Erika and John met at Gonzaga University here in Spokane. For this reason, the couple got married in a traditional Catholic ceremony at Gonzaga’s St Aloysius church, then bused all guests over to the Estate for a Gonzaga-themed reception! It was a huge success. The reception was unique in that all guests and family ate outside and went inside to access the buffet table. Erika and John’s sweetheart table sat underneath the portico as well. Bulldog-themed decoration filled the venue. Dancing, cake cutting, and dessert moved everybody inside. The couples’ dessert table was one of the largest we’ve seen yet! It included a traditional cake, donuts, and a bulldog shaped cake. At the end of the night, the bridesmaids and groomsmen chanted “Go Gonzaga! G-O-N-Z-A-G-A” during sendoff.

Get to Know Erika & John

Occupations? John: PhD student. Erika: Marketing. How You Met? Gonzaga. First Real Date? Roller skating at Paddisons. Proposal in Brief? First thing in the morning, in the middle of the river on our annual fly fishing trip. Wedding Time? Ceremony: 2 p.m. Reception: 5 p.m. Wedding Day Weather? Hot! Number of Guests? 200 Wedding Theme? Natural-with rocks. Colors? Amethyst and gold. First Dance Song? Michael Buble-Everything. Centerpieces? Black trays with gold pillars and raw amethyst stones. Wedding Dessert? Donuts from Donut Parade and a cake made by John’s grandma. Day in Three Words? Crazy, wonderful, happiness. Traditional elements? Ceremony was a traditional Catholic mass and we didn’t see each other before the ceremony. Favorite Reception Moment? Dancing our heads off. Honeymoon? Kauai immediately following the wedding.