Brent and Leah Join in Wedlock in the Pacfic Northwest

I know I've written about this before but intimate weddings are so great!!!

Leah and Brent recently arrived here.  It is a time of beginnings in their lives: they are living in a new part of the country, are setting up a new home, are starting a new life together as a married couple.  

They like the area ... and they are delighted and grateful to have found each other.  And, I enjoyed just watching them.

The bride looked stunning!  OK, Brent looked pretty dashing himself.

Leah loves Brent.  Brent loves Leah.

It was obvious they are in love.  (I'm learning about photo editing and I just couldn't resist creating a heart for them.

Christina and Alex join in the celebration!

New friends came together to witness their vows ...

    and to celebrate Brent and Leah's good fortune!

Everyone is pretty happy!

I appreciated the black, white and red color theme!

So what are they drinking?  I'm glad you asked.  It's Sierra Nevada Celebrations (one of Sierra Nevada's holiday brews) and a favorite of the couple.  (And, yes, I couldn't restrain myself ... the little hearts just help reflect their LUV!)

If there are hearts and LUV in your life and a wedding in your future, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or through our website.

David and Amber's Wedding at the Salish Lodge

Love in the Library

As you know, in the summer many cruise ships depart from Seattle and make their way along the coast to Alaska.  People from all over the country, as well as the world, travel here.  Which is what this bride and groom decided to do.  Imagine this: flying from Texas, arriving in Seattle, enjoying a night at the iconic Salish Lodge (can you get more Pacific Northwest than that), experiencing a sweet wedding near Snoqualmie Falls, boarding the cruise ship and honeymooning while touring some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.  

There are many paths to enjoy near the Falls.

Having just experienced my first cruise, all I can say is "Wow!"  I don't think I've relaxed more in my entire life.  What a great way to begin married life!!

Not only are the Falls amazing, the grounds around it are too.  So we met near the Lodge, then strolled to the meadow near the Falls and decided it was the perfect place for the wedding ceremony to take place.  The mist from the Falls keeps the surrounding area truly "green" and fresh.

It was a sweet and simple ceremony.

The couple selected Why Marriage by Mari Nichols-Haining as part of the ceremony wording:

...  Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With someone I feel blessed to hold...
Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship...

The vows were sealed with a kiss (of course)! 

And, then it was time for another kiss! (There's always time for a kiss, you know.) 

"A Heavenly Ceremony absolutely made our wedding experience wonderful.  Pat was so easy to speak with.  She is very personable, timely and understanding of our wants.  She offered great ideas and lots of resources so you can have the ceremony you want.

During the service, Pat makes the moment more special.  By the energy and passion she puts into it, you can tell she is just as happy for you as you are.  She is a wonderful officiant and we'll always remember her!"

Oh ... what can I say.  It was a great wedding!  I truly enjoyed officiating for  David and Amber and wish them a marriage as beautiful, meaningful and engaging as their ceremony!


Many thanks to Cory Parris for these incredible photographs.


If you are planning to wed before taking a cruise to Alaska or while you are vacationing in the area, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or through our website.  Seattle has some very scenic places to exchange your wedding vows.

Andrew and Chanele -- A Sweet Wedding Ceremony on Alki Beach in West Seattle

Luna Park Cafe -- A West Seattle Institution

This time of the year, I like to warm myself with thoughts of summer weddings. So I was delighted to receive these images from Chanele and Andrew's wedding ceremony that were taken by Barbie Hull.

Andrew and Chanele exchanged vows at the scenic Alki Beach. It was a crystal clear day and the Seattle skyline was looking its best.

He looks good in black.

The couple invited their closest friends along with their fur baby (all dressed up in his finest) and made quite the day of it.

Not quite sure who the "star" of the day was!!!

Andrew and Chanele shared personal words before exchanging more traditional vows.  I really like that! 

And so the two are now Mr. and Mrs! 

Wishing Andrew and Chanele many, many, many sunny days and clear skies.

Thanks to Barbie Hull for these great photographs. 

Planning your sweet and simple wedding in Seattle or on the Sound?  Give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website.

Mark and Cynthia -- A Very Ducky Wedding

Cynthia and Mark are a great couple.  The bride shared her wedding blog with us that tracked their decision to "re-marry," the planning process, the wedding, the reception and the post-reception celebration.  And being a somewhat private person, she selected two ducks and a collection of ducklets to represent all involved. 

Meet the Re-Dux

On her site, Cynthia wrote:

"Wikipedia defines redux as meaning "brought back, restored," so it quite captures this moment of remarriage. But the concept is best illustrated above, as in, Re: ducks.

Yes, here we are, two lucky ducks ... Suffice it to say this ducky bride and groom were a timely contribution to an already extensive rubber duck collection, which started with our baby in the tub almost 27 years ago.

And now we were about to have a second chance at matrimonial bliss."

So an intimate gathering convened at the Sorrento Hotel, the vows exchanged and the papers signed (yes, both they and their accountant are quite happy).  

Meet the Ducks.  There's RoboDuck, and Devil Duck, and Devil-May-Care Duck; the Triplet Ducks, and Flirty Duck; Wanna-Be Duck (check out that fish) and Coy Duck and several Mama Ducks; there's Punk Duck and (Too) Sweet Duck; there's Hapless Duck and Mutant Duck and Miss Congeniality Duck; there's the Wedding Party Ducks with Children in the front, and, of course, there's Karma (the dog) pretending to be a duck.

Then, a waddling (ok, I could have said flock but what's the fun in that) of ducks gathered to celebrate at Salvatore's, their favorite restaurant in Ravenna.  Aren't they an adorable group?!

And we were delighted by Cynthia's words about us:

"Well, Google came through again by offering a considerably better option than Irish Moonservices Housecleaning/Wedding Officiants/Front for the Mafia (for all we know): A Heavenly Ceremony, voted "Best Officiant Finalist" by Seattle Bride Magazine. The Reverends Kent Buttars and Pat Stimac, married for 34 years and as charming and helpful and kind a couple as you'd ever want to meet, offered their services. They were available so at last we had a "when.""

Oh ... swoon ... or is that swan.  We were transformed!

Sending sweet thoughts and loving wishes to the re-dux!

If marriage is in your flight plan, swoop over to your phone and give us a call at 206.789.9788 or flutter over to our website www.seattleelope.com.

New Year's Wedding of Nick and Mary Warms a Cold Eve

Mary loves Nick -- Nick Loves Mary

The nicest people find their way to us!

Nick and Mary are from Texas and decided to marry while in Seattle. (Yes, they cook great BBQ together and I did ask for the recipe ... but you have to go to Texas to enjoy it.  Even Nick's mother doesn't know the recipe!)

Because their families weren't with them, Mary called her folks so they could listen in. (Aren't speakerphones wonderful?)

What can you do but smile!

New Year's Eve was quite frosty and cold outside but toasty and warm inside. 

The ceremony took place in front of the fireplace

Smiles, laughter, love filled our home.  What a wonderful way to end one year and begin a new one.

We are so Happy to have married in Seattle. Thanks for making our day so very special.
~ Mary & Nick

And we all were happy for the Mr. and Mrs! May their life together be incredible!!!

CeCe, Mary, Nick and Sarah -- a happy group!

If you are planning an intimate wedding, please give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website www.seattleelope.com.