Sealed with a kiss!

Sealed with a kiss!
Laura & Chris' Wedding at JCRaulston Arboretum

Monday, December 28, 2009

A Scot Wedding for Beth and Mitch!


Beth, a professional writer, wrote to me in an email in October: "With a heavy heart this morning, I began my search for an officiant for our December wedding. We had planned our ceremony with the idea that my sister and brother-in-law, both pastors, would be performing our ceremony for us, bringing an extra special element of family to our day. I found out yesterday that they, regrettably, will not be able to be here. I was immediately filled with ideas of cut-and-paste ceremonies from strangers that would leave us feeling a void when all was said and done, but I must say after finding your site that those sentiments quickly dissipated. The peace I feel in contacting you can only be God leading us, and that, I never question! :-) This is not the first marriage for either one of us, so it will be an intimate gathering of friends and family at Mitch's (my fiance) home. The ceremony will be outside (with heaters!). We are both Christian...I would love to be able to get married at home without giving up the spiritual factor and "Godliness" of being in a church, if that makes sense. I pray that you can accommodate us and bless us with your gifts on our special day. I look forward to hearing from you!!"

And so we made the arrangements for their wedding the day after Christmas, December 26, 2009 and created a lovely ceremony that fit them perfectly. The  week before the wedding, Beth wrote me: "We've moved everything inside because of the weather- it's just too saturated outside. Sooooo, we will be cramming 50 people into our foyer. Sounds fun, huh? Add to that that this is a Scot wedding and there will be a piper, and you have the recipe for...well, we'll see...You'll be standing in front of the main Christmas tree in the living room, and Mitch and Damian (best man) will be standing there next to you. The rest of us will be coming down the stairs as gracefully as we can, attempting to not trip over pointsettias in the process. Everyone will be in full kilt dress, so if you have a plaid tablecloth you want to throw over yourself, be our guest. :-)"
When Marty and I arrived, the piper, Robert J. White, was there in full regalia! Notice Beth's two adorable children, Meaghan and Ryan, peeping out the upstairs window!

Mitch and Best Man, Damien, wait outside for the processional to begin.
Ryan is ready to begin!
Waiting for our Maid of Honor (Tyler, presumably Beth's sister), Flower Girl (daughter Meaghan), and the Bride!  A neighbor of Beth's, Hal Haygood, is playing the mandolin in the corner behind us. I borrowed my husband's tartan scarf to wear as a prayer stole to fit into the theme of this wedding.

And the ceremony commences. Ryan is dutifully holding the rings on the pillow.

We included a blessing for the children and Beth and Mitch gave them necklaces with crosses that they got to select as mementos for this special occasion.
The pronouncement of marriage!
Robert led the wedding party out of the room into the yard in the Scottish tradition.
Congratulations for the couple.
Robert is presently the official bagpiper for the United States Army Special Forces Association and plays bagpipes for many special events. He lives in Garner and can be reached by email or phone at (919) 815-2357. He also plays the guitar, Celtic fiddle, and harmonica but his favorite are the pipes! He plays at weddings, memorial services, funerals, parties and gives lessons in playing the pipes.

Notice the matching plaids of Mitch's kilt and Beth's wrap. Her dress was so winter wonderful and she carried a white fur muff to match her fur stole. So beautiful!
Congratulations, Beth and Mitch, on your marriage. Meaghan and Ryan seem so comfortable and contented with your new family unit and I know the 4 of you as a family are very happy every day! I wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness!

Our photographer for this wedding was Jennifer of  j.b.haygood photography. She and Hal, our mandolin player are wife and husband and neighbors of Beth's. Maybe Jennifer will put some photos of this wedding on her blog!


Beth ordered three flavors and sizes of cakes and then decorated them herself. Aren't they beautiful!
I assume these are the "groom's cakes" and don't they look delicious too! After the ceremony the guests were invited to begin the wedding feast! 

1 comment:

Raleigh Wedding Blog said...

I received this sweet note from Beth today:

Kayelily-

Just a quick note to thank you for everything this past weekend. My instincts were so correct about you being the perfect "unifying factor" (pun intended!) to our wedding. Even though we didn't get much time together prior to the ceremony, Mitch and I were both so comfortable with you. We both felt (as did countless guests that commented to us after) that our ceremony was exquisitely and appropriately tailored to our situation. We are not just starting out as spring chickens, and your words so eloquently captured the blending of our two lives and personal journeys.

Professionalism and competency are to be expected, but it's that extra element of radiating peace and acceptance in your demeanor that makes you stand out from the masses. While it may be hard to list those qualities on a resume, I believe it's those such things that are the most vital and important of your offerings, what made you such a memorable part of our day and what will continue to keep you as the most in-demand and popular of all area officiants.

Bless you for being "you" and bringing your special brand of elegance to our day, and may you continue to bestow your numerous and wonderful gifts on others for many, many years to come!

Fondly,

Beth

Thank you, Beth, for your kind words!

For my readers who may have Restless Leg Syndrome or cramps in your legs at night, Beth has a cure for you! Go to her website at http://www.getantsypants.com/ I know from personal experience that this really works!