Fairmont Hotel Seattle Wedding

Paul and Susan contacted me just after the first of the year to brainstorm ideas for their small wedding.  After some thought they decided on a small Fairmont Hotel Seattle wedding.  I love the Fairmont!  I actually worked there when it was the Four Seasons Olympic as a hotel Concierge.  This hotel is luxurious with an over-the-top attention to detail.

Paul and Susan’s group was small, consisting of Paul’s daughters and their husbands, me and our photographer, Jeanne of Jeanne Phinney PhotographyMetropolitan Market provided Susan’s lovely winter white bouquet with a matching boutonniere for Paul.  They reserved a beautiful corner suite for the ceremony and a small celebration afterwards.  Later they all went to the Georgian Room for dinner.  Talk about an elegant way to celebrate an intimate wedding.  Jeanne captured some lovely moments between Paul and Susan before, during and after the wedding. Congratulations Susan and Paul!

Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Small Fairmont Hotel Seattle Wedding, Jeanne Phinney Photography, Seattle Officiant, Seattle Officiant Wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants non-religious

Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Small Fairmont Hotel Seattle Wedding, Jeanne Phinney Photography, Seattle Officiant, Seattle Officiant Wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants non-religious

Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Small Fairmont Hotel Seattle Wedding, Jeanne Phinney Photography, Seattle Officiant, Seattle Officiant Wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants non-religious

Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Small Fairmont Hotel Seattle Wedding, Jeanne Phinney Photography, Seattle Officiant, Seattle Officiant Wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants non-religious

Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Small Fairmont Hotel Seattle Wedding, Jeanne Phinney Photography, Seattle Officiant, Seattle Officiant Wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants non-religious

Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Small Fairmont Hotel Seattle Wedding, Jeanne Phinney Photography, Seattle Officiant, Seattle Officiant Wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants non-religious

Pike Place Market Wedding

Leslie and Shelby contacted me from Plano, Texas in December of last year.  They told me that they had never been to Seattle before and that they wanted to get married here.  What a treat for me because I am a native of Seattle and I love helping people find their way around our city.  In addition to being somewhat of a tour guide I have the added pleasure of officiating weddings for these Seattle newbies.

I was excited to begin the process of working with Leslie and Shelby which meant finding a fun, private venue for just the two of them to exchange vows.  They also wanted to utilize one of my small wedding packages which included a photographer for one hour, a beautiful bouquet for the bride and a matching boutonniere for the groom.

We decided on the Goodwin Library at the Pike Place Market for their intimate ceremony.  I met them at the market with flowers from Metropolitan Market and Huoy Chen of Huoy Chen Photography took care of the photos.

Please enjoy the pictures below of this beautiful destination wedding.

Elaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library

Elaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library, Wedding Package SeattleElaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library, Wedding Package Seattle

Elaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library, Wedding Package Seattle

Elaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library, Wedding Package Seattle

Elaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library, Wedding Package Seattle

Elaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library, Wedding Package Seattle

Elaine Way, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Seattle Wedding, Small Seattle Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Destination Wedding Seattle, Pike Place Market, Goodwin Library, Wedding Package Seattle

Fear and Loathing of Public Speaking (as a Wedding Officiant)

This is a story about how I learned to get over my fear of public speaking in conjunction with becoming a wedding officiant.

About four years ago I became friends with a woman who suggested I become a wedding officiant.  She had been an officiant for 22 years and thought I had a knack for it.  At the time I was running three other businesses and I just couldn’t see myself wearing another hat.  But I am a huge risk taker so I agreed to listen to her.  When she finally convinced me, we began putting together Seattle Wedding Officiants.

To break into the field I offered free officiating services for the first five couples.  I needed to get my feet wet and free is always good, right?  I really didn’t think too much about my fear of public speaking.  I had been working out of my home for the past five years and no longer had to attend big meetings where I wanted to crawl under the table if anyone asked me a question.  I was truly one of those white-knuckle express speakers.  The less I had to speak, the better.

