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Stilly Brook Farm in Arlington, WA

Stilly Brook Farm is one of my all time favorite wedding venues! 

It has sentimental value to me, as it was where I got married. Back then, it was known as Countryside Meadows and under previous ownership. In 2016, I had the chance to work at this venue as both a wedding officiant and as a wedding coordinator for a few different couples. It was then that I had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside Terri Lundquist, one of the new owners. She and her husband David, have done some great updates and maintained the beauty and ambiance of the property that drew me to it so many years ago. 

If you are searching for a picturesque, country chic venue, with a high level of personable and upbeat service, I encourage you to check out Stilly Brook Farm! Here you can choose to have a wedding year round with the different options they offer. From the outside venue options to the beautiful, century old wedding chapel, to the many photo opportunities to the friendly smile and service Terri provides makes this venue a high contender in my books. 

Codi V Photography

Codi V Photography is owned by Codi Villalobos. She is a photographer who provides "on location, custom photography, serving the greater Puget Sound area of Washington State". Codi and I had the chance to work together during a wedding that took place last summer on Camano Island at the Camano Island Inn. You can imagine my excitement to be able to run into a friend of mine, fellow football player, and cheer coach miles away from our homes in Marysville! Being able to have the chance to work with a friend is always such a treat.

After a few hugs (and probably some high fives in there too) I got right to work as I checked in with bride Christine. She and her husband-to-be, Rhett, chose the intimate setting of the Camano Island Inn for their wedding celebration. The background of their venue included a traditional wedding circle and overlooked the beautiful bay. 

Below is a sample of her work and some photos from the day.

Congratulations Rhett & Christine!

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? 

A Daddy & His Daughter

I served Mary Anne & her husband, Steve, in a special wedding celebration this summer. This was a special family-only wedding, in the backyard of the bride's father's home in Everett. Her father was not able to travel to her big wedding in California the month prior, due to his health. It was important to this bride that her dad be a part of her special day & to have the chance to walk her down the isle so she brought the second half of her wedding to him! What an honor to be able to serve this couple ♡♡

Mary Anne's older sister, Grace, had initially contacted me. Grace lives in Marysville and their father and stepmother reside in Everett, off of a lake I didn't know existed. (You would think that living in Everett for 18 years I would have heard of this manmade lake!) Older sister Grace explained to me that her sister and her husband lived in Southern California, along with their mother and stepfather. Their family in Washington traveled to California to join in the festivities but their father, who was battling health issues, was not among them. She explained that Mary Anne had been planning her wedding since they were girls and one of the important highlights was to have their father walk her down the isle. In the "California wedding", as it was referred to, their stepfather had the honor of escorting Mary Anne. Although she appreciated and cherished that memory, it still was not a substitute for the man who gave her life. The idea of the "Washington wedding" would come to life.

I could identify the importance of such a detail and appreciated the efforts both Grace and Mary Anne were putting forth to make this dream a reality. I had lost my father 11 days before my wedding day and the dream of being able to come down the isle holding onto my father's arm would never be. As much as I appreciated everyone who attended, my family and friends who supported me, that one dream would never be my reality. Thinking about helping another bride make her dream a reality became very important to me. I told Grace that I would be grateful if her family would consider me to serve them. A day or so passed and I received a call from Mary Anne. I would serve as their minister.

We planned this intimate celebration across the miles, with Mary Anne in Southern California and me in Northwest Washington. I incorporated several ideas that I gleaned from their California wedding including a new rendition of their wedding vows. I spent time learning about them through phone calls, emails and a wedding website, full of history about their relationship. I always provide a custom written ceremony for each of my couples. For this wedding, it would be no exception. When I sent over the rough draft for my bride and groom to review and was told it brought them to tears. Mission accomplished.

