It feels like forever since we've been able to enjoy the great outdoors without several layers to keep us warm.

Now that the temperature has finally risen, so is our ability to have heat related health issues, at any age. I know a lot of you are very health wise, however, with our general inexperience to HOT weather, we need to make sure to take extra care out there.

The warm sunshine makes for an outdoor wedding that can last all day, and sometimes into the evening. To make sure your guests make it through the ceremony and all the reception festivities, they've got to stay properly hydrated.

Just the whisper of wedding reception and we're ready to let the libations flow! Champagne toasts are usually a given, but many times our guests can be swept away by the jubilation, and perhaps indulge a bit too much.

To combat tipsy guests and de-hydration, it's important to keep LOTS OF WATER available for consumption. From tubs or buckets filled with ice and bottled water to hydration stations displayed with lovely decanters and spigotted glass jars, the idea is to keep your friends and family happy and healthy for your wedding day.

So, remember to raise your glass of H2O in between the beer, wine, champagne and mixed liquor offerings. Cheers!

It's official and spring is finally here!  For any bride to be, this is go time in prepping for the wedding. So many decisions to make to ensure that the day is PERFECT.

My advice, first of all is that even it something goes awry, at the end of the day, if your are married to the person you love, then it's been the best day ever! There's a lot of stress in preparing to spend the rest of your life with someone, or rather, preparing for the day that becomes a reality.

Take a big deep breath and enjoy every moment of the preparation, the decision-making and the follies that will accompany trying to create a flawless event involving more than one person. Let your day be fun, and allow yourself the space to laugh all the way up to and down the aisle. It's one day, enjoy getting there.

Spring is nearly upon us and wedding bells are ringing in many a bride's ear. It's been a long cold winter but the sun breaks remind me that Spring will bring the warmth we all crave. And with that warmth comes a new season of outdoor weddings!
I invite you to check out my Venues page for some ideas on where you'd like to hold your simple ceremony. Port Orchard offers some lovely, scenic  spots for your ceremony and reception.
From the ferry docks to the state parks, there is a place for your perfect day. Call me when you're ready!

February is the month of Love! And Valentine's Day is celebrated as the most love-filled day of the year! The cards, candy and roses are a natural prelude to a proposal or even a wedding!
The excitement behind the flowers and candy can be felt by everyone and it's appeal to lover's for marking their union with a big red heart is intoxicating!
Yes, February is the month of Love and with our heart's full, we share the love with all those around us.
I offer you this Valentine's wish...
May you find your love and enjoy the euphoria.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of not only going to a new venue, but also to perform my first Handfasting Ceremony.
It was a beautiful sunny Sunday, and Fay Bainbridge Park is a scenic, waterfront, tucked away gem of a place to bring friends together to celebrate your wedding day.
Our space was located on a hill, providing a beautiful view and offered an open-air fire pit, great for cooking, roasting marsh mellows or just staying warm. As well there are several picnic benches to accommodate guests and a shelter cover in case there is any rain. And, yes, there are public restrooms!
For the ceremony, the bride to be requested a HandFasting ceremony, also know as a Binding Ceremony. This is an ancient ritual, with Celtic, Viking and Christian origins. The ceremony entales wrapping the hands of the bride and groom and symbolically binding them together with many colorful cords, ultimately creating a love knot when completed.
The vows are varied but ultimately focus on supporting the spirit and emotional growth of the couple, together.
Following this Handfasting, they exchanged rings.
It was beautiful!