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

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

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.

Fun Things Happen On The Way To A Wedding: Giggles From 2010 Ceremonies...

As I take a deep breath of gratitude for a wonderful wedding year in 2010, I can't help but think about the fun moments, the wacky moments, the "oh dear," moments and the many moments that took my breath away in awe.

So, as I take this week and next for rest and play, I think about these moments from 2010 and giggle:

~ The moment Michael and Lindy's young son escaped from a front church pew and made a beeline for the back of the church - to run with glee down the center aisle of St. Paul's church to his parents during their vows!

~ The moment Betsy the dog started howling during a sentimental song in a wedding ceremony (very funny and memorable for all!)

~ After reminding Best Man Brad about the rings 3 times, he still forgot the rings!

~ When Jeff and his wedding party rode in on a golf cart to start the wedding ceremony ~ and it stalled half-way!

Joy, joy and more joy ~ you've got to love it. Here is to a fun-filled and very meaningful 2011!

Fred and Diane Lee's Wedding Day at SODO Park...Compliments of Seattle Wedding Planner Michelle Engvall!

Dr. Fred & Diane Lee ~ SODO Park

photo: www.joejill.com

One of my favorite Wedding Planners, Michelle Engvall, just sent me a link to a posting on her blog showcasing one of my favorite couples of this past year - Dr. Fred and Diane Lee.

Like Michelle, I fell in love with Fred and Diane and was so honored to officiate their wedding ceremony at SODO Park. Michelle did a fabulous job detailing this magnificent wedding day - if you'd like to take a peak at everything done "right," please go to: http://tinyurl.com/ykg32ku