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.

3.3.12 - Richard and Maggie Get Married On A Gorgeous Winter Day in Seattle!

Richard and Maggie. 3.3.12

Private Estate near the Washington Arboretum

Gorgeous, crisp and sunny day.

75 very happy family and friends.

An unusual wedding cake with bamboo elements.

The bride wore a gorgeous sage colored gown.The groom got dressed up! And Maggie's guy went one step further, surprising her with a love letter during their ceremony to open on their 25th wedding anniversary!

Tears. Laughter. Sweet Moments.

A beautiful ceremony and wedding day for one terrific couple!

Photo: http://www.jennygg.com/

Officiant: http://www.marriedbyannemarie.com/

My Best Tips For A Successful Small & Intimate Wedding Ceremony - Seattle Style!

I love everything about Mark and Lisa.

This is a profoundly devoted couple who have come together at mid-life to not only love one another but to create a loving home for their children.

We shared in their waterside ceremony at Seattle's Ray's Boathouse and thinking about how Mark and Lisa created such a sweet and intimate setting for their ceremony, let me share a few tips:

1) Do what "feels" right. A ceremony is a profound opportunity to celebrate your loving partnership and to celebrate the people around you. Mark and Lisa did this well and this was evident in the "feeling" in the room during their ceremony.

2) Children can never do anything wrong. A ceremony is a wild card. You really never know how things are going to turn out until they're over. I invite you to involve children in whatever way is joyful to you. If a small ring bearer makes a wrong turn, a child starts to cry or a pretty flower girl sits down in the aisle on her way down the aisle, your Officiant is up front with "Plan B."

3) Get Personal. A small and intimate ceremony is your opportunity to express your feelings about your partner, your commitment to showing up and your gratitude to the people around you. A best ceremony is one that is vulnerable, romantic, emotional and true.

Celebrating Eric & Deborah: Greetings from Seattle to Malaysia!

It was such a pleasure to marry Eric and Deborah on a Summer Sunday at Shilshole Bay Beach Club.

Eric is a tall, handsome and very kind guy.

His wife, Deborah, is a beautiful and petite woman with a huge heart and captivating smile.

And soon after they were married, they left for Malaysia to pursue their career opportunities.

I love this photo taken a week before their ceremony during an intimate moment at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.

Eric & Deborah - wishing you much joy and opportunity on your Malaysian adventure!

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/

A Cirque Du Soleil Wedding Celebration for Matt and Jenna At The Pickering Barn!

Matt & Jenna - May 29, 2011 - Pickering Barn/Issaquah, WA

Look at these happy faces minutes after saying "I Do!" and walking down the aisle.

Matt and Jenna designed and created some very fun and lovely elements to heighten the joy on their wedding day.

Guests sat down at the ceremony to find caramel corn and bubble bottles on their chairs. For the ceremony, there were so many fun elements including a "cirque du soleil" feel with acrobats and aerialists!

And if you knew Matt and Jenna, you would know this was all "so Matt & Jenna!"

Matt and Jenna ~ I loved every moment of knowing you. Thank you the happiness I feel in knowing we shared in a most beautiful (and fun!) ceremony!

Yes, I Will Marry You - Rain Or Shine! You've Gotta Love A Wedding In The Rain...

Where are all of the people?! Sometimes, you've just gotta love a wedding!

I'd love to share all details but to keep things short and sweet, here you go.

Jeremy and Heidi very much wanted to be married on the deck of the Skansonia Ferry Boat - it was very important to them in a most personal way.

They bet that the rain would hold out and lost their bet. We sent their 100+ guests up to the 2nd deck of the boat to watch from above and with their wedding party and parents, started down the aisle - in the pouring rain!

So, huddling under umbrellas with lots of rain drops and great fun, Jeremy and Heidi exchanged vows and personal words.

