Expressing Love Through Art – Tips to Say I Love You for Week 41
AI generated image of an artist’s bedroom, generated by Julie Zimmi (courtesy of Pixabay)
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words – Week 41
“Van Gogh was quite an artist, from sunflowers to oceans; now you can try your hardest to paint from YOUR emotions.” – Stephen Arterburn and Carl Dreizler (52 Simple Ways to Say I Love you)
Welcome back to our creative journey to show our partner how much we care. This week, we dive into the enchanting world of art as a language of love. Inspired by the insightful words of Stephen Arterburn and Carl Dreizler from their cherished book, “52 Simple Ways to Say, ‘I Love You,’” this week’s activity encourages us to express our deepest emotions through the vibrant medium of art. After all, when words fall short, let your paintbrushes, pencils, or clay do the talking because a “picture is worth a thousand words.”
The Power of Art: Unleashing Emotions
Have you ever stood in front of a masterpiece and pondered the emotions that swirled within the artist’s heart? While analyzing art, we often attempt to unravel the mysteries behind the strokes and colors. But what if we, the so-called ‘non-artists,’ could capture our own emotions on a canvas? Creating art is not just for the Picassos and Van Goghs of the world—it’s an innate form of expression that we’ve all engaged in since childhood.
Crafting Love: Your Personal Art Adventure
This week, embark on a creative adventure with your loved one. Whether you choose to share a studio or work from separate spaces, the joy of this activity lies in the shared experience. Here’s how to start:
Choose an activity that resonates with both of you and gather your art supplies.
Set a time frame—perhaps two hours—and commit to crafting a piece that embodies your love. Remember, it’s about the emotion, not perfection.
Once completed, share your artwork with each other, explaining the thought and emotions behind your creation.
Choosing Your Medium: The Color of Love
The beauty of this activity is the freedom to select your medium. Here are some options to consider:
Oil Painting: Share a set of paints but keep your canvases a secret until you’re ready to reveal them.
Watercolors: A gentle, versatile option that works beautifully on paper.
Finger Painting: Rekindle the carefree spirit of childhood with vibrant, hands-on art.
Pastels or Pencil Sketching: Perfect for those who find comfort in the simplicity of pencils or pastels.
Clay: Sculpt your story with potter’s clay or playful ‘play-doh.’
The Grand Reveal: Your Art Show
Once your masterpieces are ready, it’s time for the big reveal. Display your creations and dive into a heartfelt conversation. What stories do your pieces tell? What hidden details emerge as you discuss them? Through this artistic exchange, you’ll discover new layers of understanding and appreciation for each other.
Still feeling a little nervous: This is not about perfection; it’s about authentic expression
Remember, this activity is a celebration of love and creativity, a unique way to connect with your partner on a deeper level. So, gather your supplies, set your intentions, and let your heart guide your hand. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, a thousand expressions of love.
About Chanelle
Photo credit: Roxanne Best, Roxtography
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for LifeTM, an ordained minister and professional wedding officiant with a passion for celebrating love and life. As the owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC, she also coaches couples, believing that every moment of life and love deserves to be cherished. Chanelle works closely with couples who have cultivated strong relationships and are ready to embark on the journey of marriage with a unique and unforgettable ceremony. As your Celebrant for LifeTM, she is dedicated to honoring all of your special milestones. Chanelle is also the host of Now You May Kiss(TM)Podcast, during which she talks about all things related to your bespoke, outdoor elopement or intimate wedding Ceremony in the Pacific Northwest. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com or, Pinterest on social media on FB, LI and IG.
“Choose some songs, your favorite hits – From ‘Sunny’ to ‘Stormy Weather.’ Act as DJ, use your wits. Then, put it all together.” – Stephen Arterburn, Carl Dreizler
The Idea – Making Musical Memories
Music has been humanity’s love language for centuries, a universal way to say “I love you.” Here are some fun and heartfelt ways to weave music into your moments together:
Creating Musical Memories – Make a mixed tape, cd, MP3 or private YouTube Channel
Compile a mixtape, CD, MP3 playlist, or even a private YouTube channel filled with songs that hold special meaning for you and your loved one. Enhance the experience by adding a narrative for each track, explaining where you first heard it or why it’s significant. Play this collection when you’re together and savor their reactions. My husband Bill and I have a unique tradition: we continuously update a shared YouTube channel with songs the other hasn’t heard before. It’s a fun way to explore new music together.
Creating Musical Memories – Attend a musical play or movie together
Check out a local community theater or a major performing arts center and enjoy a musical together. Purchase the soundtrack in advance so you can sing along on the way home. Here in Omak, the Omak Performing Arts Center puts on incredible shows every spring. One of my favorites was “The Music Man.”
Creating Musical Memories – Write a love song
You don’t need to be a Beethoven or Lennon/McCartney to write a love song. Pen new lyrics to the tune of a popular song that resonates with your relationship. This personal touch can be incredibly touching. One of my cherished high school memories is receiving handwritten songs from a boyfriend.
Creating Musical Memories – Go to a concert
Find out who your partner’s favorite artist is and grab tickets—even if it’s not your usual genre. Experiencing their joy can make the event special for you, too.
Creating Musical Memories – Gift their favorite music
If attending a concert isn’t feasible, gifting a tape or CD of their favorite performer is a thoughtful alternative. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy their most loved tunes together, even from the comfort of home.
Creating musical memories together can strengthen your bond and provide a soundtrack to your shared experiences. So, go ahead, be the DJ of your love story!
About Chanelle
Photo credit: Roxanne Best, Roxtography
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for LifeTM, an ordained minister and professional wedding officiant with a passion for celebrating love and life. As the owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC, she also coaches couples, believing that every moment of life and love deserves to be cherished. Chanelle works closely with couples who have cultivated strong relationships and are ready to embark on the journey of marriage with a unique and unforgettable ceremony. As your Celebrant for LifeTM, she is dedicated to honoring all of your special milestones. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com or on social media on FB, LI and IG.
On a sunny late July afternoon, the picturesque Siren Song Winery played host to the enchanting Lake Chelan wedding of Emily and Jared with the support of Erin Petersen of Ellie Haisch Wedding and Events and an all-star team of wedding pros. Nestled amidst rolling vineyards and offering breathtaking views of the lake, the winery provided the perfect backdrop for a day of celebration filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.
Lake Chelan Wedding at Siren Song Winery: The Ceremony Begins
As guests found their seats, the melody of “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King set the tone for the heartfelt, yet fun ceremony that was about to unfold. Emily and Jared’s Officiant, Chanelle stood poised and ready, welcoming the gathering with a warm smile.
Jared, the groom, made his entrance by escorting his proud parents to their seats before taking his place up front. The procession of Jared’s attendants followed, each offering a hug or handshake, a testament to the camaraderie and support surrounding the groom.
Jared’s friends, Jacob, Nate, Darryl, Andrew, Matt, and Adam, joined him at the altar, each one standing by his side, reflecting the strength of their bonds. Next, Emily’s attendants entered gracefully, led by Nancy and followed by Jenna, Matron of Honor Katie, and Maid of Honor Jonnica, each taking their places with elegance and poise.
Emily’s Grand Entrance
Emily’s Grand (yet sweet and relaxed) Entrance with her mom, Kim. Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer Photography
As the first notes of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley began to play softly, all eyes turned to face Emily. Accompanied by her mom, Kim, she walked through the doors, radiating beauty, joy and fun. Officiant Chanelle signaled for them to pause near the front row, where a heartfelt moment of gratitude and a tender hug were shared. Jared then stepped forward, escorting Emily the final steps to the ceremony spot, where she handed her flowers to Matron of Honor, Katie and took Jared’s hands.
