Unforgettable Cinderella Wedding for Kristie and Mike at Doubletree!

When Kristie and Mike came to see me last June, Kristie told me that it was her dream to arrive at her wedding in a horse-drawn carriage. She had seen it done at Doubletree Suites and was planning on it for her wedding. Finally the big day arrived--Sunday October 25, 2009. The day was cool and overcast and the trees had begun to change to their beautiful fall colors. Little did I suspect the tremendous visual and emotional impact this wedding would have on me!

The guests have all arrived and our director, Susan Ashley, cued the DJ, Bob Perry, to begin the music for the entrance of the wedding party and parents. Mike and I started off to the terrace followed by groomsman, Fred, and then Mike's parents, Larry and Cindy. Larry would join us as his son's best man after seating Cindy. Next came Samir, a good friend of the bride's who served as a "bridesman" and his son Kabir as our ring bearer. Then Mike's sister, Sandra, entered as the Maid of Honor. Kristie's mother is unfortunately not living but her father was standing proudly by for the arrival of the bride.

And then it was time for the bride's grand entrance. The expansive music began. I turned all the way around and looked behind me and saw the horse and carriage coming from the waterfall area. It was absolutely spectacular with the beautiful green grass, the trees in green and colors, and the reflection in the lake. Just like in the movies! I tapped Mike on the shoulder and whispered for him to turn around and look. What a picture. I was hoping that my husband, Dave, who was standing in as my roadie, was getting some shots of this incredible scene with my camera and thankfully he got some great ones for this blog post.

Coming on around the lake as all the guests watch. What a breathtaking sight it was.

I blew this photo up so you could see more detail. I think I see the bride looking around at us.

This is just before the carriage had to go behind a little footbridge and they disappeared for a few moments. We were holding our breaths that they did not get stuck in the soggy ground because it had rained the night before. Of course the driver had checked it all out beforehand to make sure it would not get stuck.


By this time my heart was in my throat and the tears in my eyes! It was just all so dreamy and surreal! I think every little girl who has read the Cinderella story dreams of this day and Kristie made her dreams come true.
What a handsome horse and the driver was all dressed up in proper attire for the wedding. I don't have photos of Kristie getting out of the carriage but it was not an easy task with her wedding dress and train.

Her sweet father then escorted her down the aisle to transfer her hand into Mike's as the guests were all standing in her honor. I cleared the tears from my throat and my eyes (It has been a long time since I have been moved to tears at a wedding. I guess I was getting a little jaded!) and began the ceremony with a warm welcome to the guests.

See Kristie's beautiful gown--she looks like a princess in a fairy tale! They wanted to have the Celtic handfasting ritual in their wedding so here I am looping it around their joined hands. While bound together they said their vows. I then removed the cord which was symbolically replaced by their rings.

After the exchange of vows and rings, they poured their sand together. Her sand was red and his was green. On the right, you can see our videographer, Mark, getting very good footage of this.

Nice kiss! I could tell they had been practicing!

It's back up the aisle and before getting into the carriage, a group shot with all the guests.

I think everyone was still starstruck with the storybook aspect of this wonderful wedding. Her father's eyes were filled with tears. Now for the task of getting the bride and her dress back up into the carriage and joined by her new husband!

I bade farewell to the newlyweds at this point because I had to get to another wedding at The Umstead. They went back around the lake to the waterfall for photos with their wedding party. Kristie and Mike, kudos to you for making your dream wedding happen. If your marriage reflects the same dreams and determination I know you will have a bright future and great life together.

Off they go! There is a sign on the back of the carriage that says "Just Married!"

Our Vendors who made this all happen:

First of all, let me give a bunch of credit to Amy Acosta of Doubletree Suites who knew exactly how to pull this all together for Kristie and Mike and get the timing just right for the bride's entrance. It took a lot of skill and effort to accomplish this and she has it! Thanks so much, Amy, for making this couple's dream come true. Here is a photo of the reception decor. It was fabulous in red and white. Actually, it looked a lot like Valentine's Day!

Cinda's Creative Cakes made this fabulous cake! It is certainly unique and in keeping with the wedding colors.





I thank Bull City Carriage for providing this wonderful horse and carriage, the driver and the assistant who kept the horse from getting spooked by the setting and the crowd!






Susan Ashley, of It's Your Day to Enjoy, was our wedding coordinator and director. She really paid attention to detail and was very organized. Susan, it was a pleasure working with you.

Our photographer was Michael of Michael's Memories.

Our videographer was Mark Holland of Ron K. Smith Productions. Mark is so much fun to work with. Good to see you again, Mark.

Our DJ was Bob Perry with DJ Professionals & Video. Bob did a great job. He told me that the couple asked him to find the right music for the entrance of the bride. He chose the perfect music from William Shakespeare In Love by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra from the scene where Romeo first sees Juliet. The music was expansive and sweeping--just perfect! Thanks, Bob!