Ringing in the New Year with a Wedding

Photo:  Joe Dyer, Seattle PI

When I first talked with Bart about their plans to wed, he was so excited about being married at 12:01am January 1, 2012.  As things evolved, the couple finalized room reservations at the Pan Pacific with a great view of the Seattle Space Needle and the fireworks from their room.

Amber flew in from Italy, where she is stationed in the military.  Family members gathered early and prepared for the "big occasion."  

Everyone was expectant and happy.

We began the ceremony before midnight.  It was a simple affair with a unity candle lighting and personal words from the groom.

Bart is an early riser and he wrote Amber a "love" email at 5:30am.  The events of the day filled every moment so he decided to share his email (from his phone) during the ceremony.

The rings were held by them both after the ring had been "warmed" by the blessings and well wishes of everyone present.  

The couple was pronounced Mr. and Mrs. just after the fireworks began.  How can you top that!

Wishing the two a bright and joyful marriage, spectacular in every way!

Photo:  Seattle PI

Photo: Joshua Trujilla, Seattle PI

To schedule your amazing ceremony, call us at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website: www.seattleelope.com.

Emma and Guy Wed on the Last Day of 2011

Walking to the Woodland Garden via the Wilcox Bridge

The bride and groom were truly blessed with a sunny day on December 31st!  Guy and Emma decided to wed in the Arboretum at a place where Guy's mother and he visited on her recent trip to Seattle.  Since she couldn't actually attend the ceremony, the choice of the Woodland Garden brought a sense of family to the occasion.

And, I learned about the Wilcox Bridge.  I've driven under it a zillion times but this was the first time I walked it.  Love learning new things!

Emma and Guy each carried, and then wore, a red rose.  They were beautiful and added both a touch of color and expressed their commitment in the language of flowers.

The two were very conscious of the wording of their ceremony. (We encourage couples to have words said that are important and meaningful to them.)  I loved their vows.  Here's one part of them:

Do you pledge

·    to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration and wisdom as you age,

·    to together undergo the various ups and downs of life

·    and to transform them into the path of love, joy and equanimity? 

Guy and Emma: We do.

Emma's friend, Jill, read a letter to the couple written by Guy's brother, Jeremy.  It was funny and sweet and poignant and loving ... and it touched everyone's hearts.

Jill did a great job of presenting.

All in all, a wonderful experience!  What a way to conclude one year and to begin life together as a married couple in the new year.

Being curious what marriage in 2012 will be like, it seems it will be a year blessed with harmony, virtue, riches, fulfillment and ongevity.  Guy and Emma, may all these qualities be yours!

Do you have a special place where you would like to exchange your wedding vows?  Give us a call or contact us through our website:  www.seattleelope.com. 

Chicago Couple Weds in the Olympics

Two chefs creating their own unique wedding!

There is so much to love about weddings.  Today, I ventured out to the Port Angeles area, about 80 miles from Seattle.  There I met Dylan and Dana, a great couple from Chicago. (That's where Kent and I met!)  They selected their wedding location based on the culinary signature of the area and beautiful scenery.  They decided on the greater Seattle area since they hadn't visited here yet, stopped by Pike Place Market to pick up the makings for a dinner or two, then traveled to their destination -- a cabin east of Port Angeles with a magnificent view of the Olympics.  (Plus it has a heated pool, jacuzzi, gazebo and its own pond.)

Dana and I immediately started talking about "field to table" dinners, preserving small, local farms, sustainable agriculture.  These are passionate interests for her ... and for me.  Dana even wanted her dress to be more of a person-to-person experience so she went online to Etsy and found one that was unique and perfectly suited her.

Both the bride and the groom wanted to be wed with the mountains behind them.  The Olympics were visible at the start of the day but a cloud bank moved in as the morning progressed and the two were losing hope.  Then, just before the wedding ceremony, the clouds shifted a bit and there were the mountains.  Perfect!

The weather was also surprisingly warm.  Dana was delighted she was almost comfortable outside without a coat.  (Brave woman.)

The vows were exchanged, the papers signed and the couple are now Mr. and Mrs!  It was a great experience all around.  Wishing the two a lifetime of happiness and health and an infinite number of absolutely great meals.

To be wed at your dream location in the area, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website:  www.seattleelope.com.

Brian and Maggie Wed at Salish Lodge

Don't they look happy!

Today is the 15th anniversary of Maggie and Brian's first date.  It is obvious the two are in love -- you can see it in their eyes.  So marriage is the next step.

It was a beautiful autumn day and a gorgeous eve.  (As I was driving to the Salish Lodge and Spa, it had just finished raining and there was a rainbow across the entire northern sky.)

The newlyweds are enjoying their corner room
with a terrace right next to the Falls.

The lucky couple invited two close friends -- Janis and Harold -- to witness the ceremony and to celebrate with them.  Their friends are a married couple and were asked to hold the rings while I spoke about them during the ceremony.  It was a touching moment for everyone.

Afterwards, the guys shared a beer ...

        and the ladies clinked their glasses!

I meet the nicest people.

