Dec
17

Mary and Monica Make Washington State History! Married on December 9, 2012 – 12:01 a.m., at the Seattle Yacht Club

By Annemarie Juhlian

I LOVE this photo taken by Photographer Jenny Goldberg-George.

Such JOY!

At 12:01 a.m., on December 9, 2012, Mary and Monica were married in a sweet ceremony, one of the very first same sex couples to be legally married in Washington State. 

Sometimes you really don’t know how big something is until it is over. 

And walking to my car after this ceremony on the early morning of December 9th, it hit me how truly big/huge this lifetime moment and historical day was in all ways.  

Local print and broadcast media outlets covered this wedding day and ceremony, with great respect and inclusiveness.

Mary and Monica – much happiness and love to you!

Photo:  www.jennygg.com

Nov
19

Marriage Equality in Washington State! Get Married On December 9, 2012 in Seattle…

By Annemarie Juhlian

I am thrilled to celebrate the passage of Referendum 74 in the beautiful State of Washington. 

A big “YEAH!” for Marriage Equality!

I will be in Seattle on Sunday, December 9th, beginning at 12:01 a.m. to marry wonderful couples.  I will be available throughout this first day and during the month of December to couples of all paths, faiths and traditions – ceremonies big and small.

To get on my calendar, please give me a call at 425.922.1325.

For more information on securing a marriage license in King County and extended hours, please go to: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/marriage.aspx

My sources at King County say they expect 600 – 1000 couples during the first three days that marriage licenses are available.  The King County Marriage License office in downtown Seattle will be open for extended hours on December 6, 7 and 8, 2012.

So, so exciting!

Nov
02

Gratitude For A Beautiful 2012 – My Thank You Note…

By Annemarie Juhlian

It’s now November and I move into my two months of “quiet time.”

As I do this, I look back on an incredible 2012, so very grateful for the couples who trusted me with their wedding ceremonies, tiny or big, casual or formal.

For me, it is never about the size of a guest list.  It is about the joy and satisfaction I feel to be a part of a lifetime moment and to share in something that is big/huge for a couple.  It’s about love.  Lots of love.

So, I say “thank you” to each couple who invited me into their personal space to share in their love story.

Oct
19

The Bride is Coming! The Bride is Coming!

By Annemarie Juhlian

You’ve gotta love a little man with a big sign!

Drew did his big job at Uncle Matt’s wedding with great panache, getting down the aisle in style while juggling a very big sign!  And yes, Danielle did get down the aisle at DeLille Cellars beautifully, to the smiles and laughs of the walking board announcement.

This year, I am seeing more signs like this at weddings.  Some announcing  a bride.  Some announcing a groom.  Some welcoming guests.  Some requesting that family and friends turn off cell phone.

Each year, there tends to be a “new trend.  For 2012, I’m thinking that wedding signage may be it!

Officiant:  www.marriedbyannemarie.com

 

Sep
18

Wedding Dogs – Sunshine, Lennon and Butters – Lead Randy and Lauren’s Festive Wedding Parade!

By Annemarie Juhlian

I managed to snap this photo of wedding dogs, Butters and Lennon, a few minutes before their parade down the aisle to celebrate the marriage of their guardians, Randy and Lauren.  

Wedding Dog, Sunshine, was off sniffing elsewhere and didn’t want to be in the photo!

Randy and Lauren’s wedding ceremony and celebration at their home in Snohomish on September 8th was pure JOY. 

Gorgeously designed by Planner Lisa Chambers, Randy and Lauren’s celebration was all about their relationship, their love and devotion to dogs and creating  lifetime moment for 40+ thrilled family and friends.

It is the little touches that I fully remember: 

1) Randy and Lauren’s “scavenger hunt” wedding invitation, 2) driving into their ceremony space in a luxury vehicle and driving out with “just married” banners on the car, 3) dinner “stations” with amazing small plates and entrees, 4) a cake that could have barked “Woof!,” 5) Randy and Lauren’s festive, gracious and loving attitude toward each other and all involved.

Randy and Lauren – much love and happiness to the two of you and your canine family!

www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Sep
03

Talk About Synchronicity! Martin and Sarah’s Beautiful Love Story Celebrated At The Salish Lodge…

By Annemarie Juhlian

What are the chances that two Swiss Nationals would unexpectedly “meet” one fine evening at a Western truck/hotel stop in the middle of nowhere, fall in love and share their lives together in Seattle?

100%!

To celebrate the gift of their loving partnership, Martin and Sarah hosted a very romantic, intimate and inspirational dinner and ceremony for close family and friends on July 28th at The Salish Lodge. 

