A Beautiful Raleigh Rose Garden Wedding for Anika and Chaun!

Anika and Chaun are as determined a young couple as any I have met. Yes, they are young (Anika 18 and Chaun 22) but they surely knew without a doubt they wanted to get married. They planned their wedding for August 15 in the Raleigh Rose Garden--such a beautiful spot surrounded by nature.
They had gotten quite far along with the wedding plans before they realized they needed an officiant to perform the ceremony--a legal requirement in NC! So, Anika's sister, Kiersten, who was a major mover and shaker in getting this wedding planned and executed, found and contacted me. I met with Anika, Chaun, Kiersten and her beau, Michael, on July 1st--a scant 6 weeks before the wedding and we started working on their ceremony.

Anika was a radiant bride in her beautiful dress as her father escorted her down the very long aisle at the rose garden. Kiersten served as her sister's maid of honor and we drafted her boyfriend, Michael, into being our wedding director. He did a fine job!

The couple chose to have their wedding guests face the shelter at the rose garden rather than facing the fountain because the shelter looked more like a chapel. It is painted a soft yellow that matched the roses nearby and, decorated with tulle and flowers, it was quite pretty.

Anika is saying her vows to Chaun here. It took a few tears and my hankie to get her (and Chaun) through. The words truly came from their hearts!

This is the big moment--the pronouncement!

The newlyweds beaming at the camera. They were ecstatic to be Mr. and Mrs.! My heartfelt congratulations to you both! Keep up your determination through all the years and I have no doubt all your dreams will come true!

Our lovely music was provided by Opus One Strings, a mother/daughter duo with Ri-Shea Schlitter on violin and her daughter Cheryl on cello.

Our photographer was Kelly Martin of Kelly Martin Photography. Kelly told me she is new to the wedding photography business and that this was her fifth wedding. She was very professional and I am sure her photos will be great. She has a blog too and I am sure she will put photos of this wedding on it.

Gina Beatty Martinez, special events coordinator for Raleigh Rose Garden, was on hand and ready to do whatever we needed for the wedding. Thanks, Gina!

Their reception was later in the afternoon at Step to Gold Ballroom.