An Inspired Chat with Cherise Klosner & Sam De La Cruz of Tacoma

Cherise Klosner & Sam De La Cruz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Cherise & Sam , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
By 6am, I’m up because Bow and Junie (our dogs) have decided breakfast waits for no one. Once they’re happily fed, I check emails while trying not to get completely swallowed into the inbox black hole.

Breakfast comes next, though “breakfast” usually means reheating last night’s leftovers.

If it’s summer, I’ll sneak in a quick early walk before the world heats up. If it’s the school year, I’m busy getting my youngest off to school. Only after all that does my “real” workday begin.

And just like that, the first 90 minutes of the day fly by.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Cherise Klosner and I am the owner and lead officiant of Another One Ties The Knot, as well as the co-founder of Sign and Celebrate, a boutique micro-wedding venue in downtown Tacoma. As a wedding officiant, I’ve had the joy of working with couples of all kinds, and over time I noticed a gap in the industry. Many couples either didn’t want, or couldn’t afford, a big expensive wedding, and their only option seemed to be the courthouse. After Covid, even that option became challenging—scheduling was limited and couples couldn’t always choose a meaningful date.

I had so many couples reaching out asking if I could simply meet them to sign their marriage license, and that’s when the idea for Sign and Celebrate was born. I envisioned a small, beautiful space where couples could make their commitment official and still have a moment that felt special. The name says it all—sign your license and then celebrate in your own unique way.

What started as a simple license-signing service quickly grew into something so much bigger. With my business partner, Sam De La Cruz, we created Sign and Celebrate, a warm, inviting micro-venue infused with a touch of Tacoma’s urban flair. Our goal is to give couples the chance to have an intimate, affordable, and stylish celebration—without ever feeling like they “missed out” on a big traditional wedding.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
It’s hard to pinpoint one exact moment, but when I think back, some of my earliest feelings of power came from waiting tables when I was younger. This was way back when people still paid mostly in cash and restaurants still had smoking sections. I loved being able to interact with customers during those little windows of their day where they could relax, enjoy a meal, and just breathe for a moment. I got to know so many of them, what they liked to eat, how they took their coffee, and in a way it felt like running my own little business.

As a server, you’re greeting customers, anticipating their needs, and even guiding how the experience ends. That independence and responsibility gave me my first real taste of leadership, and I loved it. Funny enough, I’ve always said that waiting tables was my favorite job, even more than when I later became a dental assistant, because of that sense of solo responsibility.

Years later, when I became a wedding officiant, I found myself feeling that same spark again. Officiating is such a key part of the wedding day, and I get to help create a beautiful, meaningful experience that fits into the bigger picture of their celebration. That feeling of guiding a moment and making it special for others has always been my version of power.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I always say I didn’t grow up poor, but I did grow up broke. For most of my childhood we lived in decent middle-class neighborhoods, but money was very tight and we moved often. I watched my mom work tirelessly to support three kids while still finding ways to create joy through thrifting, arts and crafts, and gardening.

From her I learned how to make do with what you have, but also that it is okay to want more and to reach for it. Struggling through those times taught me that the good stuff doesn’t come easy, and that you only get out of something what you’re willing to put in. Success has never taught me as much as those lessons of struggle, creativity, and persistence.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
That is something I strive very hard for. When I first started my business, I realized quickly that I am my product. The service I provide isn’t a physical item; it’s me showing up live and in person during one of the most important moments of someone’s life. In order to give my best, I have to feel a real connection with people, and they need to feel that with me too.

That’s why I like to share real, unfiltered moments of myself on my social media and website. I just entered the 40-year-old club, and honestly, I feel more secure in who I am now than ever before. Between perimenopause or practicing TikTok dances to see if I still got it, there’s really no need to fake it. What you see is truly what you get.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I think about the story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone, it’s about authenticity, perseverance, and inclusion. Most importantly, I want my kids to see and understand that. I want them to know that even though I worked in industries that often emphasize physical beauty and traditional norms, I always made sure that everyone—regardless of sexual orientation, race, religion, or background—felt safe, seen, and supported in my presence.

I hope people remember that I built both of my businesses, Another One Ties The Knot and Sign and Celebrate, with that same intention. From creating inclusive, modern wedding experiences to offering financially accessible options for couples, my goal has always been to honor love in all its forms and to create spaces where everyone can celebrate authentically.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Julia Long Photography

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