Woof! Including Your Beloved Canine Family Member In Your Wedding Ceremony...

As I look back 2011, I smile as I remember the "wedding dogs" who were a part of many wedding ceremonies.

If you want to include your beloved pooch in your ceremony, here are a few tips that I offer having worked with many canine ring bearers and canine petal girls:

1) A Wedding Dog Can't Do Anything Wrong. A dog only adds more joy to a processional and/or ceremony. So, don't worry about what your pooch is going to do or not doing to do. On a wedding day, dogs bring pure happiness to a ceremony moment and guests love this.

2) Appoint A Wedding Day Guardian. Find a friend or acquaintance to be your dog's wedding day guardian - this way, your dog has a companion for the ceremony and possibly cocktail hour and can be taken home once reception starts.

3) Wedding Wear! I think it's adorable for a dog to have a wreath of flowers or bow tie on as "wedding wear." Couples love to get their picture with their dog and having a dog in festive wear only adds more fun to the day.

This photo features Diane and Fred Lee's beloved dogs who stole the show at their July ceremony at SODO Park!

Anna & Jason - A Few Years Later With Much Life & Love Lived...

A few years ago, I remember meeting Anna and Jason at a coffee shop in Tacoma. Their wedding was in a few weeks and they needed an Officiant.

Happily, I had the privilege of officiating their waterside ceremony along Hood Canal on a very hot May afternoon.

Anna was very pregnant at the time and I have this crystal memory of sitting on a bed writing out the marriage license paperwork with her.

I also have this sweet memory of walking across the grass with Jason to the ceremony area to get this wonderful couple married.

We fast forward to today - Jason & Anna are happy and well with their sweet son. I pulled this photo from Anna's Facebook page - it's beautiful, it's sweet and it has devotion, perseverance, joy, and change written all over it!

I Heart Dan & Robin: So Truly A Couple Together For All Of The Best Reasons!

Yikes!

I arrived at Columbia Winery for Dan & Robin's Fall wedding ceremony and music was blasting from an outdoor event near door at the Redhook Brewery!

I soon learned that the Brewery was going to "shutdown" the music promptly at 6:30 for a number of weddings in surrounding venues.

Ah, the unexpected twists and turns of a wedding day!

I so loved the opportunity to marry Dan and Robin in fine style in front of 100+ family and friends. Robin is a family and marriage therapist and Dan is an artist going big-time after his dream. Everything about this couple is remarkable - from their graciousness, sense of humor to how they are absolutely devoted to one another after so many wonderful years together.

Dan & Robin - to living your dreams! Congratulations!

A Wedding At Columbia Winery With Southern Charm! Congratulations to Mary Catherine & Randy...

One very happy and devoted couple.

An absolutely glorious bride. Proud and handsome groom.

Held at Columbia Winery, Woodinville.

100+ thrilled family & friends.

One amazing Grandmother in the most beautiful outfit.

Cloudy and no raindrops - yeah!

Laughs. Tears. Giggles. A bride so thrilled she kissed her groom after walking down the aisle. A couple so gracious, loving, devoted and kind.

And with the help of wedding planner extraordinare, Megan Keller, of Akurant Events, a loving, intimate and memorable ceremony moment.

Randy & Mary Catherine - thank you for the grand opportunity to know you and to be a part of your wedding day. Southern charm rocks!

Akurant Events: http://www.akurantevents.com/

My Excuse Is A Contest! So Happy To Re-Connect With Couples I've Married...

Daddy & Max!

When I received a note from Katy proudly sharing this photo of her husband, Matt, and little one, Max, I remembered the rainbow that came out during their wedding ceremony at Alderbrook Resort. Their joy ride continues!

And my fun continues! I have used the excuse to "vote for me" for KING 5's Best of Western WA to re-connect with many of my wonderful couples from the past couple of years.

Fred and Jennie are expecting any day. Ai & Jeff are pregnant with their 2nd child due this December. Karen & Roy are living life big in Olympia. Jordan and Ian couldn't be happier going into year #3 of marriage! Amy and Derek have welcomed Willamina and Adrienne and big sister, Haley, is doing great. Kate & Robert are moving to Denver and Robert is a medical miracle. Alexa wrote that she and Cesar are happy and well and she is grieving the loss of her father.

