The Ultimate Wedding - Andrew & Jillian Marry at The Canal

Ready for Ultimate? 

Jillian (a National Ultimate Frisbee Champion) and Andrew say "yes" to marriage in September 2012.


 










 

The guys were happy for Andrew:  he was the man of the day!
 








The ladies had their bouquets and their "oh so chic" sunglasses.
(Loved the aqua and orange color theme of the wedding.)

Jillian was in fine form!

Together, the team was good to go!

On to the ceremony ...
It was a beautiful day so it took place on the patio.  Jillian's twin nieces were the most adorable flower girls.







Two of the couple's friends - Leah and Lisa - shared a few memories about Jillian and Andrew's relationship.  They really added a personal touch to the ceremony.

 
Then, the bride and groom shared vows they wrote:  funny, touching, loving, memorable!  








Mr. and Mrs. made their way to the entrance of The Canal and made their marriage legal.  Their sisters were the witnesses, which made it a special moment.

The two were pleased with their ceremony:

Thank you so much!  The ceremony was perfect - though it seemed to go by so quickly.  Andrew and I have only heard great things about you from our guests.  ~ Jillian and Andrew

 

Wishing Jillian and Andrew a world-class marriage, filled with all the delights and happiness of life and love.


And thanks to their team of wedding professionals:
The staff at The Canal
Photography by Richard Kent
Flowers by Kathy Krekow Moe
Cake by their friend, Megan



We love officiating for great couples like these two!  If you are planning a ceremony in 2013, give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website:  www.aheavenlyceremony.com.

How to Get the Most From the Seattle Wedding Show

The winter holidays - yes, the time of bright lights and traditional foods and jewelry commercials - are the most popular time of the year to "pop the question."

And soon after, you will want to be planning your wedding.

You are so lucky because the Seattle Wedding Show, the largest wedding show on the West Coast, is taking place on January 12th and 13th at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.  For more details, check out their website:  www.weddingshow.com. 

It is a great opportunity for you to meet a variety of wedding professionals, to glean ideas for your wedding, to enjoy the fashion show and to have an enjoyable day with your fiance and/or your ladies.  And, it all in one place.

Because the event is so large (more than 400 participants), it is best to be prepared in order to make the most of your day/days.

1.  Register for the show online. http://seattleweddingshow.eventbrite.com/?ref=ecount#

2.  Read over the Frequently Asked Questions about the Seattle Wedding Show (FAQ). www.weddingshow.com/Show/faq.html.  

3.  Research the wedding professionals you are most interested.  This list will really help you out:  http://www.weddingshow.com/Updated_Items/exhibitors_lists/category.pdf.
So will this floor plan:  http://www.weddingshow.com/Updated_Items/floorplans/FloorPlan.pdf

4.  Look up when the fashion shows will take place and plan out your day around them. (Every year they are different and they are always fun to watch.)

5.  Walk down one side at a time of each aisle.  You don't want to miss something because there is so much to look at. 

6.  Bring something with wheels to put all the materials you gather.  You don't want to carry everything ... it gets really heavy.

7.  Print out labels with your name, your wedding email address (yes, create one just for the wedding), your wedding date, time and location.  This way you can easily enter the drawings you are interested in. 

8.  Socialize.  Vendors like to talk.  If you "click" with them, set up an appointment to meet.  The Show can be quite loud and busy and you'll want to get together to ask all the questions you have.

9.  Take breaks and eat something other than cake. OK, you wore comfortable yet stylish shoes, yet you've been on your feet a long time and there is so much to look at and take in.  Relax for a bit, have some protein and review your game plan.  Rome wasn't built in a day and your wedding plans won't be complete in a day either. 

Come early. Take your time. Make a day (or two) of it.  Have fun!!

If you are looking for a wedding officiant, be sure to stop by Booth 127 and introduce yourselves.  We look forward to meeting you.  You can also learn more about us at our website: www.aheavenlyceremony.com.  

See you at the Show!!

East Meets West - A Wedding Ceremony of Two Cultures/Two Faiths

Two cultures.  Two religions.  Two hearts. 

Arun and Megan meet in 2008, had their first date at Herkimer's during that huge snowstorm, fell in love and became engaged in 2010 in the Methow Valley.  (Isn't that a great spot for a proposal!)

Their wedding took place at the Seattle Design Center:  a modern look with a spacious feel and lots of natural light.

Arun and Megan planned a ceremony that reflected both of their cultures.  A dais or "Mandap" was constructed for the Hindu portion of the celebration.  You see here the chairs upon which the couple sat and the altar that was beautifully created.

