Children At A Wedding Ceremony ~ Unexpected Moments and Memories...

Kenneth & Robyn
Shilshole Bay Beach Club
Seattle, WA

Ken and Robyn's wedding ceremony on a March Saturday morning at Shilshole Bay Beach Club was blessed with incredible sunshine.

In front of 150 family and friends, Ken and Robyn exchanged vows and I'm hopeful their photographer was able to capture the huge smiles and meaningful glances they exchanged during their wedding ceremony!

Ken and Robyn worked to create an elegant yet casual ceremony and reception that was truly about family - there were children running around and this only added to the joy in room. Many wedding ceremonies I attend don't have children in attendance, particularly the evening ceremonies. It was meaningful for me to be reminded of how much fun children do have at a wedding and incorporating the little ones creates memories - although most often hugely unexpected moments/memories!

www.wedbyannemarie.com

FAQ To Annemarie "Why Do You Do This Work?" And The Answers Are....

Why do I do this work? It's interesting to me how often I am asked this question.

So, just for fun, here are a few answers:

~ I do this work because it keeps me humble. I am wildly curious about love - what brings a couple together, why two people are committing for life. And in this work, I get a front row seat to love and am grateful for each and every opportunity.

~ Because this work grows me. This work pushes me to work at a 'perfume' level - most of the time, I get there. On occasion, I don't. With each year of doing this work, I grow and "buff up" as an Officiant and Celebrant even more...

~ Because sometimes this work scares me. Yes, scares me. Weddings are big/huge. I take this work on as "big/huge." I am better at this work because I always feel the tension of a wedding - the gentle tension that I've got one shot to get things right. This tension works to makes me a better Celebrant and Officiant. And sometimes, the work is tough. Mostly, it is truly remarkable in all ways.

~ Mostly, I do this work because it's a perfect storm of my heart, talent, curiosity and just because it's darn fun!

Photo: Doug and Luanna right after their wedding on February 28th - The Willows Lodge!

The First Weekend Of March ~ A Big Wedding Weekend in Seattle!

March 6 & 7, 2010 ~ Ah, Love!

Wasn't the weather absolutely glorious this past week, especially on Saturday?

Bryce and Irene took me up on my "advice" and were married mid-week under a huge zillion year old tree in a "secret park" here in Seattle. Bryce's parents flew up from Florida for the event and the "friend paparazzi" were on hand to capture the event.

Congratulations to Robyn and Kenny married under great sunshine at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club and to Chris and Kriste' married at the Edgewater Hotel. It was a marvelous time at SODO Park on Saturday afternoon for Joe and Christine's wedding ceremony - tears, giggles, cheers - what a time!

I was deeply touched to join Colleen and Matt for their intimate ceremony with family and friends at a private home late Saturday evening. The story surrounding this couple's wedding pulls on the heart strings - Colleen and Matt, I wish you much peace and comfort in the days ahead and a very happy married life together.

And finally, on Sunday afternoon, I was at Kiana Lodge (near my home!) for Jackie and Jennifer's wedding extravaganza. Pam and Nancy at Kiana Lodge always do such a fantastic job for their couples and they went above and beyond to insure that this wedding day was sweet and magical in all ways.

www.wedbyannemarie.com
425 922 1325

Andrew and Vivian's Sunny Weekday Wedding At DeLille Cellars, Woodinville...

Andrew and Vivian Seelye ~ DeLille Cellars

February 22, 2010

It was such a sweet moment on Monday the 22nd for the family and friends of Andrew and Vivian, married at the wonderful DeLille Cellars in Woodinville.

I captured this photo of Andrew and Vivian just before their ceremony. It was a treat for me to work with this couple. Together, we created a warm and intimate ceremony that reflected Andrew and Vivian's values, backgrounds and loving relationship.

Andrew and Vivian - how blessed you are to have each other! As Andrew said in his vows, "little did I know that two years ago I would find this wonderful path with you, Vivian!" Andrew, I agree!

February Wedding Ceremonies in Seattle/Tacoma ~ Love Is In Bloom This February 2010!

