Using Your Engagement Time To Deepen Your Relationship...To Walk With Ease And Grace Into Your Wedding Day.

Gloria DeGaetano, M.Ed.
Parent and Pre-Marriage Coach & Consultant

Yes, it's true. A wedding, as wonderful and magical as the experience may be, tends to bring up "stuff." Not only for you, the loving and engaged couple, but for your family and friends as well.

A wedding - a marriage - is a ritual and huge life transition, no matter what age or stage of life. In this ceremony work that I do, I have the privilege of knowing couples at a deeper level as we work together to create and deliver a ceremony that reflects their beliefs, mission, community and love story.

As you move toward your wedding day, I encourage you to create your own "pre-marriage" curriculum or series of conversations to deepen your relationship. Or I invite you to sit down with a Pre-Marriage Coach like the wonderful Gloria DeGaetano, M.Ed., for 4-6 sessions, to have positive and pro-active facilitated conversations/sessions about your relationship, family issues, money, intimacy, challenges/joys - everything that a long-term loving marriage is about.

Gloria and her husband, David, have been married for 25+ years, raised two amazing sons and share a beautiful marriage that is a role model for those around them. Visit Gloria at: www.gloriadegaetano.blogspot.com or email her at gloria@thepci.org for information about availability and services/rates.

Sincerely,
Annemarie www.annemariejuhlian.com 425 922 1325

What I've Learned For Sure About "The Mother of the Groom"...

The Exchange of Rings - Brenda & Chris, Poulsbo, WA

beautiful photo: www.laurencekim.com

The Mother of the Groom. I've had the pleasure of meeting so many women whose sons are getting married. And interestingly enough, I'm not sure I know anything for sure about "the Mother of the Groom."

And so, I ponder this thought on this late Friday evening...

- Why do I occasionally feel that the Mother of the Groom seems to be pushed to the side with regard to wedding planning and her role in a wedding?

hmmmm....

As you are planning your wedding, consider that with all of the hoopla that goes with all things "wedding," to fully include your Mother of the Groom as appropriate. Shower her with emails, invite her to gatherings, give her a role in the ceremony beyond walking down the aisle. Consider using your wedding as a stepping stone to a deeper relationship with your Mother-in-Law to be - no matter what the status of your relationship - close and intimate, touchy and cautious, curious in all ways or inspiring in all ways!

Involving Children In Your Wedding Ceremony - Giving A "Big Job" Brings Much Joy and Laughter, too...

Vaughn Helps His Mommy and Daddy With the Unity Candle

Wedding of Barry & April, Salty's on Alki

I had the honor of officiating Barry and April Wressel's ceremony and their son, Vaughn, did a stellar job as the official ring bearer!

Giving children a "job" within a wedding ceremony creates such wonderful memories. And depending on the age of the child, this often creates a childhood memory for life.

If you have a child or children, work with your Officiant to include them not only in the processional/recessional but within the ceremony. I often contemporize the traditional unity candle ritual so that it is personalized and memorable for the specific couple or children. And there are other sweet and wonderful rituals to consider depending on what you want for your ceremony.

Creating Elements Of Your Wedding Ceremony - Some Sacred, Some Contemporary...Perhaps A Little Fun?

The Very Wonderful Dan and Kellie Cocoran

The Arctic Club Hotel, 2008

Photo: Kate McElwee www.katemcelweephotography.com

As I sit here on this New Year's morning, I'm very, very excited and hopeful for this new year. And I'm very grateful for the amazing opportunity to do this heartfelt work.

If you are embarking on the journey of "what do we want for our wedding ceremony, " and/or what do you want AND don't want for your ceremony, here are a few things to consider:

1) Your wedding ceremony is your opportunity to celebrate your loving partnership and the tribe of people who love you. So, with this said, work with your Officant/Minister to co-create a ceremony that is truly you - or as I'm fond of saying, "tastes, feels and looks" like the two of you.

- Incorporate personal elements or perhaps unique pieces into your ceremony. Ideas to ponder: including your dog in the ceremony, a wonderful surprise, unique and deeply personalized wedding vows which include a bit of elegant humor, creating a sweet ritual which includes your wedding party in the ceremony, or perhaps exchanging love letters to be opened on your first anniversary.

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- The process of "getting to your wedding day" is a journey of anticipation, chaos, joy, indecision and elation - much like life itself. By using your wedding ceremony as the "foundation" of your wedding day, you set the tone for the reception/celebration. So, kick it up a bit and venture between the world of the past and today.

www.annemariejuhlian.com