Life. How blessed I am to do this beautiful work and to have a side seat at the lives of people I so appreciate and admire.

Best of Western WA: www.tinyurl.com/3mq87bq

KING 5 TV's "Best of Western Washington Contest" - My Best Excuse To Re-Connect With Amazing Couples On The Move...

I have been doing an extra happy dance in my heart this past week.

KING 5 TV's "Best of Western WA" contest is in full swing and it's been ultra fun for me to re-connect with many couples from the past couple of years.

Best of Western Wa: http://tinyurl.com/3mq87bq

Amy Ullrich sent me this photo from her May wedding - so delighted to hear she and Kevin are doing so well.

Danny and Emily just celebrated their third anniversary and their little girl, Ruby Jane, has red hair, too!

Christine & Joe are expecting another baby in March and big sister, Olympia, gets a sibling.

Michael and Shannon are pregnant. Christine and Alan are pregnant. Sunrise and Keith are pregnant. Doug and Theresa are pregnant. Babies everywhere...and so many more blessed to be born to such beautiful people.

Emily and Jeff have a new fur kid, Cody. Lydia and Patrick are in full swing with their new business. David & Jess are finally home.

The tapestry of life - I feel so incredibly blessed to do this work.

John & Yanni - Sparkly, Hugely Loving, Gracious, Way Too Funny, Smart - A Favorite!

I love this photo that Photographer Kaylee Eylander took of John and Yanni Robel on their wedding day last Saturday morning at Kirkland's Woodmark Hotel.

John & Yanni...
Gracious
Loving
So Funny
Best Smiles Ever
Devoted
True Companions

I had the honor of officiating two ceremonies in the past year for John and Yanni - their tiny ceremony to get legal last September 10th and their public ceremony last week for 70+ family and friends.

This couple is the true definition of a spiritual partnership and model for their family and friends great devotion, care and inspiration.

Simply put, John and Yanni remind me of why I do this work and inspire me to seek out similar couples who are moving forward in a lifetime commitment.

John and Yanni - from the bottom of my little 'ol heart, thank you.

And thank you Wedding Planner Bobbi Roth for the grand sparkle you brought to this beautiful wedding day! www.bobbirothweddings.com

Kaylee Eylander: www.eylanderphotography.com

The "Kid Wild Card" At Weddings - From An Officiant's Perspective...

This is Blake.

This is Blake's Dad.

Run, Blake, run!

I took this shot at Eric and Charene's wedding at a waterfront home in July.

Time and time again, Blake would run up the driveway incline, somehow captivated by the ascent! And time and time again, Dad would follow.

Might not have been much fun for Blake's father but all of us watching got a great chuckle out of the antics.

Children at a wedding are a wild card. The beauty is they truly can't do "anything wrong."

While many weddings don't include children, many do. And if you are having children at your wedding ceremony, here are a few tips:

1) Seat children in the back or on the "ends" of rows. This allows a fussy child to be taken from a ceremony with little drama or problem.

2) Provide something "new" for children to be entertained with during a ceremony. Some couples provide a basket of books, play toys or whatnot as guests and their children enter a ceremony area.

3) Consult with your Officiant on children in the wedding party. It's important that your Officiant take leadership with the children in your wedding and know their personalities, where to place them after processional and what to do in the event there is hiccup.

"Wind Wishes" For Marie & Sam At Poulsbo's Most Wonderful Farm Kitchen...

Sam and Marie - you are so married!

The moment I spoke to Marie on the phone from Los Angeles, I knew we were a lovely fit to share in her wedding day.

Marie and Sam are a very thoughtful, conscious, loving and very fun couple and their August 6th wedding ceremony at Poulsbo's Farm Kitchen was just that and more.

Marie's Grandmother, Kaj, created "WindWishes" and these beautiful and decorative paper art pieces were gently blowing in the wind from the trees covering the ceremony space. I took one of the windwishes and it's hanging on my office desk lamp with the words, "ceremony" and "clarity."

Sam and Marie - Thank you for the gift of sharing in your wedding day. I wish you much adventure, joy and happiness.

