Because theknot.com forgot about Spokane, WA…
About Us
Rachel Sandall
Founder/Editor
My name is Rachel and Apple Brides was born out of my experience planning a wedding in Spokane… from Ireland. I was married in October of 2009 at the Davenport Hotel and found Spokane’s wedding presence online awful, and unlike most US cities, huge sites like The Knot and Martha Stewart didn’t even mention Spokane. I couldn’t find a comprehensive vendor directory anywhere. There were no pictures of venues, price lists, cake portfolios and most of all, I couldn’t find reviews from REAL brides about the vendors I was considering.
Although, I’m originally from Spokane, I spent three years as Editor of Ireland’s largest wedding media company, WeddingsOnline.ie and B Magazine. I’m no expert, but I’m passionate about weddings and with a little help from the Spokane wedding community, my goal is to make this a resource for Spokane/ Coeur d’ Alene area brides to find everything they need to make wise decisions about their wedding
Contact Rachel at RachelSandall@applebrides.com.
Melissa Persling
Marketing/Sales
One of the best things that happened to Apple Brides in 2011 was adding Melissa to the team! Born and raised in Coeur d’ Alene, Melissa brought a missing Idaho voice to the Apple Brides vision. She has experience in both the beauty and online media industries and was hired to do sales for the site, but it didn’t take long for us to realize that her talents were far too vast to be pigeon-holed. She’s now become the marketing director/photo shoot stylist/networking guru/fill in make-up artist and all around employee of the year for Apple Brides!
Melissa works hard to make sure the quality vendors in the Spokane/Coeur d’ Alene area are easily able to connect with the amazing local couples who read Apple Brides. She keeps our directory up to date and handles vendor marketing.
Contact Melissa at melissa@applebrides.com.
Page image by Mastin Studio. Header photographed by Erin Samuell for A Simple Photograph. Head shot images by Amber Glanville Photography.
All work on Apple Brides, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Rachel, I love the fact that you are doing this for the Brides of Spokane and the vicinity. I agree with you that we seem to be in a no mans land. As far as I am concerned you are expert enough!! Keep up the good work and let me know if you need anything to help with the good work you are doing.
I am so glad you took this on! I was thinking about starting my own spokane bride blog and then I found this! Email me if you need any new info (kinda a type A so I have lots of info)!
Thanks Hailey! I think all Spokane brides feel the same way…why has the online world of weddings forgot about us?!
I will definitely be needing all the help I can get, so I will be in touch!
Love the idea of a wedding blog specific to Spokane!
Wow, thank you so much! I am really looking forward to using this blog.
Rachel,
It was great to connect with you, I am glad I found your blog! I understand your frustration with the “major players” like The Knot. As a central Washington Wedding Venue, we do not fall under the category of “Seattle” either!
Our 22 acre property is in Leavenworth, WA and is a beautiful outdoor venue with a restored 1944 Dairy Barn for your reception or indoor ceremony. Our weddings include all the amenities you need like tables, white chairs, linens, dishes and staff to help make your day perfect!
Looking forward to using your blog as a great wedding reference for our brides!
Love the idea having someone represent Spokane to our area brides! They certainly will appreciate it!
Thanks Amy!
Hi Rachel,
This is your neighbor Maggie, Erinn and Mackenzie’s mom. Erinn educated me about your website and service to brides, so want to let you know that we provide lavender plants and fresh lavender for wedding bouquets, table arrangements, etc. We are updating the website as we’re trying to add new pictures,etc. for weddings. I hope all is well with you and your family. It’s great that you are living in Spokane now. Thank you, Maggie
I stumbled across AppleBrides and am so thankful! Already I can feel my stress level diminishing! I stopped buying bridal magazines because nothing applied to our area; as soon as I did, this amazing resource fell into my lap. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to making a girl’s wedding day the truly best it can be!
That totally made my day, thanks Danna! I’m so glad you’ve found the site useful, that’s why I do what I do. Hope your plans are coming along well!
Rachel,
Congrats!! It’s refreshing to see someone who is honest about their background and has a passion and love for the business. I too stumbled upon your site by one of our growers- and am excited to pass this on to my daughter who is currently planning a wedding for next year and is struggling with the vendor aspects. My hope is one day our 4th generation farm will be a vendor with AB amongst our christmas trees. Gods Blessings and many thanks
http://www.twocookswithlovecatering.com
Nice blog, I’ll look at it more, in time… happy to see you commited to Spokane!
A very needed resource!
I just wanted to thank you for creating this website! It has been a major help to me. Not only is planning a wedding overwhelming in itself, but I am also new to the area so I really had no idea where to turn for help. You have made the whole process so much easier!
I’m so glad the site has been useful for you Kendra! Good luck with your plans!
Rachel, I am about 6 months into my planning for an August wedding in Sandpoint, Idaho, and I JUST came across your website. This completely annoys me because it is AMAZING!! I am a frequent user of theknot.com and find myself irritated in the lack of information for the Inland Northwest. I’m sure I’ll be writing you again, but I just had to take a spontaneous moment to say thank you. Thank you for making my life SO much easier for the next few months. Please keep up the great work and know how much you are appreciated by us country girls!
Thank you Chelsea! The encouragement means so much. Hope your planning is going well, let me know if you need any info, etc!
P.S. congrats!
I saw the featured wedding which was at Michams Barn and I am hoping to find a website were I can learn more about their facility.. If anyone can help it would be much appreciated!! I also want to say how much help this website has been in my pre planning process!!
Hi Jaime, I am so glad you’ve found the site helpful in your plans!
Unfortunately, I don’t know much about Mitcham’s Barn and I couldn’t seem to find a website for them. I think your best bet might be to give them a call and go tour it. I think their number is 509.238.6798.
Good luck!