Susan and Joe's Wedding at Duke Gardens Amphitheater!

What a beautiful wedding setting.

The colors of the bridesmaids dresses really stand out from the green surroundings.

Here comes the bride with both fathers!

At the end of March I got a call from Gail Stephenson of Premiere Catering to find out if I was available for Susan and Joe's wedding on Thursday June 18, 2009 at Duke Gardens Amphitheater. I was delighted that I was available and we arranged for Susan and her mother, Kathy, to meet with me before Susan flew back to Arizona where she and Joe live and work. Susan is a nurse and Joe is a firefighter--two very busy people! I really did not think that I would be chosen to officiate this wedding because I could tell that her mother really wanted Susan to use their family minister. So, I was surprised to get the call a few days later from Kathy that Susan and Joe wanted me to be their officiant. In working with Susan and Joe I learned that they did not want a religious ceremony and they knew that with me as their officiant they could have exactly what they wanted for their ceremony. They chose 3 readings and wrote the most touching secret vows to each other they heard for the first time on their wedding day. They were really intrigued by the Wooden Box ceremony and wanted that to be part of their ceremony.

They really had no other specific preferences for the rest of the ceremony so I filled in the sections and sent them a proposed ceremony which included their readings. They did not want a prayer but also knew that most of their guests would be expecting one. So I came up with a "meditation" that fit just right into the ceremony.

The day arrived for the rehearsal which we had at Susan's mother and step dad's home in N. Raleigh rather than troop over to Duke Gardens to rehearse. Gail and Heather Irvin conducted the rehearsal and everyone learned where they were to stand, how to stand, how to get there, how to leave, etc. A rehearsal is so essential for a wedding to flow smoothly without any glitches. Gail always does such a thorough job in conducting a rehearsal. She can definitely put on the "drill sergeant" hat when needed but still be personable. I met Joe and his parents, Sherry and Anthony, for the first time at the rehearsal. I also met Susan's dad, John, her step dad, Dirk, and her step mom, Megan.

Susan and Joe--Married!

I also met the wedding party including the best man, Greg. I was just blown away by his resemblance to Tom Hanks. I could not stop staring at him which apparently embarrassed him because he would blush. People must tell him that he looks like Tom Hanks all the time. It is remarkable. He could be Tom's younger self in a movie. He was such a gentleman!

Here I am with "Tom!"

The bridesmaids wore a beautiful shade of pink called watermelon pink. The men in the wedding wore yellow vests with their tuxes except for Joe who had a white vest. The ladies carried lime green bouquets. The colors were so fresh and bright. When we were waiting in the reception area for the ceremony to begin I noticed that the bridesmaids' dresses exactly matched the tablecloths. How did they manage that??

This was taken before the wedding. Note the color of the tablecloth.

When it was 5 minutes before 6:00 Gail started the seating of the parents. Then Joe, Greg and I entered. The bridesmaids and groomsmen alternated coming in one by one, then the flower girl, then Susan was escorted in by both her dad and her step dad. They were both so proud! They handed her off to Joe and the ceremony began. The ceremony went nicely. The readers did well and Susan and Joe both shed tears when they heard each other's vows for the first time. They definitely needed the hankie I provided! Then we did the Wooden Box ceremony. This is where the couple acquire a wooden box (Joe and Susan found an antique wine box which worked perfectly) into which they put two bottles of wine and a letter each of them has written to the other telling them why they love them so much. The letters are not shared and are sealed and put into the box with the wine to be opened only if their marriage should encounter serious difficulties. The hope is that there will never be a reason to open the box except to celebrate their 50th anniversary!

Their unique wooden box and hammer to nail it shut during the ceremony.

Joe and Susan, enjoy that well aged wine on your 50th Anniversary!!

Vendors:

Premiere Catering: Gail Stephenson and Heather Irvin. Always a pleasure working with them.

This is Gail grinning with me after the wedding. We were so happy everything flowed so smoothly and what a grand wedding it was! I did not stick around for the reception but I know the food was fabulous, as always.

Photography: Martha Manning Photography and her assistant Michaela who is a college intern.

Musicians for ceremony: Florian Strings--I love their music and always enjoy having them provide the ceremony music.

DJ for reception: Lenny Fritts, Touch of Class, my buddy and the BEST DJ! He emailed me after the wedding what a fun group the guests and wedding party were and that they were there until 10:30 that evening.


Florist: Mel Day of Dogwood Tree Floral Designs Such gorgeous florals!