Recently Engaged? How to Find an Officiant!

Mike Veitenhans

OK!  Kent and I aren't newly engaged.  (You know that we've been married for 35 years.)  But we do remember that very special moment - the proposal.

The excitement of planning your wedding day is tangible.  And the task of planning now begins.

So how do you find the right officiant for the two of you?

There are a number of considerations to explore with possible officiants: 

First, of course, is the person available?

Is the person experienced in officiating, in writing, in providing overall guidance while encouraging your personalities to shine through?

Is he or she someone you feel comfortable with? 

Is there a mutual understanding and willingness on what type of ceremony (religious, spiritual, humanist, cultural, interfaith, intercultural and more) you would like?

Is there a openness to work with you to co-create wording you will love to hear on your wedding day?

Is there help available in writing your own vows? 

Is premarital preparation available?

Is it possible to see a video of the officiant performing a ceremony?

And, if friends have recently wed and they have recommendations, this would be a good place to begin!

Kent and I offer free consultations and welcome meeting with you.  Give us a call at 206.789.9788 or contact us through our website.

2014: A Great Year Filled with Wonderful Newly Engaged Couples

Kent and I have been fortunate to officiate for amazing brides and grooms every year of our 18 years celebrating weddings.  This year we are excited because the "entire class" of engaged couples is "above average" so to speak.  

OK, let me explain.  When I was teaching, my fellow instructors and I noticed that each class had a personality and character as a group.  On occasion, an entire class would be a total joy to deal with and we felt especially blessed that year.

And so it seems with the 2014 couples we have met -- one wonderful couple after another.  (Of course, that includes our niece, Kathryn, and her fiance, Cullen!)

Here is another such couple: TJ, Jenny and their much adored Golden Retriever, Ripley.  The two went to the same middle school and high school in the Lake Steven's area.  They began dating and while they attended college they grew up and grew together.  They are crazy-in-love-with-dog people and crazy-in-love-with-each-other people too!  Jenny and TJ plan to wed in June at the Pickering Barn.

Very much looking forward to co-creating a just-for-them wedding ceremony!

If you are looking for an officiant for your ceremony, give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website.

Jonathan and Aiza are Engaged - Will wed in the Summer 2014

We met Aiza and Jonathan in May.  Just the month before, they traveled to the Philippines, which is where this photo was taken. 

The two have been together since June 19, 2003, and will be getting married on August 2, 2014, at Rock Creek Gardens. 

They will be including elements from their Filipino heritage in the ceremony -- which is always engaging.  It is going to be a wonderful experience.

We're very much looking forward to being a part of their wedding day! 

If you are planning a wedding and would like to include elements from your heritage, please give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website.

August Wedding Planned at the DAR

Devi and Jason with one of their two beloved pets: Max and Egypt.

Jason and Devi are going to be so fun to officiate for.  They described their community of family and friends as a very eclectic bunch of artists and designers, techies and comic book nerds.  Sounds like Seattle, doesn't it?  People we are sure to feel comfortable with.

It is very important to them that their guests feel connected to the ceremony and share in the event.  They also want to write their own vows.  We like that too.

As for their proposal, it was simple and to the point.  The two bought a ring and Jason popped the question.  

So looking forward to co-creating just the perfect ceremony with them!

If you are looking for an officiant for your wedding ceremony, give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website.

Travis and Victoria to Wed in a Garden Ceremony

This photo was taken during the Seattle Snowstorm of 2012 in Travis's parent's yard, which is where the wedding will take place in August.  Much sunnier photos will follow at that time.

Now, Victoria is a woman with passions dear to my heart -- Voodoo doughnuts.

OK ... what does that have to do with anything?  Well, Victoria and Travis along with three other couples traveled to Tumalo Falls, Oregon, over Labor Day weekend 2012.  They stopped for doughnuts in Portland along the way, naturally.  What is amazing about the story is that those three couples had all married on Labor Day weekend.  Can you believe that?  So it was an anniversary weekend for six of the eight people on the trip.  It was about to become a very special anniversary for Victoria and Travis as well.

With the help of all the others (their friends really know how to keep a secret), Travis got a ring,bought a bottle of Prosecco and enlisted one of their friends to bring along a camera.  The perfect spot was found. Travis guided Victoria to a scenic viewpoint, got down on one knee, held her hand and asked her to marry him. 

The response was sealed with a kiss.  As described on their wedding website: Mission accomplished, Operation Proposal complete! 


If your Operation Proposal is complete and you are seeking an officiant for your wedding ceremony, give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website.

Gwen and Ryan to Wed at Lake Wilderness Lodge in June

This is a photo taken just a few weeks ago at Ocean Shores. Ryan and Gwen and their friends were having dinner at their hotel.  Looking out, they saw the sunset.  It was so amazing, they left midway through eating and went out to enjoy it.  Don't they look happy!  The two are really excited to be married and to spend the rest of their lives together.

We'll soon be getting together for their planning session.  Kent and I are very fortunate to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

If you are a wonderful couple looking for an amazing wedding ceremony, give us a call at 206-789-9788 or contact us through our website.

How Kent and Emily Got to "Yes!"

Meet a very loving and fun Chicago couple who will wed in July at Sodo Park.  Kent Buttars (yes, my dear husband) will be officiating.  (Yup, this will be a double dose of Kents!)

Emily: Enjoys the outdoors, late night dance parties, all things sparkly and bubbly, home-cooked meals prepared by Kent. She has an eye for fashion, home decor, and of course...men!

Kent: Has a passion for the NY Giants, Syracuse University basketball and almost any slize of pizza.  He has put "fantasy football" on his time sheet at multiple employers (hope they're not reading this) and is a master at quoting good lines from almost any Will Ferrell movie or classic SNL skit.

Met: At the end of their senior year of college at Northwestern University. 

Proposal:

Date - Wednesday, November 23, 2011, the day before Thanksgiving 

Location - Emily's family's house in Seattle

Details - The bride-to-be claims to have experienced a temporary loss of memory (known as a "blackout" in some circles) right when Kent took to a knee.  She doesn't actually remember a word Kent said. Luckily she came to in time to say YES!

Future:  Bright and hopeful.  A great journey in store.

We truly enjoy meeting and assisting couples both in Seattle and across the USA with their wedding ceremony.  We look forward to your phone call (206.789.9788) and/or email (wed@aheavenlyceremony.com) and/or your contact through our website (www.aheavenlyceremony.com).