Cruise December 2019

Where has 6 years gone?

When I started this journey I honestly thought it was going to be a “One and done” situation. I had dabbled in the Wedding industry YEARS ago(when I was a baby) first working in a Bridal Shop then some Wedding Planning. I was always interested in being able to perform a ceremony. I always, in the back of my mind, thought that I would get in when everyone was free to marry who they chose. That beautiful change happened at the same time I reunited some friends from High School – it was like the stars aligned. They insisted that I perform their ceremony. The rest is history!

This journey could not continue without the help of some amazing Vendors who have helped me grow and develop through the years. I have to take the  time to give a HUGE shout out and Thank you to Leslie at Banquets of Minnesota in Fridley first. She took the first chance on me – I gained the trust and respect(I hope!) of Gloria who runs the Banquets of Minnesota Blaine facility. Including me in my first Bridal Fair and a couple of the tastings! I would love to do more but my “Day Job” restricts me.

I have since become a preferred vendor at a few Venues and for that I am truly honored and humbled. Como Conservatory for one and also Holiday Inn in Lakeville. I hope to see that grow as I do. I am building my list of preferred vendors based on people I have worked with over the years.

  December 2019

Being married and sharing your life with someone day after day after day after day… can be hard work, it also brings a lot of joy.  Each time I join a new couple in marriage and see that excitement and joy on their faces, it fills me with hope and reminds me how lucky I am to have a great husband by my side – most days anyway! I am sure there are days he questions his sanity as well. We have worked hard to be where we are and it hasn’t alway been fun or easy but every step and stumble has been worth it. 26 years later (This coming April) We are now getting to enjoy our “empty nest” – we are enjoying getting to know each other at each new phase of our married life. I would chose him again… I hope I inspire that in the couples that I join together.

DisneyWorld Jan 2020

Thank you to all the Brides & Grooms who have trusted me to make your day special – It has truly been my honor and priviledge. I look forward to being a part of may more unions to come.

Many, many blessings for wedded bliss for years to come.

Cat

Cassidy & Prestion 

January 11, 2020 – Fridley

This young couple was fun to work with. I loved that when she walked down the aisle was the 1st time he saw her in her gown! I have never seen a groom so genuinely touched and emotional it was fantastic. Made it hard a couple times to get myself through – but I did it. It was a great ceremony and they were surrounded by great friends and family.

Whitney & Jacob

July 27, 2019 – Como Park

Whitney and Jake chose to say their “I do’s” privately in front of a beautiful waterfall at Como Zoo. I was joined by my daughter and my back-up Officiant who served as witnesses. It was beautiful and personal and they just radiated with the excitement of sharing this intimate moment alone. It was a perfect day and we all felt honored to be a part of it.

Later that same afternoon I was priviledged to join

Katie & Grant

July 27, 2019 – Brooklyn Center

It was very warm that afternoon but that didn’t slow down or dampen the excitement of this union. Surrounded by friends and family in a beautiful outdoor venue this couple vowed to face their future together, united and ready for anything that comes their way. Each wedding and ceremony have such special memories for me, and it feels they get better and better as I move along!

Linda & Andrew

August 3, 2019 – Fridley

Wow! She was stunning! I can also say I don’t think I have ever presided over such a BIG wedding – over 400 if I recall. Everyone attending to share in their joy was dressed to impress! It was amazing. They were surrounded by such love and support and I have no doubt they will have many to rely on as they move forward in their marriage journey. Many blessing on you and your growing family.

Morgan & Dexter

September 7, 2019 – Como Park

Where do I start? If my daughter and her hubby lived here, they would be fast friends with this couple! From the stunning florals they chose to the amazing friends they had for this intimate ceremony in the Sunken Garden – everything was perfect – A fun, simple gathering focusing on the ceremony. I was honored to meet you and your guests and partake in the pizza and laughter that followed.

Delany & Zachary

September 28, 2019 – Hastings

The weather for September couldn’t have been more perfect! It was the ONLY nice Saturday that we experienced that month and this outdoor wedding was spectacular! They were so ready for the “party” to get going and their laughter and joking around made for one of the most laid back weddings that I have been a part of.

Later…  that day….

Alexa & Steven 

September 28, 2019 – Como Park

The beauty and every changing floral makes this one of my favorite venues. Ceremonies are smaller and more intimate in this setting. It was another joyous gathering of family and friends to wish this couple a happy beginning to many years of wedded bliss!

2019 wedding season was capped with

Amanda & Christopher 

October 5, 2019 – Blaine

I was priivy to be early and catch some of the fun professional photo’s that were being taken and boy were they having some fun! I can only imagine what a party it was after the ceremony! What a great way to end my wedding season for 2019. This couple is in for a lot of fun in the years ahead – great family and friends to celebrate with.

