Lindsey + JoyLynn.  Married aboard a boat docked in Eagle Harbor at Bainbridge Island yesterday morning - Sunday, May 19th – and witnessed by their dear friends, Stephanie and Lisa.

These two ladies truly inspire me.  They have had quite a journey, individually and as a couple, in their 16 years of knowing one another.  And it was such a privilege for me to share in their story and to celebrate their joy, anticipation and gratitude.

As I left them freshly married yesterday, the owner of their boat arrived to take them for an outing around Bainbridge Island – a perfect post-ceremony send-off!

Lindsey and JoyLynn, I wish you much joy, much happiness and honor that you have indeed “found your person.”  Love to you both, Annemarie

www.marriedbyannemarie.com

Married on April 27th at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, Washington.

I live with and appreciate this provocative life paradox:  what is big is really small.  What is small is really big.

If you are planning your wedding ceremony and celebration, here are three simple take-a-ways from Jeremiah and Brittany’s wedding day to inspire and comfort:

- Do what it takes to get things right…for you as a couple.  Life happens while planning a wedding.  Jeremiah and Brittany moved their 1st choice of a wedding date to accommodate big life changes and accomplishments.  Smart move.

- Go Personal On Your Guest List.  My “guest test” is always this – do you want to know this person 10 years from now?  You can take it from there…

- Play Up “Fun” and “Casual.”  The on-site DeLille llamas were on hand to greet guests!  Brittany incorporated classy yet country elements into her décor and gown embellishments.  And take a page from Jeremiah and Brittany – go for desserts…a lot of desserts!

Most of all, remember to focus on one another.  As I’m fond of saying, “this moment will never come again.”  Make your ceremony and wedding day moments count.

www.marriedbyannemarie.com

It was such a pleasure to join and John and Heather and their happy family and friends for their Sunday evening wedding ceremony at The Willows Lodge in Woodinville.

Working together, John and Heather were intentional about their wishes and requirements for their ceremony - which included gratitude to family and friends, personal vows and a sweet “take-home” memento.

There is something I really love about a Sunday evening wedding ceremony and celebration.  Sunday has a different “feel” than Saturday – somewhat more easy and laid back.  And couples can often get better availability and value from venues for a Sunday engagement!

John and Heather – profound love and happiness is my wish for you!

photo: www.jennygg.com

officiant:  www.marriedbyannemarie.com

From the moment I first met this dynamic duo, I loved everything about these wonderful men.

And yesterday, surrounded by 20+ thrilled family and friends at a private home in Redmond, Robert and Dennis celebrated their nearly 17 years together with a marriage ritual that was personal, sweet and full of poignant and fun-loving moments.

Hosted by their friends, Marcia and April, Robert and Dennis were intentional about creating a ceremony and celebration that was about what they share:  profound love.  These two have created, nurtured and protected a very inspiring partnership that is fully authentic, accepting and true – it was this and so much more that we celebrated with them yesterday afternoon.

Gentlemen – much, much love to you as you venture forward.  And please email me when you return from your beautiful and “haunted” honeymoon hotel to let me know you are okay!

www.marriedbyannemarie.com

They grew up in Bulgaria.  One moved to Canada.  The other moved to Washington State.  They met through friends and as they say, the rest is history!

It was such a happy joy for me to join Nik and Jasmina on their wedding day, March 24, 2013,  at one of my favorite places on the planet – Alderbrook Resort, in Union, Washington.

Nik and Jasmina were very specific about their intentions for their ceremony.

They wanted things reverent and sacred yet fun-loving and sweet – and together, we worked to craft a ceremony that not only celebrated their loving relationship but one that honored parents and family and a shared Bulgarian heritage.

And look at these smiles!  I took this photo immediately after their ceremony and knew within a moment’s glance that I was leaving a truly smitten and deeply devoted couple.

Nik and Jasmina – be well, be happy and so enjoy your new home together!

It was Jim and Bob!  Many moons ago, circa 1998, I was one of the very first homeowners in Issaquah Highlands, which is now a mega-development on the Issaquah hillside.  And soon after I moved in, Jim and Bob moved in next door.

For six years, we were happy neighbors until Greg and I moved to Bainbridge Island.

On Saturday evening in downtown Seattle, in the happy presence of thrilled family, Jim and Bob exchanged vows and got legally married, one more step in their continuing 19 year journey.

And on the ferry home to Bainbridge Island later that evening, I felt so incredibly fortunate to have joined “my guys” for a sweet and beautiful lifetime moment.

Jim and Bob – much love and continued happiness to you!

A beautiful couple with huge and compassionate hearts.   A beautiful gal from British Columbia and a handsome guy from Whidbey Island, destined to meet.

Married on March, 13, 2013 at The beautiful Willows Lodge/Woodinville, Washington, in an intimate and sweetly personalized ceremony.

Perfect.

Together, we celebrated the path that brought them together.  We honored their children and family and remembered the playful Spirits of their beloved animals.  We did all of this and much more.

To me, it’s not about the size of the guest list.  Whether you are planning a ceremony with 2 guests or 200 guests, it’s about creating an intentional lifetime moment that is authentically joy-filled, sacred, sentimental and romantic.

Done.  Enough said.

Photo:  www.firstlight-photography.com

Mary-Ann + Dan.

2 teary witnesses. One happy Officiant.

A celebration of 15+ years of loving relationship.

When I first met Mary-Ann, she radiated an enthusiastic joy and happiness around her upcoming marriage to her beloved Dan.

And at 3:00 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon a few weeks ago, this fun-loving couple got hitched “Seattle Style” at a historic room over-looking Pike Place Market, with two teary witnesses and one happy Officiant!

Dan and Mary-Ann:  Bunny loving people!  Devoted, private and so very much in love with one another.  They giggle – trust me, I know this.  They’ve shared much joy and unexpected challenges over their years together and their tiny and intimate ceremony at a meaningful Seattle venue was a true celebration of two people who are meant to be.

Otherwise known as Shab and Steve!  “Stab” is a compilation of their names – every couple should have a brand/logo!

Shab and Steve were married this past Saturday, March 9, 2013, at the Hotel 1000 in downtown Seattle.  Surrounded by 100+ family and friends, this fun-loving and very gracious couple, shared in a wedding ceremony that celebrated their loving relationship and one that also honored their families and friends.

Working together, Steve and Shab worked with me to create a personalized “take-home” memento and ritual to carry forward into their marriage - it included a keepsake box, numbered rocks and a “list!”

Photographer Jenny Goldberg-George (www.jennygg.com)  captured this easy and “we’re getting married” moment before ceremony on what was truly the most gorgeous and beautiful day in Seattle to date this year!

My heartfelts thanks to Wedding Planner Megan Keller of Akurant Event (www.akurantevent.com) and DJ Tony Schwartz (www.tonyschwartzmcdj.com) for making my part in this beautiful wedding day that much more fun!

Stab -  I wish you much love and happiness on your marriage adventure!

All hands went up!  All 100+ guests!

Over these many months, I worked with Marina and Andrew from their home in Vancouver, British Columbia, to coordinate all ceremony details for this past Sunday afternoon at The Woodmark Hotel.

Marina and Andrew did everything very right in planning their wedding from a distance.  They hired a terrific wedding planner, Rebecca Grant.  They visited Seattle several times to attend to pre-wedding details (a big plus).  They used email and phone to insure everyone around them was “in the loop.”

And they were gracious, kind and very generous in heart, attitude and spirit.

Andrew and Marina – such a pleasure to know you both.  Happy honeymoon in California!

Love, Annemarie