Hamade and Elisha's International Love Story: From Egypt With Love...

On Saturday, February 18th, I had the sweet pleasure of officiating Hamade and Elisha's wedding ceremony at a non-denominational church in Kirkland, Washington.

With 60+ family and friends looking on, Hamade and Elisha celebrated their relationship which started in Egypt and brought them all the way back to Elisha's hometown of Kirkland.

This is a young couple who has fought for their love and opportunity to be together. And it was such a joy to see the happiness of family and friends who fully support this relationship and marriage. Some things are just meant to be.

Photo: http://www.photoelan.com/

Annemarie Juhlian: http://www.marriedbyannemarie.com/

Bernel and Gloria's Magnificent Persian & Jewish Celebration - So Much Fun!

I had so much fun last night!

And I walked away from Bernel and Gloria's wedding ceremony doing a happy dance in my heart, so thrilled for this remarkable couple.

Over these past weeks, I had been working closely with Bernel and Gloria to write, craft and stage their intricate Persian/Jewish wedding ceremony.

With 150+ family and friends at Russell's Loft in Woodinville, I officiated a ceremony with many rituals and traditions from the Persian tradition and a few from the Jewish faith.

Between the gorgeous Sofreh (marriage spread), the asking (3 times), the sharing of honey and signing of documents, gratitude to the six children of this marriage, heartfelt sharing with parents, readings from Rumi, the breaking of the glass and so much more, we celebrated Bernel and Gloria and the road that brought them to this moment.

Bernel and Gloria - thank for the opportunity to be a part of your wedding day. Your ceremony was sweet, romantic, heartfelt, meaningful and so much fun!

David and Keri's "Snowy & Winter White" Wedding Week in Seattle!

As I write this, David and Keri are putting the finishing touches on their honeymoon in Hawaii - sun, sand, ocean - perfect!

And what a Winter week they had for their January 21st wedding at The Canal in Seattle.

Yes, it was the "snowmageddon" week!

With flurry of phone calls and emails, their ceremony and rehearsal dinner was flipped around.

I was concerned about getting to the event and was so happy and pleased to make it. Stopped by snow? Not for a wedding!

And best of all, on their wedding day, January 21st, the sun was peaking through, the snow and ice were melting and 100+ family and friends joined this fun, gracious and very inspiring couple for a beautiful celebration of their partnership (i.e., ceremony!) and reception.

Mahalo to you, David and Keri!

What To Do With the Groom? Stand, Walk, Escort - You Decide!

I have lots of options for my couples when it comes to getting the Groom "down the aisle."

If you are fussing with your processional and trying to figure out placement and process, I offer these options for your Groom:

1) Start at the front with the Officiant and Groom. This is a traditional opening and often works as the Groom can greet everyone coming down the aisle - including parents, honored guests, his guys, etc.

2) Have the Groom escort his Mother, his Mother and Father, Mother of the Bride or honored guest down the aisle. He then takes his place next to the Officiant.

3) Have the Groom process down the aisle or from the side with his "guys."

4) What about the Groom walking down the aisle at the very beginning with the Officiant?

Lots of options - and more than just these four. There is no "right" or "wrong," - it's what's best and true for you as a couple and family.

Beautiful Photo of Brian and his parents from their 2011 wedding at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island.

Photo: Kat Speyer - www.persimmonimages.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.

A Very Fun, Romantic & Memorable New Year's Day Wedding Ceremony - Seattle Style!

David and Lindsay.

They live in Minneapolis.

They trekked to Foxglove Guesthouse on Capital Hill to be married.

And not just on any day.

1.1.12

Surrounded by their parents and siblings, David and Lindsay shared in a ceremony that not only celebrated the history they have shared, but a ceremony that celebrates the joy and anticipation they feel as they move forward in life together.

In particular, look at these faces! Near the end of their ceremony, David and Lindsay tied a fisherman's knot, symbolizing the unbreakable bond of their partnership. They did a fantastic job with the knot and the smiles were everywhere.