Fun little video I created   

I know I have to do some updating on the weddings that I have done this year however I found this fun program and decided to make a small video of some of the weddings that I have pictures from. It has give me great joy to be a part of each and every union. I continue to hope for a healthy and lifelong union for each and every one of you.

Once again, I seem to be apologizing for getting my blogs posted! The year got away from me! If you read my earlier posts you know that 2 days before my daughter’s wedding in March my dad passed away. April was a whirlwind helping organize all that goes with that and settling mom into a “new routine”. In May I had 2 weddings then took the summer off. Finished off 2018 with 4 ceremonies in the fall into the winter. I am starting to fill my calendar for the year and it all tends to come in waves.

Megan & Christopher 

May 11, 2018 – St. Paul

Megan & Christopher chose the Beautiful Landmark Center for their intimate ceremony. What a spectacular setting deep in history and architectural beauty. They were surrounded by close friends and family, it was the perfect setting for these newlyweds.

Amy & Chris 

May 18, 2018 – Fridley

What a fun couple they were! Her dress was a one of a kind creation – and fit her perfectly. Beautiful day and sweet couple and Banquets of Minnesota, Fridley  was spot on as always.

Raven & Tyron 

September 7, 2018 – Blaine

Raven and Tryon were so fun to work with! They had an absolutely delightful family that kept the day light and fun. Gloria and her staff at the Banquets of Minnesota Blaine facility were as professional and polished as always.

Nicole & Blake

Sept 22, 2018 – Fridley

Nicole was just radiant and the whole day was just beautiful. Like all my couples, they were sweet and very easy to work with – Many Blessings on your marriage.

Amanda & Avery 

October 19, 2018 – Fridley

 Amanda and Avery had a beautiful ceremony surrounded by lots of friends and family. Everything was planned to perfection and the colors were so beautiful for the fall time of year.

Amanda & Josh

December 14, 2018 – Fridley

This couple and their whole wedding party were a delight to work with, they were fun and funny and ready to get the party started! What a great way to end the wedding season for 2018 for me.

Wishing all of my Couples all the best in the coming years!!

In October I was honored to be a part of the Rainbow Network Wedding Fair! What a great crowd and a fun way to meet new couples. I was set up with my best friend who was there promoting her Realty Business. The crowd was awesome, lots of great give-aways and small enough (Vendor-wise) to get to know others that support Marriage for all. Took a bit for folks to realize that I was not selling wedding dresses OR Trash the dress photo sessions – but it is a great conversation starter! What a fun day!

March Madness – 4 weekends/5 weddings!! The final one of the month was my own daughter that I shamelessly already highlighted separately!

Abigail & Shane

Mar 3, 2018- Lakeville, MN

They started this month off with a beautiful, simple yet elegant wedding.  I could tell from the moment we gathered for the rehearsal that they had amazing friends and family – one of the few rehearsal dinners I have stayed to attend – I enjoyed getting to visit with everyone. They were relaxed, and she was gorgeous in her beautiful dress.  Love and laughter filled the event. Thank you, Abby & Shane, for a wonderful day to be a part of!

Hope & Peter

Mar 10, 2018 – Blaine, MN

I met Hope and Peter 1 hour before their ceremony! I got the call from Banquets of Minnesota Friday night that this sweet couple was Officiant-less – It was FATE as that was originally that was the only Saturday I had open for the month – It was meant to be. They were amazingly calm and collected when I arrived Saturday afternoon to step in and join them in marriage. This couple has what it takes to roll with the punches and face the ups and downs of marriage in the future. I wish I had had a chance to get to know them better, as I do with my other couples, but I am glad that I could be there for them when they needed it! Best of luck in the future together.

Rachel & Mike

Mar 24, 2018 – Blaine, MN

1^st Wedding of the day.  Rachel & Mike were another couple that was “unconventional” for me. This was all planned via phone/text/email! They were undertaking not only a wedding, they were relocating back up here to Minnesota! That is a lot and from the looks of it they managed just fine! Their family was happy to have them back up here. I have had some of the most amazingly calm and relaxed brides and Rachel was definitely that! (and beautiful too) She is also taking on the role of step-mom, after speaking with Paxton he seemed to be quite excited to be welcoming her into his little world! I was honored to be a part of your day!

Pam & Joe

Mar 24, 2018 – Fridley, MN

Cut to 1 ½ hours later – Pam & Joe were my second wedding of the day! What a great couple! They had 2 darling young children who added a spirited tone to the ceremony! Her brothers presented her to Joe and they were so fun and funny! The wedding party was quite the good looking cast. Pam was stunning as well. I loved some of the personal touches through the reception – including a card box in the shape of a wishing well, made by Joe himself! Thank you for choosing me to help put words to your story.

