Ellen and I met over a year before her wedding date of 10/11/08 at Belk's in Cary at a Bridal Show. I rarely go to Bridal Shows but I must have been meant to be there! Shortly thereafter she called me and we set up a meeting. She knew right away that I was the minister for her and her sweetheart, Rob, because they wanted to make sure their wedding ceremony was very special and that they could participate in writing it. They were married at the Matthews House in Cary in the reception hall--a great place to have a gala wedding--and seemingly spared no expense or detail in making their wedding their dream wedding! Kelly, wedding director with the Matthews House made sure the rehearsal, wedding and reception went smoothly. She was great keeping everyone where they needed to be at the right time! There were 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen--a large wedding party to keep tabs on. Bobby Moody, jazz musician, played the sax while guests were mingling around before the start of the ceremony. It was great to see Bobby--his wife Rhonda and I used to work together in my other career! Ruby Prescott and her Blue Sands string quartet with harpist Winifred Garrett played for the ceremony. Ramon Kenan played the trumpet for the entrance of the bride and the recessional. Stone Age Romeos, a rock band, played for the reception. Cinda's Creative Cakes made their beautiful wedding cake and Amanda Cramp and Jeff Cox (a brother-sister team) did the photography. I can't find them on the web and Amanda never did get her business card to me so I can't hyperlink them to this blog or tell you how to reach them. Maybe they will see this post and contact me. (10/28/08--they did! Here is their business name with link: C2 Photo Concepts.)
Ellen and Rob and I went back and forth with the ceremony script months before the wedding day until it was perfect for them. After all the wedding party processed in, Ellen walked herself halfway down the aisle where Rob met her and escorted her the rest of the way. She beamed radiantly like no other bride I have ever seen throughout the whole ceremony. Ellen's childhood friend, Muriel, presented a wonderful reading of The Key to Love by Robert M. Millay. They had a special unity candle lighting ceremony. All of their parents have passed away so they lit each other's candle and brought their flames together to light the unity candle. Their friend and soloist, Leslie, developed bronchitis the night before their ceremony and was unable to sing for us but her husband thoughtfully brought a recording of "From this Moment." 
Then, I got to tell "the story" of how they met, fell in love and found so much in common. The guests loved hearing this love story. Ellen and Rob knew they were just right for each other. They read vows they had written to each other from my book and exchanged rings. I pronounced them husband and wife and they kissed, of course! Then I presented them to their guests and we all rushed outside to get a group photo before the light faded. We first gathered underneath a bedroom window on the side of the manor house but Amanda and Jeff could not get the windows open! So, we move to the front, smaller space, where they could hang from the balcony! There we were, squashed all together like sardines but Jeff got a great photo from the balcony at the front of the house. Marty and I packed up my sound system in the midst of the staff staging the reception hall for the reception but we know they had a grand celebration!
I wish you the very best in love and life, Ellen and Rob, and call me for a renewal of vows ceremony in a few years! PS: Again, I felt like a midget! 
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