Jim & Holly's Wedding Ceremony ~ Sweet, Simple & Memorable

Jim and Holly's wedding ceremony on the deck of a waterfront home in Des Moines as the sun was setting was a truly "happy moment."

Wedding Photographer Sean Werner joined me to get this wonderful and fun couple "hitched" at sunset ~ and with a couple of their closest friends as witnesses, Jim and Holly exchanged vows with big smiles and a few laughs.

To me, it doesn't matter if a wedding ceremony guest list is 2 witnesses or 200 people.

It's all about the "feeling" and energy of the moment. Yes, I know this sounds "woo-woo" ~ and it's true.

Few couples or family/friends remember the words of a wedding ceremony. What people do remember is the "feeling" and for Jim and Holly on that waterfront deck at sunset, the feeling was pure joy.

Sean Werner: www.weddingphotog.com

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!

Life Is All About Change - Missing Our Beloved Dog Huckleberry And What I Learned From "Huckie" About Weddings...

We have unexpectedly lost our beloved Cocker Spaniel ~ the most Handsome Huckleberry ~ to a fast growing tumor in his abdomen.

Greg and I rescued Huckleberry 3 1/2 years ago from a life of abuse and neglect and we loved this sweet little gentleman so very much.

Huckleberry was kind. He endured a life of neglect for many years and yet he saw the world with loving eyes and a huge heart.

Huckleberry would most often rest on his bed near my desk as I would work. Sometimes I would ask Huckie for a little inspiration while writing a ceremony. Most often, he snoozed through my questioning and today, missing Huckleberry, I offer these three wedding nuggets which remind me of Huckleberry.

~ When it comes to a wedding, lead with kindness and gratitude and on a wedding day, live in the moment with happiness. Guests often take their cue from a couple ~ family and friends love a ceremony and celebration oozing with appropriate gratitude and graciousness.

~ Everyone is beautiful and handsome on a wedding day. Everyone!

~ Wag more. Bark less. Huckleberry stole this from a car bumper sticker and it's true beyond measure.

We miss you, Huckleberry. So very much.

Love, Annemarie & Greg

Robb and Ann's Sweet And Intimate Wedding Ceremony At The Edgewater Hotel ~ Sunset, Ferries, Very Happy Faces!

Robb and Ann traveled from California to downtown Seattle to be married waterside on October 22nd at the wonderful Edgewater Hotel on Alaskan Way. They exchanged personal vows that were a surprise and it was truly a hankie moment.

The Edgewater Hotel is a favorite of mine for a wedding ceremony and reception - whether the guest list is 2-10 happy people or 200+ happy people.

The weather was iffy during Robb and Ann's wedding week and on Friday afternoon/early evening, the clouds parted and we had beautiful sunshine on the "wedding deck" overlooking the Puget Sound!

Photo Guy Kier from Firstlight Photography was on hand to capture the moment ~ isn't the smile on Ann's face to the right just fabulous?

Robb and Ann ~ How wonderful to have a "place" to return to celebrate your wedding day and future anniversaries!

First Light Photography (Kier & Mitzi) www.firstlight-weddings.com

The Hidden Life Of A Wedding Officiant ~ Congrats To My 2010 Class of Celebrants/Officiants!

Each Fall, I lead an 8-week intensive program with a dozen Wedding Celebrants & Officiants from all around our Country.

And tonight, as I write this blog, I'm about to lead our last class/program and am so very inspired with the caliber and heart of all that is a "Wedding Officiant/Celebrant."

In this work that I do, it's illuminating to me to really understand the heart and drive of a passionate Officiant/Celebrant ~ one that is fully committed to providing services to an engaged couple at the "perfume level."

As I finish with this group of 12 outstanding Wedding Officiants/Celebrants, I offer this insight into a heart of an Officiant:

~ The best Officiants are passionate about what they do. They are grateful for the opportunity to create and officiate ceremony and everything they do is about a couple and their wedding day.

~ The best Officiants truly freak out once or twice a year. This work can be intense and very personal and we're not perfect. We fall down. We screw up. We forget something. The best Officiants freak out and get over it - or if they mess up, they make it right. Always.