With the couple facing each other, Officiant Chanelle invited everyone to join in a calming breathing exercise, grounding Emily and Jared in the significance of the moment. With serene smiles and nerves settled, they were ready to begin.
Chanelle welcomed the guests and offered a blessing before acknowledging the family and friends who had come to celebrate. Once guests were seated, a moment of remembrance was held for Emily and Jared’s grandparents.
“Lord, we thank you for this amazing day, for the gift of Jared and Emily and for the gift of their love in our lives.” Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer Photograhy
The ceremony continued with the reading of “Love Is Friendship Set on Fire” by Laura Hendricks, which beautifully transitioned into the couple’s love story. Chanelle recounted their journey from their first date at Washington State University in January 2017, through the milestones of moving in together and raising a puppy, to the deep, enduring love that brought them to their wedding day above Lake Chelan.
The Vows and Rings
With words inspired by Wendell Berry, Officiant Chanelle explained the meaning of marriage and asked the couple for their declaration of intent. Their affirmations were heartfelt and clear: “It is!”
The vows were exchanged, each word a promise of unwavering support and love. Jared’s brother, Jacob presented the rings, which were “warmed” by the couple before being exchanged, symbolizing the eternal nature of their commitment (and making them easier to slide on their fingers).
May you wear them with deep abiding faith in one another always and forever: Emily and Jared “warming the rings.” Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer Photography
Final Blessing and Pronouncement
Chanelle offered a final blessing and a heartfelt wish for Emily and Jared’s future together. With a discreet prompt, she ensured the couple was ready for the moment everyone had been waiting for.
“By the power vested in me,” Chanelle declared, “I now pronounce you married. Now You May Kiss!”
As Emily and Jared shared their first kiss as a married couple, the guests erupted in cheers, capturing the joy and excitement of the occasion.
Now You May Kiss. Jared and Emily share a kiss at their Lake Chelan Wedding under the arch overlooking the lake at Siren Song Winery. Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer Photography
The Presentation
Beaming, Emily and Jared turned to face their guests, Jared took Emily’s hand in his and their photographer Svetlana captured their beautiful smiles. The guests were invited to stand once again and with genuine honor and pleasure, Chanelle introduced the newlyweds for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Nichols!
The guests cheered enthusiastically once again.
The Recessional
FINALLY! Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are married surrounded by the love of family and friends. Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer Photography.
To the upbeat tune of “Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals, Emily and Jared sauntered back up the aisle, stopping quickly for a dip and kiss and surrounded by the cheers and applause of their loved ones. Their attendants followed in joyful procession, each one sharing in the couple’s happiness.
Signing the Marriage License
In the privacy of the Blue Room, Emily, Jared, and their witnesses, including Officiant Chanelle, signed the marriage license, making everything official. Svetlana, the photographer, captured the intimate moments, preserving the memories of this special day.
Finally Official: Emily signing the Marriage Certificate. Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer Photography.Finally Official: Jared signing the Marriage Certificate. Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer PhotographyFinally Official: Emily and Jared with their witnesses and Officiant Chanelle. Photo courtesy of Svetlana Sauer Photography
A Celebration to Remember
As guests moved to the cocktail hour, the newlyweds took a moment to themselves, reflecting on the ceremony and looking forward to the celebrations ahead. With the formalities complete, it was time to join their family and friends and create even more lasting memories.
Emily and Jared’s Lake Chelan wedding at Siren Song Winery was a beautiful testament to their love and commitment. Surrounded by the people who matter most to them, they embarked on their journey as husband and wife, ready to face the future together with hearts full of joy and love.
Emily and Jared’s Amazing Lake Chelan Wedding Team:
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for LifeTM. She is an ordained minister and professional wedding officiant (she especially loves celebrating Lake Chelan Weddings). Chanelle is also a coach and the owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. She believes life and love should be celebrated every minute. Chanelle collaborates with couples who have built strong relationships over the years. They are now ready to venture into marriage with a custom, memorable ceremony. As your Celebrant for LifeTM, Chanelle celebrates all your special milestones. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com or on social media on FB, LI and IG.
The question is – Why do Wedding Ceremonies Matter?
In a world that no longer requires couples to be married (for the most part), one question I ask all my couples is “Why?” “Why do you want to get married?” A wedding is beautiful, sure, but marriage (even to your best friend) can be tough. There are many things that can crop up during the course of two people’s lives. So, before I commit to being a couple’s officiant and their Celebrant for Life (TM), I ask the hard question. Their answer is never about the event, and rarely about the practicalities like mortgages or insurance. It is usually about wanting to share their life loving and supporting their other person. These couples want to start that official phase of their relationship surrounded by the people most important to them. That’s really the crux of it.
Wedding ceremonies (regardless of size) transcend mere formality. They are exquisite celebrations of love, commitment, and the dawn of a beautiful, shared journey. These ceremonies have been cherished cornerstones of human culture for centuries, gracefully weaving through geographical boundaries and societal norms. Please join me in exploring the profound significance of wedding ceremonies. We’ll delve into some cherished traditions they uphold and the deep emotional connections they foster.
The Historical Significance of Wedding Ceremonies:
Wedding ceremonies boast rich historical roots, stretching back to ancient civilizations. These sacred events have played pivotal roles in forging social bonds, alliances, and the continuity of family lineages. Across many cultures, weddings were not merely personal celebrations but grand communal events that reinforced social structures and traditions. Understanding this historical context underscores the enduring importance of wedding ceremonies in shaping societies and preserving our treasured cultural heritage.
Wedding Ceremonies matter because they are a Celebration of Love and Commitment.
At the heart of every wedding ceremony lies the joyous celebration of love and commitment between two souls. This public declaration is a powerful affirmation of the couple’s devotion to each other. Vows exchanged during the ceremony are symbolic promises to support, cherish, and stand by one another through life’s challenges and triumphs. This profound commitment is not only a personal milestone but also an inspiring testament to all who witness the union. During one wedding a few years ago, the bride’s grandparents came to speak to me after the ceremony. They had been married for more than 70 years and claimed to love one another as much that day as on their wedding day.
The Role of Traditions and Rituals in Wedding Ceremonies:
Traditions and rituals infuse wedding ceremonies with layers of meaning and symbolism. Whether it’s rings, unity candles, or cultural customs, these rituals connect couples to their heritage and community. They offer continuity and belonging, reminding us we are part of a larger, beautiful tapestry of human experience. These cherished traditions also provide a sacred structure to the ceremony, making it a truly memorable occasion.
Over the years, I have been honored to help couples incorporate a variety of rituals and traditions into their ceremonies. For example, I recently officiated a ceremony that included a traditional Sugar Veil ritual. For those who are unfamiliar with this Persian wedding tradition, that’s ok. I was too. For the Sugar Veil ritual, the couple are seated, and the women closest to them come forward. In this case, it was their mothers and the groom’s sister. The mothers held a specially chosen veil above the couple’s heads. The groom’s sister, rubbed two sugar cones above the veil, sprinkling sugar on the couple’s heads. Now their lives will be forever filled with sweetness.
Another beautiful ritual happened at the wedding shown in the photo at the beginning of this article. Their’s was a multicultural wedding that blended the bride’s Jewish faith and the groom’s Catholic background. The bride’s parents and grandfather sang the Shabat (Seven Blessings) in Hebrew. At the same time, the couple danced a circle dance to symbolically build their house.
Lillian and Michael symbolically creating their house during the singing of the Seven Blessings. Photo courtesy of Tetiana Photography.
Wedding Ceremonies Matter because they help create lasting memories.