Christina & Brett

Jan 13,2018 – Blaine, MN

This young couple met in eighth grade and knew that they were destined to be together forever! They were surrounded by the love of close friends and family on their special day. Their love for each other showed in every little detail and their attention to each other. The heart knows what the heart knows…no matter how young it “figures it out” -I wish them all the happiness the world has to offer for the rest of their days together.

Gabrielle & Jordan

Feb 17, 2017 – Blaine, MN

HOOAH these two Soldiers found love – despite distance that kept them apart temporarily!  They look forward to exciting careers in the Army TOGETHER now. Everything about the couple says success. They have a loving and supportive network of family and friend to help them as they maneuver this new “battleground”!  Congrats and thank you for making me a part of your special day. Much luck into the future.

Video by KAS Films, LLC

Their colorful wedding band set. Photo by Rachel Lahlum Photography

What was I thinking when I said I would perform my daughter’s wedding ceremony!? I was thrilled and excited and volunteered before I fully thought about it! – EEEK! I knew I had to make it through without falling apart. Carrie and I worked for over a year and a half – on different continents, me here in the US and her in Colombia.

It was written, re-written, tweaked, re-written and tweaked again. Then there were at least 3 final drafts! I was READY… She got home from her Peace Corps Service 2 weeks before the big day but had to leave us to head to DC for the week leading up to her wedding.

Carrie and her Gramma A having a quiet moment to discuss my father, her Grampa, during the ceremony. Photo by Rachel Lahlum Photography.

Sadly, 2 days before her wedding day, her Grampa, my dad, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. As we all struggled to process that we moved on with the plans, it would have been what he wanted. Fear and panic set in for me – COULD I do this now? Would I really be able to get through this wedding with the death of my father so new and raw? I did, like a good Officiant, call for reinforcements just in case. She assured me that she would be there if it got bad, but that I was going to be just fine and make my daughter, new son in law and dad proud.

I faltered once when recognizing those not with us but otherwise I think I made her proud.  She wished for snow on her wedding day and feels that Grampa pulled some strings, we all think he went a bit far with his “string-pulling”. Despite the heavy hearts it was a day of laughter, smiles and celebrating Carrie & TJ – my mother stayed to the very end, dancing up a storm with everyone, I am sure it was hard for her, but she smiled her way through it with only happiness and joy for her grand-daughter.

I thank you for indulging me the extra pictures and video highlights from this event!

A big thank you to Rachel, from Rachel Lahlum Photography and Kelly from KAS Films, LLC for the incredible photo and video footage – and for going above and beyond our expectations all through the day. If you’re looking for incredible Photo and Video please give them a look – the whole family was so impressed with their professionalism, command of the room, and quality of work! Can’t wait to see all the final products.

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2018 Brings new beginnings!  I have 10 weddings already on the calendar for 2018 and one has special meaning(they all do) – not only will I be Officiating – I will be Mother of the Bride! Eeek!  What a different perspective from this side.  Sure, I planned my own wedding(s) first one in 3 months and the second in 3 weeks. That was not the same. There was no pressure about HOW to ask your friends to be in your wedding party – you just asked, there were not goody boxes and proposals other than the groom asking the bride. There wasn’t elaborate expensive trips to Las Vegas for your Bachelor/Bachelorette parties, you went out for dinner with your girlfriends. Not that any of that is bad, it is just different. My daughter who is getting married (March 31st) has been out of the country serving in the Peace Corps in Colombia so this has all been planned via Whatsapp, email, video chat and lots of time on the part of her sister and I. I know she is grateful for our help but I can imagine that part of her is sad, she didn’t get to “shop the venue”, go to tastings, sample cakes, and do a day of dress shopping with me and her bridesmaids. She sort of had to call it in and rely on all of us back here to get it together. That is a big leap of faith. Her sister, fiance and I have worked very hard to get the vision right and hopefully she will love the outcome!  I have purposely kept my calendar packed for this next 3 months to pass the time. She arrives home 15 days before the event and is having to leave for 3 days the week leading up to the wedding (Peace Corps business in DC). I have 4 weddings prior to hers, then a month off before the next. I am thrilled for her and her new adventure with her soon to be husband. To say I am not scared about this one would be an understatement – this is more personal than any ceremony I have done,  but I am so incredibly proud of this child of mine that I can think of no better way to show her just how much I love her that to unite her with her love. I am up to the challenge.  2018 is a lucky year for me!

(picture of me and my beautiful daughter in November when I had the opportunity to travel to Colombia to see her and wonderful work she is doing in the Peace Corps- I highly recommend it BEAUTIFUL Country!)

Thank you for indulging this mom some bragging!