The Carolina Inn Hosts Wedding of Melissa and Aaron!

Melissa and Aaron met with me in December to officiate their wedding on April 3, 2010 at the wonderful Carolina Inn in the Bryan Courtyard. They are a determined young couple who know what they want. Aaron is in business for himself. His residential cleaning business is Neuse Natural Cleaning and they use all healthy green products and have the latest cleaning technology. I must say I was impressed with his knowledge and his care and respect for his customers and staff. Melissa moved to the US from China at age 13. She is a very intelligent, detailed oriented young woman who planned her wedding down to every detail.  I was delighted that they chose me as their officiant and we set about creating the perfect ceremony for them.

Preceding the entrance of the bride, these two pretty little girls strode forth in their pretty dresses with hems filled with rose petals. They seemed to have forgotten what they practiced at our rehearsal because they got confused and started going down the side of the guests. Finally with some direction they came down the aisle to the front then circled around to sit with their mommies. I think they were having a really good time together and just got distracted! 

Melissa was escorted down the aisle by her proud father, Michael. Note the chic veil and the stunning wedding dress Melissa is wearing!

The Bryan Courtyard is a wonderful setting for a wedding. The aisle was covered with graduated shades of pink rose petals ending with a pop of bright pink at the end of the aisle. In the tree branches were streamers of beautiful petals just swinging in the breeze. It was a perfect day for the wedding with the sky just slightly overcast making it perfect for photos. The bridesmaids wore soft petal pink and the groomsmen's vests and ties matched. 

Note Aaron's spiffy spats! He was dressed to the nines to match Melissa! I am glad I had a pink prayer stole that fit into the color scheme.

A Chinese wedding tradition of respect is to serve tea to the elders of the family and to honor her Chinese heritage, Melissa wanted to incorporate the tea ceremony into her wedding ceremony. The elders are called up one by one or in couples, are seated, then they are served tea by the couple as they kneel before them. Melissa's sister and maid of honor, Stephanie, poured the tea and Gabe, the best man, put the used teacups away. I got to sit on the side and call each person forth.

After the tea ceremony we resumed our positions and the ceremony continued with a reading by Melissa's cousin, Benjamin. Then during the wedding address I recounted for the guests the couple's story of meeting, falling in love, what they love doing together and how much they are looking forward to being married. The vows and rings followed and we then had the lighting of the unity candle. 

Melissa found some oil candles on line which we used. They really did stay lit in spite of the breeze we had that afternoon. I was impressed!

I made the pronouncement of marriage and then presented the new Mr. and Mrs. to their guests.

So, now they are married and so happy to be. The guests adjourned to the Old Well Gallery for cocktails while the wedding party and their families stayed behind for photos.

We got some good ones too! Melissa and Aaron, with your determination and persistence, I know you will go far in life and I wish you all the best life can offer!

Our Vendors: 

I want to thank Tracy Adams of Adams and Events for her usual fantastic job of helping Melissa and Aaron handle all the details of this wedding, being on hand to direct the rehearsal and wedding, and keeping everything flowing along smoothly. Another successful wedding, Tracy!

Megan Kime was our photographer. Thank you, Megan, for being everywhere at once with your assistant! I know you got some great photos!

Fara Ashiru with SLM TV was our videographer. She had a stationary camera and a portable one so she could get all the angles. She was one busy lady.

Ashley Cakes made the beautiful wedding cake.

Tim Oxendine of Diamond DJ Entertainment provided the ceremony and reception music. Good to work with you two weekends in a row, Tim!

Laura Greene of Greenehouse Designs was the amazing florist. The bouquets, the boutonnieres, the streamers of petals in the trees, and the centerpieces on the tables at the reception that also had streamers were exquisite!

 These were the floral arrangements on the head table. They are just stunning!