Melinda and Jeff's Fantastic Wedding at Washington-Duke Inn!

Melinda and Jeff's wedding was really special for me. They wisely chose to take my Marriage Optimization course to be sure they were starting their marriage off on the right foot and would not have any unforeseen problems arise. They were so much fun to work with and I got to know them quite well. They are quite well matched for each other. So, I was really looking forward to marrying them. Together we created a very warm and meaningful wedding ceremony that they both loved and enjoyed hearing on their wedding day.

Diane Tighe at the Washington-Duke Inn helped them make their wedding ceremony very unique by seating the guests in a circle with 6 aisles, 4 of which had a bridesmaid and a groomsmen standing at the inside of the aisle. I could see that the guests were just fascinated as each groomsman entered and took his place followed by each bridesmaid entering and taking her place beside him. The Maid of Honor, Bethany, stood just outside the arbor opposite the best man, Andrew, Jeff's brother. Then Jeff entered by walking completely around the outside of the circle then coming down the center aisle to join me under the arbor.

Melinda, you are a gorgeous bride. Of course you come by it naturally with a beautiful mother and handsome father. Here they proudly escort her in.

They walked her around the outside of the circle then at the entrance to the center aisle, they kissed her and from that point Jeff escorted Melinda down the aisle and under the arbor. Then they turned and faced each other centered in front of me and I began to speak.

Each set of parents had chairs nearest the arbor; Jeff's parents, Tom and Eileen, are on the right and Melinda's parents, Jim and Nancy, are on the left in the photo above.

You can see the bridesmaids and groomsmen in couples at the inside of each of the 4 aisles and the best man and maid of honor just outside the arbor. As I delivered the welcome, I rotated in different directions to greet all the guests. The rain had held off all day and there was a lovely glow in the air as the sun started to go down.

In this photo, the parents have joined us under the arbor, or chuppah, for the Parents' Blessing thanking and honoring them on behalf of the couple and guests. It was an emotional moment.

Jeff's cousin, Winn, read to us the poem by Taylor Mali "Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog." Melinda and Jeff chose this reading because it expresses both their love for animals--especially dogs, as well as the humor they embrace in their relationship. It is a sweet and funny poem that everyone enjoys and one of the most popular poems chosen by my couples for their weddings for the past 2 years.

Jeff and Melinda made their vows to each other loud and clear! Then they exchanged rings and after the pronouncement we had the "breaking of the glass" to honor Melinda's Jewish heritage.
Then they finally got to kiss each other! The raindrops started gently falling just as we ended.

Husband and wife, equal partners joined in matrimony, at last!

Melinda and Jeff, you are a terrific couple. I know you will both go far in your careers and have a happy marriage too. It was my pleasure working with you and officiating your beautiful and memorable wedding ceremony. Congratulations, I wish you the best of everything!

The Washington-Duke Inn is one of the most elegant settings for weddings in the Triangle and probably the whole State of North Carolina. This is the ballroom set up for their reception. I always enjoy working with Diane Tighe who is in charge of the weddings there. She is so knowledgeable, so creative, and so pleasant to collaborate with on weddings. Some of the most beautiful and memorable weddings I have done have been done here. Great job, Diane!

The Matthew-Chicurel String Trio provided the lovely music for the ceremony. This is Matt with his back to the camera who put together this group. He plays viola, the other instruments are cello and violin. Standing behind them is Craig Carpenter, our photographer, with Luster Studios. His photographic skills are excellent and his photos show it. I love working with Craig and we do a lot of weddings together. Send me some photos of this one, Craig!

Floral Dimensions did all the flowers. Aren't these centerpieces beautiful?

This wonderful wedding cake was made by a friend of the couple. I believe her name is Carla Young. I don't know if she is in the business of baking wedding cakes or not. Maybe someone will let me know.