Wedding ceremonies are often regarded as one of life’s most memorable days. The emotions, joyous gatherings, and shared moments create timeless memories for the couple and their loved ones. The ceremony itself becomes a cherished story, recounted and celebrated in the years to come. These lasting memories serve as a foundational cornerstone for the couple’s relationship. It reminds them of their love and the unwavering support of their community. Couples to tell me years after their wedding, that their ceremony was the most memorable part of their day.
Wedding Ceremonies Matter because they help strengthening family and community bonds.
Weddings have the magical ability to bring together families, friends, and communities, fostering a sense of unity and togetherness. The ceremony provides a beautiful opportunity for families to merge. It also allows old friends to reconnect, and new relationships to blossom. This gathering of loved ones enhances the couple’s support network and strengthens the social fabric of the community. The shared experience of the wedding ceremony reinforces the bonds that hold us all together.
Wedding Ceremonies Matter because they allow couples to express their personalities and creativity.
Modern wedding ceremonies offer couples a wonderful chance to express their unique personalities and love stories. Some couples express themselves through choosing a picturesque venue. For others, it is selecting meaningful readings and music. For many, it is a combination of both. Every detail of the ceremony can be elegantly tailored to reflect the couple’s values and preferences. This personal expression adds depth and authenticity to their ceremony. Incorporating their personalities makes their ceremony a true reflection of their beautiful journey and aspirations. This is one of my favorite parts of being an Officiant.
Wedding Ceremonies Matter because they impact us emotionally.
The emotional impact of a wedding ceremony is simply unparalleled. The joy, tears, laughter, and heartfelt speeches create an atmosphere of love and connection. For the couple, it is a moment of profound emotional significance, marking the beginning of their life together. For guests, it is a chance to share in the couple’s joy and reflect on their own relationships. This emotional resonance is what makes wedding ceremonies so powerful and meaningful. During a recent ceremony, the bride and groom asked their sisters to read some poetry. One of the sisters was so overwhelmed by emotion she found it difficult to start.
Wedding Ceremonies Matter because they are elegant celebrations of love.
Wedding ceremonies matter because they are elegant celebrations of love, testaments to commitment, and bridges between past, present, and future. They bring people together, create lasting memories, and uphold cherished traditions. Our world is constantly evolving. The enduring significance of wedding ceremonies reminds us of the timeless value of love and connection. As we honor these ceremonies, we honor the very essence of what it means to be human.
At Chanelle Carlin Weddings, we help you celebrate your unique, one-of-a-kind love story with an elegant, custom ceremony. I promise that you’ll cherish it forever. If you would like to chat with Chanelle about your wedding, click here.
Photo credit: Roxanne Best, Roxtography
About Chanelle:
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for LifeTM. She is an ordained minister and professional wedding officiant. Chanelle is also a coach and owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. She believes life and love should be celebrated every minute. Chanelle collaborates with couples who have built strong relationships over the years. They are now ready to venture into marriage with a custom, memorable ceremony. As your Celebrant for LifeTM, Chanelle celebrates all your special milestones. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com or on social media on FB, LI and IG.
Introducing Georgia Williams and Queen’s Hand Calligraphy
Example of hand-calligraphed invitation envelope – queen’s choice font style.
A serendipitous inter-web “oops”
A few weeks ago, I received an email from another wedding professional, Georgia Williams, owner of Queen’s Hand Calligraphy, on the other side of the U.S., who was taking time to research and contact wedding planners across the country to begin networking and promoting her business. You all know that I am not a wedding planner, but I DO love to help people whenever I can, especially other wedding pros, so I looked at her website and social media and then we set up a time to chat. After spending a few minutes talking with Georgia, I knew I wanted to find a way to introduce her to my friends, family and couples…anyone who may love the idea of something beautifully handwritten (think custom wedding invitations, announcements, place cards, poems as a gift, holiday card envelopes, thank you card envelopes).
So, here we are…my little blog post…(and just because I know some folks will wonder, I do not receive anything from Georgia or Queens Hand Calligraphy for introducing her to you or for any future business she may receive – I just think she does amazing work and someone would love to see it.)
Meet Georgia Williams, the founder, owner and head Calligrapher of Queen’s Hand Calligraphy
Georgia Williams, founder and owner of Queen’s Hand Calligraphy
Georgia has more than 40 years calligraphic experience with 15 of those years as a professional. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University and taught school for over thirty years. (maybe we should call her Saint Georgia?) Georgia told me that as a school teacher, she required her middle school students to write in cursive because she believes it develops a discipline in them for the rest of their lives. That sounds very teacher-like, doesn’t it?
“Handwriting is more connected to a movement of the heart.” – Natalie Goldberg
I am of the age where penmanship was still taught in elementary school and our papers/homework still had a penmanship grading component through high school. If your assignment wasn’t neat enough for the teacher to read, you were going to get a bad grade. End of story. So…we learned to write as neatly as possible. I still admire the penmanship of my aunts, grandmother, great-aunts and even some friends. Their letters flow together so nicely with curves in the right places and it’s so easy to read. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you don’t like writing), with the entry and domination of the computer in the home, workplace and now schools, penmanship (aka cursive writing) is one of those skills that is truly being lost.
“Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It’s disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there’s something visceral about opening a letter – I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting.” – Steve Carell
I see it each time one of my couples goes to sign their marriage certificate. There is a glint of panic in their eyes as they ask the question, “Do I have to write in cursive?” which is quickly followed up by “I don’t know how.” For those of us who have been out of the classroom for decades, this might not be a surprise, especially if our work doesn’t involve any writing, but even at my most recent elopement, the witnesses were young and still not confident in just signing their name in cursive.
Personally, I love to hand write notes, cards, envelopes, certificates, but I do know how intimidating it can be, so to have someone to go to who can write beautifully and create works of art on an envelope makes my heart sing with joy!
Calligraphy — the dance, on a tiny stage, of the living, speaking hand. – Robert Bringhurst
Resurrecting an Art Form
Example of hand-calligraphed invitation envelope – Alexandra font style.
“Nothing can replace the hand-written word when it is done with beauty and grace.” Queen’s Hand Calligraphy
Back to Georgia. She began as a professional calligrapher when she and her daughter started a calligraphy business, which they ran together for about 15 years. They handled invitations and announcements for weddings, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs; legal certificates; love poems; Christmas card addressing for large corporations; place cards; and reception favor tags. Eventually, her daughter decided to make a career change and Georgia started Queen’s Hand Calligraphy.
Then…a global pandemic… and the world seemingly stopped – particularly the world of weddings and events. Thankfully though, Georgia hasn’t stopped and she is now in the process of resurrecting this art form that has seemingly gone by the wayside in this world of computers and machines and is sharing it with us.
Do you even remember the last time you received a hand-written letter or card in the mail? I don’t mean one with a mailing label (although these can be really nice too, especially at Christmas time), but an actual piece of mail that has your name and address handwritten (in cursive) on the front of the envelope and when you opened it up, there was paper inside with a hand-written note. Do you remember how it felt to receive it?
Do you still have it?
Sampling of some of the handwritten letters I have saved over the years.
As you can see, I do. They’re special. I receive so few that I treasure them. I even have some of the notes I wrote to my mom when I lived in Ireland (because she saved them)!
You only get one chance to make a first impression
So, what if you would like to have custom lettered envelopes for your invitations or announcements of place cards for your reception, but it feels a bit royal-like. Well, conveniently enough, Georgia believes that just as every bride should feel like a princess on her wedding day, your guests want to feel special when they are being invited to a wedding. What better time to do this than with your invitations? After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression. All of the work done by Queen’s Hand Calligraphy is done by hand! Nothing is computer generated, which truly makes your guests feel that you (as a couple) took the extra time to make them feel special—like they are being invited to a truly wonderful event.
