Formerly Jonathan Tung Photography

Kent & Yvonne Wedding | Twin Willow Gardens in Snohomish, WA

Weddings

June 20, 2026

Some love stories begin with a grand gesture. Kent and Yvonne’s started with a simple realization:

“OMG, you’re from Guam too?”

When the two first matched, discovering their shared roots immediately created a connection. Years later, surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated that connection with an unforgettable wedding day at Twin Willow Gardens in Snohomish, Washington.

Set among towering trees, lush gardens, and one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful outdoor ceremony spaces, their wedding perfectly blended elegance, personality, and the natural beauty of Washington in the spring.

A Meaningful Wedding Inspired by Nature

When choosing a wedding venue, Kent and Yvonne wanted a space that reflected everything they loved about the Pacific Northwest.

Twin Willow Gardens immediately stood out.

The venue showcased the beauty of nature while offering two completely different experiences: a secluded forest ceremony space and a stunning reception tent surrounded by gardens. It was the perfect setting for the elegant yet playful atmosphere they envisioned.

Their wedding design was inspired by the venue itself. Garden-inspired florals, thoughtful details, and intentional design choices transformed the space into a celebration that felt both elevated and welcoming.

Yvonne had spent months dreaming about how everything would come together. When asked what she was most excited about on the wedding day, her answer was simple:

“The florals, and seeing the stuff I designed come together.”

Kent’s answer reflected what mattered most to him:

“Seeing all my extended family in one spot.”

By the end of the day, both dreams became reality.

An Emotional First Look in the Rain

The morning began beneath moody skies and a steady spring rain.

Rather than seeing the weather as a setback, Kent and Yvonne embraced it fully.

Hidden away from family and friends, they shared an intentionally private first look. No guests. No wedding party. No audience.

Just the two of them.

Standing beneath an umbrella as rain softly fell around them, they exchanged private vows and letters. Tears quickly gave way to tissues as emotions poured out from both sides.

It was one of the most intimate first looks I’ve ever witnessed.

The rain seemed to slow time down, creating a quiet and emotional space before the celebration began.

Rainy Wedding Party Portraits with Garden Charm

As we moved into wedding party portraits, the rain continued.

What could have been a challenge quickly became one of the most memorable visual elements of the day.

Clear umbrellas, lush greenery, and soft overcast light created a romantic garden atmosphere that perfectly complemented the venue. The wedding party embraced every moment, and the resulting images felt timeless, elegant, and unmistakably Pacific Northwest.

The umbrellas added character, texture, and storytelling to every portrait.

Sometimes the weather doesn’t detract from a wedding day.

Sometimes it becomes part of the story.

A Forest Ceremony at Twin Willow Gardens

Guests arrived under umbrellas as venue staff thoughtfully escorted everyone to their seats, carefully wiping down chairs moments before the ceremony began.

The ceremony space at Twin Willow Gardens felt absolutely magical.

Towering trees created a natural cathedral overhead while a live string quartet provided elegant music tucked among the forest backdrop. The combination of nature and live music created an atmosphere that was both peaceful and deeply romantic.

One of the most meaningful parts of the ceremony was the processional.

Rather than walking separately, Kent and Yvonne chose to walk down the aisle together while their parents watched from their seats. It was a beautiful reflection of the partnership they had already built and a reminder that this day was about stepping into marriage side by side.

Spring florals framed the arbor with the perfect touch of color, bringing warmth and life to the forest setting.

The ceremony itself carried every emotion imaginable.

There was laughter.

There were tears.

There were quiet moments of reflection.

And finally, there was the moment everyone had been waiting for their first kiss as husband and wife.

Cocktail Hour, Family, and Celebration

Following the ceremony, guests spread throughout the gardens for cocktail hour while family portraits took place beneath the towering trees.

The atmosphere felt relaxed and joyful.

Friends reunited.

Families caught up.

Drinks were shared.

Photos were taken.

And conversations filled every corner of the venue.

Kent and Yvonne had intentionally chosen to make the guest experience feel welcoming and approachable. Even their signature drinks reflected their personalities, with cocktails and mocktails named after their beloved pets and beers selected from some of their personal favorites.

Before joining cocktail hour, the couple completed their marriage signing inside the groom’s suite, surrounded by beautiful natural light streaming through the windows.

It was a quiet moment before the celebration continued.

A Traditional Attire Change and Grand Entrance

One of the details the couple was most excited to share with their guests was their reception attire.

After signing their marriage license, Kent changed into a traditional Barong while Yvonne changed into a beautiful Qi Pao.

As they made their entrance into cocktail hour, guests erupted into cheers.

It was one of the many moments that showcased the couple’s heritage while adding another meaningful layer to their wedding story.

A Beautiful Reception Under the Tent

The reception took place beneath Twin Willow Gardens’ iconic reception tent, one of the venue’s most celebrated features.

The space was stunning.

Lush spring florals added vibrant color throughout the reception while natural light continued to flow through the tent despite the rain outside.

The result felt elegant, inviting, and effortlessly connected to the surrounding gardens.

Dinner was catered by Alexa’s Catering and featured an elevated menu of salmon, steak, roasted carrots, Yukon potatoes, corn salad, dinner rolls, and chimichurri sauce.

While the couple intentionally wanted the food to be approachable rather than the centerpiece of the evening, it was clear guests thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

Laughter, Tears, and Heartfelt Toasts

As dinner concluded, the evening transitioned into toasts.

The groom’s sister delivered a heartfelt speech as Groomswoman, while the bride’s sister shared memories as Maid of Honor.

Members of the wedding party followed with their own stories and well wishes.

Throughout the speeches, Kent and Yvonne experienced what seemed like every emotion possible.

One moment they were laughing.

The next they were wiping away tears.

Then laughing again.

I’ve rarely witnessed such a wide range of emotion compressed into such a short period of time.

It was a testament to the deep relationships they had built with the people surrounding them.

Private Moments Amid the Celebration

Even with a full wedding day, Kent and Yvonne intentionally carved out quiet moments together.

After the speeches, they shared a private moment behind their sweetheart table.

Later, they slipped away for an intimate cake cutting with no audience and no distractions.

Just the two of them.

Those small pauses often become some of the most meaningful memories from a wedding day.

Sunset Portraits and a Sparkler Exit

As evening approached, we took advantage of a brief break in the weather for sunset portraits.

A massive willow tree nearby created a stunning backdrop, while the gardens at Twin Willow Gardens provided even more opportunities for romantic portraits.

The soft light, lingering rain clouds, and lush greenery felt like the perfect ending to a day defined by nature.

As night fell, guests gathered outside with sparklers in hand.

Kent and Yvonne ran through a tunnel of light and celebration before climbing into the groom’s black Miata and driving off into married life together.

The perfect ending to a wedding day filled with emotion, beauty, family, and unforgettable memories.

Thoughtful Wedding Photography Rooted in Honest Storytelling

Formosa Weddings is rooted in thoughtful storytelling, timeless imagery, and documenting celebrations with honesty and intention. From intimate elopements to full wedding weekends, my goal is to create photographs that feel both elevated and deeply personal.

If you are planning your own wedding celebration, I would love to connect and hear more about your vision.

Inquire About Your Wedding Day