Just heard from Maggie and Brian:

SO GLAD you were our officiant.  We really enjoyed meeting you and having you be part of our ceremony.  You and the services you offer are wonderful, no, actually SPECTACULAR!

As an administrative person myself, I truly appreciate your immediate follow up as well.  I will make sure that I recommend you to everyone that I know that will be getting married.  You helped make our evening....well....perfect.  :-)

Wishing Brian and Maggie many wonderful years together!

The Salish Lodge and Spa offers a great elopement option called "Elope Atop the Falls."  It includes:

• one of the river side rooms
• rose petals and sparkling wine in room upon arrival
• Salish keepsake champagne flutes
• personal wedding cake for two with the bride and groom's initials
• petite floral bouquet
• Salish keepsake picture frame
• Table 5 in the Dining Room with a four-course tasting menu
• breakfast for two featuring the four-course country breakfast
• plus they have a spa!!!

Simple, elegant and easy.  It is a popular choice.
If you are planning an intimate ceremony, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website:  www.seattleelope.com.

James and Mona - Love Blooms in Magnolia

The happy couple!

Persian New Year

   First Day of Spring

Ebrahim's Birthday (the bride's father) ...and a wedding!  

Talk about significance in the day!!  

Mona and James decided to wed in their home among family and the closest of friends.  Mona's parents traveled from Montana to witness the wedding ceremony.  

Basad, Ebrahim and Mona  - Family

It was fun taking photos. 

And sharing well wishes!

Mona, James and the wedding guests

It was great to Tyson and Anna (the couple on the left).  They are celebrating two years of marriage.  My husband, Kent, officiated for them and we met for premarital preparation sessions.  The two shared our names with James and Mona.  Thank you Anna!  Thank you Tyson!

The ceremony included one of my favorite sections from Gifts of the Sea about dancing together as a metaphor for love.

Both James and Mona were absolutely glowing.  Mona is a radiant bride.  She decided on orchids for her bouquet and often wears a single orchid in her hair.  This bridal bouquet was fashioned by Metropolitan Market.  Mona was delighted with it.

There's a phase in the I Ching that speaks of "words as sweet as the fragrance of orchids."  May Mona and James enjoy a relationship characterized by sweet words and sweet times together.

For a ceremony that speaks of your love and devotion, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or through our email www.seattleelope.com.

Candy and Gordon Elope to the Alexis Hotel in Seattle

Yes, Seattle is a wonderful destination for a wedding.  Candy called us the week of their wedding and things moved into place so very quickly!

Since we accept Paypal, we received their reservation fee instantly and immediately sent them a collection of sample wordings for their ceremony.  Gordon and Candy were drawn to one that suited them perfectly.

The two arrived in town on Friday night, then visited Pike Place Market on Saturday morning, prepared for their ceremony that afternoon and then enjoyed a night on the town.  A great wedding weekend.

They stayed at the Alexis Hotel and enjoyed complimentary champagne.  Russell, on staff at the hotel, volunteered to be a witness, along with my husband, Kent.

Candy and Gordon decided on a more religious ceremony which included the "cord of three strands" and a hand washing ritual as a way of preparing for their marriage.  It was a very touching and lovely ceremony.

And, of course, they sealed their vows with a kiss.

Wishing the two a lifetime of happiness!!!

"Thank you so much for all that you did to help with our ceremony. We are very grateful, we feel very blessed to have found you and your husband to be part of our very special day. "

~ Candy and Gordon

Kent and I enjoyed meeting Gordon and Candy ... and celebrating their wedding.  If you're planning a destination wedding, consider Seattle and consider us.  You can reach us at 206.789.9788 or through our website.

"I Do" - Angela and Matthew Finally Affirm Their Vows

"I do" - two words Angela and Matthew have wanted to say for years!

O'Dell Center in Kent had an open house today.  We were happy to be invited to the event and to learn about a venue that is new to us.  Kent was our representative.

The highlight of the afternoon was his meeting up with Matthew and Angela.  The two happened to be at the open house with their friends who were getting married.

Angela and Matthew married a few years ago.  They had met with us and at the time thought our fee was a bit over their budget. They decided to go with another officiant.  

When they saw Kent, they recognized him immediately and couldn't wait to share their "wedding ceremony story" with him.  In hindsight, the two wished they had chosen one of us to officiate for them.

Here is what they said.  Their wedding day was going very well ... until the ceremony.  The officiant had a "melt down" and in the confusion, skipped pages of the ceremony.  Angela noticed and pointed this out to the officiant several times.  When all was said and done, the couple had never actually said, "I do."  They regretted not saying these two very important words to each other.

Angela wanted to make it right and asked Kent if they could do so on the spot.  Kent was overjoyed to oblige.  The couple joined hands, Kent asked if they would take each other as husband and wife, they jubilantly responded, "I do," and kissed.

Satisfaction at last!  

Kent asked for a photo and permission to share their story, which was happily given.  Matthew and Angela look forward to seeing this blog post.  

The end!   (Not really.  It's the continuation of a very happy marriage!!!)