On wedding day, I arrived at the Beverly Lake neighborhood with a lump in my throat. I was so happy to be able to serve this couple in such an amazing way. God gave me the chance to minister to this couple and their family. Although it wouldn't be a part of my history to have my father physically at my wedding, it would be a part of this woman's. I have to admit, when her father escorted her down the isle, I did not have dry eyes. I was blessed to witness this moment.

After their ceremony, photos were taken. I offered to get behind the camera and take family photos of the bride and groom with her siblings, their children, and their spouses. There was also a request for a photo with just the bride with her sisters and their dad. A few weeks later, I would have the chance to see these photos.

Even now, I can't help but smile just thinking about it.

Kilts, Handfasting, and Wool Socks, Oh My!

 

Weddings at the new Rosehill Community Center in Mukilteo, WA are always fun! Their staff has always been extremely helpful and accommodating. Photos of this wedding are from a wedding for Kari & Dan earlier this spring. I was thinking of their wedding as I will be revisiting Rosehill next Sunday, for another wedding couple I will be serving.

I always enjoy a couple who chooses to incorporate their heritage so their Celtic theme was a welcomed sight. My husband is also Celtic, both Scottish and Irish, and my mother's side of the family has Scottish connections as well. We often will frequent the Highland Games in Skagit county to get our taste of our history. For Dan & Kari's wedding, I had a front row to the rich culture that the Celtic heritage has to offer! Dan & Kari chose to incorporate the Celtic handfasting ceremony. I have had the honor of performing this age-old wedding ritual for several couples. What I love about the handfasting ceremony is the variations that can be included. From the ribbons to the personalization of the blessings.....the ideas are endless! Kari and Dan's photographers were able to capture highlights of the handfasting ceremony (see above).

 

I would be able to see these newlyweds later this year, when it was Kari's turn to hold a different  wedding role, this time for one of her maids of honor's weddings this summer. It just goes to show you that you never know when you may be seeing a past client (or when you might be observed as a potential wedding officiant for a future client)! Congratulations Dan & Kari Lott !!

When The Show Must Go On.......

I performed a wedding for this couple on August 1, 2015 at the beautiful Chrysalis Hotel in downtown Bellingham, Washington. I will never forget this date or this particular wedding but for personal reasons.

I had arrived at this wedding venue over an hour before I was expected. Being early has its perks -- getting situated, having plenty of time, and some personal down time to just relax and meditate before a ceremony are just a handful of reasons that come to my mind. I had chosen to incorporate a week long family vacation to neighboring Lynden, at the KOA, along with two weddings I would be presiding over in Bellingham and Maple Falls. Our family had inherited a friend's RV and my husband was itching to try it out. So, this would be the trip that we would venture out and enjoy it. That week was very hot and I was happy to be sitting in the air conditioned lobby of the Chrysalis Hotel.

Before I check into any wedding venue, it is common practice for me to turn my cell phone ringer off. (I would much rather have someone else's cell phone ring during a ceremony than mine!!) I had another half an hour before checking in with my couple. I had looked down at my phone, which was ringing. My husband's name and phone number flashed upon the screen. I would not have guessed what he was calling about. I learned that my 13 year old son, Jonathan, had hurt himself on his bike at the KOA shortly after I had left. Both my son and my husband were at the nearest hospital. I had a sick feeling in my stomach. My husband confirmed what I had feared -- a broken arm.

Many things ran through my mind. I was grateful for my husband's fast acting response, for seeking the medical attention he needed, and securing the rest of our family with my adult niece and our oldest child. My motherly instincts kicked in and a let off a barrage of questions. Your child, regardless of age, is always your baby. As much as I wanted to be with my baby, duty called. I had a job to do. Gaining my composure, I finished my phone call and hung up. I said a prayer for everyone involved and spent the rest of my time meditating. By the time 430pm rolled around, I was calm, cool (thanks to the air conditioning) and collected. I didn't miss a beat and another happy couple was added to my repertoire of clients.

Being flexible as a wedding professional is a must!