Destination Wedding – Page 2 – Seattle Wedding Officiants

How to Obtain a Washington State Marriage License When Out of State

February 15, 2014/0 Comments/in Destination Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Most Recent, Same-gender Marriage, Seattle Wedding, Wedding Planning /by MissElaine

Marriage Open

Washington State marriage licenses are only valid for 60 days. Therefore, you do not want to begin this process until you are within that 60-day period. For example, if your wedding date is August 30th, don’t mail your application until June 30th. That puts the arrival and processing of the application within the 60-day valid period. If you send it more than 60 days before your wedding date it will expire and you will have to re-apply.

Here are the steps:

Click on this link to be taken to the King County Marriage Licensing Dept: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/marriage.aspx
When you land on the page, click on Applying for a Marriage License
Next, click on Apply by Mail
Click on Download a Marriage License Application (PDF)
Download the application and print it off
Take the application to a licensed notary (banks usually have at least one notary). Please note: both of you must be present to get the application completed and your signatures notarized. Be sure to bring valid photo ID, i.e. passport, driver’s license.
Mail the completed license application in an overnight envelope with a cashier’s check in the amount of $64 made out to King County to:

King County Marriage Licensing
King County Administration Building
500 Fourth Ave., Suite 311
Seattle, WA 98104

Please call the courthouse (206-296-4021206-296-4021) approximately 5 days after you have mailed your application to ensure they have received it. Next, shoot me an e-mail and let me know it’s ready to be picked up and I’ll swing by and get it and bring it to your ceremony.

FAQ’s About Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

August 17, 2013/0 Comments/in Destination Wedding, Last Minute Wedding, Same-gender Marriage /by MissElaine

I am so proud of Washington State since we passed Referendum 74, allowing same-sex couples to marry in our state. I have had the honor and pleasure of officiating dozens of same-sex weddings since December 6, 2012 when this referendum passed. I realize that those of you coming from in and out-of-state may have some questions around this subject, and I put together a list below of common questions and answers that I hope will help.

Questions and Answers: Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

1. Where do couples apply for marriage licenses?

Couples can obtain a marriage license from any county, usually at the county auditor. They do not have to obtain their marriage license from the county where they reside or the county where they plan to have the marriage ceremony. Follow this link to obtain information about county offices that issue marriage licenses: http://access.wa.gov/topics/licensecertificate/marriagelicense.

2. What if I am coming from out-of-state? How do I apply for my marriage license?

You can apply for your marriage license by mail. You will need to go to the King County Marriage License website and download the PDF Marriage License application. You will then need to take the application to a licensed notary (banks usually staff a licensed notary) and have your signatures notarized after you complete the form. You will need proper photo I.D. to have your signatures notarized. Next, you will send the form with a cashier’s check or money order in the amount of $64 to:

King County Marriage Licensing
King County Administration Building
500 Fourth Ave., Suite 311
Seattle, WA 98104

If an application is mailed, the marriage license must be picked up at this location, it will not be mailed. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except holidays. (Please note, I am happy to pick up your marriage license for you at the courthouse with a 48-hour notice.)

3. How long do I have to wait before I can use the marriage license?

Washington law requires all couples to wait three days after applying for their marriage license before having their marriage ceremony. So if a couple receives their marriage license on December 6, they will have to wait until December 9 to get married.

4. Is there a fee to apply for the marriage license?

Yes. The fee varies by county. In King County, the fee is currently $64. Cash or checks are accepted.

5. Can same-sex couples marry in Washington if they live in another state?

Yes. There is no residency requirement to marry in Washington. However, out-of-state couples should be advised that their marriage may not be recognized in their home state if their state does not permit same-sex couples to marry.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions about marriage for same-sex couples in Washington State. I would love to be your officiant!

