Have you been dreaming of a beautiful summer wedding, but don't think you have the money to pull it off?

First of all, let me just say; the wedding is just a day, granted one you may have been waiting for since you were a little, but it's the marriage that lasts more than a single day.

So, on the top of your list needs to be your partner. Is this person the one person who gets you, and you get? Is this the person, THE person? Okay, then, if they are as on board with this as you are, then that's half the battle!

Now, putting together a beautiful summer wedding can be done on a slim to none budget, and here's some tips on how...

- LICENSE. Can't skirt the cost on that - $65 - Kitsap County courthouse.

- OFFICIANT. Of course it would be great if you hire me! But, you should choose someone with whom you and your partner feel comfortable. They should be willing to work with you on your vows or the kind of ceremony you'd like to have, and hopefully they will offer you good sound answers to your questions. As well, an officiant shouldn't break your budget, so shop around as well.

- VENUE. There are many scenic outdoor spots that are perfect for a small ceremony, and are free!

- RINGS. Not every ceremony I perform includes a ring exchange. But, if you are set on having a ring, may I suggest checking pawn shops rather than mall shops. A) mall shops offer cookie-cutter choices, and you are special! B) Pawn shop owners who are also jewelers are really good places to get decent prices on quality gold, silver & diamonds. PLUS they offer more unique inventories.

- OUTFIT. There are at least 4 second-hand shops in Port Orchard with a great selection of clothing. Keep an open mind and you will be pleasantly surprised at how the perfect outfit will find you!

- RECEPTION. Nothing better than a house-party surrounded by friends and family, to celebrate your nuptials. When everyone brings something, there's a variety, and plenty for all. Mingling is more natural at home, versus a hall or restaurant where you everyone is seated at tables.

Okay, summer couples, June is nearly behind us, and the warmest days are ahead, plenty of time to plan and have your beautiful wedding.

I hope this information has proven helpful in your planning.

April has always been a fond month for me when it comes to weddings.

My mom married my step-dad in April, and they had 25 fun, loving and happy years together.

I have just returned from my niece's wedding, this past weekend in Florida, and I can tell you, that there was so much love in the air, between the happy couple, and surrounding them from all of the family and friends, on both sides who were in attendance.

There's something about Spring, and the renewal that is seen in the trees, the colorful flowers, the sound of birds happily singing again. It's all enough to keep you smiling. Now, add in a little wedding excitement, and you're in for a fabulous Spring!

Spring will officially find its way here on March 20th! If you're getting married, the wait for the sun and warmer days has been a long one.

While March can be a fun month, especially if you're Irish, it still might be a little early to have an outdoor affair.

There are several venues here in Port Orchard with lovely, large windows that offer broad views of the waterfront and, for ship lovers, the Navy yard, across the way in Bremerton.

First to mind is Amy's on the Bay; then Golden Grill on the Bay, and also, Cheers. The upside is you can treat your guests to a good meal after the ceremony.

VALENTINE'S DAY..CUPID...LOVE IN THE AIR

It's February and while there's still be a chill in the air, there is also the growing warmth of Love.
Cupid is thawing our chills with thoughts of candy hearts and bouquets of roses and of course, lovely chocolates in heart-shaped boxes.

Valentine's day, and the hints of new romances, or the culmination of a love that has grown into more than just wanting to be together, but knowing you want to grow a life and build a future together.

February can bring out the very best and most precious of feelings of love for that special someone who knows just how to make you smile and tugs upon your heart strings in the sweetest, most fun and tender ways.

Is the call of love beckoning to you
this Valentines month?

Merry Christmas! What a fun, loving and spirited time of year it is, even for grown-ups. If your dream wedding is a winter one, or you just can't wait any longer to marry your beloved, then bundle up and take the leap. What a wonderful holiday it will be to celebrate your first Christmas together as husband and wife.

I know from personal experience that the first Christmas as a married couple is so special. My anniversary is December 22nd and not surprisingly, our first Mr & Mrs Christmas together was more memorable than the five previous that we had celebrated.

Joining your lives in matrimony is an important step to take and should never been done in haste but always with the purest of heart and intention. With that in mind, the natural joy that surrounds this festive time of year heightens the magic that accompanies those special words "I do".

Yes, winter is nearing and there are many of you who still want to get married before year's end.
I ask you to remember, you do live in Washington!

Outside weddings are going to be few and far in between from now until 2018 when Spring breaks again. There will be some nice days yet, but, please, have a second choice if, on your day, the weather does not cooperate.

Right here in Port Orchard, there are many indoor venue's from which to choose. Of the many restaurant's in town with lovely water views to the larger halls, such as the Grange, which also offers a small kitchen area for food preparation.

As well, if you're just going for the small, small ceremony, exchanging your vows in front of a warm fire at a friend's house can prove to be the most memorable of all.

Happy Wedding Day!

I recently had a request from a couple to do a Vow Renewal ceremony for their 10th anniversary.

What an honor!

Our lives change and grow when we get married and that means the addition of new very important people. Obviously they couldn't be at the first wedding, but they can now be included in what has turned out to be the happiest day of your life, again.

If you're renewing your vows after a decade or more, your friends and family have seen your love, and participated in many of the events that have played a vital role in the creation of your world together.

Giving children and grandchildren the chance to celebrate the love you have shared and grown together brings an added closeness to a family and a memory that will be shared for generations to come.

As for the romantic side, be prepared to get whisked away. Having been through good times and bad together, there is something so wonderfully romantic about a couple who are still so in love that they want to re-pledge their vows to one another.

So, get ready to experience the happy tears and joy!

Eloping with your one true love, as depicted in Romance novels and the movies, sounds so romantic.

Unfortunately, your fairy tale elopement has to begin after you and your betrothed visit the Courthouse and purchase a marriage license. Oh, and wait the required three days, before it's valid.

That 3-days is a great time to make some real-life plans, like, who is going to stand up with you?

You will need two witnesses, present for the ceremony, who are at least 18 years old and have valid ID.

You will also need to decide who is going to perform your ceremony. Will it be a friend, family member, or do you need to hire someone?

You may have to be flexible with your Elopement date, as your witnesses also need to have the same time available. It might take a little work to bring everyone together.

If you're hiring an officiant, you want to be sure to get a firm price for their services, and pay them in cash, after the ceremony.

Which brings us to where you'd like to get married. This time of year our parks are quite popular, but don't forget, there is an entrance fee of $10 per car load, unless you have a Discover Pass. You want to make sure any guests are aware of the fees.

Don't forget you're back-up venue, just in case the weather doesn't cooperate for your outdoor ceremony. It's important to have options here in Washington where it could be 80 degrees one day and rainy and 60 the next.

You can still have your romantic elopement style wedding; small, intimate & care-free. But you will need to make some plans first!

If you're new to Washington, then the weather may have you perplexed, especially if you're envisioning a beautiful, outdoor, summer ceremony.

My best advice is to have a Plan B. There's no denying that we often experience hot, sunny days, but they are not a given, just because the calendar indicates that it's summer time.
 
Preparedness will keep your wedding plans on track and uplifted. Remember, it's not the weather that matters but the day of significance it holds for you and your loved ones.

It helps to have your wedding at a flexible venue, one that offers a lovely outdoor setting, with a just in case place to duck in out of an unexpected turn in the clouds.

Just take it as a test run for your marriage, you should make plans, but always  be open to things that cause change.