes with my husband. Tears starting to fill my eyes and he puts his hands over his eyes like he was looking through binoculars… my husband, my dad, and myself all start laughing and it took all of the nerves away. It was the best way to walk to my husband, this is why I love him.”

Real Bride Friday | Rylee and Kristopher

Wedding Date: August 7th, 2021

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Venue: Private Venue

Photographer: Ivory Keep Photography - Taylor Beck

Videographer: Haley J Media

Florist: Cedar’s Floral

DJ: Mois Gonzales

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse

Cake: Ardy Cakes

Tailor: Celestial Designs

Hair and Makeup: Kristina Webster ( Makeup ) & Whitney Cabudol ( Hair )

The best part of the venue: “Walking down the aisle seeing my husband for the first time. Kris did not want to do a first look at all, so that moment was extremely special seeing him for the first time.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We wanted a simple wedding. We wanted it to be a good time and to celebrate with our close friends and family. My Maid Of Honor’s In-laws joked in the past “ You guys can get married at our house “ because literally, her mother-in-law has everything to throw a party. Kris and I both liked the idea of a backyard wedding, they have a beautiful property and we both wanted to just have a good time.”

Favorite part of your gown: “All of the detail it had, I loved every single layer of it.”

Why did you pick your dress: “A month before I got engaged I saw it on an Instagram post and knew it was the one. It’s the style I always wanted & I just knew it would be THE DRESS. I went to Bateau & told Holly I want to find my dress here. Told her exactly what style I liked she pulled about 7 dresses for me to try, the dress I picked was the first one I tried on and I fell in love, I tried it on again at the end after trying all the other ones on and just knew that was the dress.”

Three words to describe your day: “Lots of tears, lots of love, lots of happiness”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “My own ideas, I’m very picky and picked everything out myself.”

How you met: “We met through my best friend, Kris actually was living in Colorado at the time. He was not going to move home but we talked for about a month, and Kris said he was coming back to Alaska to go to school. I knew Kris was the one the moment I met him.”

How they proposed: “At the top of Alyeska Ski Resort, Kris proposed & lost my ring in the snow. It fell out of the box before I even saw it. We did not find it, it was close to closing time and there was way too many people around us. Then the next day was employee ski day only, I called Alyeska begging them to let us go look. We had a metal detector and shovel. When we got to the top I knew we would not find it… the groomers had already groomed the mountain & the chances of finding it were impossible. Ski patrol even said good luck guys that’s going to be impossible haha. I really don’t know how we found it. Two hours later we found my ring with every single diamond in it. The snow grader even caught my ring and shifted the band. But to be so lucky and find it on the top of a mountain was still so crazy to me. Kris got back down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”

Any other fun memories/moments from the day: “My photographer who lives in Las Vegas, and happens to be my god sister surprised me the day of our wedding with a videographer. Kris and I really wanted to have one it just wasn’t in our wedding budget. Taylor managed to get a group of our close friends together & they all made the video possible. It was so so special. Our whole entire wedding day was perfect. It poured rain the morning of, and by the time the ceremony happened it was absolutely beautiful the rest of the evening.”

Real Bride Friday | Johanna and Willie

Wedding Date: August 20th, 2021

Gown Designer: Willowby

Venue: Forget Me Not Nursery

Photographer: The Adams Co

Florist: Bouquet - Tanya Val | Everything Else - Johanna Andersen Creative

The best part of the venue: “The flowers! That's my answer, I am sure my husband would say the views. Overall, can't recommend the venue enough. The owners are amazing and the grounds are beautiful!.”

Why did you pick your venue: “We were looking for a venue that gave our guests the "Alaskan experience" without having to be in the middle of the woods or on top of a mountain somewhere.”

Favorite part of your gown: “It was so incredibly comfortable! I ran all around Bird Point for our portrait session and it really stood the test of wind and wilderness. I felt perfectly like myself.”

Three words to describe your day: “Intimate, Magnificent, Alaskan”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “I loved floral preservation for the aspects of sustainability, beauty, and memories. I used that as my guide when planning the wedding, from the floral installation to the pressed flowers on the wedding cake and place cards. I foraged and/or collected all the floral pieces for free and from the Alaskan wild, which was a top priority for me, not just for the budget, but for sustainability.”