Crystal Moutain Summer Wedding

February 3, 2013/0 Comments/in Destination Wedding /by MissElaine

Last summer I was contacted by Nathan and Laura who immediately won my heart over with their love for each other. Both nature lovers, they chose Crystal Mountain Resort for their outdoor ceremony with the reception to follow in the lodge. I had no idea how magical this wedding was going to be. The combination of their love and the beauty of Mount Rainier in the background as they shared their vows was such a gift to be a part of. Daniel Sheehan of A Beautiful Day Photography captured some amazing moments throughout the day and my camera was clicking away as well. This first picture is of a beaming Nathan on his way to his bride at the top of the mountain via the resort’s gondola. And what Crystal Mountain wedding wouldn’t be complete without a cake depicting Mt. Rainier? Congratulations Nathan and Laura!

Winter Wedding at the Salish Lodge

December 30, 2012/0 Comments/in Destination Wedding, Wedding Planning /by MissElaine

Last night wrapped up my 2012 wedding season, and the wedding was nothing short of remarkable. I love small, intimate weddings that feel cozy and warm. Michael and Dana’s winter wedding included only immediate family and was held in the Cliffside Room overlooking the falls at the Salish Lodge and Spa.

This room is perfect for small gatherings and has tons of potential for decorating. Elizabeth Hikida of Elizabeth Designs provided the flowers, which were lovely.

My favorite detail? The cake! It was lovely with it’s bling and finishing touch of sprinkles that resembled fresh snow.

Michael and Dana are on their way to Marrakesh, Morocco for their honeymoon. Congratulations Michael and Dana….your journey has just begun!

Over the pass & thru the woods to Gini & Matt’s wedding!

May 21, 2012/2 Comments/in Destination Wedding /by MissElaine

Yesterday I drove to Cle Elum for Gini & Matt’s wedding at Suncadia resort. Located just over Snoqualmie pass, Suncadia resort is tucked into a forest with beautiful surroundings including a winery, golf course and private homes that can be rented for your event. Gini and Matt rented one of these beautiful lodge-like homes for their private wedding in the mountains that included about 30 of their family and friends.

Suncadia resort, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way

When I walked in, it was so warm and comfortable. A fire was going in the big rock fireplace and Gini and Matt had a video running on the big screen TV above the fireplace of themselves and different adventures they had been on together.

suncadia resort wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Destination Wedding, Elaine Way

Food was catered by Debra Lane at Chef to Go. Gini and Matt had requested an “upscale comfort food theme,” which Debra orchestrated brilliantly! Before the wedding, guests nibbled on a beautiful assortment of local cheeses and wine, and post wedding Debra put together a wide variety of items including tomato fennel soup with grilled gruyere cheese sandwiches, beef tenderloin crostini with caramelized onion jam and gorgonzola cheese, and Italian meatball sliders with provolone and parmesan cheese. Special requests, such as gluten free items, were also provided by Debra.

Food to go catering, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, wedding catering

The wedding was conducted upstairs from the balcony where the guests down below could look up and see us. Gini and Matt requested a short ceremony so they could focus more on their guests. Right after the ceremony they came down, signed papers and came out to start the party! Because of the intimate atmosphere of the lodge, guests could easily mingle around — picking up food or heading out to the deck overlooking the grounds.

Suncadia Resort Wedding, Seattle wedding officiants, Elaine Way

Suncadia lodge, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Suncadia resort wedding

I was truly inspired by the decorations, the food, Gini’s dress, Matt’s calm and the general happiness of everyone who traveled to this unique “real wedding” in the woods! Congratulations Gini and Matt!

DIY wedding, Seattle Wedding Officiants, Elaine Way, Suncadia Resort Wedding

Choose Seattle For Your Destination Wedding

December 9, 2011/0 Comments/in Destination Wedding, Seattle Wedding /by MissElaine

I am so inspired by my beloved city of Seattle! I was born here, have lived here almost my entire life and can’t think of another place I would rather be. Let’s face it, we would all like to be laying on a beach in sunny Hawaii during the cold winter months. But Seattle’s climate is so manageable, and there is so much to do here: Why not make Seattle your destination wedding location?

My background includes planning and executing trips for travelers who want to experience Seattle. As a result, my expertise in all things Seattle has been a terrific asset when working with couples who are coming here from out of town. First and foremost, let me craft a beautiful ceremony for your special day. Working together, we can create something you will always remember and cherish. Then let me help you plan the weekend (or longer if you want to travel to other areas of the state). I can set you up at a downtown hotel, find a venue for your destination wedding and recommend a fabulous restaurant where you can enjoy a meal created by one of our fantastic local chefs. I can even set up a show for you at one of our downtown theaters.