~ The best Officiants know a wedding ceremony is not about them. While a big focus of a ceremony is on an Officiant, the true focus is the couple. And a great Officiant works to showcase a couple and their people/tribe!

A Festive Weekday Wedding for Brian and Ashley at Seattle's Olive 8!

Brian and Ashley were married on a sunny Monday afternoon ~ a most marvelous weekday wedding at a very fun and contemporary venue, downtown Seattle's Olive 8.

Ron Shaw of Always Focused On You Photography captured beautiful images from Brian and Ashley's ceremony and he caught us in the middle of their cocktail hour for the photo at the right.

Brian and Ashley worked to create a ceremony that was truly reflective of their loving relationship (they met working for Olive 8) and one that celebrateed their "tribe" ~ i.e., the people who love and support them.

Brian and Ashley ~ Go take on the world as husband and wife!

Ron Shaw: http://www.always-focused-on-you.com/

Elegant Laughter ~ A Magical Elixir During A Contemporary Wedding Ceremony...

Laughter.

Just take a peak at Lili and Jacob's photo taken by Flowertoss Photography during their wonderful wedding ceremony at Robinswood House in Bellevue.

Laughter ~ giggles ~ big and small smiles ~ all of this has a perfect and elegant place within a contemporary wedding ceremony.

Remarkably, I find that many people have not been to a wedding ceremony where the "joy bar" has been raised ~ i.e., where laughter and appropriate humor are a piece of a marriage ritual.

In most of the ceremonies that I create and deliver, I like to weave in bits of humor and laughter. Of course, this all depends on the couple, their background/traditions and "where we're going with a ceremony."

And overall, I have found that touches of laughter, sweetness and glee add a flourishing touch to a memorable moment.

Children Of All Ages LOVE A Big Job Within A Wedding Ceremony!

Look at this face!

Michael and Lindy Zachau's son, Wake, is just way too cute!

This gorgeous photo, taken by photographer Barbie Hull, in a pew at St. Paul's Church in Port Gamble this year, is one of those "aw schucks" kind of photos.

Involving children within a wedding ceremony is a dance in all things unexpected. Children love participating in a wedding ritual and providing a "big job" to a child - no matter what the age - is an opportunity to create a lifetime moment.

It's not about whether the child perfectly "executes" the job ~ it's about giving a little one a marvelous opportunity to participate in a special day with the adults "rolling" with what ultimately happens.

For instance, during the ceremony, Wake decided to leave his seat with his relatives and explore the back of the church. We saw him at the end of the aisle and called to him during the ceremony ~ he ran down the aisle and into the arms of his parents. Unexpected and unplanned, this was truly momentous and absolutely a lifetime moment for Michael and Lindy!

www.barbiehull.com - photography

Robert and Kate ~ A Sweet & Intimate Wedding At Seattle's Bacon Mansion on Capital Hill

I remember the first time I spoke with Kate on the phone. I immediately liked her!

****

And during the weeks that I worked via email and phone to build a ceremony for Kate and her sweetheart, Robert, I learned more about their beautiful and poignant love story and the personal challenges that sweetened their ceremony with gratitude and appreciation.

Robert + Kate ~ And they got hitched! At The Bacon Mansion with 20 plus close family and friends.

Once pronounced husband and wife, Robert took Kate's hand and they danced...there might have been 20 or so people looking on and in this moment, it was just them.

Robert and Kate ~ I wish you much happiness and am so happy you were able to leave Seattle in good health and with such promise!

Fred and Jennie Hall ~ From Tucson to Seattle ~ The Willows Lodge//Summer 2010

Fred and Jennie Hall are one of those couples I will remember forever.

They both live in Tucson, Arizona and I worked with Fred and Jennie via phone, email and editing pen to craft and write their wedding ceremony.

I finally met Fred and Jennie at rehearsal and was (and still am) so very taken with how they came to their wedding day ~ with graciousness, kindness and a grand sense of family and community.

