Earlier this month I moved from my beloved Craftsman bungalow in Ballard, Washington to a one-bedroom apartment about 2 miles from my bungalow.  Fortunately, I didn’t have to adjust to a new area because I frequented the area my apartment is located in regularly.  In fact, if you have to live in an apartment, and it was time for me to downsize, this is a great location!  I am now living right across the street from the Hiram M. Chittendan Locks (http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm).  My two chocolate labs, Oscar and Oliver, walk here every day, and on nice days we like to (I say “we” because they seem to enjoy this activity) sit and watch the boats go through the locks.  So the good thing about this move is that I am getting more walks in because of the dogs now being in an apartment.  In my former home we had a doggie door that allowed them to get outside and sun themselves on the back deck if they chose.  Now I take them out and we walk everywhere.  It’s good for them and good for me. The negative part of leaving my home, not to mention all the sentimental stuff, is that I can no longer hold weddings in front of my fireplace in the Winter and outside on my deck in the Summer.  Sorry to say, that is not possible in my little apartment.  So that’s not great.  What is great, however, (and if you have read this far — I’ve saved the best for last) is that the Locks will allow weddings in their beautiful world-renowned botanical gardens for FREE!  Yes, you must reserve the space — one of four actually depending on the size of your group — but all you have to do is fill out a form and if the space is available, VOILA!  You have a beautiful setting right in one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city!

So I get a phone call today and when I pick up I can’t hear anything on the line except buzzing — like a bad connection.  When the connection didn’t improve I eventually hung up the phone.  Then they called again  and curiosity getting the best of me, I answered the phone in my usual professional manner, “Hello, this is Elaine”.  The buzzing continued on the other end but suddenly it was paired with a man’s voice.   “Hi, this is Steve” (name replaced to protect the caller’s privacy).  “Hi Steve.” “Uh, you did a wedding for a friend of mine about a month ago and he said I have to call you because me and my fiance are getting married in April.  I’m in South America visiting her — she’s deployed here”.  “What, you are calling from South America?”  “Yes, that’s right.  She’s got a Majic Jack that makes it easy.”    And the discussion progressed from there.

What really wow’d me about that phone call today is that Seattle Wedding Officiants became international!   And it was with someone in the military which I love.  I have done many military weddings and I’m getting to know the kind of young man that goes into the military.  He is bright-eyed, polite, clean-cut, stands up straight — these guys are really amazing!  And it’s consistent whichever part of the military they are in.   For example, I had about 5 who were assigned to submarines.  Facinating, huh?  You bet.  I was in awe of these young men.

I can’t say enough about how excited I am about my business.  The call from South America, getting to know the local military — it’s a great time for Seattle Wedding Officiants and thank you to all of you who have helped!

My new Hawaiian package offers an optional ukulele player and his name is Elias Ka’uhane.

A true “island son”, Elias was born on the island of O’ahu and raised in the windward town of Kane’ohe. His musical influences, like most Hawaiian youth, began at home.  His father played ukulele and sang & Elias’ grandparents were well known in the Waikiki music scene and performed with many of the greats of that golden period, such as Aunty Genoa Keawe, Marlene Sai and Sonny Chillingsworth. (more…)

Did you know that in the state of Washington you can apply for your marriage license via the U.S. postal service? Here is what you do:

Go to: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/marriage.aspx and click on Applying For A Marriage License. Then under How to Apply click on By Mail. On this page you are instructed to download affadavits for you and your fiance, fill out, get notarized and send back to the King County Courthouse with a $64 cashier’s check. In about 4-5 days call the courthouse to make sure they have received your paperwork. The great thing about this method is that the day they receive your paperwork at the courthouse, your 3-day waiting period begins. This is a great alternative for those that are planning on flying in from out of town. (more…)