Yes, I'll marry you in the rain - even in the hail! And I draw the line at falling out of a plane, showing up naked or in a fish tank (trust me, I've had invitations for all three!)

photo credit: Chris Sollart - www.chrissollart.com

Darrin and Christy's Wedding Day at Laurel Creek Manor ~ A Love Story Of Devotion, Challenge, Resilience and Triumph

Darrin and Christy - 4/30/11

I won't say much here.

I'll let you read between the lines.

Darrin and Christy are inspiring in all ways.

They first met in high school and went their separate ways. They came together many years later and rekindled a friendship and ultimately fell in love as circumstances of life swirled around them - blessings, huge challenges.

Darrin and Christy - thank you for giving me the beautiful opportunity to celebrate with you what is really true about life - that love is the 'marrow' of all that we know. You both know this much more poignantly than many...

Get Married in Sequim, WA! Be Like Ben & Sarah And Create An Intimate And Sweet Lifetime Moment...

Road Trip! What a fun drive I had to Sequim on Monday, April 4th to marry Ben and Sarah waterside at a romantic bed and breakfast overlooking Puget Sound. Ben and Sarah flew in from Michigan to make their way to Sequim for their ceremony - and this was truly all about them. Under black and white umbrellas with grey skies and raindrops, Ben and Sarah exchanged vows near the water - with lots of joy and laughter. I am smiling big this morning as I look at some of the photos of this wedding day sent to me by Mitzi and Kier at Firstlight Photography. These images capture what Ben and Sarah desired for their day: an intimate, fun and personal ceremony to create a life time moment. Ben and Sarah ~ I hope your planned adventures after your wedding day during your time here in Seattle/Puget sound were hugely fun and memorable! So delighted to know you both!

*****

Firstlight Photography: http://www.firstlightphotography.com/

Your Wedding Recessional: It's So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades!

Forgot a boring wedding recessional!

As you are planning your wedding ceremony, take a little time to consider how to jazz up your walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

Here are four tips on how to add some "kick" to your wedding recessional for a fun and memorable "we're just married' walk down the aisle - not only for you but for your wedding party, too!

1) Surprise Roses & Note Cards for Mothers or Parents: Creating authentic and loving memorable moments within a wedding ceremony just doesn't happen. Most of the time, such moments are planned and orchestrated with a bit of planning and heart.

One nice touch for your recessional is to have your Officiant or Minister hand you both note cards and roses at the end of your ceremony (after the kiss and pronouncement, of course!).

Before you take your sweetie's hand and walk down the aisle, you both give your mothers or parents surprises roses and note cards as an "end of ceremony flourish!" This touch is especially special for a bride and groom who are especially close to their mothers or parents and makes for a sweet memory for a couple and their parents.

2) Parade of Children: This is a nice end of ceremony touch, especially if you have a lot of children at your wedding. Seat and group children together with their parents. At the end of the ceremony, the children pick up their small instruments which may be placed under their chairs (horns, kazoos, small drums, etc) and they become the "recessional music" and lead the bride and groom out for recessional.

You would need to put someone in charge of all of this. To create extra joy in the room, you may have your Officiant mention what is going on so everyone can fully participate and appreciate the chaos and joy of a children's parade. And what is true? A wedding is about authenticity and giving children a big and unusual job in a ceremony creates a lifetime moment.

3) The Interactive Recessional: Flowers and Kudos: As guests are seated, a hand-picked group of ladies are seated on one side of the aisle on the end and gentlemen line the other side of the aisle on the end seat. As the couple walks down the aisle after they are married, the ladies hand the bride flowers which become her "recessional bouquet."

The guys can "high 5" the groom, shake hands or conduct other fun "male bonding activities" as the couple creates an interactive recessional. The guys and gals lining the aisles are in on this surprise and if well orchestrated, makes for a great recessional moment!

4) It's So Bright You've Gotta Wear Shades! I was just at a wedding last year where as the bride and groom shared a kiss and were pronounced as husband and wife they turned around, pulled bright sunglasses from their pockets and danced down the aisle with their shades on! This moment created so much joy in the room.

