Taking A "Time Out" Before Walking Down The Aisle: Larry and Christy At Seattle's DAR House

Some of the sweetest moments on a wedding day are unexpected and very private.

As I went to gather Christy and her wedding party to process down the aisle for her ceremony at Seattle's DAR House, I witnessed a sweet and private pre-ceremony moment with Christy and her "gals."

By taking a moment to just "be," Christy walked down the aisle in grace and peace as her wonderful Groom, Larry, saw her for the first time in a most beautiful vintage gown and accessories.

Wedding moments. The unplanned moments are often very best. As an engaged couple, make time on a wedding day for these precious "time-outs" away from the chaos and craziness of a wedding day.

A Loving Farewell to Abby: This Wedding Dog Will Be There In Spirit Come August...

I have the marvelous opportunity to marry Anne and Bryce this coming August at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.

I like Anne and Bryce so very much. They are a remarkable couple and we share a devotion to and great love for dogs.

Anne and Bryce's beloved dog, Abby, passed away recently - there had been hope she would make it "down the aisle" for their August wedding ceremony.

In getting to know a couple, it is a privilege to share in the joys and the sorrows on the road to a wedding day.

As I write Anne and Bryce's ceremony, Abby will be fondly remembered and I'm quite sure she'll be walking down the aisle in great Spirit!

The Use of Mementos In A Wedding Ceremony: Creating A Memorable Lifetime Ritual...

I love creating special lifetime moments.

When I work with a couple - no matter if the ceremony is formal, contemporary or casual - I look for a way to possibly incorporate a "take-home memento" into their ceremony.

The unity candle and the sand ceremony are beautiful rituals. And, in my opinion, they are over done. If a couple truly wants to incorporate one of these pieces into their ceremony, we do it.

However, most likely, I will invite a couple to consider another option or two that I will thoughtfully create and package for them as a viable option to the more "main stream" rituals in American wedding ceremony.

As you consider your ceremony, think about what ritual you may like to consider carrying forward into your marriage and create a ritual around it.