Creating A "Gratitude Surprise" Within Your Wedding Ceremony

Brad & Leann Weiss, Lake Wilderness Lodge, Maple Valley, WA

Saturday, April 21, 2007 photo by: www.weddingphotog.com

A week ago, I had the honor of marrying Brad and Leann at the beautiful Lake Wilderness Lodge in Maple Valley. Within their ceremony, Brad and Leann chose to present surprise roses to Leann's Mother, Jean, and her Aunt Julie.

Creating and delivering a "surprise" of any sort within a wedding ceremony takes sensitivity and care. I occasionally suggest a surprise to a bride or groom and when it comes together, it's usually more poignant and memorable than we both thought it would be.

And a "surprise" can be anything you'd like to make your ceremony uniquely yours and memorable. For instance, in the past I've had:

- A groom get down on one knee and propose to his bride (he did not formally propose) and she was overcome with gratitude and tears.

- A bride flew in a "surprise guest" for her groom - a best buddy from the groom's recent days in Iraq.

- A couple "surprised" the bride's parents with a trip to Poland - a place they have always wanted to go in appreciation for unique help/support given to the couple in the past year.

So, consider a "surprise" in your ceremony. If it "feels right, " in my experience it usually is.

**My thanks to Sean Werner of Werner's Photography for this beautiful picture of Brad & Leann!

The Farm Kitchen: A Wonderful Venue For Your Wedding Celebration..

The Farm Kitchen, Poulsbo, Washington

www.farmkitchen.com

One of my very favorite places for a wedding ceremony and reception/celebration in Kitsap County and Poulsbo, Washington is a wonderful hidden gem: The Farm Kitchen.

Hollis Fay, Anna Joe and their wonderful wedding staff assist a couple in creating a memorable wedding celebration at their unique venue that exudes comfort, warmth and puts out some of the most fabulous food in Kitsap County.

So, if you're seeking to have your wedding celebration in Poulsbo (ferry rides are good!), you must make a personal visit to The Farm Kitchen. Oh, and they also have the most fabulous breakfast on the first Saturday of every month - their cinnamon rolls are to die for!

Isaiah and Mercedes Paradise - March 24, 2007, The Sorrento Hotel

Isaiah and Mercedes Paradise, March 24, 2007

Sorrento Hotel, Seattle, WA
Photo: Photo Elan www.photoelan.com

The Sorrento Hotel is one of my favorite places in Seattle for a small or medium size wedding. And on March 24th, I married Isaish and Mercedes in an intimate and sweet ceremony before 60 of their family and close friends. Jennfer and Brian Hartman from Photo Elan took some amazing photos of Isaiah and Mercedes and you can take a peak at the work of this creative and artistic couple at their blog: www.photoelan.com/blog. Congratulations, Isaiah and Mercedes!

Planning A Very Small & Intimate Wedding Ceremony? If So, Here Are Some Tips To Create A More Beautiful Moment...

On St. Patrick's Day afternoon of this year, I was honored to marry Darren and Julie in a small and intimate ceremony in the Penthouse Suite of The Sorrento Hotel.

Darren and Julie did everything right. We worked together to create a ceremony that fully included their children - one that appropriately recognized the beloved young adults in their lives and at the same time a ceremony that celebrated their unique partnership and bond.

If you are planning a small and intimate wedding ceremony, here are a few tips to consider:

• 1) Consider being married on an "off day." Plan your wedding on a day early in the week - you'll have more choices for a venue and you'll also save money.
• 2) Use your ceremony as a ritual of celebration and joy. Yes, this is true for hopefully all wedding ceremonies. However, with a small gathering, there is more opportunity for personal recognition of all gathered for the moment.
• 3) Enjoy a fabulous meal afterwards. In lieu of a wedding reception or larger party, I married a couple today at The Willows Lodge who took their 15 guests across the street for a marvelous and memorable evening dinner fest at The Herbfarm. So, whether it's brunch or dinner, and in lieu of a larger party, splurge on a fabulous meal and fully enjoy the experience.