Fabulous Wedding of Sarah and Jason at Shady Wagon Farm!

Sarah and Jason planned their dream wedding! The date was September 14, 2013 at Shady Wagon Farm in New Hill NC. The weekend began with delicious fall temperatures, clear and crisp. Perfect. Shawn Schindler of Your Special Day was their wedding planner so every detail was expertly handled and the wedding day went without a hitch. 

As we turned in to the farm, this cute sign with the purple and green balloons announced the wedding.

I found out from Cindy, the owner, creator and resident (along with her husband Doug) of this lovely venue, explained that the crop growing in the background that looks like "pygmy corn with a tassel" is milo, a crop grown for livestock. It sure makes a lush green meadow.

The grassy area in front of the farmhouse is the ceremony area. The gazebo extends out into the lake. (When I first started doing weddings here years ago, there was no border of flowers and logs, no brick walkway, and no gazebo. Cindy adds something new every wedding, I think!)

Sometimes the entire wedding party is out in the gazebo but Sarah and Jason wanted to be closer to their guests so we had the ceremony in front of the gazebo--a really nice arrangement for everyone. The florals were done by Expressions of Love florist.

This is the main house where the owners live. The bride and parents and grandparents hide out there before the wedding. Oh, I was in there too!

Cindy just keeps embellishing the farm! She has a windmill and most recently brought in this cute little general store! And, she actually sells things like candy, cough drops, batteries, etc. there. There is even an outhouse in the back though it did not look "functional" to me!

The guests began arriving. They signed the guest book and got something cool to drink.

On Marty's way over to get photos of the reception area in the barn, she snapped this photo of the bride being whisked away into the farmhouse before the ceremony. That is Shawn on the left and father of the bride, Pete, on the right.

View of the ceremony site from the other side of the lake.

This is the pavilion off the back of the barn where the guests enjoy cocktail hour before going inside the barn for dinner and then back out to the pavilion for dancing the night away!

The interior of the barn was all set up and ready!

Cinda's Creative Cakes made this beautiful cake.

Arioso Strings were all set up and playing prelude music while the guests were being seated.

Shawn announces that it is time to begin the processional! Always love working with Shawn. She is a pro. Her assistant Mandy was there too.

After Jason's grandmother was seated, his parents, Debbie and Bill entered. They came all the way from Hawaii for the wedding.

Mother of the bride, Kathy, was escorted in by her son, Matthew.

After I started on my way in, Jason on the right and Sean, his brother and best man on the left, made their way down the aisle.

After all the bridesmaids and Shannon, the Matron of Honor had processed in, Sarah's sister Allison, Maid of Honor, came down the aisle.

Mr. Puddy, resident cat at the farm. I love Mr. Puddy! He is more like a dog than a cat. He runs out to greet people and is so friendly. One wedding he walked down the aisle during the ceremony, got spooked and dashed back up to the porch were he scampered across the keyboard of the pianist, nearly scaring her to death, and created his own discordant music! Today he decided to play it cool and just watched from the sidelines! 

Awaiting the bride. Notice the photographer, Christobal with Azul Photography, and videographers Jeff and Emily with Jeff Brewer Films were all set up to capture every wonderful image of this storybook wedding. 

Mandy carried the train so it does not drag in the gravel. I asked everyone to remain seated so that Jason could see Sarah walk from the house to the ceremony. Then everyone stood as she walked down the aisle.

I looked over at Jason tearing up and got my hankie out. 

"Who supports and blesses Sarah as she comes to join in marriage to Jason?"

And now their marriage ceremony begins. It was good that Jason is a lot taller than Sarah or the sun would have been right in her face the whole ceremony!

Jason and Sarah met the summer of 2008 after Jason graduated and got his first "big boy" job a the same company where Sarah was already working. They began to notice each other and hung out with the same crowd after work. They remained work friends only because at the time, they were seeing other people. In 2009, Jason spent a semester abroad and when he returned in 2010, they both found themselves unencumbered and their friends and relatives plotted to get them together although both Jason and Sarah were "wise" to their maneuvers and of course very cooperative. When they went on their first official date, it was obvious that there was more than friendship going on and after a few subsequent dates they became a couple and a few years later decided to tie the knot. And the wedding planning began. Sarah had dreams of her wedding day and Jason was most happy to just go along with her. What do they say? "Happy wife, Happy life?"

This is where I tell each of them what the other told me in confidence as to why they love each other, want to marry each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. It is such a sweet moment and often quite funny depending on what they reveal to me!

They chose to include the handfasting ceremony so here I am binding their left hands together.

Then they joined right hands which quickly became a problem because it left them unable to wipe their eyes and noses!

So, when we couldn't stand it any more, we took a break so they could wipe their eyes and noses!

It was a "three hankie" wedding! I had two hankies with me, Sarah had one, and Jason had a pocket full of tissues and they used them ALL!

Finally they got through their vows and ring exchange and after a closing blessing, it was time for the pronouncement of marriage.

Assessing the tears and noses situation before the pronouncement is absolutely vital because what comes up next is THE KISS!