After a beautiful dinner, the couple led a parade of 20 close family and friends to a sweet torch-lit location and exchanged vows as the sun was going down. 

In so many ways, big and small, this evening was truly magical.  Martin and Sarah worked with me to craft a ceremony that celebrated not only their loving partnership but one that called out and honored their semi-circle of loving family and friends.

Martin and Sarah – I wish you much happiness as you build your life here in Seattle…together!

 Photo:  Azzura Photography

 

Aug
06

One Heck of a HOT Wedding Weekend – 2 Ceremony Tips To Take Care Of Your Guests…

By Annemarie Juhlian

It was crazy hot this past weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, I ventured to Newcastle Golf & Country Club for Jon and Kaitlyn’s 5:00 p.m. ceremony in the “big tent.”

I arrived and walked into the tent – it was very warm.  Despite the heat, it was such a delight to share in Jon and Kaitlyn’s wedding day and to deliver a sweet ceremony with beautiful personalized elements and rituals.

If you’ve got a heat wave for a wedding day, consider this:

- Seat your guests FAST.   This means seating guests in 5-10 minutes and doing so in an elegant and coordinated manner.   This way, your guests won’t boil in the heat and are much more present for the ceremony.

- Pass out umbrellas and/or hand fans.  This is such a generous gesture and hugely appreciated by guests, especially your older people and/or guests with health concerns. 

Annemarie Juhlian – www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Jul
26

A Wedding Ceremony With Children: A Gentle Art Of Responsibility and Opportunity…

By Annemarie Juhlian

When I first met with Kevin and Julia, they were very clear with me that they wanted their children woven into the fabric and memories of their wedding ceremony.

Sounds like an easy request.  Not so easy.

Honoring and celebrating a child or children with a ceremony is a huge request.  And it is one that I honor over and over again with couples committed to not only celebrating their loving relationship but sensitive to the needs of children and the issues of a blended family.

For Kevin and Julia, we crafted and created a ceremony at The Willows Lodge that celebrated Julia’s daughter and Kevin’s children.  It’s difficult to share how I do this – oftentimes, I collect information about the children and explore how to create a ceremony that fully celebrates a couple and one that honors children in an appropriate and respectful manner.

I was very taken with Kevin and Julia’s children.  I am proud that they consciously used the power of ceremony in a respectful, loving and joyful manner to create a beautiful lifetime moment for their family.

Photo:  www.jennygg.com

Officiant:  www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Jul
18

A Beautiful & Intimate Waterside Wedding Ceremony: Doug and Candice

By Annemarie Juhlian

I love small and intimate ceremonies. 

There is something very poignant about a small group of people gathering for a hugely intimate and vulnerable lifetime moment.

On the sunny evening of July 7th at Seattle’s Edgewater Hotel, 30 close family and friends gathered with great joy to celebrate Doug and Candice as they joined together in marriage.

Together, we crafted a ceremony that not only celebrated this couple’s loving relationship but one that honored those close to them.  We incorporated various elements and rituals that reflected back to Doug and Candice their commitment, heart and vision for their relationship. 

The photo to the right was taken by one of my favorite photographers, Chris Sollart, during my words to Doug and Candice’s parents.  I enjoy moving around a ceremony area – it allows a photographer to get gorgeous photos of “just the couple.” And moving around also lends a more intimate and dynamic feel to a ceremony – big or small!

Chris Sollart:  www.chrissollart.com

Annemarie Juhlian www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Jul
12

2012 Best of Seattle Bride Magazine – Thank You…

By Annemarie Juhlian

I am touched to be a Finalist in the “Best Of” Officiant category in the 2012 Best of Seattle Bride Magazine awards this Summer. 

The new Seattle Bride issue is out and it’s beautiful, contemporary and vibrant with content and images.

In this work that I do, I often see what I call the “under belly” of a wedding day. 

I’m one of the few “wedding vendors” who is actually with a couple on their wedding day, as many vendors supply goods and services prior to a wedding day and most often, don’t “see” the wedding.

Over the years, I have worked directly with hundreds of different wedding professionals on a wedding day – event managers, DJ’s, photographers, coordinators – we get to know one another and we work under the gentle pressure and tension of “all things wedding.” 

With this said, I personally know and/or have worked with most of the winners and nominees in this year’s Seattle Bride 2012 awards program. I am thrilled to see so many get much deserved recognition and kudos, especially those professionals who fly under the radar and work with heart, perseverance, great skill and talent and humor.

Officiant:  Annemarie Juhlian – www.marriedbyannemarie.com


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