How they proposed: “The proposal quite literally came out of nowhere. I have never been more surprised, even though that's always what I said I wanted, so I shouldn't have been too surprised. We went out cross-country skiing at the hilltop trails, of which I was underprepared for, so I took a big downhill fall. We ended up taking a slow walk to the proposal scene where two of our friends had set up lights, candles, blankets, and a video. The video was made by Willie during his very recent (1 week or so before) trip to fly back to North Carolina to surprise my family and ask my dad for permission to marry me. I thought he was on a work trip, as he was only gone for 48 hours, but I saw the events of his travels and the moment my dad realized he was there in the video. In the end, he asked me to marry him and then surprised me with tickets to fly home the next day and surprise my family for Christmas! A+++ to him for pulling off such a grand surprise and for all the thoughtfulness.”

Any other fun memories/moments from the day: “We did our portrait session out at Bird Point and just as we exited the woods, we were greeted with belugas playing around the rocks in front of us. It was amazing!”

Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

Hey Brides!

Bateau Bridal Boutique and Johanna Andersen Creative want to spoil you! If you purchase your gown from us between January 14th - February 14th you will be automatically entered to win a free 8x10 Boutqet Preservation from Johanna Andersen Creative!

Real Bride Friday | Mackenzie and Chris

Wedding Date: October 4th, 2021

Gown Designer: Evie Young Bridal

Venue: “We were visited various locations throughout Girdwood: Alyeska Tram, Winner Creek Trail, Virgin Creek Falls, Moose Meadow, and Glacier River”

Photographer: Sarah French Photography

Florist: Paper Peony

Cake: Fire Island Bakery

Hair and Makeup: Elizabeth Burke Artistry

The best part of the venue: “ I loved the snow-capped mountains & fall leaves.”

Why did you pick your venue: “It was where Chris asked me to be his girlfriend and has always been a special place.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The lace and the train are to DIE FOR! The fringe sleeves can be removed and give the dress a different look. I feel like Stevie Nicks & Rapunzel!”

Why did you pick your dress: “The boho vibe is exactly what my style is and this dress by Evie Young is without a doubt JUST that. It’s incredibly comfortable, in my price range, non-traditional, and fun! I have never felt more beautiful in anything, I didn’t want to take it off when the day was done.”

Three words to describe your day: “Stunning. Whimsical. Intimate.”

How you met: “We met through the Air Force".”

How they proposed: “He flew me out on a surprise helicopter tour of the Knik Glacier and proposed while overlooking a blue glacier pool with just us two!”

Real Bride Friday | Stephanie and James

Wedding Date: June 5th, 2021

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Venue: Stephanie’s grandma’s yard in Fairbanks (for the ceremony)/Palmer area for glacier photos

Photographer: Wilder Arts (for the ceremony)/Chugach Peaks (for a glacier photo shoot a couple of days later)

Florist: Emma Mayo

Hair and Makeup: Elements Salon

Cake: Kimberly Durst Cakes

Tailor: AL Sewing

Chugach Peaks Photography

Why did you pick your venue: “My grandma has a gorgeous yard, so that’s one reason. It’s also a very meaningful place to me as her house has been a second home, both while growing up and to this day. It’s one of my favorite places to be.”

Favorite part of your gown: “I don’t think I could pick one! I love the elegance to it in that it’s form-fitting and has a flare of gorgeous lace on the back.”

Why did you pick your dress: “All the dresses I tried on were beautiful, but as soon as I tried this on, I think my jaw about dropped. I just knew it was the one.”

How you met: “He actually knew my parents before I knew him, but they went to the same church in Fairbanks. My parents like to invite people to dinner who may be on their own for the holidays. So during nursing school, I came up from Anchorage to join my family for Easter, and he was at that dinner. I was still very busy in school, so I thought nothing more of the new people I met there. But once I finished school and moved back to Fairbanks, we met for real.”

How they proposed: “He was about to be stationed in Japan so I flew down to Alabama to see him before he left. He took me jet-skiing, biking, scuba diving, flying (he’s a pilot), and joined me as I showed him my love of rowing. A couple of days before we parted, he took me walking down an old railroad bridge turned pedestrian walkway. He took his time in crossing, which isn’t like him, but I thought nothing of it at the time, just that it was odd. As we neared the end, he twirled me and coming out of the spin, I found him down in his knee.”

Any other fun memories/moments from the day:” My sister and her amazing talents and incredible thoughtfulness. Photo booth fun and goofiness. Riverside dance floor. Canoe launch getaway.”

Real Bride Friday | Maddie and Sean

Wedding Date: June 12th, 2021

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Venue: Sunset View Resort

Photographer: Kristian Irey

Catering: Masters Catering

Hair and Makeup: Evergreen Esthetics

The best part of the venue: “The best part of our venue was that all the family was able to enjoy our wedding weekend with us.”