So I got my first wedding.  The bride and groom were an amazing couple and they were very enthusiastic about their ceremony.  They not only wanted a traditional ceremony with a greeting, vows, ring exchange, etc., but they also wanted a Hawaiian lei exchange, a unity candle ceremony and a Celtic hand fasting ceremony.  I was already reeling with anxiety about officiating my first ceremony but the prospect of adding these “mini” ceremonies sent me over the top.  I contacted my mentor and expressed my concerns.  She told me, “Elaine, it figures you would get something like this for your first ceremony.  You will probably never get another one like it!”  (Note:  She was right about that.  I have never been requested to do another ceremony like this one!)

I really wasn’t sure how to proceed so I did the only thing I could do:  I began practicing and practicing and practicing.  I read for my brother.  I read for my father.  They thought I was great.  I thought I was a nervous wreck.  Finally, as a last resort I called upon my two most trusted and devoted companions: my two chocolate labs, Oscar and Oliver.  Yes, that’s right…every morning I called them out to the living room by saying: “Let’s go get married.”  They would wag their tales and come out with me and sit down and wait for their treats, which was their cue to settle down.  The interesting thing with them was that the more enthusiastic I got, the more enthusiastic they got.  I spoke, they wagged; I spoke and they got a treat; I spoke and they barked with happiness!  I married them about 45 times to practice for that first wedding.

Two Chocolate Labs

Oscar and Oliver

I went on to do my first wedding brilliantly and have officiated hundreds of weddings since then.  These days when I get an inquiry from a couple and their numbers are up around 200 guests, I say: “Bring it on!”  I now LOVE to speak in front of any size group as a result of taking the plunge four years ago and perfecting my public speaking along the way.

I have to admit, however, that my dogs were a great help to me.  Their adorable faces looking back at me as I read through that first ceremony is something I will never forget.

Get Married – Give Back!

For many years now I have been searching for a good volunteering gig that satisfied my desire to give back to the community but was also a good fit for me.  I finally found it!  Yesterday, Christmas Eve, I had the pleasure of volunteering my time in the FareStart kitchen.

“FareStart is a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals. Over the past 19 years, FareStart has provided opportunities for nearly 5,000 people to transform their lives, while also serving over 4.5 million meals to disadvantaged men, women, and children.”

In addition to their contract kitchen, FareStart has a restaurant located on the ground level of their downtown location at the corner of 7th and Virginia.  The restaurant is available for events — parties and weddings — and I will be promoting this program along with their director of catering at the Wedding Show on January 7th and 8th at the Convention Center.  All proceeds from banquets held at the restaurant go right back into the program.  If you are heading to the wedding show, please stop by to say hello and learn about a fantastic program that I am proud to be a part of.

Farestart restaurant 7th & Virginia

Please take a moment to watch this short video to learn more about FareStart.   Congratulations are also in order for FareStart for winning the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year award for 2011!

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Now that 2011 is almost over, I want to take the opportunity to say, “I had the time of my life”.  I met and married over 100 couples.  I got to meet the loving families behind the lovely couples.  I learned more about how to provide the best experience possible for the bride and groom.   But most of all I was honored and grateful for all the people who took the time to meet with me — couples and vendors — and the many relationships that came out of those meetings in 2011.   I really mean it when I say “your happiness is truly my success.”  I have had the good fortune to find my career niche and it just continues to get better and better every year.  I want to thank all those whose lives have touched mine to make my life so meaningful.  I look forward to helping craft and create more beautiful ceremonies in 2012.

Please enjoy this video montage that I created as 2011 comes to an end and we get ready for 2012.  Happy New Year!

