Haggens Market Street Catering

Wedding receptions are usually the source of a majority of a couple's budget. There's food, beverages, cake, dessert and candy bars...... the possibilities are endless! I am often asked about different food and beverage options that I can suggest. With many clients financially backing their own events, I realize and appreciate that there are budgets to work with. One of the options I like to suggest is Haggens Market Street Catering.

Here in Western Washington, Haggens is often known for their presence as a grocery store. But did you know that they offer catering options? From food service only to onsite preparation and full service wait staff, there are an array of options to choose from. I have personally worked with and tasted their food, from bbq to summer favorites, and have found their quality of food and customer service to be great. 

Want to learn more and see some of their menu options? Check them out at www.marketstreetcatering.com

Happy 2017!

2017 marks the beginning of my thirteenth year as a full time wedding professional here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I remember when I began in 2005 and am simply amazed with the work that I have been blessed to have done, the couples and their family and friends that I have worked with, and the experiences I have had. Being able to blog about my journey can only light a small flame to the overall experience that I have had as a wedding officiant and event planner.

I have seen many changes throughout the years. I remember when "the place to be" was in Seattle or the East side of King County. Not anymore! Snohomish county has made a name for itself. No longer do bridal couples have to flock south or east to have an amazing event. Thanks to the Snohomish Wedding Guild, this has been possible. They are in their ninth year of supporting the wedding vendor community and the bridal couples they serve. The resources their website alone offers is a great wealth of knowledge to any coordinator, bride, groom or any other individual who is helping plan a wedding. 

Fellow wedding professionals David Anderson (of DA Productions) & Melissa Miksch (of Melissa Miksch Photography) have been extending the invitation to me for years to come and attend as a guest of theirs. I attended the January meeting with them and had a great time! Not only was it a chance to spend some time with these great vendors (who have also become friends of mine) but I was able to check out a new-to-me venue. (More on this venue in my next blog.)

At the end of the night, we were treated to some very tasty cupcakes.....one in my favorite flavor of Amaretto! I couldn't leave the moment without taking a pic of the three of us. Notice David and I included our yummy cupcakes in the shot? 

Spirituality vs Religous Ceremonies

Spiritual. Religious. Couples come to me with many different beliefs. Everyone has something they believe in. Whether or not they wish to incorporate those beliefs is something considered when couples begin the planning of their wedding celebration with me.

So what's the difference between spiritual and religious?

I came across an article in Psychology Today which really defines spirituality very well:

Spirituality means something different to everyone. For some, it's about participating in organized religion: going to church, synagogue, a mosque, etc. For others, it's more personal: Some people get in touch with their spiritual side through private prayer, yoga, meditation, quiet reflection, or even long walks.

In regards to the term religious, I found this definition from an online dictionary site which I believe defines this word well:

Having or showing a belief in and veneration for God or a divine power, especially as it is reflected in the practice of religion. Religious implies adherence to religion in both belief and practice.

Many times, couples wish to honor their spirituality in their wedding ceremony. This can be achieved in various ways. Often times, it is with a blessing which I will say or will be given by a special person in the couple's lives. Another option is incorporating a mini-ceremony such as the unity candle or a hand fasting ceremony. Other times, a spiritual based poem may be read or a ceremonial tradition such as a Native American sage cleansing ceremony.

When there is a couple that has two different faiths, it is finding a balance to have an interfaith ceremony. This may be a combination of Native American beliefs with Christian beliefs; Christian and Jewish beliefs; or an Eastern faith in combination with Christian beliefs. There are many ways to incorporate two different religious beliefs into one ceremony.

Sometimes couples will ask to incorporate their pastor or other religious figure into the ceremony I am presiding over. Other times, a grandparent, uncle or brother may be asked to present their religious beliefs. I am always willing to incorporate any of these ideas! I always say that a wedding celebration should be as unique as the couple, all the while reflecting what is important to the couple while complimenting who they are, their values and beliefs.

Wedding Rings

I once had a groom joke with me about whether or not I supplied my couples with the wedding rings. Hey, it never hurts to ask! (Just so you know, the answer is no.)

Looking for the perfect ring can be a daunting task. There are so many options out there!! Do you want to have matching bands? White gold, yellow gold, platinum, silver, titanium...... Diamonds or other precious stones? Decisions, decisions!! Regardless of what you select, I always suggest that my couples take into consideration a few things before they settle on "the ring".

1- Is the ring that you are looking for within your price range?
This may sound like a no brainer, but for many couples, it can be easily overlooked. I think any girl would love to wear a beautiful ring upon her finger. Lots of sparkle and something you could see from a football field away is going to come with a hefty price. Although many jewelry stores offer financing options, that pretty ring could easily double, triple or more in price after the interest fees are added upon the original cost.
Consider opting for a ring that you can either upgrade at a later time or, better yet, mark an anniversary with a trip to your jeweler to purchase a more elaborate set.

