One of the best things I've heard in a long time....

This weekend my journeys headed me in the NE direction of our state, to Glacier. (For those who haven't been up there, it's accessible off of the Mt Baker Hwy via Bellingham.) Kyle & Jenni had selected me as their wedding officiant several months ago and on Saturday, they became husband and wife.
They selected a cabin nestled in the woods in the Snowline community. A lover of the outdoors, this setting suited my couple to a T. Kyle, donning a Mossy Oak vest and tie under his tuxedo, and Jenni, who carried a more natural basket to include pine cones instead of a traditional flower bouquet, were surrounded by close family and friends.
After the ceremony, I invited family and friends to come forward to offer their best wishes and love to our newlyweds. I had overheard a man mention something about "if he was crazy to do it all over again...." as he hugged the groom. Later, the bride's mother confirmed the partial conversation I had heard. The man was her brother, the bride's uncle. He had come up to his sister and had told her, too, that "if he was crazy to do it all over again" he'd call me to marry him off. What a compliment, especially after I learned that this man was not the marrying kind!
I think that compliment will stay close to me for many years to come.

Best of W. WA Wedding Officiants

It's amazing to be able to serve the people I bring into marriage. It's wonderful to hear the feedback their guests, families and friends provide me after I've delivered the wedding celebration. It's humbling to be able to be nominated for last year's 2009 KING 5's Best of Western WA wedding officiant category and to finish in 3rd place!

I was up against 22 different wedding officiants. (It's amazing to realize how many people perform ceremonies!) I had some pretty tough competition, too. I was able to read all of the wonderful comments and feedback that were casted on that website. (For a quick reference, please visit this link: http://www.best.king5.com/an-upbeat-wedding-officiant/biz/490097#more ) A great big thank you to all who took the time to cast your vote and to those who left kind words and messages, too. A congratulations to my colleagues who placed in the 1st and 2nd positions! See you next year. :)

"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??

"Best of Western WA" wedding officiant contest

Every year, KING 5's Evening Magazine has what they've dubbed "Best of Western Washington" contest, open to different industries and businesses throughout Western Washington. This year, I had the honor of not only being nominated but also running against 20 wedding officiants in the same category.

The polls closed after about a month and the winners were announced on October 26th. Guess what?? Tiffani, The Upbeat Wedding Officiant placed 3rd! This was very exciting for me. I was up against some very long term wedding officiants, pastors and celebrants. There was about a week and a half where I did get to enjoy first place. As the contest progressed colleagues of mine who have been in the wedding business fought for first and second places.

Here's the link to my page:

http://best.king5.com/winners/best-of-western-washington/4749/weddings/officiant?place=3

Congratulations to all of you! A special, BIG THANKS to all of my clients, their family and friends who supported me during this run with your kind words, positive feedback and votes!

Hope Haven Photography

pictured: Denise Lee, owner of Hope Haven Photography, and her husband, Steven

In the wedding industry, I have met many people. Every once in awhile, I get to meet another wedding professional whose philosophy and personalities mesh very well with my own. Denise Lee, owner of Hope Haven Photography, happens to be one of those people.

I first worked with Denise a few years ago, on a wedding for a couple we both served. Tony & Ashley Hoggard held their ceremony and reception at the Edmonds Senior Center in Edmonds, WA. When I had checked in onsite, I met Denise and her daughter, Alex, who serves as her assistant. Denise and Alex took pre-ceremony (sometimes referred to as the "getting ready" photos) of the bride & groom getting ready and some of the behind-the-scene helpers. I still try not to smile too much when there's photos of me being taken talking to my couples. :)

I loved how Denise arrived early & prepared, with suggestions and ideas. I really liked how Denise did some things that were above and beyond that of a photographer. Denise even has a bridal emergency kit, complete with things from water to bandaids to everything in between!

Since then, Denise and I have had the chance to work with each other at least once if not twice a year. I have had the joy of getting to know her on a more personal level as well as her family. There are some wedding professionals that I get to work with that I like to refer to as "the dream team". Denise, Steven and Alex are amongst that group of people!

In addition to wedding photography, Denise also does family portraits and other life events. I am also deeply touched by the volunteering she does giving of her time and talents to causes such as animal adoption events, working with high school seniors, mentoring up-and-coming photographers and even free Halloween portraits to kids both big and small on Halloween.

To see her work, please visit her website at www.hope-haven.net or follow her blog at http://hopehavenphotography.blogspot.com/.

The End of Another Busy Wedding Season

My "peak" wedding season runs from February through September. I have been blessed with wonderful bridal couples once again. Thanks to the following bridal couples that I served during this time:
John & Deb
Beth & Charlie
Melissa & Eddy
Vu & Jessica
Araceli & Edgar
Brian & Linda
Jennifer & Michael
Jim & Carlette
Mike & Maria
Stephany & Derrick
Justin & Tana
Nikki & Frank
Edd & Wendy
Brandi & Jeff
Jenny & Anthony
Jim & Juvy
Holley & Chris
Jim & Debbie
Jasmine & Nathan
Dennis & Eva
Abdoulaye & Reine
Yolanda & Jamaal
Tina & Andy
Ron & Stephanie
Jamie & Juan
Joy & Jason
Nora & Richard
Jason & Jeannette
Alex & Aimee
Thao & Armand
Vicky & James
Chad & Blanca
Tracy & Rafael
Brandy & Adam
Jennifer & Ivan
Paula & Steven
Becky & Chad
Laura & Roland
Linda & Eric
Darren & Tina
Diane & Paul
Mitchell & Melissa
Marlon & Leah
Vince & Anita
Elaine & Marcel
Jessica & TJ
Holly & Frank
Trina & James
Laurren & Andy
John & Nicole
Angelica & Josh
Chris & Laura
Dean & Ming
Miranda & Spencer
Natasha & Lance
Scott & Carol
Christopher & Mariette
Launa & Vic
Brenna & Jesse
Scott & Tina
April & Damien
Holly & Keven
Billierose & Preston
Cheryl & Sal
Tammy & Curtis
Tasha & Steven
Tyffani & Damon
Dave & Jaime
Karen & Jose
Cindy & Ryan
Dani & Kelly
Tina & Leo
Amy & Jason
Jennifer & Phillip
Barbara & Wayne
Donna & TJ
Alex & Joel

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.