John and Shelbie ~ February 2010

It was a wonderful weekend for three marvelous weddings! I was fortunate to marry two couples at The Willows Lodge on Friday the 19th - congratulations to Cathy and Stephen and Melissa and Jason! The Willows Lodge (www.willowslodge.com) is a marvelous venue for an intimate wedding ceremony and Jenn Wenman and her staff there are exceptional!

It was then down to Thorne Castle in Tacoma to share in Clint and Karen's wedding ceremony at "2:25 p.m." I was so grateful to share in this day and for good reason. Clint was in the hospital for 30+ days earlier this year with swine flu, including 17 days in a medical coma. I'm awaiting photos and will share when I receive them. It was a hugely emotional ceremony for all, me included. Talk about such a "happy factor" in the room - with huge kudos to the terrific medical staff at St. Clare Hospital/Tacoma!

And congratulations to John and Shelbie married on February 14th ~ I love this photo of this sweet couple just after they said "I do!"

The Blue Ribbon Cooking School Hosts Sean and Dawn's Wedding Ceremony ~ February 2010 ~ Seattle, WA!

A Quick "After The Ceremony" Smooch!

Sean & Dawn ~ February, 2010

What a treat it was for me to know Sean and Dawn Ryan and officiate their non-denominational wedding ceremony this past weekend!

Sean and Dawn held their ceremony and celebration at the Blue Ribbon Cooking School in Seattle. This is a fabulous venue for such an event and as always, Event Mangers, Vanessa and Amy, did a terrific job pulling together all details to insure a gorgeous evening for this sweet couple. And DJ Chris Graves, as always, was an absolutely "rockin' pleasure!" to work with.

Blue Ribbon Cooking Company: www.blueribboncooking.com

DJ Chris Graves: www.yoursong.com

A Walk Down Memory Lane With Kelly and Ryan ~ Featured Now On Seattle Style!

Kelly & Ryan ~ Villa Academy

www.seattlestyle.com/kellyandryan

Kelly and Ryan just made my afternoon! I married this marvelous couple last May at Villa Academy in Seattle and I just received a very sweet note from Kelly saying "hello!"

Kelly and Ryan's wedding was absolutely gorgeous and memorable in all ways ~ featured now on the Seattle Style wedding website. I invite you to take a peak at Kelly and Ryan's Wedding Day here!

Kelly & Ryan's Wedding Day

www.seattlestyle.com/kellyandryan

Islandwood on Bainbridge Island Hosted Steve and Gabe's Wedding Weekend ~ Kudos To Everyone!

Steve & Gabe ~ Islandwood/Bainbridge Island, WA January 30, 2010

Steve and Gabe were married at one of Bainbridge Island's treasures - Islandwood. Islandwood is now hosting seven weddings each year and Steve and Gabe were fortunate to be "wedding #2." Allyson, Jaime, Marla and the staff at Islandwood did an extraordinarily job in helping me to pull together this couple's Interfaith wedding ceremony. Olympia-based Photographer Andrea Latham (www.andrealathamphotography.com) created lifetime memories for our couple with exquisite photos.

There was so much joy in the room as Steve and Gabe were married under a hand-made Chuppah. Family and friends participated in the wedding ceremony and Steve and Gabe incorporated rituals and elements from their Jewish and Catholic traditions. In this work that I do, I love it when a couple creates a robust wedding ceremony that is full of sacred moments, gratitude, fun and joy.

The Marvelous John and Anri ~ Married At Home, Seattle Style!

Congratulations to John & Anri!

Anri has a sparkle to her that lights up a room with her grace, style and smarts. John is one of those "great guys" who flys under the radar doing amazing things in this world...including being a Father to four terrific children.

John and Anri were married at home with their closest family and friends at their side.

I love all weddings. I treasure small weddings.

Small and intimate weddings have a sweetness to them...a "cozy factor" that you can't replicate at a venue, near the water or elsewhere.

Perhaps I love the small home wedding because that was what my wonderful husband, Greg, and I chose for our wedding. Two couples we treasured (and still do!), our Officiant Tom, and our four dogs as our "back-up witnesses!"

And of course, a wedding isn't about the size of the guest list. It's about the heart of a ritual that celebrates two people choosing each other for life.

Happy February 1st!

Brian and Marjan's Persian & Jewish Wedding Ceremony At The Rainier Club - Joy And More Joy!

