A friendly reminder that we’re thrilled to publish wedding announcements (free) – here’s a brand-new one:

Marlena Blonsky and Whitney Young are happy to announce their marriage on Saturday, September 8th.

The West Seattle residents happily exchanged vows and rings in front of friends and family in sunny Sequim.

They are so excited for this new chapter in their lives and can’t wait to make their marriage legal (hopefully) in December with the passage of Referendum 74.

Marlena says they’re honeymooning in Alaska next week, and adds, “We crowd-sourced lots of materials for our wedding from the Forums on West Seattle Blog, including Mason Jars, mini antique liquor bottles for decorations, and chalkboards.”

(Photo by Kristen Marie Tourtillotte)
These newlyweds are hoping their recent ceremony will be the first of two. For starters:

West Seattle residents Keith Bacon and Corianton Hale made it official on August 11th at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort in Leavenworth, WA. The happy couple are looking forward to making it legal when their friends and neighbors vote to APPROVE R-74 in the upcoming election. The celebration included a Bavarian log-sawing ceremony, a talent show, a tube float down the Wenatchee River, and even made The Stranger’s fashion blog.

(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
This morning, we mentioned a West Seattle couple’s plan to take their wedding-day photos in The Junction, by the Easy Street Records sign congratulating them. We of course couldn’t resist the photo op ourselves. Above, the Walk-All-Ways light changes and the wedding party dashes into the street. Next, a group pose:

Katie says it took a few cycles for a practice run, then several for the actual photos.

Now, here’s where we share the couple’s backstory, courtesy of Auburn Scallon, who was a bridesmaid (in a wedding party she described as 90 percent West Seattleites):

Sean Jolly, a West Seattle real estate agent, and Michelle Mierz, Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu 2000, originally met at Our Lady of Guadalupe school. Years later, they reconnected after running into each other in the West Seattle junction and within hours their friend Tiara Johnson asked them, “Why aren’t you two married?!” Three years later, the couple is taking that advice in a ceremony at Holy Names Academy.

Their official wedding photographer is Tara of Tara Leigh Photography, in the striped shirt:

The newlyweds’ full backstory is on their wedding website. Congratulations to Michelle and Sean!

Another West Seattle wedding announcement!

Kristina Graubins & Kane Jamison are happy to announce that they were married on August 11th at Lincoln Park. The happy couple moved to Seattle from Champaign, IL in 2008 and have lived in Arbor Heights for just over a year. When they’re not walking their dog Ben or tending to their new flock of chickens, they can be found chiseling away at their endless list of urban homestead projects. Please send your happy vibes to the new couple!

The first wedding announcement we’ve ever been asked to publish – but hey, they’re news too! From the bride:

Jolene Humphrey and Sanjay Robert are happy to announce that they are now Mr. and Mrs. Sanjay Robert!

They exchanged vows on Saturday, July 14, 2012, in a small service at their church.

The happy couple are residents of West Seattle and attend church at Hope Lutheran.

You are likely to see them at Lincoln Park with the kids, Kelci, Zach, and Ravi – or walking together hand in hand around the city.