Example of hand-calligraphed invitation envelope – charlotte font style.
Most of my couples are having smaller weddings and elopements with between two and fifty guests. Sometimes, it is to save money, but most of the time, it is just who they are – they don’t want a lot of fuss or working parts that come with a large event, but they DO want their guests (family and close friends) to know how much they mean to the couple. There is an entire industry that creates custom wedding invitations now, but who do you get to write out the envelopes? Most of the time, they have typed labels or at best, they’re hand-printed; but…what if you could have your beautiful, custom-made invitations addressed by a professional, calligrapher, someone who has turned a lost skill into a beautiful art form? Now, receiving that in the mail would be something!
“Calligraphy is a kind of music not for the ears, but for the eyes.” – V. Lazursky
How does it work?
Intrigued?
Think it’s probably a “hassle” and maybe too much work?
According to Georgia, it’s not at all. It is their goal to make every one of their couples getting married have one less thing to worry about. It is obviously working. They have been told their process is the easiest part of wedding planning and they have a five-star rating on theknot.com.
Queens Hand Calligraphy on the Knot.com
All she needs from you is a type-written list of guests’ names and addresses and some envelopes. They will even stuff your invitations for a nominal fee.
Awesome, right? I know!
I’m already thinking of special items I would like hand calligraphed, including my Christmas card envelopes for next year. (OOhh!) How about you? Wedding invitations? Baby Announcements? A poem for your special someone for their birthday or Valentine’s Day?
“Calligraphy paints words.” – Author unknown
Q & A Time
So…now…for those of you with a few more questions, here are some FAQ’s (and answers) – you can also find more details on Georgia’s website at https://www.queenshandcalligraphy.com/
We have some guests with mixed names. How do you address the wedding invitation envelopes?
We advise on and use all the proper traditional etiquette in addressing the envelopes. Salutations are written out (Doctor, the Honorable Judge, Officer, Master). No abbreviations are used on street names (Court, Boulevard, Avenue, Road). Numerals up to 100 are written out in word form (three, seven, ten). However, while we advise on etiquette, we will abide with the couple’s wishes if they prefer something else.
Why do I need to send extra envelopes?
We require 25-30 (depending on the size of the order) extra envelopes. Often people move; or guest couples break up and no longer want to be on the same envelope; or a mistake was made on the list.
Can I choose the color of ink for my Calligraphy project? What colors can I choose from?
Of course. The color choice of ink and font selection is up to our customer. Black is the color most often chosen because it is the most elegant. We also letter in blue, charcoal gray, gold and silver. If you have another color in mind, we often suggest you find the color you would like and we can work from there.
Example of a place card with gold ink.
Can I choose my preferred font?
Absolutely. Elegance doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some samples of beautiful fonts to choose from. If you have questions, please ask.
How do you deliver?
With over 35 years of experience, we have handled every situation with ease. Local clients drop off and pick up their orders (Naperville, Illinois). Out of state customers ship either by USPS, Fed-Ex, or UPS and items are returned by the same method.
How long does it take to create my project?
Feel confident that Queen’s Hand Calligraphy is dedicated to giving your order the personal attention it so rightly deserves. We will notify you via email once your order has been received by Queen’s Hand Calligraphy.
Our turnaround time is 7-10 business days once we receive your complete order.
Upon completion of your order, we will notify you again via email that your order is being shipped back with a return tracking order.
Do you only do wedding invitations?
No. Queen’s Hand Calligraphy provides hand lettering for:
· Invitation envelope addressing · Place cards · Save the Dates · Certificates · Special projects · Corporate addressing · Thank you notes · Birth announcements
Place-card decorated with crystals.
How can I contact you about a calligraphy project?
You can visit our website for information and details at Queenshandcalligraphy.com and then send me an email or even the old fashioned method of a making a phone call: (630) 286-9382.
I hope you enjoyed meeting Georgia, learning about her business, Queen’s Hand Calligraphy and seeing some of her beautiful work. I certainly have. Please feel free to share this blog post with anyone you think might be interested in beautifully hand crafted, hand lettered invitations or gifts.
About Chanelle
Photo credit: Roxanne Best, Roxtography
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for Life. She is an ordained minister, professional wedding officiant, coach, and owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. Believing that life and love should be celebrated every minute, she collaborates with couples who’ve already started building the foundations of their relationship over the years and are now ready to venture forth into marriage with a custom, memorable (for all the right reasons) elopement/intimate wedding ceremony. While Chanelle works throughout the Pacific Northwest and Ireland primarily, she gladly travels to wherever her couples prefer to marry. As their Celebrant for Life, Chanelle also celebrates all the special milestones and moments that matter in each of her couples’ lives. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington, USA, and totally LOVES her life. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
You never know what you’ll find when searching the internet…earlier today, I took part in a 30 minute ‘lunch and learn’ with Sara Dunn, a wedding SEO professional. If you’re a wedding professional and wanting to learn how to rank higher on Google, she is super amazing. Anyway, after the training, I was following up by running an SEO check on my website. That check showed that among other things, my website was ranking for a backlink to the digital wedding magazine, www.offbeatwed.com for a Leavenworth Elopement. I knew I hadn’t written a post for that publication, so of course I had to check it out. Surprise! I found a story submitted by one of my couples that got married in Leavenworth, Washington back in 2021, “An intimate ‘Up’ Adventure Party Leavenworth elopement with gluten-free pizza & donuts!” posted by Chris Wolfgang.
Chanelle’s Reflections
From an officiant’s perspective (any wedding professional’s perspective, I’m sure), Randy Joe and Jeremy were pretty much an ideal couple in that they always did what they said they would do, they responded to emails in a timely fashion and they were just plain old organized and very gracious and kind. Crafting their ceremony was just fun and having them love it enough to submit it is a genuine honor. I invite you to check it out here
Usually, when I write a blog post about one of my weddings, it’s full of my reflections as the officiant on that day, so, even though most of the details of the ceremony are shared in the article linked above, I’ll just add my recollections and feelings about my experience getting to know Randy Joe and Jeremy, their elopement ceremony and why it stands out to me even though it was two years ago and I’ve officiated dozens of weddings since.
