"Out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened--Stephanie and Jonathan found one another in, of all places, the streets of New York City!" That is a quote from the wedding ceremony of this wonderful couple. Stephanie was on a trip to NYC when she met Jonathan, one of "NY's Finest" on patrol duty. Seems she stopped him to ask for directions. It must have been a magical meeting because somehow they both knew they were meant to be together! A courtship commenced and finally they decided to marry and set the date for April 4, 2009 at the Bedford Falls Clubhouse in Raleigh. Stephanie met with me last August and we signed a contract and got started on their ceremony. It did not take too long to come up with a beautiful ceremony which fit them both. They will have another ceremony in the Catholic church in NY this summer.
The clubhouse was spacious and we held the ceremony on the deck overlooking the pool. It was nice weather--in the seventies--and NOT raining! It was quite windy at the rehearsal on Friday afternoon but the winds calmed down for Saturday. The sun was shining and the day was almost as beautiful as Stephanie in her gorgeous bridal gown. She was radiant and so happy to be marrying Jonathan. Her daughter, Brie-Ann, was one of our flower girls and I could tell she was happy to have Jonathan for her daddy. They interacted so sweetly. We had 4 bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen, a Matron of Honor (Wendy, Stephanie's sister), and a Best Man. The girls were dressed in lovely latte dresses and the guys had latte vests. Jonathan had a champagne vest. They looked so handsome all spiffed up.
Their friends, Derrick Avery and Dawn Herring (married to each other), were our DJ and photographer. Dawn has just started her own photography business called Ragan Photography and this was her first wedding to shoot. Rocky Top Hospitality, owners of many restaurants in Raleigh including Michael Dean's, Twisted Fork, and Bogart's, catered the reception and catering manager for 1705 Prime, Kevin Dehimer, was on hand to make sure everything went flawlessly. Sure smelled delicious! Their scrumptious cake was by Edible Art and was decorated with calla lilies, Stephanie's theme for the wedding. Her wedding programs were very nice and I believe she did them herself. Great job!
The deck of the clubhouse filled up with their guests and family from Stephanie's hometown of Raleigh and their friends and family from NY. After we had all processed, everyone stood for the bride who was escorted in by her father. He transferred her hand into Jonathan's and I welcomed all the guests--many were from NY and this was their first experience of a "southern style" wedding! The ceremonies I officiate are much more warm and personal than the ones I have heard in the northern states. All the guests were very attentive and they could hear every word I spoke thanks to Derrick who hooked up my microphone to his system. We remembered
loved ones who could not be with us and had a simple prayer. We recognized their parents and Brie-Ann and how important she is in this newly joined family. They exchanged vows and rings and while they poured their sand together followed by Brie-Ann adding hers, Jonathan's mother, Maureen, sang The Irish Blessing. She told me she is a cantor with the Catholic Church and she did a great job. Although she did not have a microphone, her voice carried very nicely and those in the back could hear her well. I pronounced Stephanie and Jonathan married and invited Stephanie to kiss her husband--always gets a few chuckles. After the kiss and closing blessing, the happy couple dashed down the aisle--see the photo of Jonathan sticking out his tongue at the camera thrust in front of them! The wedding party and parents proceeded through the clubhouse out onto the emerald green lawn of the bell tower for photos. What a beautiful wedding day!
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