Love, Love, Love 2011

Press Release-King 5 Evening Magazine

Seattle Wedding Officiants Soars to #3 in Seattle’s Evening Magazine “Best of Western Washington” Contest

Newcomer Leapfrogs as a Top Pick from 96 Wedding Officiants in Prestigious Northwest

Viewers Poll

SEATTLE— November 1, 2011 —Seattle Wedding Officiants, one of Western Washington’s leading wedding officiants, today announced that it ranked number three officiant in the 2011 in Seattle’s Evening Magazine’s “Best of Western Washington.” Seattle Wedding Officiants, a newcomer to officiating wedding ceremonies, secured the finalist position by successfully competing against more than 90 entrants.

Evening Magazine commenced the 19th annual Best of Western Washington viewer’s poll in August and on Friday, October 28, 2011, the program broadcast the winners. Evening Magazine voters for Seattle Wedding Officiants submitted comments which ranged from “Awesome” and “Wonderful” to “Elaine rocks.” Reviews can be viewed at: http://best.king5.com/seattle-wedding-officiants/biz/606771.

“My passion is helping couples celebrate their love with a ceremony that they and their guests will remember, and turning an ordinary wedding ceremony into the extraordinary,” said Elaine Way, wedding officiant and owner of Seattle Wedding Officiants. “I could not be more proud of this honor and I want to thank every Western Washington voter that made this possible.”

Seattle Wedding Officiants has married a variety of couples in many different settings: multi-faith, traditional Christian, civil, commitment and non-denominational ceremonies and more. Whether it’s in a spacious hotel in downtown Seattle, a Capitol Hill mansion, a backyard or somewhere completely different, Seattle Wedding Officiants helps create the perfect ceremony for any wedding.  For more information, visit www.seattleweddingofficiants.com or call 206-406-7919.

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 About Evening Magazine
The KING5 Best of Western Washington features more than 20,778 businesses competing for title of Western Washington’s best. Conducted by Evening Magazine, the 2011 Best of Washington is the 19th year of the popular viewers poll.  Learn more at http://best.king5.com/seattle-wedding-officiants/biz/606771?page=7.


About Seattle Wedding Officiants
Since 2009, Seattle Wedding Officiants has performed nondenominational, civil ceremonies throughout Western Washington. Elaine Way, owner of Seattle Wedding Officiants, works with couples to create ceremonies that reflect their style and personality.  In addition, Seattle Wedding Officiants relies on an extensive list of contacts with local wedding vendors and service providers to help couples with vendor referrals, if needed.  For more information, visit www.seattleweddingofficiants.com or call 206-406-7919.

Vote for me!

We're Competing badge

I have been nominated for the Best Wedding Officiant in the Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington 2011 contest!  I am so honored to be a part of this contest.  I would love your vote and would like to offer anyone who votes a special little deal.  For anyone who votes in the next two weeks, I will take $25 off of your total fee if you hire me to officiate your wedding!  This deal expires 12/31/11 so vote now and print out the page that shows your vote and present it at our consultation.  Thank you in advance for your vote.  Here are the steps:

  1. Click on this link: http://ctvr.us/seattle59?r=em
  1. Click on VOTE FOR US!
  1. SIGN IN (you need to set up a password so you can come back and vote for other stuff)
  1. Then VOTE!  Voila!  You have now voted SEATTLE WEDDING OFFICIANTS the Best Wedding Officiant in Western Washington! 
  1. Lastly, unsubscribe by clicking on this link: http://cityvoter.com/unsubscribe (this will help avoid getting spam after you register)

 Thank you for your vote!

 

Looking back on 2010

As I look back on 2010 I am so grateful for all the couples I got to meet! I saw so much love and happiness and I couldn’t be more grateful for the career I have chosen. From the Olympic Penninsula in Washington State to Afghanistan, I have had conversations with you about everything from your vision for your wedding to getting an update about you and your sweetie’s one-year anniversary. You inspire me to be the best I can be for one of the most special days in your life. I love getting out there and finding out how I can make your wedding ceremony experience truly memorable and I never tire of hearing your requests. I want to thank all of you for including me in your very special day — your happiness has truly become my success!

Happy New Year to all of my couples — old and new!