Rat City Roller Girl Gets Married! (Juan & Jaime of Everett, WA)

Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a very busy wedding weekend for me. This year was no exception! This was the first Memorial Day weekend when I didn't perform one single ceremony in the rain. I think I was more excited than my couples!

Juan and Jaime were one of the four couples that I served. Juan, Jaime and I had been working on the planning of their ceremony for nearly a year. Jaime, who works in the event planning industry, is a bride who wanted to see to it that no rock was left unturned for her special day. Their ceremony was held at the Monte Villa Farmhouse in Bothell, WA (www.montevilla.com).

When Jaime isn't working as an event planner, she moonlights as Anya Heels, a Rat City Roller Girl! (Check out their website at www.ratcityrollergirls.com for more information.) Her husband, Juan, actually proposed to her after a championship game. Many of her Rat City Roller Girl friends attended. Her wedding assistant, Jessica, is also a teammate. The photographers who shot their wedding were also photographers for the team. This definately was a team effort!

Best wishes to all of my couples who married this weekend, including:

* Ron & Stephanie, who renewed their vows in Snoqualmie, WA
* Jason & Joy, who married at the Kellogg Grange Hall in Marysville, WA
* Marina & Rafael, who took a drive from their Sea-Tac home, to get married at my home here in Marysville, WA

Having Your Reception Dinner Before Your Ceremony

I worked with Jasmine & Nate on their wedding last Friday. This Burlington wedding couple selected "A Country Location" in Smokey Point as their wedding and reception venue. When I first met with them during our planning session, they mentioned a unique idea for their special day -- they were planning on hosting their reception dinner before their ceremony. In all of the ceremonies I've performed (and I'm tipping the scales at 220 couples to date) this was a first!

There were a few different reasons that they shared with me for why they chose this layout. The first was the number of hours that they had their venue for. Being a budget conscious couple they scheduled their event on an off-peak wedding day, which is a great tip. Second, they took into account the time of day and wanting to give everyone the opportunity to eat and be comfortable before the ceremony including themeselves. Their celebration was early in the evening on a Friday. Many people had come from work and it being around most people's dinner time made it a decision that was courteous to their guests. Besides, who wants to hear guests complaining about how hungry they are or that infamous question......"When do we get to eat??!!"

Jasmine and Nate also wore different outfits to their reception dinner. They saved their wedding clothing for the ceremony. Jasmine, wearing a cute black with red polka dots dress, and Nate, who was casual in his dress shirt, slacks and a tie, had a chance to mingle with friends and family and still stunn their guests with their transformation into the wedding dress and tuxedo after dinner.

Many couples don't have the chance to visit with their guests during their reception. Having the chance to do this pre-ceremony is a great way to thank your guests for coming and actually interacting with those who are attending your special day.

Overall, this unique idea is a great one to consider when planning your own celebration. Kudos to Jasmine & Nate!