Alex & Rachel were married at Red Tail Canyon Farms located in Leavenworth, Washington.
Their Story: Alex & Rachel
Alex and Rachel met at Montana State University in the fall of 2005. Rachel was dating Alex’s roommate Michael and the three of them became fast friends. Through many years of classes, dances, house parties, and weekend trips, Alex and Rachel’s friendship deepened.
Alex’s family first met Rachel, on Thanksgiving their first year of college. She, along with a couple of friends decided to spend the holiday with Alex in Seattle. Rachel was quiet among their large group (which usually happens when you get all of the Spietz kids together). But she was able to whip out some one-line zingers that she would mumble under her breath that would totally nail whoever was talking.
On one of Alex’s trips home, he talked about how he and Rachel were the early risers in their group of friends and that they would get up, make a pot of coffee and talk for hours about every topic under the sun. He loved that they could talk about anything, freely speak their minds to each other, and have a deep respect when their views differed.
When Alex’s Dad passed away in 2010, Alex’s close friends, Adam, Michael, Alyssa and Rachel drove from Montana for his service. His older sister was so impressed that these young people who had only their dad a handful of times would give up their weekend and drive hundreds of miles to be there for Alex. Their Mom always used to say that you make your friends for life in college and Alex was very lucky to have found such wonderful friends.
Later that summer, Alex moved home and he was so excited that Rachel was also moving to Seattle. They had begun dating, long-distance dating, as Alex decided to live with Neil in Wenatchee, while Rachel was in Seattle. The time apart helped their relationship grow and made the moments they spent together so much more special.
Alex and Rachel moved into together in Seattle in March 2011, while Rachel was working on her Master’s degree at the University of Washington and Alex was taking prereqs for nursing school while working at the zone, the Auto Zone.
In early 2013, they bought their first home together in Shoreline. Shortly after this Alex was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. This was not the start to their new life that they had planned on, but in true form, they handled the next two years with grace, strength, tenacity and love.
Alex’s sister spent many days with Alex and Rachel during his treatments and was constantly impressed with how well they got along, respected each other, and lived as a couple. They knew how to push each other’s buttons, but rarely did. Recently, he told his sister that they know when a battle is coming and instead of arguing their points, they decide if the battle is even worth fighting, most of the time it is not.
Rachel has been a godsend in their lives during through this challenging time. Her intelligence, lack of fear, and faith in Alex’s full recovery comforted his family as they watched and waited for Alex to heal.
Alex is now working at Carter Subaru in Shoreline and Rachel is working on her PhD at UW. They have spent their spare time raising chickens, who live in a pretty sweet chicken coop that they built, building a garden which produces some of the most flavorful vegetables, taking off for the weekend to go camping in the forest or on the ocean, and creating a beautiful home with an always open door for their many friends and family to visit, eat a good meal and share stories and laughter.
We all wish Alex and Rachel a lifetime of love and happiness from this day forward. (Story provided by Alex’s sister)
The Wedding
A beautiful summer afternoon provided a lovely backdrop for Alex and Rachel’s wedding day. Alex and Rachel were all smiles. Friends were busy putting together the bridal bouquets, their friends were busy working on the finishing touches and Rachel finished getting ready for her day. There were a lot of special components to their wedding day. One of Alex’s sisters officiated the wedding ceremony, his other sister walked him down the isle, his brother played the ukulele, and they were surrounded by friends and family. I love it when there are special details included in weddings, the wedding veil that Rachel wore for her wedding day belonged to her grandmother. Their wedding day from beginning to end had so many special moments throughout and truly blessed to have been a part of their wedding day.
The Venue: Red Tail Canyon Farms | Leavenworth, WA
Red Tail Canyon Farms is located in Leavenworth, Washington and is a wonderful outdoor wedding venue. Red-Tail Canyon Farm is known for its old-style hospitality. The venue is a family owned and operated farm that was established and built in 1978 from the ground up by Ross and Marianne Frank. Most of the crew has been with them for numerous seasons and we have been told over and over that they are exceptionally friendly, warm and informative. They are a pleasure to work with and take excellent care of their clients!
Vendors
Photographer: Lynette Smith Photography | Florist: Family & Friends | Venue: Red Tail Canyon Farms
Alex & Rachel | Red Tail Canyon Farms | Leavenworth Wedding
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