2- Does the ring you are considering match your lifestyle? Your personality?
This may seem like a ridiculous question but really, take a moment to consider this. It somewhat ties into the price range question I posed above but takes it a step further. If you are working in the service industry, would wearing a flashy ring be practical? For example, my husband in a journeyman plumber by trade. He also wears a large ring size. Although he doesn't work 24/7, he does spend quite a bit of time at work during the week. The combination of what he does for a living and the need to work with his hands often made him consider looking for a ring that was a comfort fit. He also selected a ring of a strong metal with impressions in the metal versus having a ring with diamonds, which could easily become lost. Some of his coworkers choose to wear their rings on a chain because of the risk of their rings becoming damaged or being a safety issue.

A ring that matches your personality is also something to consider. Some people want a ring that is unique just as their personalities. Others may opt to have a more modest wedding ring, without too many bells and whistles. Regardless of your reasons, consider a piece that is reflective of who you are and your style.

3- What does your ring symbolize?
Remember, a wedding ring is an outward symbol of your wedding vows. These promises that you made during your wedding ceremony mean different things to different people. At the end of the day, when you catch yourself glancing down at that left ring finger remind yourself of your commitment to your spouse and the words that you answered with "I will", "I do" or maybe wrote and spoke yourself.

I know, so many variables to consider!

Wedding Expos....... What Are They All About?

It seems like the wedding industry doesn't limit itself to the traditional month of June or to summertime. Wedding expos are being held in the fall and the spring. Often, I am asked if I attend these shows either as a vendor or to check out my competition. The short answer is no & no.

As I enter my 9th year in my field, I have been featured at an open house and as a guest vendor at the Tulalip Resort hosted bridal expo. At my mother's urging many years ago, I attended as a visitor with her. (She had gotten free tickets and I buckled under pressure.) Most often they are held on the weekend. As you can imagine, this is a conflict in scheduling if you offer services to a client base who more often than not get married on the weekend.

Although it can be seen as a great way to be exposed to brides & grooms to be, it also can seem like a day at the market. Generally, there are booths lined up elbow to elbow with each other while mesmerized guests, willing or unwilling, walk to and fro while vendors offer their pamphlets and samples. The cost to these events is also an expense, for all who are attending. Did you know that it is not uncommon for a wedding vendor to have to pay upwards of $400-$1000 a day at a booth? Yes! The venues which host these events are literally making money hand over fist. That kind of advertising is a bit rich for my taste.

With the exposure and power of the internet, it makes wedding expos almost seem like a thing of the past. The number of customers I can reach at the touch of a few key words can help me drum up business quicker than I could toss my business cards out. I like to work smarter, not harder. Don't mistake this for me being lazy -- there's only so many hours in one day. I am all about maximizing my time and my resources. I just find investing my money into advertising throughout the year to be a bit more effective than a weekend shot.

For the first time brides, eager mothers of the brides or grooms, and for those who want to "check out the competition" wedding expos can serve their purpose. Afterall, you can't hear the music from the different DJ booths live or taste cake samples when you are online!!

New Look To The Website!

Happy 2014!!


I hope that you all have had a good start to this new year. It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone.

I wanted to announce the official new look of my wedding website. Thanks to my brother Jason Mondares for helping me make the switch from my old website server to my new server. He was a lifesaver in helping me preserve the contents as I transitioned. In the move, I modified some of the information as well as included some new information. I have expanded my services to include my colleague, Debi, who joins my team. I also have listed additional services that I have offered over the years, including event planning, post-wedding marital working sessions, & premarital classes. All rates are shared on my site, making information easily accessible.

Check it out -- same website address at www.upbeatweddingofficiant.com

More Than Just Wedding Officiants

Isn't it nice when you can stretch your dollar?

I know I always appreciate more "bang for my buck" and when I'm looking for someone who is offering a services it's no different. I want someone who has experience, is a great resource, and who goes beyond what is expected to get the job done. We all like to walk away from a situation with a smile on our face and a feeling of fulfillment. So how does this apply to your wedding?

A wedding, no matter how big or small, comes with expenses. There's the much needed wedding paperwork (starting rate at $58 depending on county). The wedding rings, which can run a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. What will you wear? Another expense. Do you have to take time off from work? Another expense. The list goes on and on and on. Who's going to do your wedding? Good question because otherwise it is just a big gathering of family and friends.

With over 12 years of combined experience, Debi and I offer our skills set to help alleviate your stress and free up your time. We can offer wedding coordinating and planning services in addition to our wedding officiant services. We know what needs to be done before the ceremony, before the reception, during and after. We have gained this experience hands on after serving over 500 couples.

Wedding planning can help you through the details. Wedding coordinating services can help you through along the way by meeting vendors to handling all of the events the day of. What best suits your needs?

Call Tiffani at 425-508-8090 to learn more! Rates start at $300 for planning services & $600 for wedding coordinating services.

