By SHAYNA SEID
AUGUST 4, 2026
Stylist, content creator, and fashion consultant Sara Walker and Joe Ratliff, a consulting associate, are getting married this summer in their hometown of Seattle, Washington. Before they walk down the aisle, Sara is sharing her Dream Registry curation with us. “We couldn’t be more grateful for every chapter that brought us here,” the bride-to-be shares. “We are so excited to get married and continue building the life we’ve always dreamed about.”
The pair’s parents, both longtime Seattle residents, actually knew each other long before their children ever met. However, they weren’t responsible for bringing Sara and Joe together. “We grew up just miles apart, went to different high schools, and somehow never really crossed paths until New Year’s Eve 2016,” Sara says. “We ended up at the same party, shared a midnight kiss, and had no idea in that moment that our lives had just changed forever.”
Joe and Sara in high school; The couple at college graduation; A more recent shot of the pair.
After years of long-distance, the couple finally got to live a life side-by-side in Los Angeles in 2022. “We settled into our first home together, with our sweet black lab Susie,” Sara shares. “We learned just how special the quiet, everyday moments can be: morning walks, Costco runs, Hillstone dinners, and the comfort of coming home to each other at the end of every day.”
Joe then proposed in Cabo, Mexico, where his family has a home. And they began planning their Seattle wedding. The venue? Sara’s parents’ backyard. The fashion? A mix of custom and vintage designs. “It was important to me to work with designers whose work I have admired for years,” Sara shares. “Seeing those collaborations come to life has been one of the most rewarding parts of wedding planning.”
Dream Registry
Tabletop Essentials
Elevated everyday dining with timeless serving pieces and thoughtful details.
Joe and Sara on the go.
Q:
How do you like to go about decorating your spaces?
I decorate the same way I get dressed, classic with a twist. I start with timeless, foundational pieces and then layer in vintage finds, collected objects, and unexpected details that make a space feel personal. I want our home to feel warm, lived-in, and reflective of our story, rather than perfectly styled.
Q:
Do you and Joe need to merge your styles at all?
We actually have very similar taste, which has made it surprisingly easy. We both grew up in Seattle and naturally gravitate toward timeless, classic design. Our shared point of view is a great foundation, and then we each bring in little details that make it feel personal.
Dream Registry
Kitchen
Mix white cookware with pops of silver for a timeless touch.
Joe, Sara, and Susie at home.
Q:
Can you describe your curation process for your Dream Registry?
Our registry is definitely a mix of classic and fun. First, we fell in love with colorful animal plates, mugs, bowls, and platters—they’re cohesive but each has its own personality and brings so much joy to the table. We also registered for classic Ginori china because growing up, my parents always brought out their wedding china for special occasions, and I love the idea of continuing that tradition. And finally, our black lab, Susie, inspired one of our favorite registry additions: lab salt and pepper shakers. They’re timeless, personal, and just too cute to pass up.
Dream Registry
Bed & Bath
Colorful bedding and cozy bath linens for every day.
Not long before her West Coast wedding, Sara leaves us by sharing a piece of advice to others creating their own wedding registries: “Register for pieces you’ll still love 20 years from now, not just what’s trending today. We focused on timeless, well-made essentials we’ll use every day, but also added a few special statement pieces that will always remind us of this season of life and the excitement of starting our home together.”