Fred and Jennie coordinated their Seattle wedding long distance, juggling all of the logistics and challenges of selecting "vendors," coordinating venue details and much more. I often work with a couple who is "Seattle bound" for their wedding day and if it's a good match from the get go, the process of building and writing a ceremony can be very seamless.

Jennie ~ may you fly in the clouds with grace and protection. Fred ~ play ball!

A Wedding At Seattle's Rainier Club ~ Michael and Suzanne ~ So Much To Celebrate!

Michael and Suzanne were married on a sunny Summer afternoon at Seattle's Rainier Club ~ much to the absolute delight of their family and friends.

Suzanne's Mother flew in from England to attend the wedding and this intimate gathering was a perfect complement to a ceremony and celebration so well planned by this couple.

Suzanne's son, Daniel, did a spectacular job as "ring boy" and at the end of the ceremony, he joined the clapping and congratulations by raising his hands in the air with great joy - so well captured in a photo!

Suzanne and Michael ~ I wish you much happiness and you are to be so very proud of the family you have created together and your special addition this Fall!

Irwin and Dawn at The Willows Lodge ~ Great Fun, Sweet Moments And A Memorable Unity Candle!

Dawn and Irwin had one big wish for their wedding ceremony and celebration ~ they truly wanted it to be a FUN and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

They succeeded...and in a big way. And truly, this isn't always easy to do. Why?

Dawn and Irwin kept everything related to "all things wedding" beautifully in perspective. They inherently knew what was important for their day and what didn't rate on their "wedding scale."

Irwin is one of those guys who is a party unto himself! People just love him and gravitate to him. Dawn is beautiful, a bit more reserved and accomplished ~ a perfect complement to her guy!

Dawn and Irwin ~ Not only did you have sunshine but you indeed set your unity candle ablaze!

Mark and Kacie's Wedding Ceremony and Celebration at Kiana Lodge

Mark and Kacie "tied the knot" on Sunday, August 15th at one of my most favorite venues on the planet for a wedding ceremony and reception!

Kacie was absolutely stunning in her gown and Mark was all smiles as Kacie was escorted down the aisle by her Father.

This couple had a traditional and contemporary "feel" about them - and sometimes, this is more challenging to incorporate into a ceremony as you are straddling both formal and more fun and upbeat pieces within a wedding ceremony.

And everything "mixed well" ~ there were a few tears, a few laughs, a little seating snafu that turned out just fine and an amazing post-ceremony group photo ~ don't you just love a wedding!

Gorgeous Photo by the wonderful Jenny Jimenez at www.photojj.com

Renee and Michael's Wedding Day at Newcastle Golf & Country Club ~ A Magical "13" Day of Prosperity and Good Fortune

Renee & Michael

8.13.10

During this year, I had the wonderful opportunity to come to know Renee and Michael as they moved toward their wedding day.

And sometimes, a photo says it all. Forget the blog posting!

I could write hundreds of words about Renee and Michael - about their devotion, love story, fun quirks and funny stories.

Photographer Alex Rubin so exquisitely captured Renee and Michael during a private moment on their wedding reception night, just before the sun went down over Newcastle Golf and Country Club.

Hand in hand. So meant to be.

My very best to you both, Renee and Michael.

Annemarie

photo: www.rubinweddings.com

An Early Morning Wedding Ceremony on Ruby Beach ~ Washington Coast!

Photographer Carrie Stark was with me on a brisk morning last week and captured this sweet image of Mark and Juanita Vidger immediately after they were married at Ruby Beach on the Washington Coast.

When I arrived at Ruby Beach on this early morning, I was so happy to see Carrie and finally meet Mark and Juanita who planned their oceanside ceremony from their home in Colorado.

With their closest friends and a well-dressed ring bearer and flower girl at their side, Mark and Juanita exchange vows on the sand ~ a truly perfect and some ways mystical moment.

I walked away from the beach to my car and looked back - just wanting a last look at the ocean and couple before getting in my car for the four hour drive back to my home on Bainbridge Island. I love the ocean and I left feeling very happy.

What a way to start your day!

