Emerald and John have a great wedding at the JC Raulston Arboretum!

Emerald and John came to see me in June of 2008 about officiating their wedding planned for May 16, 2009. They are a great couple and so much in love. Emerald had dreams of just how she wanted her wedding to be and did not get discouraged by little time for planning and a tight budget. Emerald is one of the most industrious and determined brides I have ever worked with! She wanted a garden wedding with all the trimmings surrounded by her family and friends and that is exactly what she created despite being a student at NCSU during the planning time.

At the rehearsal I met Emerald's identical twin sister, Zaire, also Maid of Honor, and her fiance who was one of the groomsmen. I met Amy Rager of Serenity Photos, who was there as well. See her wonderful photos of Emerald and John's wedding on her blog! We went through all the logistics of the processional, ceremony and recessional with the help of Belinda who was acting as the director. She did a great job! The JC Raulston Arboretum is so pretty. The ceremony was in the White Garden with the gazebo and stone wall and terrace. It is a popular place; in fact, I have two weddings there next weekend!

On the wedding day the weather forecast was for rain in the afternoon and I was wondering if we would be spared for our noontime wedding! Marty and I arrived at 11:00 AM and set my sound system and sand ceremony table up inside the gazebo, just in case. Our flutist, Cathy Stewart, decided that would be the best place for her to be as well. The dark clouds were circling around but no rain fell! Amy was with Emerald documenting her getting ready for the wedding while her friend and fellow photographer, Pamela Mullins, was taking photos on site. The wedding guests arrived and got settled in their chairs and Belinda signaled the start of the processional. We all took our positions and awaited the entrance of Emerald. She was beaming and radiant as her brother, Adea, escorted her in. He handed her off to John and we began. It was such a sweet and meaningful ceremony for Emerald and John. We honored their mothers, Patricia and Kathy, and John's father who recently passed on from this earth. They included a sand ceremony with pretty pink and purple sand. They made their vows, exchanged rings and I pronounced them husband and wife. Then we got to see the kiss they had been practicing since our rehearsal! It was a good one! I invited their guests to proceed to the Brownstone Holiday Inn for the reception while the couple stayed on for photos. It was a grand wedding; we escaped the rain; and I wish you all the best, John and Emerald. You did it!!