Getting to know you…and YOUR Vision for your Day
I first met Randy Joe and Jeremy in March of 2021 about their planned elopement (“Act I” of their wedding), and they had pretty much everything already figured out: The venue was Roots Produce and Flower Farm in Leavenworth, Washington. The date would be June 12, 2021. There would be no guests at this time (just their two witnesses and their photographer) because they would have a bigger ceremony for their one year anniversary (Act II of their wedding) …They had everything figured out, except the ceremony…no worries, that is what I do as the Officiant, listen to stories and craft ceremonies…they knew they wanted something fun, laid back and something that totally matched their personalities. SO…we had a zoom chat to get to know each other. Jeremy and Randy Joe met in college in the theater program, which is handy because one of their favorite hobbies to do together is to watch movies. They got to know each other even went out with friends for Halloween: Randy Joe as Carmen San Diego and Jeremy as Waldo (as in “Where’s Waldo?) However, their first “official date” was lunch on 11/11/11 and Jeremy told me that soon after that, he knew he was “done looking.” Randy Joe actually told her mom all about Jeremy after their first date. They dated throughout the remainder of their college years, graduated, moved in together in 2013 and now have been together for twelve years (and married for two). Getting to know Jeremy and Randy Joe was so much fun, I couldn’t wait to draft their ceremony and send it to them for their thoughts and edits. My excitement was rewarded when Randy Joe emailed me with her and Jeremy’s final approval; her response was so sweet,
“Anyway, this all looks fantastic! I mean, I cried within the first 30 seconds of starting to read it and basically didn’t stop, so that’s a good sign.” 🙂
Photo credit: Sydney Cave, Everlasting Everly Photography
On “The Day,” their ceremony was just as fun for me. You can see it in my photos. It was relaxed and was with two people who were just so happy to be married, nothing else really mattered once we got there. One of my favorite memories from that day was watching them hand paint their mailbox which would be used for cards during “Act II” of their ceremony (the bigger wedding party on their anniversary). I promise you, there is nothing like watching a couple don colorful aprons, smoosh paint on their hands and then put their painted handprints all over a white mailbox. In case you’re wondering how that activity fits within a wedding ceremony, I’ll tell you. They each put on their own apron, but had the other person tie it for them. This speaks to helping each other with the everyday tasks during the marriage. Then, they squirt paint on their hands, smoosh them together and put handprints all over the mailbox. This is FUN and embraces the messiness of life (two very important elements in marriage and life in general). Finally, their witnesses were on hand with baby wipes so they could clean off their hands, which reminds us that there are times when even the strongest couples, need support from others. You can check out Chris Wolfgang’s article on Offbeatwed.com for photos of this fun activity, which I genuinely hope you do, or just use your imagination. 🙂
I also loved when they shared their vows (sweet and funny – check out the link above) and then signing their paperwork during the ceremony with their witnesses, so that when they walked up the aisle after I pronounced them married, they were actually completely and officially married. (You know…it’s not official til the paperwork is signed).
Photo credit: Sydney Cave, Everlasting Everly Photography
“’And love, true love, will follow you forever’ and may you always be each other’s greatest adventure.” – the final wish from their ceremony borrowed from their fave movies, “Up” and “The Princess Bride”
Celebrating Randy Joe and Jeremy’s elopement was as beautiful for me as their Wedding Officiant as “finally” getting married was for them and I’m grateful they enjoyed the experience enough to submit their wedding story to be published. For those wondering how Act II went, Randy Joe emailed me after receiving their anniversary card and shared,
“We did go ahead with our Act II this past Saturday and it was lovely! Frantic and stressful, but lovely!”
OH! and if you’ve never been to Roots Produce and Flower Farm, you should go. It’s absolutely stunning and the location for weddings is down below the road in a little valley surrounded by the majestic mountains. Truly, it will take your breath away.
Other Wedding Pros involved in this beautiful adventure:
You’ll see a list of the other wedding professionals and vendors if you read the Offbeatwed.com article, but I’ll share them here so it’s handy for you:
If you’re ready to schedule your consultation to talk about your elopement or intimate wedding ceremony, please feel free to reach out. I’d love to chat with you.
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for Life. She is an ordained minister, professional wedding officiant, coach, and owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. Believing that life and love should be celebrated every minute, she collaborates with couples who’ve already started building the foundations of their relationship over the years and are now ready to venture forth into marriage with a custom, memorable (for all the right reasons) elopement/intimate wedding ceremony. While Chanelle works throughout the Pacific Northwest and Ireland primarily, she gladly travels to wherever her couples prefer to marry. As their Celebrant for Life, Chanelle also celebrates all the special milestones and moments that matter in each of her couples’ lives. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington, USA, and totally LOVES her life. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
“Everyday someone new turns to us for a helping hand, be it for health care, veterans’ benefits, housing needs or employment assistance, with contributions such as the one received, it assures that those who courageously served our country will not ever be forgotten.” – Jack McManus, National President VVA, 11/2/2023 in a thank you letter to Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC
Veterans Day 2023 image of American flags flying at Spring Canyon Cemetery near Grand Coulee, WA. Photo credit: Chanelle Carlin
Since starting my business, it has been my genuine desire that I would provide the highest quality officiating and coaching services and that Chanelle Carlin Weddings would exemplify my continued commitment to community. After each wedding, I donate a portion of my fees to a not-for-pofit organization whose mission I support and whose financial dealings I feel are honorable and trustworthy. Over the past three years, Chanelle Carlin Weddings has donated thousands of dollars on behalf our couples to their chosen organization. One of those organizations is the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and I am mentioning them in this article because just this past week, I received a letter of thanks from their National President. Having worked for many years in the not-for-profit sector, I know how important every donation is and I also know that thank you letters are generally sent out to thank donors, let them kow how their donation will be used and to invite them to donate more. This wasn’t the first donation that Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC has sent to the VVA and we have always received a nice email and receipt in the past for our donations, but this is the first letter we received from them so I wanted to acknowledge it and tell you a little about the Vietnam Veterans of America and why they are one of the chosen organizations of Chanelle Carlin Weddings.
First, the VVA is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. Although the war was declared finished in 1975, by the late 1970s, it was clear the established veterans groups in America had failed to make a priority of the issues of concern to Vietnam veterans and there were many. In January 1978, a small group of Vietnam veteran activists came to Washington, D.C., searching for allies to support the creation of an advocacy organization devoted exclusively to the needs of Vietnam veterans. VVA, initially known as the Council of Vietnam Veterans, began its work. Finally, in 1986, Congress recognized them with an official charter. Today, the VVA has a national membership of over 85,000, with over 650 chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Philippines dedicated to serving the needs of Vietnam veterans and those who serve our nation regardless of the war they fought in.
Second, in case you’re still curious about why I chose the VVA, it’s simple and relates directly back to my own life. My Dad, Fred is a Vietnam Veteran who served as a teenager like many others of his generation. In 1969, at the age of 19 (younger than my son and three of my nephews now), he was seriously wounded by a land mine. Many were killed. My father was thrown, and initially presumed dead, though thankfully he wasn’t. Dad suffered many physical and psychological traumas during this conflict, only some of which were the result of this accident. I have chosen to support this organization to support the efforts and healing of all Vietnam Veterans, their families and the Veterans who remain in harm’s way today. Their founding principle, of “never again will one generation of veterans abandon another” touches deep within my heart. The VVA members know what returning veterans face. They have been through it before and understand full well that despite all the heart felt “thank you for your service” comments, returning veterans will face major hurdles. It is their mission to make sure that those who serve our country receive the care and respect they have earned and I support that mission.
In case you’d like to learn more about the work of the Vietnam Veterans of America and how they help all veterans, I invite you to check out this YouTube video which I found on their website. It describes their history and current work far more effectively that I can in this short article.
Brief video of history of Vietnam Veterans of America and their mission, found at https://vva.org/who-we-are/history/
Just for a little lighthearted fun after talking about such an important topic, here is a photo of teenage me as cadet in the Civil Air Patrol in the mid-1980’s. Taken by another cadet, we were “in the field” at our monthly search and rescue training program in Shelton, Washington. For those who don’t know, I grew up in a family that believes in military service and at that time I had grand plans to join the air force. While my life took another direction (many, in fact), I treasure the memories of this time in my life and also still hold the gratitude of all who have served in the military. See, the things you learn about your wedding officiant when you read their blog posts. 🙂
Chanelle in the mid-1980’s as a Civil Air Patrol cadet. Photo credit: Kathleen Holly Waud.
Now, back to the thank you letter…
Thank you letter from Vietnam Veterans of America for donation.
I’d like to personally thank Ciara and Joshua DeLys for allowing me the honor of officiating their intimate wedding ceremony and also because it was their decision to choose the VVA as their preferred donation recipient.