Having the good fortune of experiencing Seattle first-hand my entire life has provided me with the tools and inspiration to create a destination wedding you will never forget.

Call me for a free consultation today! 206-406-7919

Now Offering Free Skype Consultations!

May 20, 2011/0 Comments/in Destination Wedding /by MissElaine

I am happy to announce that you can now have a free consultation with me using video to video Skype! What this means for you is that if your sweetie is in the military and is deployed and you want him/her to be involved in the initial consultation, I can talk to both of you — assuming you have Skype 5.0 and a webcam. Or if one of you is in Seattle but the other is out of town and has access to Skype, we can all talk at the same time. Or if you both live out of state but want to have your nuptials in the beautiful state of Washington, we can chat live via Skype about your special day.

Just call me 206-406-7919 or e-mail me a good time to chat. I’ll confirm my availability and Voila! We’ll be able to meet “face to face”. My Skype link is available at the bottom of every page of my website.

I look forward to chatting soon!

Destination Wedding finale!

January 4, 2011/1 Comment/in Destination Wedding /by MissElaine

I am happy to announce the marriage of William and Diana who were married on January 2, 2011! This couple were my first destination wedding bride and groom and I truly enjoyed all the planning that went into their trip and their wedding. But the real treat was finally getting to meet them at their hotel on their wedding day. They had one of the new rooms at the Seattle Warwick Hotel where they enjoyed an unobstructed view of the Space Needle’s fireworks on New Year’s Eve. On their wedding day, Diana looked beautiful in her wedding dress with the pink bridal bouquet I provided. And William looked very handsome in his tux with a pink boutanieer to match Diana’s bouquet. That evening they enjoyed a romantic dinner at the Space Needle. They are now on their way back to California where they reside.

Congratulations again William and Diana! And Happy New Year!

Signing the marriage license!

A hello from a bride who is far, far away

December 16, 2010/1 Comment/in Destination Wedding /by MissElaine

Yesterday, while doing some year end work with my marketing campaign I inadvertently sent off an e-mail to a bride I married last year. She sent me a reply questioning the content and I quickly cleared it up. She told me two really exciting things in her e-mail: 1) she and her sweetie are coming up on their one-year anniversary, and 2) she is deployed in Afghanistan. So she was e-mailing me all the way from Afghanistan! I was so honored that she would take the time to contact me while in such an intense environment. I asked her for an update and this is what she told me:

William is currently in Tacoma Washington working on Fort Lewis. He just finished his MBA. He is busy these days working and sending me care packages! ; ) I am stationed in Bagram Afghanistan working as the United States Forces- Afghanistan Force Health Protection Officer. I work with the regional Environmental Science Officers to ensure the health of the war fighters. We work with all types of environmental media to include water, air and food. There are lots of other areas that we encompass but that is the “in a nut shell” definition. Take care and have a Merry Christmas! Naomi

I was so honored to hear from Naomi about what she and William are doing. So first of all, I’d like to shout out a big HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO NAOMI AND WILLIAM, and secondly THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR COUNTRY!!!

By the way, anyone who would like to should out to Naomi and William and thank them for their commitment to our country can do so below.

Destination Wedding Planning 4

December 16, 2010/0 Comments/in Destination Wedding /by MissElaine

I sent along the official itinerary to Diana and William for their review the other day. I was so thrilled to be able to put together their itinerary. I met some new people (including them) along the way and am deeply intrigued by the whole destination wedding idea. Very doable on all budgets and especially in our beautiful city of Seattle! I am a Seattle native and I LOVE SEATTLE!! It is a joy and privalege to introduce new people to my city. Plus, what a great place to get married, eh?

By the way, we have added a matching boutineer to Diana’s clutch bouquet for the day. She chose the color pink, which will be lovely and William will have a matching boutineer in pink! And we have arranged details for Lou to get a tux for the big day! It’s all coming together…they arrive just next week. How exciting!!! Oh, thanks Alisha for all your fantastic help!