An Intimate Elopement On The Homestead

Bob & Lisa Watkins, innkeepers & owners of Arlington's River Rock Inn, specialize in romantic getaways. Sometimes a romantic getaway includes a destination wedding. Bridal couple Jeff & Shalice planned a trip from their home in Oregon up to the River Rock Inn not only for a getaway but to also say "I do"!
Bob suggested taking some footage of their ceremony, which took place last year. So, with his handy camera in hand, he was able to capture the vows & ring exchange footage for their family and friends to see. (It was an elopement style ceremony, with just the witnesses and bridal couple.) Since Jeff & Shalice are lovers of the outdoors, Bob had also suggested taking us out to "the north forty", which overlooked a beautiful section of their property. We even had a view of a building that was built back in the early 1900s, if I recall correctly!

Here's a little footage of this intimate, romantic celebration. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1TmK9uJgDg

"Funny" How Things Work Out

Kirsten & Adam are a couple that I served this last April. They had an intimate elopment-style wedding ceremony at Arlington's River Rock Inn (www.riverrockinnbnb.com). I am a lover of stories and did the rings that Kirsten and Adam have tell a story!

Kirsten and Adam had decided that they wanted to have an old-fashioned, elopement -- the kind where you take off onto an adventure and get married in front of God, a minister and two witnesses. The innkeepers, Bob and Lisa, stood in as the witnesses and I, of course, as the minister.

I had the chance to work with Kirsten and Adam via email, as we planned the details for their celebration. I had asked whether or not Kirsten and Adam had decided about whether they would exchange wedding rings. Since they were planning on having a family celebration in the future, they were unsure. As wedding day approached, Kirsten informed me that they did get rings and that they would be exchanging them during the ceremony. (At the time, I didn't know that there was a story behind the rings. Was I in for a suprise!!) With vows and ring exchange wording selected, I was ready to meet this LMP and deputy district attorney in person.

On a beautiful spring day, I performed their ceremony in the picturesque, woodsy property that the River Rock Inn is nestled in. The peaceful setting, the melodic sounds of birds in the backround surely set the mood. After a brief ceremony, it was official -- and Adam kissed his bride!

When we moved from the back patio to the inside of the lodge, I prepared their paperwork. I can't remember who started telling me the story but it is one that I won't ever forget.

Adam and Kirsten explained to me that the night prior to them checking in for their honeymoon weekend at the River Rock Inn, they had gone to visit Adam's mom. Before leaving, she had presented them with wedding rings that had belonged to his grandmother and great-grandmother. Now, keep in mind, no one knew of their plans for the next day.....Even more amazing, both fit perfectly onto both Adam and Kirsten's fingers! Need proof? See the picture of these rings on their hand above.

Some may say it's a coincidence. Others may say that it was meant to be. What do you think??

Leonard & Tina (Arlington, WA)

I had the honor of serving as Leonard and Tina's wedding officiant. It is always special when a couple selects me to bring them into marriage. With Leonard and Tina, to be able to share in the moment that they became husband and wife was something I will never forget!

Leonard had initially contacted me as a result of finding my website online. I have to admit, the first few times I read through his email I wasn't sure what to make of it! His initial email complimented me on my site and stated that he and his fiancee would be thrilled to have me serve as their officiant. I thought, "Well, I like them already!" He had explained to me the history he shared with his fiancee, Tina. He explained that he had been reunited with his teenage sweetheart some 28 years later. He went into detail what had happened, and their love story. It sounded so tragic. I can remember reading through the email and wondering if it was true.

The hopeless romantic in me had to write back! I was crossing my fingers that it wasn't some phony email generaged from some man in India who would soon ask me to cash a cashier's check and send me the difference. (Unfortunately, I've had a few of those come across my in box.) I was excited when I read that it was an authentic email, sent from an authentic groom who happened to live in the neighboring town of Arlington. We discussed scheduling a consultation with the three of us to meet. I was so excited to hear their story in person. I came prepared to write!

We had agreed to meet at a restaurant in Smokey Point. When I arrived, Leonard and Tina greeted me with their warm smiles. I just love when a couple can share with me intimate details about themselves to help me get to know them better. They spoke about what it was like when they were teenagers, the things they did. I smile when I think about how eager I was to hear the details! Leonard even shared that he had even walked the length of the I-90 bridge to get to her home, just to see if she was there. Can you imagine?! Tina shared about how she felt when she was with him and how the same feelings were there almost 30 years later. As they shared with me, it was as though I was writing the rough draft of their ceremony in my head.

Thanks to technology (and their school friend, Jody) "Len" was reunited with "Tippy" (their names for each other). They tied the knot Saturday, September 12th, 2009 in Arlington in front of 120+ family and friends cheering them on. All of their children were present, many who were in their bridal party. And guess what? Jody was in the bridal party, too!

I will never forget their faces as they exchanged wedding rings and spoke the words, "....I have emptied my heart of all others; it is only filled with you. You are my best friend and my only love. I will cherish you for the rest of my life." I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.

Congratulations, Leonard and Tina! May you be blessed with many more years of love and happiness.