David and Lindsay - here's to much joy in your first year of marriage and beyond!

Photo: http://www.abeautifuldayphotography.com/

Getting Hitched This Holiday Season. Your Tiny & Intimate Wedding Ceremony

Each year, I get such a kick out of officiating a number of last minute and very fun tiny weddings around the holidays.

If you are seeking to get married over the next two weeks, I invite your call at 425.922.1325 or go here for more info: www.elopeseattlestyle.com

Many couples often make a last minute decision to get married before the end of the year. Sometimes romantic, sometimes for other reasons.

No matter what your reason, I'm here to offer you any support, ideas or assistance to make a tiny ceremony a lifetime moment.

Get The Officiant Outta There! A Picture Perfect Kiss.

That's right - for a kiss at the end of a ceremony, your Officiant needs to be outta there!

Nothing makes me more crazy than looking at photo after photo of an Officiant front and center in a couple's kiss at the end of a ceremony.

In this work that I do, I always move to the side as I am introducing a couple at an end of ceremony - this holds for a large/formal ceremony like Jeff and Rida had at The Woodmark Hotel in June (a perfect kiss in this long range photo!) or a kiss after a sweet and intimate elopement.

To take a peek at most gorgeous photos by Loren of Alante Photography and view a beautiful video produced by Laura and Chris at Edit 1 Media, go to: http://tinyurl.com/74sormx
Jeff & Rida - I was reminded after viewing your photos and video how much fun you are a couple. Much continued joy to you!

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!

Woof! Including Your Beloved Canine Family Member In Your Wedding Ceremony...

As I look back 2011, I smile as I remember the "wedding dogs" who were a part of many wedding ceremonies.

If you want to include your beloved pooch in your ceremony, here are a few tips that I offer having worked with many canine ring bearers and canine petal girls:

1) A Wedding Dog Can't Do Anything Wrong. A dog only adds more joy to a processional and/or ceremony. So, don't worry about what your pooch is going to do or not doing to do. On a wedding day, dogs bring pure happiness to a ceremony moment and guests love this.

2) Appoint A Wedding Day Guardian. Find a friend or acquaintance to be your dog's wedding day guardian - this way, your dog has a companion for the ceremony and possibly cocktail hour and can be taken home once reception starts.

3) Wedding Wear! I think it's adorable for a dog to have a wreath of flowers or bow tie on as "wedding wear." Couples love to get their picture with their dog and having a dog in festive wear only adds more fun to the day.

This photo features Diane and Fred Lee's beloved dogs who stole the show at their July ceremony at SODO Park!

Anna & Jason - A Few Years Later With Much Life & Love Lived...

A few years ago, I remember meeting Anna and Jason at a coffee shop in Tacoma. Their wedding was in a few weeks and they needed an Officiant.

Happily, I had the privilege of officiating their waterside ceremony along Hood Canal on a very hot May afternoon.

Anna was very pregnant at the time and I have this crystal memory of sitting on a bed writing out the marriage license paperwork with her.

I also have this sweet memory of walking across the grass with Jason to the ceremony area to get this wonderful couple married.

We fast forward to today - Jason & Anna are happy and well with their sweet son. I pulled this photo from Anna's Facebook page - it's beautiful, it's sweet and it has devotion, perseverance, joy, and change written all over it!

I Heart Dan & Robin: So Truly A Couple Together For All Of The Best Reasons!

Yikes!

I arrived at Columbia Winery for Dan & Robin's Fall wedding ceremony and music was blasting from an outdoor event near door at the Redhook Brewery!

I soon learned that the Brewery was going to "shutdown" the music promptly at 6:30 for a number of weddings in surrounding venues.

Ah, the unexpected twists and turns of a wedding day!