Also, thanks to my dad for his service and to all other service men and women who have responded to the call of our nation and served bravely (even if you didn’t feel brave sometimes). It is never easy and no one ever knows what they’re signing up for or sacrificing. I am grateful to each of you.
As I mentioned above, the Vietnam Veterans of America is just one of the organizations that Chanelle Carlin Weddings donates to and they are the only national organization. Each of the other organizations is unique to the Pacific Northwest:
Camp Fire of Snohomish County – https://campfiresnoco.org/ Oregon Dachshund Rescue, Inc. – http://www.odr-inc.org/ KSPS – Public Television in Spokane – https://www.ksps.org/ KSER (90.7) – Everett – http://www.kser.org/ Washington Trails Association – https://www.wta.org/
I’ll highlight another organization in a separate blog post, but since we’re so close to Veteran’s Day AND I just received this lovely letter, I thought I would start with the Vietnam Veterans of America. I’ve included links to each of the other organizations website though in case you’d like to learn more about what they do as well.
If you’re ready to schedule your consultation to talk about your wedding OR how you can donate to one of these organizations, please feel free to reach out. I’d love to chat with you.
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for Life. She is an ordained minister, professional wedding officiant, coach, and owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. Believing that life and love should be celebrated every minute, she collaborates with couples who’ve already started building the foundations of their relationship over the years and are now ready to venture forth into marriage with a custom, memorable (for all the right reasons) elopement/intimate wedding ceremony. While Chanelle works throughout the Pacific Northwest and Ireland primarily, she gladly travels to wherever her couples prefer to marry. As their Celebrant for Life, Chanelle also celebrates all the special milestones and moments that matter in each of her couples’ lives. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington, USA, and totally LOVES her life. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
For those who know me or have spent any time reading my website, you know that I lived in Ireland for eight years…and loved every minute of my time there. So, in honor of the month we’re in…March… and a little over a week from St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I would share a post today about one of my favorite Irish symbols and one that couples often ask about…the Claddagh. Before I get to that, I thought I would reflect on Ireland for a sec. It is the one place apart from Camp Killoqua in Stanwood, Washington that ever truly felt like home. Sometime, I will share a bit more about my Irish experience and how it influences me as your Celebrant for Life. In the meantime, here are a couple of photos from my time there. The first is a photo of the top of the street that I lived on when I first moved to Ireland (after staying with friends). If you look closely, there is a red brick building in the middle of the photo on the right. That was my building. I shared a flat (apartment) with two other girls. My first job in Ireland was down at the other end of the street on the left.
Dublin Street, Monaghan. The street where I first lived in Monaghan, Ireland. Me standing along the side of a hedge in Clogher, Co. Tyrone (approx. 2010)
The Claddagh – enough about me for now…
I thought you might enjoy a little history as well as info on how to wear the Claddagh ring, plus one VERY important piece of info that you’ll want to read at the very end.
The Claddagh is one of Ireland’s most recognized and precious images. Two hands embracing a heart adorned with a crown symbolize the purity of a cherished relationship – friendship (hands), love (heart) and loyalty (crown).
When we hear “Claddagh”, most of us think ring or maybe even door knocker. But Claddagh is actually a place. It’s located in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland and THE place where a fisherman-turned-goldsmith transformed his undying commitment to the woman he loved into the renowned band of gold. (More about the legend in a bit…)
In an area once known as the Fish Market and named after the Irish word for “shore” – an Cladach, Claddagh is one of Ireland’s oldest former fishing communities. It is located in Galway city, just across the River Corrib from the Spanish and Caoċ Arches, the remaining structure of a protective wall constructed in 1584. Very little of the original village is present today due to shifts in industry, emigration, disease and war but the history and lore remains. You can find out more about Claddagh here .
There are many legends surrounding the original design of the Claddagh ring and most point toward Galway fisherman Richard Joyce. In the late 17th century, Joyce was captured by pirates and sold into slavery. While in servitude, he forged a ring of gold for his true love back in Galway featuring three symbols: a heart of love, a crown of loyalty and hands of friendship. After his release back to his village of Claddagh, he married the woman who had waited years for him to return. “With these hands I give you my heart, and I crown it with my love”.
Traditionally, a Claddagh ring was passed from a mother to her daughter. Or in my case, from daughter to mother. I gave my mom a pair of Claddagh earrings when I lived in Ireland. Often a family heirloom, the symbol of love, loyalty and friendship is also commonly exchanged between friends.
Most popular though is the wearing of a Claddagh ring as a symbol of romance. The Claddagh ring is to be worn in a specific way depending upon your relationship ‘status.’
How to Wear a Claddagh Ring
Before getting married, the ring should be worn on your right hand.
If you’re single, wear the ring with your heart facing out. This tells people you’re open to dating, i.e. that your heart is available to give to another person. The heart should point toward the end of your finger, rather than the center of your hand, and the crown should point inward.
Once you’re dating someone and you feel committed, wear the ring with the heart facing in. This shows your heart is currently unavailable. The Claddagh should be turned around so the heart points toward the center of your hand.
Once you are married, the ring can be moved to the left hand. For some, you can move the Claddagh ring to the left hand once you’re engaged (heart pointing out to the tip of your finger) and then turned around to have the heart pointed toward the center of your hand as part of the wedding ceremony.
Image by Kilkenny Design
Important….
Regardless of whether or not you’re looking for love, one thing is certain – never buy your own Claddagh ring. It must be gifted or received. It’s bad luck, and who knows more about luck than the Irish?
I hope you enjoyed this brief little post about one of my favorite Irish symbols as we get ready for St. Patrick’s Day. Do you have a favorite Irish symbol? Have you been to Ireland? I’d love to hear one of your stories.
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for Life. She is an ordained minister, professional wedding officiant, coach, and owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. Believing that life and love should be celebrated every minute, she collaborates with couples who’ve already started building the foundations of their relationship over the years and are now ready to venture forth into marriage with a custom, memorable (for all the right reasons) elopement/intimate wedding ceremony. While Chanelle works throughout the Pacific Northwest and Ireland primarily, she gladly travels to wherever her couples prefer to marry. As their Celebrant for Life, Chanelle also celebrates all the special milestones and moments that matter in each of her couples’ lives. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington, USA, and totally LOVES her life. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Have you thought about who will officiate your wedding? It’s a question that often gets overlooked in the excitement of wedding planning—until someone (like your photographer, planner, or even your mom) brings it up. Whether you’re just starting to plan your dream ceremony or you’re deep into the details and realizing you still need an officiant, don’t panic.
In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about wedding officiants, including:
What exactly is the role of a Wedding Officiant?
Do you really need one?
What should you consider when planning your ceremony?
Take a deep breath, and let’s dive in! Your journey to creating a meaningful, personalized, and stress-free wedding ceremony starts here.
Where Do We Start?! Do we need an Officiant for our wedding?
Take time to enjoy just being engaged
First, though, before we get into all things Officiant related, I’d like to add my congratulations on your engagement to the many you have already (I’m sure) received! This is an amazing time and planning your wedding should be fun. You’re preparing a celebration to begin the rest of your lives together. If you haven’t already, take some time away from planning to just breathe and enjoy the bliss of your engagement.
Please don’t try to do everything yourself
Now that you’ve taken some time just the two of you to enjoy being engaged, let’s chat about wedding planning. I receive a lot of questions from newly engaged couples who don’t even know where to start thinking about their wedding event, let alone their ceremony (the part during which they actually get married) and they start feeling stressed. Fortunately, while there IS a lot to consider when planning a wedding and putting together a wedding ceremony, you don’t have to do everything by yourself.