To top it off, the wedding party then pulled shades from their pockets and danced down the aisle, too!

Getting Dumped By Your Wedding Officiant - What To Do When Your Officiant Cancels Or Is A "No Show"

As I was leaving Ryan and Angel's wedding ceremony at Volunteer Park yesterday, I checked my phone messages.

*****

A groom named Larry left a message saying their Officiant was a "no show" on this afternoon and they were in a panic to find someone to marry them. Fortunately, I was able to zip down to Pike Place market and marry them last night, in front of 40+ friends and family.

So, what do you do when your Officiant cancels at the last minute or is a no show? During the high season (March - October), finding an Officiant at the last moment is most often about "luck" or "good fortune" as many Officiants are booked. Sorry, no easy answer here. My best advice is to get on the phone and start dialing. Or as "insurance," make sure you have a copy of your ceremony and get a friend/family member ordained on-line so they can step up in an emergency. This is especially important when it comes to a destination wedding.

Seattle Wedding Nightmares: 4 Important Things To "Know" As You Plan Your Wedding Day in Seattle, Washington...

Weddings are a beautiful thing. Especially in Seattle, Washington during the popular summer months.

And, on the way to a wedding day in Seattle, there are "local/regional planning situations" that can create added wedding day anxiety, stress and the occasional wedding planning nightmare.

As you plan your Seattle wedding this summer, I invite you to consider these 4 planning tips if you want to want to move into your wedding day with more grace and ease:

1) Seattle's Seafair Weekend - Traffic! Each Summer, Seattle goes crazy for its annual Seafair celebration. This culminates on the first week-end of August (check the calendar for exact dates) with a 3-day weekend extravaganza which includes hydroplanes and aerial acrobatics by the Navy's Blue Angels. Due to hydro practices and Blue Angel practices, the two bridges over Lake Washington are closed for periods of time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, creating traffic chaos in Seattle.

If you have other dates to work with before confirming a wedding date, I encourage you to select another weekend. If you already have your date planned, consider putting an earlier ceremony start time on your invitation as people are often delayed/late because of traffic. Also, depending on where your ceremony is located, you may have engine noise from overhead as the Blue Angels fly over!

2) The Seattle Mariners/Seattle Seahawks/Seattle Sounds (August/September traffic nightmare combo) - Again, this is a well-known event cocktail that can create serious local traffic snafus, particularly if a wedding is located in downtown Seattle. Each August and September, the Seattle Mariners, Sounders and Seahawks schedule a game on the same day - and as both sports facilities are only a block or so apart, this create monumental traffic jams in and out of Seattle.

If you can, check ahead and see when the Mariners, Sounders and Seahawks are scheduled and adjust your wedding start time as needed. If you have already booked your wedding date and both teams are playing, alert your guests and suggest they arrive early to enjoy a complimentary cocktail!

3) Be Careful About Booking Your Wedding At The Seattle Center Space Needle On Bumbershoot Weekend - Bumbershoot is a huge and very fun music festival hosted at Seattle's Seattle Center each Labor Day Weekend. If you are looking at The Space Needle for your wedding ceremony and celebration (a very cool place!), talk to staff about logistics and parking because of the high auto and foot traffic all over The Seattle Center grounds.

Also, beware that if you do hold your wedding high in the sky in The Space Needle, you may hear music from the bands playing below. For most couples, this only adds to the color of their wedding!

4) Timing It Right And Don't Get Left Behind: Catching A Ferry to Kitsap County In The Summer Months - Each year, hundreds of weddings are held across the Sound from downtown Seattle in the beautiful area of Kitsap County. From Seattle, you can drive to Kitsap County and it's most convenient to take a ferry from downtown Seattle to either Bainbridge Island or Bremerton.

If you are planning your wedding on a popular Summer Seattle day, beware that the Washington State Ferries are packed with autos and people and oftentimes, family and friends have to wait one or two ferries before they can get on.

