Chris and Mandy are Engaged!!! Marriage at the Salish to Follow ...

Do they look happy or what?

Here's their story:

In 2011, Chris was living in San Diego.  He came home to Colorado to visit his family and friends for the holidays. It so happened that Mandy was one of those friends --albeit a sporadic and long-distance friend -- for nearly 10 years.  This year, there was magic in the air.  As they were cooking dinner together in Mandy's kitchen, they both had the realization that they could very easily fall in love.   (Sigh ... isn't that wonderful!)

Through a series of very unexpected and fortuitous events, a year later, maybe even to the day, Chris and Mandy found each other living in the same state and baking cookies in the very same kitchen. (Um... I'm thinking of right-out-of-the-oven-ready-to-eat chocolate chip cookies.)

Chris put his coat on Mandy's shoulders and said "I want to be there to keep you warm forever."   He then got down on his knee and proposed. (Ah ...be still my heart.)

Needless to say, the cookies burned a bit that night.

The ring in the picture is actually a zip tie.  Mandy was insistent she did not want an engagement ring.  She is,, however, using her great grandmother's ring as a placeholder until their wedding day when they place the wedding bands on each others' fingers and promise to keep each other warm forever.  (What a great proposal story!)

The two plan to marry at the Salish Lodge and Spa in September!  (See you there!!!)

When you have found that someone you wish to keep warm forever and are ready to exchange wedding bands, give me a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website: www.SeattleElope.com so we can co-create a wedding ceremony for you that is just as heartwarming as you engagement. 

'Tis the Season To Be Married!

Chris and Charlene celebrated the holidays by getting together with family AND getting married.

Everyone looked quite festive in red.  It was the color of the season.

Plus the Salish Lodge was so beautifully decorated.  It all worked together very well.





Charlene brought photos of family members who couldn't be there.  It helped bring their spirit to the celebration.

 

 

She also brought the family bible.  It was a surprise for her mother, Deborah, who was a witness to the ceremony, and from the look on their faces, it was a very meaningful gesture for both of them.

A beautiful glass case held the rings.

And each of the young ladies had a bouquet that Deborah created.  

Chris's daughters and Charlene's niece were dressed for the occasion.  And Beauty had to be in the picture too!

Charlene's nephew walked her into the room where the ceremony took place.  He along with the young ladies have a red heart on the bottom of his shoe.  Too cute!

There were two computers so relatives afar could witness the marriage via Skype.  Let's hear it for technology.
 

It was a festive, lovely and long-awaited wedding.

 

Wishing Charlene and Chris many, many more kisses and hugs and happiness in their every day life.

Planning an intimate wedding?  Give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website www.SeattleElope.com.

Rain is a Blessing on Your Wedding Day -- Lars and Lexie are very Blessed!

Our Indian Summer is a memory ... autumn is fully established in the Pacific Northwest.  When I arrived at the Salish Lodge and Spa, it was drizzling a bit but lovely.

Lexi and Lars wanted a simple ceremony to make their marriage legal.  They thought it so appropriate to wed at Snoqualmie Falls, since it was a place that was dear to their hearts.

Elizabeth was one of the witnesses. 

Ed was the other witness.

The two were delighted that their dear friend Tina was there too.










And, all were ready to brave the rain, which increased as the evening progressed.

Off we went to find the perfect wedding site!





It was decided the Overlook was THE PLACE.

Yes, you can see the ghost of the falls in the background!

Actually, it was lovely, sweet, simple, personal, heartwarming, playful moment.  Happiness was as abundant as the raindrops!!! 

Then, back to the Falls Terrace Room to sign the marriage certificate and to toast to Lexie and Lars union.

Great fun!

Wishing the two many moments of joy, adventure, friendship and true love!!

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

10-11-12: A Day of Power, A Day of Choice, A Perfect Day to Wed!

It was a beautiful day.
Carlos and Mona-Rae were ready to wed.

Brides and grooms want an auspicious day to wed.  At times, numerology can be useful.  Days like 9-10-11 or 10-11-12 are so very popular.  According to Janice Lynch, Psychic, the number 10 represents completing a cycle.  It is a time to understand lessons learned and to decide where to go next.

Number 11 is a double digit of the same number, which reflects a power number.

Eleven relates to decision making and choices.

The number 12 is composed of 1 + 2 = 3.  Three refers to who is going with you.