Carrie Stark: http://www.e-iphoto.com/

Danny and Amber's Waterside Wedding Ceremony On A Very Hot Afternoon ~ Kiana Lodge

Daniel & Amber Lopez ~ Kiana Lodge

Summer of 2010

I don't know why I love this photo so much. Maybe because it's a "big picture" from Daniel and Amber's wedding ceremony waterside at Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo.

Maybe it is because it's also a private sort of photo - you can see what's going on but you really can't.

What did I love most about Daniel and Amber's wedding ceremony in addition to their beloved wedding dog, Charlie, who did an outstanding job as ring bearer?

I loved this couple's transparency. Danny and Amber have shared more than 9 years of loving relationship and they wear their love and devotion on their sleeves. We wove their journey of love and change into their Friday evening ceremony and each person present walked away inspired by Danny and Amber's verve for life, their quest for individual achievement and growth as a couple and just because they are so much darn fun!

Danny and Amber - much Aloha to you!

There Are Venues For Weddings in Seattle ~ And Then There Are Hidden & Remarkable Venues....

Lee and Dawn Mitchell ~ Hotel 1000

Seattle, Washington

Lee and Dawn celebrated their marriage with 150+ family and friends at one of my most favorite hotel venues in downtown Seattle for a wedding ceremony and celebration ~ Hotel 1000.

This couple's wedding ceremony and celebration was all about elegance, sophistication and fun. I have officiated at Hotel 1000 a number of times over the years and this property and their staff consistently delivers for a couple in all ways (and no, I'm not plugging this for money, fame or fortune!)

Lee and Dawn were smart to select Hotel 1000 for their wedding day. It "felt" like them and when it comes to a venue selection, that's what it is all about ~ selecting a venue that reflects your taste, sense of adventure and humor and most of all, a venue that is known for having a staff that truly cares about a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Colin and Andrea: An Imperfect Spot At Golden Gardens Park For A Perfect Wedding...

Colin & Andrea ~ July 2010 ~ Golden Gardens, Seattle, WA

photo: www.jennygg.com

Colin and Andrea found an imperfect spot for their wedding ceremony near their wedding reception venue at Golden Gardens Park.

And in this imperfect spot, the perfect vows were exchanged by a couple meant to be together.

I love imperfect weddings. And it's no secret that most wedding ceremonies are all slightly imperfect. That's what makes them perfect. The best wedding ceremonies memories are in the unexpected moments - the occasional glitches - the tears out of nowhere - the moments of humor and glee that take your breath away.

Colin and Andrea ~ thank you for giving us the lovely opportunity to "parade" with you to your ceremony site and to share in your imperfectly perfect moment.

Rose and Quinn's Intimate And Elegant Wedding Ceremony At The Willows Lodge ~ Celebrating The Crowell/Quinn Family!

Rose and Quinn met quite by chance.

The were living in different States when introduced on a "hunch" by Rose's niece. Quinn and Rose were delighted to find such a sweet love at mid-life and Rose picked up her life and her girls and moved to be with Quinn and his boys.

Rose and Quinn have worked to create a loving and blended family that not only includes the two of them, but two boys, two girls, a dog, a cat, other creatures - and lots of love!

Orchestrating a blended family isn't an easy job. And yet, somehow, when you witnessed the excitement, peace and comfort in the eyes of Quinn, Rose and their children on this wedding day, such a big job makes beautiful sense.

To Photographer Cory Parris - thank you so much for this wonderful photo! www.coryparris.com

Doug and Theresa's Orcas Island Wedding ~ Sweet, Elegant And Just The Two Of Them...

I love elopements.

I love weddings big and small and in-between.

Elopements are just plain fun.

Doug and Theresa celebrated their loving partnership with a most elegant wedding ceremony for two at The Outlook Inn on Orcas Island.

With staff as thrilled witnesses, a great photographer from Friday Harbor (James Krall), and moi, we had such a wonderful time getting this couple married!

Doug and Theresa worked with me to create a very robust and sweet wedding ceremony ~ complete with special mementos, beautiful vows, special words to the other and more.

Yes, there is a paradox in life that applies to elopements: what is small is really big.