Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/621126
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | 41 A s a lifelong WAC member, Vanessa Siegel (née Lee) spent her childhood pirouetting, socializing and swimming at the Club. She took her first ballet class at the WAC, enjoyed her high school prom at the Club, and learned to swim in Helene Madison Pool. This past fall she took a different kind of plunge, marrying fiancé Aaron Siegel at the WAC. "I've always felt that the Club is like my second home," Vanessa says. "There was a comfort in knowing that everything was being handled with tremendous care." Vanessa and Aaron met in the fall of 2010, while studying for final law exams at Emory University. They became engaged four years later. Aaron surprised his bride- to-be with a waterside proposal on the dock at Chandler's Crabhouse on Lake Union. A year later, the couple wed. From a formal ceremony to a fun and modern reception in the glittering Crystal Ballroom, Vanessa and Aaron's special day unfolded with ease. "Everyone from the doorman to the waitstaff was amazing," Vanessa says. The couple took full advantage of the Club's amenities before and after the wedding, including a bridesmaids' night in the Presidents Suite and sunset portraits on the deck of the Elliott Bay Suite. The Club's historic architecture and downtown location set the scene for memorable wedding photos that will be cherished for a lifetime—from striking views of Puget Sound to the classy serenity of the Voogd Library. At their ceremony, Vanessa wore a simple strapless dress with an extra-long sheer veil. "The WAC staff truly made us feel like royalty," she says. "Our guests have raved about how kind and accommodating everyone was." PREMIER SERVICE The WAC Catering department's tireless dedication to perfection and personalization make the Club the ideal location to tie the knot. Director Catering Sales Rick Cardona leads a team that includes Catering Sales Managers Renee Brussard and Katie Takahashi as well as Catering Sales Assistant Hannah Park. The Club's catering menu and wedding packages lend ease and grace to the process, allowing wedding parties to relax as they plan and enjoy their big day. As a longstanding Seattle institution, the WAC has hosted thousands of special events. The Club's timeless elegance combined with the staff's skill at organizing and carrying through detailed plans make the WAC a particularly sought-after destination for brides and grooms. "It was so easy, so comfortable, and so fun," recent bride Katie Williamson (née Bartz) says. "I loved every minute of it." Katie and her bridal party were pampered at the Spa at the WAC with pre-ceremony hair and makeup, a perfect L L O Y D P H O T O G R A P H E R S ( 4 ) Vanessa and Aaron wed in the Crystal Ballroom. As longtime members, they knew the WAC would be the perfect venue for their fun yet formal wedding. Katie and Luke celebrated their special day with an all-night dance party in the Crystal Ballroom. The couple and their friends and families were thrilled with how the night turned out. J E R O M E P O L L O S P H O T O G R A P H Y ( 3 )