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

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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.

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!

2011 ~ Looking Ahead To A New Wedding Year And A Few Inside Planning Tips....

Greg and I are back from a wonderful two week vacation in the Caribbean ~ rested and excited to re-engage for a new year.

Much like a bride and groom may feel at the end of their wedding day, is how I often feel at the very end of a 10-month wedding season - happy, worn out and so glad it's over.

Glad it's over?!

Yes ~ absolutely. It's a wonderful feeling to know that my weddings for the year are complete and well done (hopefully my couples agree). What I'm not shy about sharing with my couples and colleagues in the wedding world is the gentle tension I often carry and hide around every wedding.

The challenge of creating and officiating a wedding ceremony is this: you can't do it over. So with this work comes a level of attention and performance that demands a high degree of dedication and planning to insure a beautiful and memorable result - i.e., an authentic weddding ceremony.

As Kelly and Ryan worked to create a beautiful wedding day experience, thousands of couples in the Puget Sound area are now planning their weddings for 2011. Let me humbly offer a few hard earned "planning tips from the frontline of all things wedding..."

~ Keep It Real: If you want to be married on Alki Beach with 2 witnesses ~ do it. If you want to be married at Villa Academy like Kelly and Ryan with great pomp, do it. This is your wedding and keeping it real means doing what is right for you. Tune out all "do this/do that" wedding noise and stay true to what is important to you.

~ Plan Not Only A Wedding, Plan A Marriage: Your engagement time is not only for wedding planning, it is a remarkable moment in time to grow deeper in your loving relationship. Ask the big questions, create your covenants, road map your vision/desires for your marriage - use your engagement time to grow deeper in love and understanding so you may walk into your wedding day with grace and ease.

Here's to a wonderful 2011!

Krista and Derek's September Wedding Ceremony at Seattle's Volunteer Park...

Derek Murrah & Krista Greene Murrah

Volunteer Park, September 2009

The huge old true directly behind the Asian Art Museum will never be the same! Derek and Krista were married under this beautiful tree surrounded by their family and friends on a sunny and warm September '09 afternoon at the high hour of 3:00 p.m.

With personalized vows - sweet touches of humor - gratitude to family and friends and so much more, Derek and Krista celebrated their 10+ year relationship with elegance and simple style.

Derek and Krista - I am wishing that your marriage be as joyful as your 10+ year courtship!

website: http://www.wedbyannemarie.com/

phone: 425 922 1325