All was clear so we proceeded and Jason surprised us all by lifting Sarah up. I do have a sneaky suspicion that they planned this though! But the photo is a testament that Jason had been paying attention at the rehearsal when I told him to put his hands under the veil rather than on top of it during the kiss!

And now, it is my privilege and delight to present to you for the first time, Jason and Sarah, husband and wife! 

Now to celebrate! 

Sarah and Jason, it was my great pleasure to join you in marriage. Working with you was a wonderful experience and I know you are going to have a fabulous future together! Have fun in New Zealand and Australia!

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Sarah and Jason Wed at Duke Chapel on September 1, 2018!!

Sarah and Jason met while they were students at Duke University. When they were informed of the last minute availability of the historic Duke Chapel for September 1, 2018, they jumped at the chance. Their wedding planner, Casey with Events by La Fete, referred them to me and we got to work on the ceremony.

Their wedding day was one with sudden showers and clouds overhead. 

Their photographer, Theo Milo, got some great shots of the wedding party before the ceremony. On the left are their mothers, Kathy and Janis, watching the activities.

Dave and I arrived with umbrellas in hand in case it was raining when we left. Thankfully it was not.

I stopped to chat with Sarah. She looked so beautiful in that gorgeous wedding gown. It fit her so well.

The bridesmaids were dressed in shades of champagne in dresses of their own choice. Kathy was enjoying visiting with her daughter's girlfriends all assembled in one place for the wedding!

Talking with the sound guy at the chapel. My mic fits into their body pack and we did a sound check. I decided to wear black with a white prayer stole for this wedding since beiges are not in my wardrobe. I wanted something a little different so I made this kimono and put a little bling around the hem and sleeves--it had to be sewn on by hand and it took me hours! But it was worth it. 

The chapel is so stunning!

Securing the boutonniere of one of the groomsmen. 

A pow wow with Blanche Williams who is in charge of weddings at the chapel. Her assistant Chris is behind her. Our groom, Jason on right. The discussion is about the Anniversary Box and loveletters which were carried by their cousins Harry and Maggie.

Then the guys and I adjourned to the lower level under the chapel to wait for the guests to arrive. The girls joined us later on. (Now--I learned something at this wedding. When I arrived and saw that Jason had no socks on I found out that he had not forgotten them but chose to go sockless with the velvet slippers he was wearing. One of the groomsmen decided to follow suit. Apparently it is a trend in men's fashion to not wear socks. Also trendy for the past few years is the peg-leg (narrow) pants. Jason was right in style!)

Chris came and led the guys and me up to the vestibule on the side of the chapel from which we would enter and take our places. The bride and her bridesmaids were taken around to the front of the chapel from where they would process in. New was a video screen where we could watch the guests entering and the parents of the groom being seated.

Then it was our turn to enter and take our places. 

The bridesmaids processed in and took their places. Sarah's brother, Dylan, was her Man of Honor so he entered with us rather than process down the aisle!

The chapel organist began Pachelbel's Canon in D for the procession of the bride and I invited our guests to stand. 

Sarah and her mother made their way down the very long aisle as their guests turned and watched them. 

At the end of the aisle Kathy placed Sarah's hand in Jason's hand and she and the guests were seated as we ascended the steps to the altar for the ceremony. Then Jason raised the blusher veil that Sarah was wearing and they joined hands.

(The photos in this post were taken with my iPhone. The light level in the chapel is not the best for non-flash photography and the chapel does not allow photographers to get any closer than the first pillar. The professional photographers have their long lenses and can get good photos but mine are fuzzy!)

After I welcomed everyone, we had an opening blessing followed by the lighting of the memorial candle by Sarah's Aunt Kim.

Then I stepped out to the side of the couple and delivered a tribute to their parents from their children. 

Their story came next! They have been together 12 years and have survived moves to New York then to Charlotte, Sarah's career change, adopting their great dane, Ruby, and buying their first house.

Then I revealed to them what the other had told me in confidence--what they love about them, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

The vows came next. They chose traditional vows repeated after me line by line. 

Then it was time for the ring exchange. 

Jason placed the ring on Sarah's finger and said a few lines after me. 

Sarah placed the ring on Jason's finger as she said her ring vows to him. After the rings they placed their loveletters into the Anniversary Box followed by a closing blessing and the pronouncement of marriage. (Wish I had photos of this but they were just too blurry!)

Had to put in a photo of the kiss though! I am sure this guest got a much better shot with his phone! 

I presented the newlywed couple to their guests and out they went cheering all the way! 

Jason's parents, Janis and Jim, recess and circle back for photos while the guests traveled to The Cotton Room for the reception.

There is a ritual at Duke Chapel following the ceremony for the signing of the "big book" where all weddings in the chapel are recorded, then the marriage license by the witnesses. Sarah and Jason are thrilled to add their names.

After hearing that the hem of Janis' dress had caught on her shoe and torn, I got out my little sewing kit and sewed the hem back onto the body of the dress so she could dance at the reception! I rarely need my sewing kit but it sure comes in handy when needed. So glad I had it.

Sarah and Jason! Congratulations! A great wedding that came together perfectly. So happy you chose me to officiate for you, worked with me to get your ceremony just right, and got you two hitched! I wish you all the best!!