Billy and Desi's Wedding Weekend at Treehouse Point in Preston, Washington!

Treehouse Point in Preston, Washington!

This spectacular place in nature is one of my favorite venues in the Northwest for a wedding ceremony and celebration.

Bily and Desi created such an easy/elegant and fun wedding weekend for their family and friends and exchanged vows on August 13th with grand sunshine, a few tears and lots of laughs.

The couple's beloved cocker spaniel, Romeo, did a stellar job getting down the aisle with the rings. He was a little too vocal during the ceremony so he left the wedding party and went to be with Desi's parents - very fun and joyful in all ways!

I was touched to meet Photographer Christopher Nelson at Billy and Desi's wedding. This guy's smile is a mile wide and his heart and spirit shows in how he "works a wedding" as well in his beautiful images, like this one! In this work that I do, I see many photographers in action on a wedding day. Christopher is one of my new favorites!

Billy and Desi - I wish you much happiness as you move forward into this new journey together! I am so touched by your loving relationship - you are inspirational in so many ways!

Christopher Nelson - www.christophernelsonphotography.com

Lake Union Crew - Mark & Stephanie At One Of My Favorite Venues in Seattle, WA!

Look a these smiles!

On a sunny and cloudy Friday evening with Lake Washington in the background, Mark and Stephanie were married surrounded by 100+ of their family and friends at one of my favorite venues here in Seattle - Lake Union Crew on Lake Washington.

This dynamic duo (they are!) met on a 12-hour plane flight to Beijing, China and by the end of their adventure (Stephanie was a tour guide on Mark's adventure), they were in love.

With grand faith, alot of planning and true devotion/commitment, Stephanie left her life in Denver and made her way to be with Mark in Seattle.

Mark and Stephanie - I wish you grand fortune as you embark on your married adventure here in beautiful Seattle!

Take A Page From Justin & Tristin's Wedding Playbook For A Memorable Wedding Day...

Tristin and Justin - gracious, kind, very fun and most of all, inspiring.

I had much fun getting to know this couple long distance and actually didn't meet them until their wedding rehearsal.

And on a beautiful sunny evening, Tristin and Justin celebrated their loving relationship with many of their family and friends during an evening ceremony at Seattle's landmark Edgewater Hotel.

If you are planning your wedding ceremony and day, take a page from Tristin and Justin's playbook - lead with your heart, make a stand for what is important to you as a couple, take a few moments after your ceremony for just the two of you, smile big and enjoy the little things and most of all, remember that giggles during a ceremony are a good thing!

www.wedbyannemarie.com

Kim & Chris At Alderbrook Resort - A Wedding Weekend of Family, Fun and Memories...

I loved every moment of July 24th.

I was out at Alderbrook Resort on this Sunday and had the marvelous opportunity to officiate Chris and Kim's wedding ceremony at this beautiful waterfront Resort on Hood Canal.

Chris and Kim are one of those young couples who you look at and say, "Good For You!"

They share a sweet and loving partnership which has become stronger with the birth of their sweet daughter, Sabrina.

Chris and Kim have been through much in life. And through it all, they have led with love, commitment, perseverance and humor. The world needs more young couples like Chris and Kim. I am eager to see where this family goes in life!

"Hi, Remember Me? You Married My Brother, Terrance...."

Sometimes my job is just so darn great and I can't believe I'm actually paid to do this amazing work.

I had the great good fortune to marry Charene and Eric on July 17th in a beautiful waterfront ceremony in Suquamish, Washington, surrounded by family and friends, hosted by Charene's Mother, Chitra.

Eric and Charene share a very powerful and humbling love story and it was such a pleasure to celebrate their partnership and launch them into their marriage adventure.

Their little one, Kaylani Mya, did a beautiful job with her walk down the aisle and sat on Chitra's lap for the ceremony watching with her big eyes.

I had the pleasure of marrying Charene's brother, Terrance and his wife, Jamie, a few years ago at Newcastle Golf & Country Club. And I also had the profound honor of officiating a Memorial Service for Charene and Terrance's Father, Roger, in 2008.
Today, I am just taking a moment of great gratitude for this couple and family and for including me in the tapestry of their lives.