Favorite part of your gown: “I loved the sparkly details in the front!”

Three words to describe your day: “My Favorite Day!”

Any other fun memories/moments from the day: “Getting ready with my girls was very emotional for me and the father-daughter reveal was something I will never forget.”

Real Bride Friday | Shelby and Randon

Wedding Date: September 17th, 2021

Gown Designer: Katie May

Venue: Halibut Cove, Alaska

Photographer: Raw Beauty Photography

Florist: Alaska Flower Mill

HMUA: Dollhouse Beauty AK (Savanna Kinnard)

The best part of the venue: “The views at the Lighthouse we stayed in.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The vintage lace matched my ring perfectly, which was my Husband’s Grandmother’s ring.”

Why did you pick your dress: “It made me feel beautiful as soon as I tried it on!”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “We had perfect weather, perfect people, and a perfect day. 💗 Shoutout to my photographer, Alyssa, for basically being my bridesmaid!”

New Arrival Spotlight | Essense of Australia

Fall means new arrivals!

We are so excited about the new collection from Essense of Australia that we felt like we had to give you a sneak peek of a few of our favorite gowns that will be making their grand appearance in the boutique soon!

XXX, Team Bateau

Style: D3406

This beautiful ball gown features beaded spaghetti straps, a corset bodice, and a tiered skirt with scattered lace applique throughout. The perfect gown for those who dream of twirling all night long! This gown will be available in sizes 2-34.

Style: D3443

Hey Boho Brides! This one is for you! How amazing is the detail on this intricate lace? Illusion bodice and sides for a sexy look and finished off with the cutest bubble sleeves! This gown will be available in sizes 2-24.

Style: D3465

A stunning A-line gown to complete the sneak peek! A sweetheart neckline to compliment all body types and a stunning corset back with beaded details throughout! This gown will be available in Ivory, Honey, Mocha, or White and can be ordered in sizes 2-24.

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Real Bride Friday | Kristen and Dan

Wedding Date: June 24th, 2021

Gown Designer: Theia Bridal

Venue: Parson’s Lake

Photographer: Narrow Road Productions

Florist: Tundra Rose

Catering/Cake: Hearth Eatery & Cater to You, LLC

Hair and Make-Up: Emily Kraemer & Paige Ramos

The best part of the venue: “Home - where the bride grew up”

Why did you pick your venue: “Home is where the heart is and it’s hard to beat lake life!”

Favorite part of your gown: “The fabric and added buttons on the back”

Why did you pick your dress: “It was simple and timeless”

Three words to describe your day: "Quaint, simple, fun”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “Romantic classic vibes and a small intimate guest list”

How you met: “Over Goldie’s coffee!”

How they proposed: “Dan proposed during a snowmachine trip to a remote Alaskan glacier.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “A small wedding with live music was one of the best decisions we made.”

Real Bride Friday | Ilsa and Bryan

Wedding Date: June 19th, 2021

Gown Designer: Essense of Australia

Veil Designer: Hushed Commotion

Venue: Meier Lake Resort

Photographer: Sara Olivia Photographer

Florist: Bloomsbury Blooms

Menswear: Generation Tux

Cake: Ardy Cakes

Catering: Sal’s New York Grill

Tailor: Celestial Designs

Hair: Amanda at Gloss Styling
Makeup: Chance at Cloud 9 Day Spa

The best part of the venue: “The fact that our guests could enjoy the whole weekend with us! The lake, cabins, clubhouse, and grounds kept our multi—day event entertaining and comfortable.”

Why did you pick your venue: “Meier Lake was modern with clean design, yet still felt Alaskan as we had a stunning view of the lake and mountains.”

Favorite part of your gown: “The back! The low cut, covered buttons, and floral detailing on the train were everything.”

Why did you pick your dress: “It was the only dress that I could imagine wearing when I stood next to my husband at the alter.”

Three words to describe your day: “Timeless. Romantic. Joyful.”

Your inspiration for the wedding: “An elegant summer camp wedding weekend.”

How you met: “We met at Chilkoot Charlie’s of all places!”

How they proposed: “Bryan proposed on an an overlook of Waikiki on our first trip to Hawaii together.”

Any other fun memories / moments from the day: “Our officiant tried to give me my husband’s ring during the ceremony, it was too funny and I’ll always remember it. That, along with the time with friends around the fire after the reception, will stay with us forever.”