How about a well-intentioned wedding party member who tries to take over a rehearsal? 

Nope.

It’s organization. 

Okay, no organization.

Each year, I have the delight of working with couples who are hugely organized.  So many couples are a dream to work with, much like Rick and Clare, who were married on a very sunny morning, April 26th, at their favorite spot on the Kirkland waterfront.

Some fall into the “middle of the road” organized category.”  And then there are the handful who are wildly dis-organized – the total opposite of my lovely couple to the right.

Really?  Admit this?  Yes.

And this really isn’t surprising.  For all of us who work with brides and grooms, we are often known for our respect, patience, kindness and sense of humor.  And each year, I get several couples who push things to the last minute.  They are truly dis-organized and make many people around them nuts.  See, it isn’t just about me!

My work around for this?  A wedding planner – full service or for the day.  In my opinion, there is no better money a couple can spend for a wedding of any size than to hire a planner for the entire event or just the day of. 

A wedding is an event.  And it’s an emotional event.   I appreciate a well-intentioned couple who desires to focus on both the wedding and the marriage and uses the services of a planning professional to assist them in stream-lining their planning process and wedding day.

www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Chase and Christina – April 28, 2012

Chase and Christina had a best motto for their wedding day - “easy and awesome.”

I absolutely adore Larry and Christy.  This is one of those couples who have “it” – whatever that intangible “it” may be.  They are gracious, loving, compassionate and true and have a story that is inspiring in it’s perseverance, endurance and devotion.

With 75 family and friends gathered at 1:00 p.m., Larry and Christy shared in a colorful ceremony that celebrated their loving relationship and welcomed and engaged their beautiful group family and friends.

I left Larry and Christy with such a happy step in my walk.  This is a couple who reminds me why I do this work – over and over again.

Larry and Christy – I wish you must joy, much love and so much grand adventure in this next phase of your 6+ year loving relationship!

Annemarie Juhlian

www.marriedbyannemarie.com

A small and intimate wedding ceremony and celebration surrounded by their closest family and friends.

Great attention and detail given to their ceremony, including the sharing of honey from Christina’s Greek tradition.

When I first met this couple on a rainy and Winter evening in Silverdale, I just immediately liked them.  Christina is one of those brides I absolutely love and treasure – she is on top of things, “on it” and with a great eye for detail.  I think this must come from her artistic and professional creative side!

And on one fine day – March 24, 2012 – at the high hour of 6:00 p.m. (prompt!), Christina walked beautifully down the aisle to her Sweetheart.  Some things are just meant to be.

One of my most wonderful couples – Dr. Fred and Diane Lee – are dog lovers and this wonderful wedding day photo illustrates the joy a dog brings to a wedding day.

How do I put this delicately?  I LOVE dogs.  My husband and I care-take special needs dogs at our home on Bainbridge Island and whenever I can officiate a ceremony with a dog or perhaps a dynamic canine duo (like at the left), I am that much happier.

Here is one of my best tips for weaving in your canine friend(s) into your wedding ceremony.

Get over any angst that including your beloved dog in your ceremony will be “too much.” 

Dogs are all about exuberance and there is nothing that brings more joy, laughter and peace/comfort to the beginning of a ceremony than a four-legged ring bearer or flower girl going down the aisle – prancing, running, taking a detour, sniffing a guest.

As a dog teaches us, it’s all about being in the moment. Including your family member(s), which today often means your beloved companion animal, raises the joy bar on a wedding day.  Woof!

Fabulous Photo:  www.joejill.com

It was also Nick and Nicola’s wedding day at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle.

With more than 100+ family and friends gathered around for their late afternoon ceremony, we shared in this sunny day as Nick and Nicola exchanged their vows during a sweet and poignant ceremony that celebrated their relationship.

We incorporated a very special blessing around their rings and they each created a sand memento with sand taken from Golden Gardens and Lummi Island – special places to both Nick and Nicola.

And for a finishing touch, I followed Nick and Nicola outside after their ceremony for a ride on a nearby swing set with their photographer, Jenny Goldberg-George. 

I have this memory of clutching my wedding binder – watching this duo swing with glee – laughing at Jenny as she encouraged Nick and Nicola to be silly – and reveling in the sunshine.

Nick and Nicola – congratulations!

Jenny Goldberg-George – www.jennygg.com

Annemarie Juhlian - www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Call it my ego.  Call it my big open mouth!

Oh, heck! 

If you had been there during Richard and Maggie’s wedding ceremony, you would totally get it.

I had the great delighted of marrying this dynamic duo earlier this month and as always, my great friend and colleague – photographer Jenny Goldberg-George – captured the essence of this wedding ceremony.

Richard and Maggie’s ceremony was a sweet mix of traditional and contemporary elements.  Held in a very large and beautiful private home, and surrounded by family and friends, this photo celebrates just how much darn joy there was in the room. 

I love a ceremony that is real.  A ceremony that is authentic.  A ceremony that celebrates the leap a couple is taking for life.  This photo pretty much sums it up!

photo:  www.jennygg.com

officiant:  www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Sean is at the left, looking very handsome just before going down the aisle! Most likely, we’re either reviewing a last minute detail around his wedding to Celeste or I’m getting info for his marriage license paperwork.

If you’re in the process of getting married, here are the absolute “must knows” around your Washington State Marriage License.

1) You must have one – can’t marry you without it!  Apply in any County in Washington State and your license is good in any County in Washington State.

2) From the date of issue, your license is good for 60 days.  And from the date of issue, there is a 3-day waiting period.

3) Both of you must apply in person.  It costs $60+, depending on your County.  If you are coming into Washington from out-of-state, you may begin the application process by phone and snail mail.

4)  Present your package of marriage license paperwork to your Officiant/Minister at rehearsal or before your wedding ceremony on your wedding day.

Voila!  You’re legal!

Great Photo: www.andaphotography.com

Offiicant: www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Gloria & Bernel's Sofrey

Bernel and Gloria’s wedding ceremony was not only a celebration of their loving partnership, their children and family but it was a glorious and colorful tribute to their Persian and Jewish traditions.

It was such a privilege and happy oppportunity for me to share in Bernel and Gloria’s ceremony which wove together rituals and elements from both the Persian and Jewish side. 

With 150+ happy family and friends gathered around the gorgeous and elaborate Sofrey (the marriage spread in the Persian tradition) created by Gloria’s Mother and family, we celebrated the long and winding path that brought Bernel and Gloria to this beautiful moment.

As you can see from the photo above, the Sofrey is a centerpiece of a Persian wedding, filled with great symbolism.  I especially loved the vibrant color of this Sofrey and how much love and intention was woven into every detail.

Creating, crafting and delivering a more elaborate and ritual-heavy inter-faith wedding ceremony is such a delight for me.  Bernel and Gloria – thank you for trusting me with the “centerpiece” of your wedding day.  I wish you a glorious marriage adventure!