Addy and James Wed at Lake Johnson Park!

I used to joke around and say that wedding ministers don't get repeat business! But, as of now, I can no longer truthfully say that. I officiated the wedding of James and his first wife 12 years ago. Sadly the marriage did not endure and they went their separate ways. James called me a couple of months ago and explained what had happened. I remembered him well, and his parents, too. His father, Tommy, is is the floor covering business and had put in some carpeting for me way back then. James explained that he had now found Addy, the love of his life, and he wanted me to marry them. He fondly remembered the ceremony and how I had delivered it. I was so very happy that I was available for their wedding day of August 25, 2012 at Lake Johnson Park. I met with them and could tell that they were really well matched and very much in love. Both of them told me that since this was a second marriage for both of them that they had learned a lot and treasured their love so much. I explained to them that my ceremonies had evolved tremendously since those early days of my wedding ministry and that we would incorporate the story of how they met and fell in love, what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. In the meantime, I was in the market for some new floor covering so I gave Tommy a call and gave him some repeat business!!

When Marty and I arrived for the big wedding day, it was overcast and although it looked like it could rain, it did not. It was perfect weather for taking pictures too. Hilary Pearce and her husband Bryce were there taking photo for the couple. The deck and reception area were all decorated by Addy and Lynda, James' mother, and it looked wonderful. I could tell they had put a lot of time and effort into everything. As you see, the color scheme is black and white.

What cute little fans they made! 

The sand ceremony was ready!

 The big announcement.....

 This cake was by Blue Moon Bakery and was perfect! 

James' niece, Maggie, was in charge of keeping up with Lucy, the couple's chihuahua puppy, who was wearing a cute black and white skirt and a ring pillow on top!

They used actual old records for placemats! 

 A drum was the guest book......

 A bin full of favors. I wonder what is in all those little bags? 

The guests arrived and James, Tommy and I got into place and waited for Lynda's cue to walk down the aisle.

Waiting for the bride....Tanna  was Addy's Maid of Honor and Maggie the bridesmaid. Tommy was James' best man and Michael, James' nephew, was the groomsman.

 And here she comes!

Addy's parents live in Washington State and were unable to be present. James' meets Addy halfway down the aisle and they walk the rest of the way down the aisle together.

James and Addy, go forth in love, joy and peace and be happy. Cherish the love you have and protect it from harm. I wish you all the best! 

Fun Wedding for Alexa and Chris in my Wedding Garden!

When Nicole, owner of Nicole Faby Photography, and I work together at weddings we don't have time to visit and get to know one another although I admire her work. It was such a pleasant surprise when she emailed me one day this month and asked me if I could officiate the wedding of her sister, Alexa, and her fiance, Chris, fairly soon and if I could suggest a venue for a small private wedding. Of course I told her about my wedding garden and she thought that was perfect. We settled on Sunday morning August 26, 2012. She gifted my services to Alexa and Chris and put me in touch with them. I did not meet them until the wedding day but got to know them as we put together a sweet ceremony for them. The big day arrived and Kate, one of our photographers, was the first to arrive, followed shortly by the guests, the groom and his family and then the bride and her entourage, including Nicole, who was not wielding a camera for the occasion and took the day off!

The sand ceremony was set up out in the garden. There was sand for the bride and the groom and for the baby girl they are expecting in October. Hers is the bright pink sand, of course!

Our little flower girl, Sloan, Nicole's youngest child whose first birthday celebration followed the wedding, is held by her Aunt Devon, the wife of Nicole's brother.

Nicole, Sherry, sister of the groom, and Devon are our bridesmaids and all were dressed in coral and cowboy boots!

Katelyn, Nicole's oldest daughter, is also a flower girl and seems a bit overwhelmed by all the activities!

Cameron, nephew of the groom, is the one to carry the sign which said "Here Comes the Bride" before it all got wiped off with the handling!

Luke is our ring bearer. He is Nicole's son and is pictured here with Lisa, his grandmother, Nicole's mother.

Sloan really preferred to crawl in but as Katelyn tried to explain to her, it does not work in a long dress!

 Here comes our bride escorted in by her father, Mike! 

 We get settled in for the ceremony. 

 Chris is tall as a tree! 

We also included a blessing for the unborn baby during the wedding ceremony.

"With this ring, I thee wed!"

 All her "sisters" congratulate the bride! 

 Alexa's family.....

Chris' family drove up from South Carolina for the wedding. Chris was so glad his grandfather, Clyde, was present. 

Alexa and Chris, may you have all the best always! I will be watching Facebook for the big birth announcement and photos of your little girl in October!

I had a fun time chatting with Clyde, Chris' grandfather. He is a poet and a singer and should be published! I think he had a real good time at this wedding and was glad he made the trip.

Our photographers: Kate with CravenCreativePhoto and Chas with Chas Birdwell Photography. They were great and spent a lot of time after the wedding getting all kinds of great shots!

Cobblestone Hall Wedding for Tracey and James!

I have been to several events at Cobblestone Hall in downtown Raleigh City Market but this was my first wedding ceremony there. The old historic building in City Market has been many things in the past including an upscale restaurant and brewery. It is a spacious facility that can accommodate both the ceremony and the reception and is surrounded by old cobblestone streets and quaint storefronts. This setting appealed to Tracey and James and so they booked their wedding there for August 25, 2012. The three of us met in January to plan the ceremony while they assembled an impressive team of wedding vendors: Steve Stowe with Joe Bunn DJ Company, Anna Paschal--wedding photographer from Greensboro, Bea Miller of Floral Dimensions, Simply Cakes, and Rocky Top Catering.

This cute wedding cake was baked by Simply Cakes and the adorable toppers are the UNC Ram and the Duke Blue Devil! Together on one cake--imagine that!

Anna Paschal, our photographer, center, and her second shooter, checking in with me about any rules I have about photography during the wedding ceremony. I really don't have any rules except I request she does not walk behind me and distract the guests. Otherwise, I am pretty oblivious to the photographer during the ceremony. I appreciate her asking! 

Rocky Top Catering has the appetizer table ready for the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony. Thanks to Kevin DeHimer with Rocky Top for referring the couple to me!

To the right separated by a row of palms, is the ceremony area. On the left side are the tables for the reception to which the chairs from the ceremony will be added afterwards and the ceremony area becomes a large dance floor!

Kaitlin  Briggs, Special Events Manager with Cobblestone Hall, and Steve Stowe, DJ with Joe Bunn DJ Company, pose for the picture. They are a dream to work with!

In the meantime, I am getting Michael, best man, to sign the license for me while the groomsmen are standing around waiting for the guests to arrive.

Into "vintage" suitcases the favors have been stowed for the guests to help themselves to. Avondale Sweet 'n Spicy Pecans with Fiery Sweet Tea Vodka.

Kaitlin stepped in to direct the processional when the friend of the couple's who was going to direct, suddenly had a family emergency and could not be there. Thanks, Kaitlin! You did a great job and everything went perfectly. At this point the groom's parents have entered and next up are the groom's grandfather and the groom's sister, Christina, who did a reading during the ceremony.

 

 

The couple's story went over so well and everyone had some good laughs. They gave me some good material to work with. Then the vows and rings followed.

Making their vows to each other....

 The pronouncement--the magic moment they became husband and wife. 

 
I can't remember what was so funny at that moment...just that they were so happy! 

 

"Friends and Family, it is my honor to present to you for the first time.....!"

Congratulations, Tracey and James! You are so well suitted to each other and I know you will have a happy and long-lasting marriage! I wish you all the best!