To make things more convenient for your guests, consider having them walk-on the ferry and then plan to have a bus or shuttle on the other side to get them to your wedding venue. This way, your family and friends can just park on the "Seattle side" and enjoy a ferry ride with curbside service to your wedding!

Marriage License: How To Apply For A Marriage License in Seattle, WA/King County...

Okay, there isn't the most romantic of topics and here you go!

To be married in Seattle, Washington, you need a valid marriage license. Whether you are being married in three days, next week or next month, here are easy steps to obtain and use your license in Seattle.

If you are being married in Seattle, Washington, you need a valid marriage license issued by King County (or any County in Washington State).

To do this, you and your partner will visit a Marriage Licensing office in Seattle/King County during regular business hours. The cost for the license is $64, cash or debit/credit card. No blood test is required and both of you must at least 18 years of age.

When you leave the government office, you'll walk away with a packet of legal paperwork which you will give to your Officiant or Minister on your wedding day. The person who marries you must review this paperwork before your ceremony takes place and he or she will then get required signatures (both of yours and two witnesses) and return your signed legal document back to the County for processing/certification.

Note: There is a 3-day waiting period from the date your marriage license is issued. What this means is that from the date your license is issued, you must wait 3 full days before you can be legally married. Also, most people who reside in the Seattle area secure their marriage license in Seattle. If by chance you are being married in any other County in Washington State, the license you secure in Seattle/King County is valid in all Counties in Washington State.

For more information, please visit the King County Marriage License website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/marriage.aspx or call (206) 296 4021. All particulars are on this website (including office locations) and while most couples do apply for a license in person, you may initiate the process via phone and regular mail.

Once you have your valid license in hand and have exhausted the three-day waiting period, you can get married!

On Your Wedding Day, Take A Break To Create Sweet Personal Moments...

My wedding day was a blur.

I don't remember much.

What the heck happened?

I wish I could have relaxed more.

In working with couples, I often take pre-emptive action around the ceremony portion of a wedding day so a couple has some private time or quiet time immediately after their ceremony.

Yes, a wedding day is a huge/big experience. A smart couple consciously creates "moments" during a day where they are alone, quiet and can just "be."

As you consider "what to do" immediately after your ceremony, consider this possibility - take "quiet/private time" right after you walk away from your "we're married" moment.

Instead of a receiving line or turning around to greet family and friends, take 15-20 minutes alone together. You will never again have your "just married" moment so take advantage of this time to sit together, go for a short walk with your photographer or share some champagne and appetizers.

Also, while the words of your ceremony are very important, work with your Officiant around the "feeling" of your ceremony. This will help create moments within your ceremony that you will remember. Oftentimes, a couple doesn't really remember many of the words from a ceremony (really!). In other words, it's the feeling one remembers more than the words.

The key to sweet personal moments on a wedding day? Set them up - don't expect them just to happen.

Beautiful Photo: David & Rachel - http://www.tashaowen.com/

A Soldier's Gift To His Sweetheart: A Planned Wedding Day...

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from a soldier named Zach.

I quickly understood that Zach was taking it upon himself to coordinate a sweet and simple ceremony and celebration for February 20th, a gift to his sweetheart, Meghan.

We talked a bit and before you know it, Zach decided on treating a dozen family and friends to a celebration dinner at The Bark Frog in Woodinville, which is on-site at The Willows Lodge.

Of course, Zach would have to get married first.

And Zach's wedding wish came true. He exchanged vows in a park-like alcove at the Willows Lodge to the delight of a small group of family.

Photographer Ron Shaw from http://www.aaaamazingphotography.com captured the weight and seriousness of this moment in the photo above.

Zach and Megan ~ much happiness to you!

What Ruled On Valentine's Day 2011? Tiny Weddings that Were Big/Huge!

In the years that I have been doing this work, I've only had two weddings with big guest lists on Valentine's Day.

In my experience, most weddings on Valentine's Day are small in size and big in heart.

