We're Giving You a Hug ...

Many thanks to all those who voted for us in Evening Magazine's "The Best of Western Washington!"  Because of you we placed in the top 5 and were a finalist for the fifth straight year.  Over that time, 377 of you left reviews, which is more than any of the other officiants received.  What can we say but that we are joyful to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

On Saturday, I officiated for Jenn and Matt at Cama Beach State Park.  Jenn's father, Joe, gave one of the toasts.  He spoke of the qualities of love and told a story about how his grandson came up to Joe one day and threw his arms around him.  Then he said, "I'm giving you a hug that will be in your body for a whole three days ... and a billion years ... and this much more!" as he threw his arms open wide.

We couldn't say it any better.  

We're giving you all a hug that will be in your bodies for a whole three days

 ... and a billion years ... and this much more!

With appreciation and gratitude from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Jenn and Matt's Down-Home Wedding at Cama Beach State Park

This afternoon, I had the great good fortune of officiating for Matt and Jenn at Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island. 



Family and friends gathered:  some traveled to the Park for the day, others rented one of the cabins by the water and made it a destination.

 
The bride and groom were settled in Cabin 33.  (As a side note, 33 is a master number.  It is said to represents a state where there is no personal agenda and where there is full understanding before communication.  Sounds like a good thing for marriage.)








Pickled Okra performed for the ceremony and for the reception.  I first heard them as they were tuning up.  This "cross-over" bluegrass combo was amazing.  They lent a sense of happiness and life to the wedding.  They were so good and so fun, I actually took a front row seat and simply enjoyed listening to them!

The ceremony and reception took place at the Cama Beach Center.  It is a comfortably large room with a view of the water and the Olympics.  Guests sat at tables during the ceremony.

The newlyweds enjoyed their first dance and were soon joined by their guests.  Since there were a number of children in attendance, everyone could dance ... and did!













Rather than offering wedding cake, Jenn and Matt decided on a collection of pies.  They looked quite scrumptious!

The wedding had the feel of family and good friends getting together to enjoy themselves in a relaxed, comfortable setting.  It was just what Matt and Jenn had in mind ... and it was so them.

Wishing the two continued happiness throughout their days together!

Planning your wedding ceremony amid the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website.

A Heavenly Ceremony Receives New Wedding Wire Badge!

News of the day: we received a new Rated badge from Wedding Wire thanks to you who wrote them! There are now over 25 reviews. We are still so excited about officiating ... and look forward to helping creative and celebrate even more ceremonies worthy of great reviews.

Looking for a Collection of Great Desserts for Your Wedding? Check These Out!

There is so much news -- good news -- today so I'll share some tonight and more tomorrow.  

When I checked my email this evening, I learned that Sergei and Kelsey's wedding that Kent officiated was featured on Love and Lavender, a popular wedding blog.  Click here to see the post.

The couple is quite original:  their custom aisle runner was featured on this blog in a previous post.  It is really great!

Today, the focus is on Kelsey and Sergei's selection of desserts.  Here's what they said:  "We picked treats from the neighborhood spots we frequent in our daily lives:

Amanda Lloyd Photography

  


ice cream cookie sandwiches from the Street Treats truck

Amanda Lloyd Photography

popcorn from KuKuRuZa

Amanda Lloyd Photography

and cupcakes from Cake Envy."










Kelsey and Sergei certainly expressed their personalities through the details of their wedding.  What a joy to see and experience!

Amanda Lloyd Photography

Thank you, Love and Lavender for featuring this wedding ... 

thank you, Kelsey and Sergei for being the creative, expressive people you are ...

and thank you, Amanda Lloyd for your photographs!

For a ceremony where your personality shines through clearly and brightly, give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website. 

 

Testimonial from the Mother of the Bride

 

We are very fortunate and often receive wonderful words from the newlyweds after their ceremonies.  It is always a joy to hear and to read them.






Today, I opened my email and this is what I saw:

Hi Pat, I just wanted to comment on your ministering of Denise and Phil's wedding. I was impressed with your personal touches for them, particularly when they read the vows that would mean so much to them and for us to hear them say it to each other.   We were very happy with the rehearsal and the ceremony and making this a special memory for them and us too.    

Yes, kind words are so good to hear.  Thank you, Paula!  You helped make today a very good day!!

 

Why a Wedding Rehearsal is Such a Very Good Idea!

OK ... I absolutely love, yes, love rehearsals. Particularly rehearsals that fall on a fun holiday like Halloween.

Phillip and Denise agree with me.  They held their rehearsal two days before their wedding.  I think that is a great time because it gives the couple an extra day to complete those last minute projects and to spend time with out of town guests.

Here are are in their costumes at the Cast Iron Studios.  Denise thoughtfully brought props so family and wedding party could dress up.

So why have a rehearsal?

There are so many reasons.

It provides an chance to walk through the ceremony.  And I do mean walk through.  You don't want to give away the wording, do you?  

It adds a element of elegance (not rigidity or stuffiness) but assurance and confidence to those participating in the ceremony on the day.  The bride and groom and everyone walking down the aisle and those who have another active part in the ceremony know what to expect so they aren't worrying about when to walk down the aisle, what to do when they get to the groom, etc.  They know ... and it shows.  It shows!

It offers a safe place to release some of the nervousness before the wedding day.  Just being in the wedding site and having a relaxed atmosphere always puts people more at home.  

It allows people to get to know each other.  Often families and people in the wedding party haven't met ... or have only heard about one other.  At the rehearsal, everyone can meet and talk and spend some time together, which makes everything so much more fun on the wedding day.
 
It gives the bride and groom ... and their parents ... and the couple's friends a chance to process some of their emotions.  A wedding is a pretty big occasion.  Parents seeing their child taking a very adult step in life.  Bride and groom realizing the significance of their decision.  Friends recognizing the shift in relationships.  It is a big deal and it is good to have a bit of time to integrate the changes.

Kudos to Denise and Phil!  Their rehearsal was great fun.  Their wedding ceremony went smoothly ... and tugged a few heartstrings as all good weddings do.  

Looking forward to sharing photos of their wedding soon.

Nina Perceful of RockerBaby Productions provided these photos.  Many thanks to her.

To schedule your rehearsal (and to plan the wedding ceremony that goes with it), give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website.