Their parents would sit on sides.  Megans' parents near her and Arun's parents near him.

It was very special that Arun's father, Prabhakar, conducted the Hindu ceremony.  And, I was fortunate enough to perform the Christian portion of the celebration.


During the ceremony, Megan wore a tradition Western wedding dress.  She looked radiant as she walked in on the arm of her father, Bob.  As I welcomed the guests and explained about what was to happen, the bride and groom, along with their parents, entered the Mandap.  It was colorfully decorated and a delight to look at.

Jyoti, Arun's mother, placed a veil on Megan's head.  Then, the couple exchanged garlands.









The two certainly are in love and have eyes only for each other!


Yes, it is a real fire.  It represents the "fire god" - the god of love.  Megan and Arun are spooning oil on it as part of the ceremony.














Here Arun is annointing his bride with oil.

Next, their clothing was tied together and the two walked about the altar several times.  It is the beginning of their walk through life together.

The wedding party and I took our seats and enjoyed the Hindu part of the ceremony.  When complete, the parents took their seats and we continued with the Western/Christian part of the wedding. It seamlessly flowed from one portion to the next.

The vows touched everyone's heart strings:

"I choose you

  as my life-long best friend and spouse.

I promise you all my love, trust, 

  honesty and devotion,

  through the pressures of the present

  and the uncertainties of the future.

I will always stand by your side

  and be supportive of all your dreams and ambitions.

I promise to take care of you and to take care of myself

  so we can keep on laughing together and loving each other 

  for as long as we both shall live."

After the ring exchange, Prabhakar rejoined us for the blessing and pronunciation.

You're looking at a very happy couple!!

The newlyweds signed their marriage documents and changed clothing while the guests enjoyed the cocktail hour.

Arun and Megan liked their ceremony and I loved working with them.  It was a beautiful merging of customs and cultures united by their love.

Thank you again for everything, Pat!  
We loved the ceremony and got so many compliments.

We even made several people cry!
~Megan & Arun

It was a wonderful day.  Everyone was so happy for the bride and groom.

Wishing Arun and Megan all the happiness in the world!



 
Hats off to all those who helped make the day run smoothly. 
Blue Ribbon Cooking School offered all-inclusive services, from the design, planning, bartending and catering.
Luna Bella for the DJ services, photography and videography (the photos with the watermarks are theirs, the others I enjoyed taking).
And, of course, Prabhakar Sharma.

If you are planning a ceremony that honors the merging of two cultures/two faiths, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website:  www.aheavenlyceremony.com.

Engagement Stories - Love Them!

There are so many "love stories" ... and I enjoy hearing every one of them (which is a very good thing considering my choice of vocation!)

Meet Nate and JoAnn.  They will wed in September at The Sanctuary at Admiral.  When I asked about their engagement, here's what JoAnn said:

We met eight years ago at work (a market research company).  We began working more together so we became friends and talked to each other throughout almost all of the shift. I tell him the thing that really drew me to him was how comfortable he made me feel when we would talk. I could be myself and not worry what he was thinking or whatever. Eventually we went on a date and then the rest is history, I guess you could say :)

Our engagement! I love this story :) One day, Nate and I decided to go to Coulon Park (it's a park in Renton) to watch the sunset. Honestly, it wasn't out the norm to me because we've done that so many times in the past.  I would bring my camera to take pictures so it was always good practice for me. 

We like going there because we had our first kiss there and it's a nice park too. That night, when we got there, we had to wait for "our spot" to open up.  I didn't know why he wanted to wait so badly because this was in February, so it was cold (haha). 

Finally, the people leave and our spot opens up.  We sit down and we face the sunset. 

Our conversation is as follows:

Nate: Will you sit here with me, 50 years from now to watch the sunset?

Me: 50? Why not 49 years, or 60 years? (lol, we joke around like that normally so that's why I said that)

Nate: I might not live that long...

Me: Oh... Well of course I will!

Nate: But we'd have to be married first.

Me: Yeah, we do.

Nate: And we'd have to be engaged first.

Me: Yeah, that would help.

At this point he gets down on one knee.  In my head, all I can think is 'He's TOTALLY joking!' 

He sticks his hand in his pocket, and I'm still thinking he's joking, but then he brings out the box, shows me the ring and proposes! :)

This is a good proposal story, isn't it!  

If you would like to share your engagement story, send it along with your photo or photos to me at ahc@aheavenlyceremony.com.  And for information about creating a wedding ceremony as unique as your engagement, call us at 206.789.9788 or through our website:  www.aheavenlyceremony.com.