Brian and Marjan Disler ~ The Rainier Club

It was truly an honor for me to create and deliver Brian and Marjan's Inter-Faith wedding ceremony at The Ranier Club. Brian and Marjan live in New York City and took a leap of faith on the "marrying lady" in Seattle sight unseen! We worked together via email and phone to create and craft a beautiful ceremony that wove together the traditions and rituals from Marjan's Persian Heritage and Brian's Jewish Heritage.

Jen and Jody from www.jenandjody.com captured the true essence of this beautiful couple with lasting photo memories.

Brian and Marjan - "may your love be as difficult to break as it would be to put back together the pieces of this glass!" Mazel Tov!

An "Aloha" Wedding At The Willows Lodge - Congratulations to George & Kris!

George and Kris ~ The Willows Lodge ~ A Winter Wedding

The Spirit of Aloha! There was so much "Aloha" at George and Kris's Winter wedding at The Willows Lodge. So much love.

For their ceremony, George and Kris included a wide variety of personalized elements and pieces to include family and friends in the moment. Thinking back, there was so much and what stood out was the exchange of leis, warm words to family and parents, a "surprise" to open on a special wedding anniversary, a song by the Bride's Mother with a chorus of cousins and much more.

George and Kris - I wish you every happiness! And thank you to Alyssa of Alyssa Rose Photography for this gorgeous photo! www.alyssarosephotography.com

Annemarie

Having Worked With Dozens Of Wedding Photographers, Here's A Little Guidance From The "Wedding Front Line..."

Dustin & Erin ~ Alderbrook Resort, Waterside Fall '09

photo: the fabulous Jenny GG www.jennygg.com

I was visiting Photographer Jenny GG at her new Studio in Seattle yesterday and fell in love with a canvas portrait she had just completed of Dustin and Erin - it is an incredible shot of the bottom of their legs - wedding formal wear, bare feet on the Alderbrook Resort boat dock - very fun. And a perfect wall memento for this terrific couple whose wedding we fondly remember from this past October.

Each year, I work with dozens of photographers - many of whom I see more than twice. As one of the only "vendors" at a wedding on a wedding day, I have the remarkable opportunity to know these terrific guys/gals who take on the enormous task (and stressful) of capturing a wedding day.

If you are selecting and/or working with a wedding photographer this year, here are a few important pointers to keep in mind:

- Personality: Find a photographer or team whose personality you like. This is a big/huge job and finding a Photo God/Goddess whose approach to life is key in extracting those "once in a lifetime shots." In other words, if you are out-going and charismatic in personality, go with a photographer with a similar approach.

- Money: Yes, it costs a pretty penny (no matter what the budget) for a Photographer. And in my book, spend a little more to get the best Photographer possible - shave money from the cake, favors and flowers. Cake - a lot gets left behind at weddings. Favor: many get left at the reception. Flowers: what about giving each Bridesmaid a special/beautiful flower instead of a bouquet?

- Fun: Most of my couples want "happy wedding photos" - not the structure "line-ups" of years past. Work with your photographer to create a purposeful fun photo or two ahead of time - you'll love the result!

Forget The Perfect Wedding Ceremony - Let's Go For Synchronicity And Those "Unexpected Moments!

"An Unexpected & Sweet Ceremony Moment"
Diane & Fred

I'm fond of saying a wedding ceremony is a "one time shot." This is "Officiant speak" for the gentle tension I always feel going into a ceremony knowing I have "one shot" to get things right - meaning I can't give you a gift certificate for a "do over!"

And what I absolutely treasure about a ceremony is the synchronicity that seems to follow each couple I work with - i.e., the "unexpected moments."

During Fred and Diane's wedding ceremony, there were several including this shot captured by Joe and Jill (http://www.joejill.com/) that reflects Diane's joyful devotion to the handsome guy in front of her who was so enjoying their ceremony!

So, bring on those unexpected moments. Forget the "perfect wedding ceremony" - the wedding ceremony where everything is orchestrated and "perfect." I much prefer an enjoyable ceremony that is comfortable, real, romantic and with a dash of the unexpected!

The Mayflower Park Hotel - A Marvelous Place For A Wedding Ceremony & Celebration...