All together, 10-11-12, is a day when the question of what is really important to you, where do you want to go and who do you want to go with you should be considered.

The view of Snoqualmie Falls is quite dramatic.

For Carlos and Mona-Rae, it was a self-evident truth.  They wished to marry -- to begin their life together as husband and wife.

The two wanted to wed a location that held natural beauty and simple elegance.  When they came upon the Salish Lodge and Spa, the choice was easy to make.

The red of the trees was vibrant!

Plus, autumn is Mona-Rae's favorite time of the year.  She was thrilled with the brilliant colors of the trees.

Everyone was quite happy!

The two planned an intimate ceremony and celebration with only family and the closest of friends.

We had so much fun checking out the various places for photographs.  There are so many of them!

Here they are on the way to The Attic.










To the restaurant where they had reservations.

And, outside the restaurant.













Of course we had to walk to see the Falls and to take in the surrounding gardens.

Wishing the Mr. and Mrs. a life filled with love and happiness that sustains them both for many, many, many years.  May they be joyful and walk hand in hand through it all.

To plan your intimate ceremony, give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website.

Gary and Kristine Wed at the Salish Lodge

Photo by Chris Sollart

It was so interesting and engaging creating a ceremony with Kristine and Gary.   The bride graduated from Divinity School and had some wonderful ideas for the wording of the ceremony.  (Love when that happens.)

Photo by Chris Sollart

The ceremony took place at their suite.  The bride and groom brought their own table covering, chalice and other items for the ceremony.  It was a lovely occasion. 

Photo by Chris Sollart

The ladies (Sherri and LaRae) at the Salish Lodge were the witnesses.

Kristine and Gary loved their ceremony:

"Our wedding could not have been more perfect.  Thank you!"

Afterwards, there were photos to be taken.  Chris Sollart was the photographer. 

Photo by Chris Sollart

Photo by Chris Sollart

There are so many wonderful areas around the falls.  Kristine looked so good:  her veil was handcrafted by a professional veil maker and her dress was also specially designed.

Photo by Gary

Then, on to dinner ...

Photo by Kristine

The crowning of the day was a magnificent sunset  ...

Photo by Gary

Photo by Kristine

... and the glory of the next morning was a rainbow!  This marriage is certainly blessed!!





Wishing Gary and Kristine many, many years of happiness! 

Thanks for Chris Sollart for the photographs and to the staff at the Salish Lodge and Spa.

If you are planning an intimate ceremony at your favorite location, give us a call at 206.789-9788 or contact us through our website:  www.SeattleElope.com.

Todd and Camille Wed at Paradise!

This is such a great quote!

The morning was a bit overcast and I was concerned that we wouldn't be able to clearly see all of Mt. Rainier.  It is always such a treat to visit the mountain and take in its awesomeness.  To celebrate a wedding there makes it even more amazing!  So a clear day was definitely a plus.

Camille and Todd are from Houston.  They love visiting national parks and try to see at least two a year.  For 2012 the Olympic National Park and Mt. Rainier were their destinations. 

So the thought of actually getting married at Mt. Rainier delighted them.

Kent and I decided to make the trip together. As we traveled south, the clouds lifted revealing the mountain in its glory.  It remained so through most of the ceremony.  Good fortune. 

The rangers were quite eager to be witnesses.
They had something unique to report this day.

Camille and Todd had scouted out the area and found a perfect spot for their wedding.  On the way there, we met Kathryn and Rick, volunteer rangers at the Park.  It turns out that Rick is a Methodist pastor from Houston.  Can you believe the coincidence?

The bride and groom thought they would be just the right people to witness their wedding ceremony.  (We agreed.)

OK ... is there a better place in the whole world than this?

Personal vows are so special.
Words and sentiments to remember
for a lifetime.

The couple wrote their own vows.  I can tell you tears were shed!

Camille began with:  "Todd,you have captured  my heart by being exactly who you are:  the sweetest, most loving and compassionate person I have ever known."

 

Todd shared the feelings in his heart:  "Because of you I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again ... I will make my home in your heart."

Rings were exchanged ...

... and then it was time to kiss!

Everyone was very, very happy!

The wedding party!

Aren't they are great couple?!

Wishing Todd and Camille the very best in their life together!!  Hope they visit every National Park in the the US and fall more deeply in love at each one they experience.

If you are planning an elopement at any of our incredible parks, please call us at 206-789-9788 or email us at www.SeattleElope.com.