Dominic and Amy ~ Their Kiss

Surrounded by their family, children and friends, Dominic and Amy exchanged beautiful vows and could have written a best-selling ”guide” for a perfect end-of-ceremony kiss!

Married at Lake Wilderness Lodge on a Summer Friday evening, I loved how Dominic and Amy created a ceremony and celebration that was elegant, comfortable and just a wonderful Summer party.

Okay, so let me have a moment here.  Look at the photo at the right ~ do you see the Officiant (i.e., me?)

NO!

Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox!  It makes me crazy when an Officiant or Minister doesn’t move out of the way while a couple has their big “we’re finally married moment” and “kiss” at the end of a ceremony.

A wedding ceremony is about a couple.  It is not about an Officiant or Minister.  If I could write the rule book on wedding ceremony, one of my first caveats would be to get the Officiant or Minister “out of the way” so a couple can truly have a picture-perfect kiss!

When I first met with Colin and Andrea, they told me they wanted a wedding ceremony that was light, fun casual and not stuffy or formal.

As you can tell from the very fun and bright photos taken by the wonderful Jenny GG, Colin and Andrea did good!

We started Colin and Andrea’s wedding ceremony with a “parade” – we lined up family and friends and Colin and Andrea led everyone out to a ceremony area under a canopy of trees at Golden Gardens Park.

It was a cloudy day and the hint of rain was ever present.  And we had fun!  What I loved most about this ceremony was the joy under the trees – family and friends were so happy and delighted for this couple and this ceremony just oozed happiness in all ways.

And best of all, the light rain started immediately once the ceremony was over!

Colin and Andrea ~ I wish you much happiness and isn’t it delightful that you now have a “spot” to return to to celebrate “you!”

Fab photos:  Jenny GG ~ www.jennygg.com

Ian and Kara Sawyer

This remarkable couple exchanged vows before a large and diverse group of family and friends – many of whom made great effort to travel from all parts of the world to be at this special event.

Ian and Kara’s story was incorporated into their wedding ceremony along with special moments of gratitude to their family and friends.  Photographer Jenny GG (as always!) captured the energy and verve of this couple and some of the images on her blog are just so fun and eloquently tell the story of this day.

Ian and Kara ~ I wish you much happiness as you move forward in life together…Ian, with your big dreams and exciting projects and Kara, with your start of medical school!
Jenny GG: www.jennygg.com

Viv & Jennifer's Happy Dance!

Viv and Jennifer are one of those couples I would LOVE to marry again!

With their closest family and friends and 7 “Vivi’s” in attendance, Viv and Jennifer were married in the bright sun at Woodinville’s marvelous Willows Lodge.
Viv spiced up their wedding ceremony by surprising his bride with a beautiful poem he wrote for their day ~ it was indeed a true hanky moment!

Once again, Jenn Wenman and her staff at Willows Lodge pulled off a once-in-a-lifetime experience for this couple – from the tiny details to big picture “stuff.”

Erik Vail of Vail Studio ~ www.vailstudioweddings.com ~ captured this sweet shot of Viv and Jennifer as they walked away from their afternoon ceremony.

Nate and Crystal Stanton

Danny, Amber & Charlie

Danny and Amber were married under glorious sunshine on July 23, 2010, at one of my most favorite venues on this planet – Kiana Lodge.

In many ways, this was a destination wedding for Danny and Amber as so many family and friends had traveled long and far to gather at this gorgeous venue on Agate Pass in Kitsap County.

The couple’s beloved pooch, Wedding Dog Charlie, preceeded Amber down the aisle with great joy and abandon and took his “spot” at the front! 

Charlie also formally presented the rings from a festive wedding ”back pack” he was carrying and was front and center during a group reading by Danny and Amber’s five brothers and sisters.

Amber’s parents brought two gorgeous hand-crafted leis from their home in Hawaii and Danny and Amber opened their ceremony with the exchange of leis.  The rest of their ceremony just flowed – comfortable, easy and with touches of humor and tears and their reception featured live Hawaiian music and dancers.

What I love and appreciate about Danny and Amber is their story.  They have grown up together over the past nine years and have created a most remarkable and loving partnership that is inspiring to every person who knows them. 

Danny and Amber – from the moment I first met you late one night on Mercer Island to this moment, I am so grateful for the opportunity to have had a front row seat (literally!) at your wedding.  I wish you much, much happiness!

The gorgeous photo above is by the wonderful Jackie Williard:  www.jacquelinephotographyblog.net

Tim and Christina share a remarkable love story and inspire all of us to love big, laugh out loud and truly “be in the moment.”

*******

During their Sunday morning wedding ceremony at the Snoqualmie Golf & Country Club, there were tears, laughter and perfect moments. 

One of the best moments for me was the moment before the end of their ceremony where Tim surprised Christina with his “Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Christina” list.  You just had to be there to see the look of joy and surprise on Christina’s face!

Tim and Christina ~ I so appreciate the opportunity to drive to Snoqualmie on a beautiful Sunday morning and share in your wedding day.  And Christina ~ why don’t you one day surprise your handsome husband with a “What I Love About Tim” list of your own?!

And about what we talked about last week – thank you for your kindness and understanding.

Tara and John At Reception!

Michael and Yuka’s Kiss!

Michael and Yuka raised the “joy bar” at their wedding ceremony at Kubota Gardens/Seattle by just being themselves.

Jeff and Emily Haines ~ July 3, 2010

I loved every moment of the past couple of months as I grew to know and love Jeff and Emily Haines.

On Saturday evening, I had the most marvelous opportunity to officiate a wedding ceremony that was part sacred, part fun/humor and most of all, pure “Jeff and Emily.”

Not only did the clouds part for a sun filled wedding ceremony at 6:00 p.m. but let me tell you what Jeff and Emily did as an “end of ceremony” flourish!

After a beautiful kiss and being pronounced as husband and wife, DJ Extraordinaire Austin Beaver hit the music with a very fun and jazzy selection. 

Jeff and Emily turned their backs to their family and friends and from their pockets (yes, Emily’s wedding dress had pockets!), they pulled bright colored sunglasses. Jeff and Emily wore shades and danced down the aisle, followed by their wedding party who also pulled shades out from hiding and danced down the aisle. I’m quite certain that Photographer Cory Parris got some terrific shots of this for a lifetime moment!

Wedding Planner Janell Schlit did an fabulous job (as always) coordinating all wedding day details for Jeff and Emily and really added an ease and grace to this day. 

Jeff and Emily ~ I wish you such a happy honeymoon in Mexico and I want pictures!