Kudos to Andrew Harris & The Mayflower Park!

www.mayflowerpark.com

In the spirit of gratitude, I want to share with you a widely known secret: The Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle is a gem of a place for a wedding ceremony and celebration.

If you are seeking a historic and memorable venue for a wedding celebration, contact Andrew Harris (Sales Catering Manager) at the Mayflower Park Hotel. Andrew is one of the region's best when it comes to taking care of a couple on their special day.

Over the years, I have enjoyed the privilege of officiating at The Mayflower Park Hotel and look forward to walking thru those front doors this coming year!

Dennis and Claire's Moonlight & Candles Wedding Ceremony At JM Cellars, Woodinville...

Dennis & Claire's Evening Wedding Ceremony

JM Cellars ~ Woodinville

photo: www.joejill.com

Oh, sometimes I just have too much fun at a wedding ceremony! I had the marvelous opportunity to marry Dennis and Claire at the fabulous new wedding venue, JM Cellars in Woodinville.

Things got a little dark before we all knew it. And most of the ceremony was done in the moonlight with what seemed to be a zillion candles all around. Being that we were at a winery, Dennis and Claire toasted their marriage within their ceremony with a special wine for the occasion - and thankfully, I navigated my way around this ritual in the moonlight and candles.

If you'd like to take a peak at Dennis and Claire's venue choice for their wedding, go to www.jmcellars.com - and ask for Peggy! My thanks to Joe and Jill Hein of http://www.joejill.com/ for getting some fabulous photos of this marvelous ceremony.

Chip and Susanne's "Sunny Day" December Wedding Ceremony At St. Paul's Church, Port Gamble...

Chip & Susanne ~ December 5, 2009

Photographer William Ceriale took this beautiful "just after the ceremony" shot on the steps of St. Paul's Church this past Saturday afternoon. Chip and Susanne were married in a sweet and intimate ceremony surrounded by family and friends.

In honor of Chip's Hawaiian heritage, the couple exchanged leis with a kiss, gave leis to their parents and also surprised Susanne's children with special words and the gift of a lei.

St. Paul's Church and Port Gamble is a favorite place of mine for a wedding ceremony. Julie McAfee and her staff do a tremendous job insuring the success of each wedding at St. Paul's Church and the Port Gamble Pavilion - take a peak at www.portgambleweddings.com

Chip and Susanne...I wish you much aloha!

Annemarie

William Ceriale Photography: www.weddingphotos4u.com

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

Zelda, "The Wedding Dog..."

I love Zelda. A big part of my life is working to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home death row dogs. And on days when rescue work seems overwhelming, I look at my Zelda calendar and take a deep breath and smile.

So, on this day, November 19th, I am thankful for Zelda.

I am thankful for a wonderful 2009 of amazing couples and beautiful wedding memories. I am thankful for my wonderful husband, Greg, and all he brings to my life. I adore our five special needs dogs and the courage they show us each day.

It's now time for a little rest and play. I'm excited about my holiday weddings and I am loving the engaged couples I am meeting with for next year - there is so much love all the way around!

A Lot Of Love ~ A Little Windex! Simon and Alice's Wedding at Olympic Sculpture Park

Simon & Alice ~ Olympic Sculpture Park

photo by: Fancy Fin Photography

Annemarie,

Simon and I have taken our time "returning to the real world" after two marvelous weeks in Bali!

Thank you so much for being a part of our big day. We felt that the end result was perfect. Even the Windex went off without a hitch! It was elegant, fun and very 'us.'

We've attached a photograph that we think is hilarious. Perhaps right after the Windex? Your expression is priceless!

Alice Burden & Simon Clark

With Gratitude ~ To My Wonderful Couples, Wedding Colleagues and Family & Friends...

Click Here For 197 Personal Reviews: http://tinyurl.com/yf86fng

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I am deeply grateful to the hundreds of people who gave me great support in KING 5 TV's Best of Western Washington contest this Fall!

What touched me most deeply were the 197 personal comments left ~ in many ways this was a trip down memory lane for me. It was amazing to hear from so many of my couples via email with personal updates - life is quite the ride!

I am so incredibly grateful each day for the amazing opportunity to do this work that I love so much. Thank you.

Annemarie