Erik and Sabrina dashed through the pouring rain for cover inside Salty's on Alki yesterday to exchange vows overlooking the water and Puget Sound.

The guest list was small, including Erik's parents from Sacramento, and the love in the room was BIG!

Photo: The Fabulous Jenny at http://www.jennygg.com/

Getting Married Outside Of The Seattle, WA Area? 3 Tips For Your "Destination Wedding!"

Each year, I travel to wonderful places all over Puget Sound and Washington State for wedding ceremonies - big and small.

And over this time, I've had many experiences on the way to a destination wedding day. If you are planning your wedding outside of the Seattle area, here are three tips to help insure an easy and comfortable wedding ceremony:

1) Get Real About Timing Issues. If you are planning your wedding at a destination site that involves travel by car or ferry, your family and friends will appreciate sensitivity around the scheduling of your wedding day.

During a Northwest Summer, traffic and increased tourists can mess things up. As you work on a timeline for your wedding day (no matter if your guest list is 2 or 200), be overly generous with timing out the events of your wedding day so that you allow for traffic snafus, lost guests (or vendor), etc.

2) Shop Local For Vendors. Many couples hire wonderful wedding professionals out of Seattle/Tacoma and immediate areas for their destination wedding. And at the same time, don't forget to "look local" for vendors who may live in the immediate area. This can save your considerable money on travel fees and you have peace of mind that one or more of your wedding day vendors are "nearby!"

3) Be Extra Generous To Family and Friends. Don't underestimate the effort and expense it often costs to travel to a destination wedding - hotel, car, ferry fees, etc. If you are hosting a destination wedding, what a lovely thing it would be to throw a special party, dinner or barbeque for your guests who have travelled far or delight people who have made great effort to be a part of your wedding day with a special surprise or welcomed gift.

Fabulous Photo/Alderbrook Resort (Dustin & Erin) by www.jennygg.com

Jonmark and Emilie's Wedding Ceremony ~ At A Hidden & Little Known Park In The Center Of The Seattle Universe ~ Fremont!

It was a grey January morning last week and an email popped up on my screen.

I was delighted to see the note was from Jonmark and Emilie, a couple I married in the most wonderful and obscure park in Fremont last Summer!

Like Jonmark and Emilie, if you are looking for a hidden gem of a Seattle park for an intimate wedding ceremony, take a peek at the Fremont Peak Park ~ it's quaint with a lovely view and being a neighborhood park, it doesn't have alot of foot traffic.

Fremont Peak Park: http://www.fremontpeakpark.org/

"Annemarie - Six months in and the wedding seems a bit far in the past but the joy, laughter and warmth of the day are still very present. Thank you again for making the ceremony cheerful, simple and authentic to us." ~ Emilie and Jonmark

***

Photo: Sacha Blue at http://www.sachablue.com/

Life Of A Seattle Wedding Officiant: Why I Would Love To Marry You And Why I Say "Check Others" Out...

Getting married - getting hitched - is a big huge deal.

When I meet with a couple, you won't find me "pitching a package" ~ i.e., the emerald package, the gold package, the pearl deal.

Instead, most often, when I meet with an engaged couple who is seeking an Officiant, I suggest that they meet with a number of Wedding Officiants.

Yes, I love this work that I do. And I love booking a couple for a wedding - especially one I am crazy about. Yet at the same time, I know one thing for sure. I'm the right Officiant for many couples and not the best choice for others.

Selecting an Officiant for a ceremony is a very personal decision and often a daunting decision for engaged guy and gal. When I meet with a couple, I don't arrogantly assume I'm the "right choice." I want a couple to talk or meet with a number of Officiants and to do their "selection homework." Then, when I am happily the best choice, I know that I have a couple who truly appreciates my personality, approach to this work and my heart and spunk. And I fully get that I am the best choice for them.

My thanks to Ann Pallesen for the gorgeous photo of her on her wedding day with a vintage camera. Photographer Sharlane Chase took this photo and it's one of my favorites - it's sweet, mystical and so very unique.