Jill and Seth Are Moving To Seattle! Creating Friendships For A Lifetime...

I received a wonderful and unexpected email from Jill von Allmen yesterday sharing that she and her new handsome husband (Seth) will be soon moving to the Bellevue/Issaquah area!

I married Jill and Seth earlier this month on 4th of July weekend and over the months before their wedding day, grew to really admire and enjoy this couple and their families.

One of the best parts of this work are the sweet relationships that are created for life.

Jill and Seth - Welcome! You are abolutely going to love your new adventure in the Pacific Northwest!

A Wonderful Ceremony Memento: Setting Up A Successful & Fun Group Photo!

I love this photo!

Wedding Pros Joe + Jill are caught (by me!) working with Kurt and Nicole right after their Summer evening ceremony at DeLille Cellars for a best group photo!

Joe is snapping the shot as Jill encourages the group - very fun!

I love an immediate group photo after a wedding ceremony. It's a one chance to get everyone together for a memento photo and oftentimes is a once-in-lifetime moment as it's so very difficult to get both families together anytime soon.

So, if you have an opportunity for an immediate post-ceremony group photo, go for it. Have your Officiant coordinate all details for an elegant transition and enjoy the moment!

A wonderful photographer: http://www.joejill.com/

Wendy and Steve's Wedding At Seattle's "Foodie" Venue - Blue Ribbon Cooking School

Wendy and Steve were married at one of my favorite "casual and easy" venues here in Seattle - The Blue Ribbon Cooking School.

They exchanged vows before 100+ family and friends waterside on Lake Union and enjoyed a wonderful reception at this location which boasts "one stop shopping" for a couple.

One stop shopping? If you are seeking a venue, and want many of the details covered (linens, place setting, flowers/decorations, all food/beverage, cake, etc.,) Blue Ribbon prides itself on providing a lot of the wedding day detail so a couple doesn't have to do as much planning.

Wendy and Steve - I wish you so much happiness together!

Blue Ribbon Cooking School: www.blueribboncooking.com

My Road Trip To Semiahmoo Resort for Roger and Megan's Waterside Ceremony...

I am so grateful to Jesse and Travis of True Colors Events for introducing me to Roger and Megan.

Within minutes of meeting this wonderful couple over coffee, I knew we were a beautiful fit to share in their wedding ceremony/day.

And fortunately, they felt the same.

I joined Roger and Megan on a Sunday June evening after a full weekend of festivities for 50+ family and friends at the wonderful Semiahmoo Resort.

Jesse and Travis created a most romantic and stunning design for Roger and Megan's ceremony area and reception tent and DJ Chris Graves was on hand to get their party started and going!

Roger and Megan - I wish you much happiness on your adventure "in this lifetime."

True Colors Events: http://www.truecolorsevents.com/

Your Handy Dandy Marriage License - Signing Options And What I Prefer...

You marriage license.

I can't marry you without it!

Couples are "split" on when to sign the marriage license and everyone has a personal preference. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to do this - it's totally up to you as a couple.

Like Jeff and Jessica to the right, they signed their license and legal paperwork immediately after their wedding ceremony a few weeks ago at the Hall at Fauntleroy.

Other couples prefer to sign documents at rehearsal or before a ceremony so that they have private/personal time together "after they are hitched."

Signing the documents at rehearsal is my personal preference.

I request that a couple brings their marriage license to rehearsal (so I have it - no forgetting on the wedding day) and if they like, we get appropriate signatures.

I do not sign anything until after a ceremony is fully officiated and witnessed. And of course, I file all appropriate legal paperwork so a couple doesn't have to hassle with this!

The Case Of The Missing Rings - You've Gotta Love A Wedding Ceremony

I checked and double-checked. Wedding planner, Rebecca, did the same.

And the best man still forgot the rings!

So, we all had a good laugh while the best guy ran to the lobby to pull the rings from a hiding place and raced back to Darrell and Irlanda's wedding ceremony at The Canal in Seattle, WA.

You've just gotta love a wedding ceremony!

And there was so much joy and laughter in the room to accompany this "snafu."

Truth? I roll with wedding snafus. They make a ceremony real and authentic and create lifetime moments to remember.

Photo: www.alantephotography.com