In fact, for every part of your special day, there is a wedding professional available and desiring to assist you: Wedding Venues, Wedding Planners, Florists, Stylists, and Stationary designers, Party Rentals, Caterers, Bakers, DJ’s, Musicians, Photographers, Videographers, Jewelers, Tailors, Retailers, Hotels AND, of course Officiants (the person who actually does the “marrying part”. 🙂 Thankfully, most of the time, each wedding pro can lead you to another. If you’re looking for a specific wedding professional to help with your special day here in the PNW, please let me know. I have contacts with a lot of amazing professionals.
A Wedding Officiant IS required.
You can start with whomever you want, but my suggestion is that you start with the two of you and your preferred date(s), type of wedding (elopement, intimate wedding, large family gathering, something in between), and the location. Once you have those, I’d suggest finding your officiant, a wedding planner and your photographer. Notice that I mention finding your Officiant first. Of all the professionals couples must have for their wedding, the only one required to get married is an officiant. All of the other wedding pros will help make your event beautiful, special and as stressless as possible, but they aren’t required to get married; in most cases, a Wedding Officiant is.
We’re Eloping – Do we still need an Officiant?
Another question that comes up from couples is related to elopements. This is a bit of a tricky question, because elopements can look and feel like a lot of different things depending on who you’re talking to. I discuss this in a bit more depth on my podcast if you want to check it out. However, the answer is generally the same. In all but eight states (and Washington DC), which allow self-solemnization, couples who want to marry (even if they elope) must have an Officiant. Even in those states though, there are varying requirements for witnesses and documentation.
A Wedding Officiant’s primary role – making sure you’re legal.
Now that you know you need one, let’s clarify the role of a wedding officiant. As your Wedding Officiant, my primary role is to make sure you’re legally married. Yep. It’s a thing. I am legally bound to ensure that you say and do certain things on your wedding day in a proscribed manner.
For instance, in the states of the Pacific Northwest, a couple needs to declare out loud, their desire to marry and that they’re entering into this “agreement” of their own free will.
In the State of Washington, they are also required to obtain a Marriage License from a county auditor. Oregon and Idaho have similar regulations. On the day of your wedding, you have to sign your marriage certificate with two witnesses and your officiant. Afterward, your Officiant is legally required to return the official, signed Marriage Certificate to the county to be recorded.
It may seem like no big deal. It’s just a piece of paper. For some, that is the case, until it isn’t. There are many instances where couples’ documents were not recorded, and they have no proof that they were legally married. I officiated a ceremony recently for a couple who had been together for decades, married for ten years and have four children together. They needed proof of their marriage for retirement purposes, but didn’t have it…so we made a big celebration of it on their anniversary, and I made sure it was recorded the next day.
A Wedding Officiant’s Role – Crafting your ceremony and helping with vows
Aside from the legal requirement, another part of your officiant’s role is to create a ceremony that fits your personalities and vision for your perfect celebration. Whether your vision for your ceremony is one that just gets you married and on to the party with your family and friends, or you desire a deeply personal and meaningful elopement or intimate ceremony (my favorites), your officiant can help you. It’s one of my favorite things to do…get to know you as individuals and as a couple and then craft a ceremony that is truly meaningful to you both so that when you look back on your wedding day, the ceremony stands out as one of your favorite parts of the day.
When you’re thinking about your ceremony, most couples think about their vows, as you should. After all, a marriage is more than a legal contract between two people. You’re each making a commitment to one another for life. You’re saying that you’re going to be there with and for each other for the days, weeks, months and years to come…no matter what. How you choose to voice those promises during your wedding ceremony is something the two of you want to decide together and talk about with your Officiant. This is another very important part of your Officiant’s role during the ceremony creation process: to make sure that you have support determining what type of vows you want to exchange and if you want to share personal vows, they can help you get started writing them.
A Wedding Officiant’s Role – Celebrating your nuptials
Celebrating your ceremony is where most couples think about the role of a Wedding Officiant. Even if you haven’t been to many weddings, you may have seen a movie, television show with a couple at the front of a church or wedding venue exchanging vows with a minister. Often that is the only interaction many have had with a Wedding Officiant until it comes time for their wedding. As a Wedding Officiant, celebrating my couples’ wedding ceremonies is truly one of the highlights of my day.
Tips from a professional Wedding Officiant to help ensure your ceremony is the highlight of your wedding day:
To make sure your ceremony is the highlight of your wedding day, here are a few things to think about. You’ll also want to discuss them with your Officiant:
How do you want your ceremony to feel for you and your guests? If you start here, your Officiant can help you with the rest.
Do you want a faith-based ceremony? Non-religious? A combination? multi-cultural? themed?
Would you like an outdoor ceremony or indoor ceremony?
Do you want a large event that includes all your family and friends? Or, do you prefer an intimate affair with just a few?
How many people (if any) do you want to be in your wedding party?
Do you want any readings or music before or during the ceremony? These add to the feel, without adding to the length of your ceremony
Would you like some traditional vows, to create your own vows or have a combination of the two? and
What type of unity ritual you would like (if any)? This is a great way to honor your family/ cultural backgrounds.
Length of your ceremony can be impacted by a number of factors
Most non-religious ceremonies officiated by professional officiants take around 15-20 minutes to complete. If you have a lot of elements (readings, live music , etc) it may go a little longer, but not much. I officiated a ceremony for a couple joining both of their families and together they had seven children. The couple wanted each of the children to have a role in the ceremony. With that, their ceremony still only took 30 minutes.
Another factor that may add to the length of your ceremony is escorting elderly or disabled relatives during the processional. It may add a minute or two, but your gesture of love will be most appreciated.
Let’s Recap
Your wedding ceremony is the heart of your special day. Your Wedding Officiant plays a key role in making it legal, personal, and unforgettable. From ensuring all the legalities are covered to crafting a ceremony that reflects your unique love story, an experienced Officiant supports you every step of the way. Whether you’re exchanging deeply personal vows or keeping it simple, your wedding should feel authentic to who you are as a couple.
If you’re ready to start planning your perfect ceremony? Let’s chat! Visit Chanelle Carlin Weddings or send me a message—I’d love to help you create a day you’ll cherish forever.
Photo credit: Roxanne Best
About Chanelle:
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for LifeTM. She is an ordained minister, professional wedding officiant, coach, owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. Chanelle is also the host of Now You May Kiss Podcast with Chanelle Carlin. She believes that life and love should be celebrated every minute. While Chanelle works throughout the Pacific Northwest primarily, she gladly travels to wherever her couples prefer to marry. As their Celebrant for Life, Chanelle also celebrates the moments that matter in each of her couples’ lives. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington, USA, and totally LOVES her life. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com, on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In or Pinterest.
Why & How to Care for Yourself Leading up to Your Big Day
There are so many ways to practice self-care before your wedding but the main thing to understand is why. You’re planning your wedding. It’s going to be beautiful, and special and you’ve been thinking about it for years. You want it to be perfect, so you and your partner need to take care of yourselves (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually). It’s just that there is SO much to do beforehand…even when you have your wedding team in place, it can feel overwhelming. I know.
Well, as your officiant, one of my promises to you is to encourage you in your self-care, so here I am, doing just that. There are lots of easy things that you both can do to take care of your mind, body and spirit and if you’re wanting help along the way, I’ve got you covered there too.
Physical
Sleep
Staying up all night watching IG videos or pinning your favorite wedding decor might sound like a good idea, but it’s really not good for sleeping. Studies have shown that the blue light from your phone suppresses melatonin, which keeps you from sleeping well and ultimately feeling refreshed, not to mention possible connections with diseases such as diabetes.
