The Most Romantic Vow Renewal Ever!

And so the ceremony began ...

"Tonight, the two of you will renew your wedding vows.

It is a very special occasion.  You have been married for 15 years and a day.  You came together as individuals in love and have sustained your union while supporting each other in your growth as individuals.  Both of you have helped create a relationship of loving kindness:  you have shared hopes and dreams, made a home that is safe and secure, a place of comfort and renewal, been able to express your true feelings, thoughts and emotions to one other."

The story of Mike and Lynn is so incredibly romantic!  They were fortunate to have found each other.  At the time, Mike was in the Navy so they married in front of the fireplace in their home. It wasn't the simple equation of man + woman.  There was man + woman + children + dogs + horses, then the birth of their children and the adoption of four others.  Not surprisingly, the two didn't have the time or the resources for a romantic get away.

Mike surprised Lynn with a vow renewal ceremony and weekend at the Salish Lodge. Lynn was thrilled and delighted!!

 

Their love was so palpable.  Theirs is a love that has met challenges and thrived.  Theirs is a love that inspires.

Both were so very happy!

These are the hands they have held through it all ... and their rings are reminders of their mutual commitment to "go the distance" together.

Lynn and Mike have hearts so big.  They are everyday heroes and it was an honor to be present with them at their vow renewal.  Wishing them blessings beyond measure!

Thanks to Amber Zbitnoff for the photos.

If you are planning a vow renewal at your special place, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website:  www.SeattleElope.com.

"Mystery Couple" Ties the Knot on St. Paddy's Day

Mr. X and Ms. Y decided to wed ... they wanted a private ceremony in Discovery Park, where they have spent many evenings walking together and enjoying each others' company.

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So they selected an auspicious day for them, asked two friends to be their witnesses and off we went.  The two braved the truly blusterous weather, the snow splats followed by the driving rain -- all to exchange their vows in a place that is dear to their hearts.

It was such great fun and it will be a day they will remember forever.

To celebrate your private ceremony, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website: www.SeattleElope.com.

Paul and Suk Become Mr. and Mrs. in an Intimate Ceremony

White hydrangeas - perfect wedding flowers!

It is so fun when the paths of people we have met cross once more!  In this case, I had the opportunity to officiate for Hayo and her wife, Angela, several years ago.  Paul was his best man!!

Paul and Suk found their way to us independently ... how amazing is that ... and Hayo there was to witness their wedding.  It was so perfect.

 

Kent did the honors. It was a both touching and a bit lighthearted.

Suk and Paul wrote to us:

Thank you for officiating our wedding.  Though very small and private, it felt very big and full in our hearts!

It was wonderful that family could be with Paul and Suk ... and Hayo, too, of course!  

Wishing Mr. and Mrs. the best:  a long, loving life together!

If you are planning to elope in the Seattle area, be sure to give us a call at 206.789.9788 or through our website www.seattleelope.com.

Cupid Smiles On Eric and Genna's Wedding

Valentine's Day - what a fun day and a romantic way to celebrate  love!  It is a quintessential time to wed.  Genna and Eric decided it would be perfect date: there is no way they can forget their anniversary. 

Genna selected a wedding gown with red accents.  It was a wonderful choice.  Doesn't she look beautiful?  (Their wedding colors were red and silver.)

Family members gathered at our home/office for this intimate wedding.  Genna's mother and brother flew up from California, and Eric's traveled from nearby to meet each other for the first time.

Linda and George are so proud of their son,Eric ...    and delighted that he married Genna.

The feeling was mutual.  Genna's brother and mother were glad to meet Eric, after hearing so much about him.

Eric and his best man, Jesse, were dashing.

And the ladies were looking mighty fine after their visit to Habitude.www.habitude.com/

And, don't forget the ring bearer.  Jessica and Jesse's two-year-old son was adorable in his tux!

Wishing these sweethearts a wonderful and long life together!

If there is a special holiday on which you want to marry, be sure to call us at 206.789.9788 or through our website: www.seattleelope.com

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.