I so loved the opportunity to marry Dan and Robin in fine style in front of 100+ family and friends. Robin is a family and marriage therapist and Dan is an artist going big-time after his dream. Everything about this couple is remarkable - from their graciousness, sense of humor to how they are absolutely devoted to one another after so many wonderful years together.

Dan & Robin - to living your dreams! Congratulations!

A Wedding At Columbia Winery With Southern Charm! Congratulations to Mary Catherine & Randy...

One very happy and devoted couple.

An absolutely glorious bride. Proud and handsome groom.

Held at Columbia Winery, Woodinville.

100+ thrilled family & friends.

One amazing Grandmother in the most beautiful outfit.

Cloudy and no raindrops - yeah!

Laughs. Tears. Giggles. A bride so thrilled she kissed her groom after walking down the aisle. A couple so gracious, loving, devoted and kind.

And with the help of wedding planner extraordinare, Megan Keller, of Akurant Events, a loving, intimate and memorable ceremony moment.

Randy & Mary Catherine - thank you for the grand opportunity to know you and to be a part of your wedding day. Southern charm rocks!

Akurant Events: http://www.akurantevents.com/

My Excuse Is A Contest! So Happy To Re-Connect With Couples I've Married...

Daddy & Max!

When I received a note from Katy proudly sharing this photo of her husband, Matt, and little one, Max, I remembered the rainbow that came out during their wedding ceremony at Alderbrook Resort. Their joy ride continues!

And my fun continues! I have used the excuse to "vote for me" for KING 5's Best of Western WA to re-connect with many of my wonderful couples from the past couple of years.

Fred and Jennie are expecting any day. Ai & Jeff are pregnant with their 2nd child due this December. Karen & Roy are living life big in Olympia. Jordan and Ian couldn't be happier going into year #3 of marriage! Amy and Derek have welcomed Willamina and Adrienne and big sister, Haley, is doing great. Kate & Robert are moving to Denver and Robert is a medical miracle. Alexa wrote that she and Cesar are happy and well and she is grieving the loss of her father.

Life. How blessed I am to do this beautiful work and to have a side seat at the lives of people I so appreciate and admire.

Best of Western WA: www.tinyurl.com/3mq87bq

KING 5 TV's "Best of Western Washington Contest" - My Best Excuse To Re-Connect With Amazing Couples On The Move...

I have been doing an extra happy dance in my heart this past week.

KING 5 TV's "Best of Western WA" contest is in full swing and it's been ultra fun for me to re-connect with many couples from the past couple of years.

Best of Western Wa: http://tinyurl.com/3mq87bq

Amy Ullrich sent me this photo from her May wedding - so delighted to hear she and Kevin are doing so well.

Danny and Emily just celebrated their third anniversary and their little girl, Ruby Jane, has red hair, too!

Christine & Joe are expecting another baby in March and big sister, Olympia, gets a sibling.

Michael and Shannon are pregnant. Christine and Alan are pregnant. Sunrise and Keith are pregnant. Doug and Theresa are pregnant. Babies everywhere...and so many more blessed to be born to such beautiful people.

Emily and Jeff have a new fur kid, Cody. Lydia and Patrick are in full swing with their new business. David & Jess are finally home.

The tapestry of life - I feel so incredibly blessed to do this work.

John & Yanni - Sparkly, Hugely Loving, Gracious, Way Too Funny, Smart - A Favorite!

I love this photo that Photographer Kaylee Eylander took of John and Yanni Robel on their wedding day last Saturday morning at Kirkland's Woodmark Hotel.

John & Yanni...
Gracious
Loving
So Funny
Best Smiles Ever
Devoted
True Companions

I had the honor of officiating two ceremonies in the past year for John and Yanni - their tiny ceremony to get legal last September 10th and their public ceremony last week for 70+ family and friends.

This couple is the true definition of a spiritual partnership and model for their family and friends great devotion, care and inspiration.

Simply put, John and Yanni remind me of why I do this work and inspire me to seek out similar couples who are moving forward in a lifetime commitment.

