Sealed with a kiss!

Sealed with a kiss!
Laura & Chris' Wedding at JCRaulston Arboretum

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Lindsey and Marq's wedding in the White Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh



Lindsey emailed me on 6/21/08: "My fiancee and I have been dating over 7 years and have finally decided to get married. We have planned a trip to Turks and Caicos and originally wanted to get married there. Our immediate family expressed interest in witnessing us get married so we have decided to have a very private ceremony at an outdoor location. There will only be approximately10 people total at the ceremony."


Since their wedding was planned for 11:00 AM, I was available. They chose the White Garden with the gazebo and stone walls at the Raulston Arboretum where I have done many weddings. Their parents and grandmothers were there to witness and celebrate this wonderful occasion and I enjoyed chatting with them before the ceremony. They were so excited that Lindsey and Marq were getting married! One of their mothers told me that the government of their destination island required that the couple show proof that they were not not married to other people! How do you do that? I looked on line and here are the requirements to get a marriage license in Turks & Caicos which are a lot more strenuous (and expensive) than in NC. So, it was wise of them to get legally married in NC and enjoy their trip to the islands as a honeymoon!

The garden was lovely and abundant with bees but they kept to themselves as we had a simple yet sweet ceremony inside the gazebo. Their parents really appreciated the tribute to them: "Lindsey and Marq would like to acknowledge their parents on this occasion. They offer their profound gratitude to you for all the love and care you have given them throughout their lives. The unconditional gifts of love and support that you have continually offered have inspired them to become who they are today, and they thank you, from the bottom of their hearts, for guiding them to this celebration of love here today. We thank you and we honor you." We had a reading from First Corinthians then they said their vows, exchanged rings, and I pronounced them husband and wife followed by the kiss! I got their mothers to sign as witnesses on the license, took some photos, and left them to celebrate the occasion!

No comments: