Courtney & Andrew

Real Weddings

Courtney & Andrew

The year 2011 was a banner one for Mercer Island couple Courtney Elam and Andrew Ackley: Courtney passed the bar (while planning a wedding), the couple married, honeymooned abroad and opened their very own law practice together. The two met in law school in 2008, where they soon connected—and commiserated—over their rigorous schedules, teaming up in law and in life after Andrew proposed. Since Andrew popped the question on Christmas Eve 2009 on a beach in Maui, the beaches of home state Washington made the perfect location for their Northwest wedding. Against the backdrop of the Sound and Whidbey’s gorgeous Inn at Langley, the couple’s intimate 55-guest celebration included mostly family and Andrew’s ring bearer Yorkie pooch, Louis. The stylish bride changed into a party dress for the reception, where guests were served a Mediterranean-inspired buffet with salmon, seafood salad, beef and quinoa. Using a silver pen, loved ones signed five wine bottles during the evening, to be opened by the couple on their first five anniversaries (in what will likely be busy years ahead).

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