John and Yanni - from the bottom of my little 'ol heart, thank you.

And thank you Wedding Planner Bobbi Roth for the grand sparkle you brought to this beautiful wedding day! www.bobbirothweddings.com

Kaylee Eylander: www.eylanderphotography.com

The "Kid Wild Card" At Weddings - From An Officiant's Perspective...

This is Blake.

This is Blake's Dad.

Run, Blake, run!

I took this shot at Eric and Charene's wedding at a waterfront home in July.

Time and time again, Blake would run up the driveway incline, somehow captivated by the ascent! And time and time again, Dad would follow.

Might not have been much fun for Blake's father but all of us watching got a great chuckle out of the antics.

Children at a wedding are a wild card. The beauty is they truly can't do "anything wrong."

While many weddings don't include children, many do. And if you are having children at your wedding ceremony, here are a few tips:

1) Seat children in the back or on the "ends" of rows. This allows a fussy child to be taken from a ceremony with little drama or problem.

2) Provide something "new" for children to be entertained with during a ceremony. Some couples provide a basket of books, play toys or whatnot as guests and their children enter a ceremony area.

3) Consult with your Officiant on children in the wedding party. It's important that your Officiant take leadership with the children in your wedding and know their personalities, where to place them after processional and what to do in the event there is hiccup.

"Wind Wishes" For Marie & Sam At Poulsbo's Most Wonderful Farm Kitchen...

Sam and Marie - you are so married!

The moment I spoke to Marie on the phone from Los Angeles, I knew we were a lovely fit to share in her wedding day.

Marie and Sam are a very thoughtful, conscious, loving and very fun couple and their August 6th wedding ceremony at Poulsbo's Farm Kitchen was just that and more.

Marie's Grandmother, Kaj, created "WindWishes" and these beautiful and decorative paper art pieces were gently blowing in the wind from the trees covering the ceremony space. I took one of the windwishes and it's hanging on my office desk lamp with the words, "ceremony" and "clarity."

Sam and Marie - Thank you for the gift of sharing in your wedding day. I wish you much adventure, joy and happiness.

Billy and Desi's Wedding Weekend at Treehouse Point in Preston, Washington!

Treehouse Point in Preston, Washington!

This spectacular place in nature is one of my favorite venues in the Northwest for a wedding ceremony and celebration.

Bily and Desi created such an easy/elegant and fun wedding weekend for their family and friends and exchanged vows on August 13th with grand sunshine, a few tears and lots of laughs.

The couple's beloved cocker spaniel, Romeo, did a stellar job getting down the aisle with the rings. He was a little too vocal during the ceremony so he left the wedding party and went to be with Desi's parents - very fun and joyful in all ways!

I was touched to meet Photographer Christopher Nelson at Billy and Desi's wedding. This guy's smile is a mile wide and his heart and spirit shows in how he "works a wedding" as well in his beautiful images, like this one! In this work that I do, I see many photographers in action on a wedding day. Christopher is one of my new favorites!

Billy and Desi - I wish you much happiness as you move forward into this new journey together! I am so touched by your loving relationship - you are inspirational in so many ways!

Christopher Nelson - www.christophernelsonphotography.com

Lake Union Crew - Mark & Stephanie At One Of My Favorite Venues in Seattle, WA!

Look a these smiles!

On a sunny and cloudy Friday evening with Lake Washington in the background, Mark and Stephanie were married surrounded by 100+ of their family and friends at one of my favorite venues here in Seattle - Lake Union Crew on Lake Washington.

This dynamic duo (they are!) met on a 12-hour plane flight to Beijing, China and by the end of their adventure (Stephanie was a tour guide on Mark's adventure), they were in love.

With grand faith, alot of planning and true devotion/commitment, Stephanie left her life in Denver and made her way to be with Mark in Seattle.

Mark and Stephanie - I wish you grand fortune as you embark on your married adventure here in beautiful Seattle!