The best thing to do? Start a sleep schedule where you try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day (even on the weekends). And, as far as the blue light, aim to put down all your electronics 2-3 hours before bedtime (OK – at LEAST half an hour before bed).
One of the things I have found helpful is to put down/shut off the electronics, an hour before bed. This is a great time to take care of final tasks in the kitchen or around the house, grab a cup of herbal tea, wash my face and brush my teeth. All of that takes me about 45 minutes and by then, I am calm and ready to sleep, my house feels ready for the morning and my skin is ready for nightly rejuvenation. If I’m still a bit awake, I will read a book (old-fashioned kind – no electronic versions).
Sleep, good sleep is vital
Nutrition
I know…there is so much to do in our daily lives even without planning a wedding that our nutrition can get off track. However, when we don’t eat properly, there are all kinds of potential impacts: weight gain, weight loss, digestive trouble, skin irritation and dark circles, stress, frustration, injury and illness to name a few. Some basic things to try:
Less is More:
Drink less caffeine (we PNW folks LOVE our coffee and tea), alcohol and pop – there is a lot of sodium in sodas.
Drink MORE water – this will keep your skin hydrated as well as keep your digestive system working the way it is designed to.
Increase your fresh veggie and fruit intake (mostly veggies), even by a little bit. Our bodies thrive when they get treated to fresh food. It also helps the hair, skin and digestion.
Decrease processed foods as much as possible. I love pizza as much as the next person, but it’s not good for us to eat it every day, or even twice a week.
I am once again working with and using Isagenix cleanse products because I LOVE knowing that I am giving my body the nutritional support it needs with products I know are life-changing (they already have been for me). If you’re interested in learning more, you can visit my website here. If you have questions, I will be happy to answer them and share my story in more detail.
Exercise
So…did you already join the gym? Are you going as often as you planned? If yes, you’re a rockstar and well done!
If not, that’s ok. I don’t judge. I have bought more gym memberships that went unused in my lifetime than I care to think about. BUT… exercise/movement is important for a healthy body, mind and spirit.
I prefer to go for walks, hikes, and dance around my kitchen and living room when no one is watching. I even play ball with my cat (I know it sounds weird, but he loves to race them). These activities don’t have to take a lot of time. Just 10-15 minutes at a go, can be beneficial. Let’s be honest, with as much time as most of us scroll social media, we can usually find 10 minutes for a quick game of chase the ball with the cat…I mean stroll around the block.
Taking care of your skin
You’re most likely having some photos taken at your wedding. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition and stress can really take a toll on our skin. Since I know that you want your photos to show your natural, just married glow, try to prioritize a skincare routine. Ideally, twice per day, you should cleanse and moisturize, but if that is too much, at LEAST do it before bed. Our skin cells rejuvenate overnight when our bodies are sleeping. Washing and moisturizing before that just aids in that process.
I recently became a brand ambassador for a luxury skincare line that also has a super yummy, drinkable collagen. My skin feels AMAZING (I live in the desert and have been experiencing dry skin for years), my dark circles and dark spots on my forehead and hands are almost gone).
Emotional
Emotional self-care is just as important as taking care of our physical health. Our minds and hearts need attention too.
Time Together
Date night
How about Date Night once a week?
Wedding planning can become all-consuming, so I encourage you and your partner to take a night, once a week if possible, and go out here so you don’t talk about the wedding. Just have fun, laugh, tell jokes, talk about work (right?!), maybe even go for a walk or a hike and take care of some physical self-care at the same time.
“You” Time
time for a bubble bath
Sometimes we are so busy taking care of our partner, the kids, the parents, working, planning a wedding, and answering questions from everyone else, that we forget that we need to have time alone too. You know, just to breathe and BE. This is a great time to lock yourself in the bathroom and take a bubble bath. Turn on some music, SOAK and relax.
Time with Friends
After you’re done having your “You” time, maybe try some time with friends just to relax and NOT talk wedding stuff. How about a movie or girls’ hike or even a spa day (pedicure?).
self care time with the girls – pc Joel Muniz (via unsplash.com)
Don’t estimate the power of time with your girlfriends/guy friends. Yes, guys need to practice self-care too and they need time with their buddies.
self-care round of golf with the boys – pc Getty Images/creator pixelfit
To-Do Lists
All this time talking about not talking about wedding stuff may have you thinking, yeah, but Chanelle, I have a wedding to plan and I can’t NOT talk about it or DO wedding things. I get it, but I also know how deep the rabbit hole can get sometimes, so I recommend setting aside a certain number of hours per week for wedding research/planning/doing AND I recommend sticking to that allotted amount of time. Keep track of things you want to get done in your wedding planning notebook or “to-do list”.
To Do List…
Best Self Care Idea Yet – Get Support
Hire a Wedding Planner. I promise you that the amount of stress, energy and emotional overwhelm that you will save by having a wedding planner will far outweigh any money you spend. These folks are awesome and like your officiant (yours truly), they live for weddings. The things it takes you hours to find and do, take them no time at all. Their whole job is to alleviate your stress and help your vision for your wedding come to life. AND…there is a wedding planner for every budget (I promise). If you would like a recommendation for an amazing PNW Wedding planner, let me know. I work with some incredible, talented and creative people.
Even if you decide not to go with a wedding planner, ask for help when you need it! Your family, friends, and bridal party will happily help you plan and take things off your plate when it all gets to be too much.
Spiritual
As I said at the beginning, self-care includes caring e for our body, mind and spirit. For some, this can mean worship and time at church or temple. For others, it may look a little less structured.
Meditation/journaling/prayer
Taking a few moments to decompress each day will help keep you sane. Even if you just take 5 minutes to center yourself and focus on the day ahead. I generally set aside an hour each day for my devotional time (reading scripture, and prayer). I have also found that just taking 15 minutes a day to write down all I am thankful for that day and in that moment helps me feel more peaceful.
Walking
Couple walking. Photo by Catalin Paterau on Unsplash.com
I’m a HUGE fan of walking and not just for exercise, but to clear my head. I’ve also managed to solve all the world’s problems on more than one long walk. Your walks don’t even have to be long ones or even overly speedy. By getting out for 10-15 minutes at a time, you may find your stress level going down and your energy going up. In the winter, if it is too cold outside, I walk the halls of our house just to ‘get my steps in’.
Monthly Treats
We all have something we love to treat ourselves to. When you’re planning a wedding, it’s always nice to take the time to take care of yourself. If you love a great massage or a mani/pedi, treat yourself to one. Maybe it’s decadent dark chocolate (my favorite) or an insanely good book. Enjoy this time of your life in every way possible!
As I mentioned above, self-care is vital for you and your partner every day. It’s especially important for you both to truly enjoy the wedding planning process and your most amazingly beautiful wedding day. I hope some of the information and tips in this article have been or will be helpful to you. If you would like further support or clarification, please reach out and let me know.
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Photo credit Roxanne Best
Chanelle Carlin is Your Celebrant for Life. She is an ordained minister, professional wedding officiant, coach, and owner of Chanelle Carlin Weddings, LLC. Chanelle believes that life and love should be celebrated every minute. She collaborates with couples who’ve already started building the foundations of their relationship over years and are now ready to venture forth into marriage with a custom, memorable elopement/intimate wedding ceremony. While Chanelle works throughout the Pacific Northwest and Ireland primarily, she gladly travels to wherever her couples prefer to marry. As their Celebrant for Life, Chanelle celebrates the special milestones and moments that matter in each of her couples’ lives. She lives with her family in rural Okanogan County, Washington, USA, and LOVES her life. You can visit Chanelle at www.chanellecarlin.com, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
