Elegant Wedding for Amanda and Colin at The Umstead!

On September 12, 2009, a beautiful late afternoon wedding took place at The Umstead in Cary, NC. The guests were seated and the knock-out roses were brilliant against the background of the lake fountain.

Colin and Amanda knew exactly what they wanted for their wedding. I was impressed with their maturity and their mindful planning of their wedding. One thing they knew they wanted was for Colin's spiritual teacher, Elena, to be part of their wedding ceremony. So, they knew they had to find an officiant who was willing to do this. They quickly found out that I am all for making their ceremony about them and for them. It is important that their ceremony be a reflection of their beliefs and feelings. I welcomed sharing the ceremony with Elena although we did not meet until the rehearsal.

Here is a photo before the wedding of Amanda and her attendants in their gorgeous green dressed. Yikes--look at the height of those heels! Her mother, Lucille, was her Matron of Honor, and she told me she had her heels cut down. It was an emotional moment for Lucille who, through her tears, told me of some special circumstances about Amanda's birth. What a blessing they are for each other. What a milestone moment for this special family!

Elena and I were escorted into the ceremony by Colin as he was living his dream wedding!

Amanda was escorted in by her beaming father, Anthony!

I opened the ceremony with a welcome to all and a remembrance of those no longer with us in body but with us in spirit. Then I stepped back for Elena.

Then Elena stepped forward and gave the meditation and wedding address. Her message was so meaningful and cherished by Amanda and Colin.

I stepped forward again to take the couple through the vows they had written together, the ring exchange, and the pronouncement of marriage.

And here they are! Finally married and happy to be!

Let's go celebrate!

It was time for photos after the guests went to the reception. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Elena at the rehearsal and the time prior to the wedding. She is a therapist in Wilmington and in the Buddhist community there. We found out that we know several of the same people--small world. Amanda and Colin, if you plan the rest of your life together as mindfully as you planned your wedding, you will manifest a great life! Namaste!

This is a snapshot after the wedding of Sally Gupton, our photographer, on the right and Ami Wheeler of The Umstead, on the left. Sally is out of Winston-Salem and I had never worked with her before. I am looking forward to seeing her photos of this wedding. I have known Ami for many years since I married her and her husband, Dan, in 2004! Ami and I have worked together at many weddings at The Umstead and she is so good at her job and such a pleasure to work with. All the weddings go so smoothly and every little detail is taken care of with finesse! Thanks, Ami!

I want to thank George and his staff at The Umstead. Although they provide the sound system and would give me a lapel microphone to use, I prefer to use my Countryman theater microphone. So, we plug my receiver into his system. This time we needed to have a microphone for Elena as well as the one on Colin's lapel. So, we used my back-up receiver and microphone for her. George had to go get another mixer because we also had to have a microphone for the guitarist and soloist who did the processional music. Mel Manning of Joe Bunn DJ Company was also on hand to do the recessional music. George and Mel got everything hooked up and powered up and the sound worked beautifully! Thanks, George and Mel!

This photo does not do this beautiful cake justice but I wanted to credit Donna Ford of Sweet Memories for her artistry and good work!