Sweet Wedding for Kay and Dwight!

Kay and Dwight have each been married and raised a family but their marriages did not stand the test of time. When they met each other, they knew right away they were right for each other. Kay called me on December 5th to see if I could officiate their wedding on December 22, 2012 in Zebulon. She had a good friend who wanted to host their wedding. I was delighted that I was available and so we started working on the ceremony and I met Kay and Dwight on the evening of December 13th to finalize the ceremony.

When the big day arrived, my husband, Dave, and I arrived at the wedding site. It was a beautiful home with an attached gazebo set on many acres of rolling grassy land. The weather was a bit chilly and windy yet quite sunny but they wanted to go ahead and do the ceremony outdoors as planned.  I had worn my long heavy velvet coat and although the wind blew my hair all around I was fine.

When the bride was ready, the guests donned their coats and stepped out onto the deck. Dwight, Ike (best man), Bradley (Kay's 8 year old son), and I took our places in the gazebo while their friend started rolling the video camera to record the wedding.

Kay's daughter, Alicia, was her mother's Maid of Honor and she processed in first.

Then Kay began her walk down the "aisle." 

Dwight met her halfway. 

Together they walked the rest of the aisle and joined us in the gazebo.

We included a children's blessing for this blended family. We recognized Kay's children, Bradley and Alicia, and Dwight's two grown daughters, Heidi and Katie. We also acknowledged Dwight's parents who were present and remembered Kay's parents who are deceased.

Tears of happiness were streaming down both of their faces and after trying to wipe the tears myself, I just handed Kay the hankie so she could do the job!

"Family and friends, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Dwight and Kay, husband and wife!"

Kay and Dwight, may your marriage be everything you dream of and may peace, happiness and love richly bless your family now and always! 

Festive Carolina Inn Destination Wedding for Marcy and Andrew!

I met Marcy and Andrew for the first time in person at their rehearsal the day before their wedding date of December 29, 2012. Marcy lives in Arlington VA and at the moment, Andrew lives in London. He was born and raised in the United Kingdom and his family moved to the United States when he was a young teenager. Marcy grew up in Ohio. Ironically they both attended the same university in Virginia but not at the same time. They met through a mutual friend and quickly discovered that they were meant to be together. Andrew proposed last Christmas and they began planning this wedding. His family lives in Illinois and hers in Ohio, so why did they choose Chapel Hill for their wedding city? Well, Marcy did some graduate work at UNC some years ago and loved North Carolina but primarily this area was chosen because of our international airport since they had people coming for their wedding from all over the world. They could not have made a better choice!

They found me on the internet and based on my many wedding website reviews and a recommendation from the Carolina Inn, they engaged my services sight unseen. Email and US mail worked just fine! They hired Rebecca Dunn with Events by La Fete to handle the details, Jeff Simpson with Simpsound DJ and Lighting to do the spectacular lighting and DJ the reception, Matt Kanon to provide music for the ceremony, GiGi's Cupcakes, Fresh Affairs Floral Designs and Nathan Clendenin, photographer with Cana Collective. And so the date arrived and we all came together for this super-fantastic wedding.

The Carolina Inn was still in Christmas mode including a whimsical Christmas tree in the lobby. It was a tree full of little elves! 

 This must be the supervising Elf on the column nearby. 

The ceremony was in the Chancellor's Ballroom and the reception in the Hill Ballroom. This matt ready for a future photo of the couple was their guest book for guests to sign as they entered for the ceremony.

Outside the reception room was a seating chart for the guests. Each table was named for a mass transit station found in either London or Washington DC.

In the Hill Ballroom was the tower of cupcakes by GiGi's with a description of the 12 flavors!

 The Bride and Groom were to be seated at Heathrow 1, 2, 3 for the Tube stops!

 London Bridge table!

This photo was taken after Jeff got all the up-lighting in place. It was gorgeous!

Jeff and I look rather blue! 

Outside the Hill Ballroom were a couple of "Turtle Doves" which I am sure were part of the Carolina Inn's Christmas decor. It was quite appropriate for a wedding though and the doves were cooing at each other while we were there! 

Back to the ceremony ballroom--Matt Kanon is all set up for the ceremony and my sound system is in place behind him. Love the bright happy color scheme in this ballroom!

Marcy and her father, David, entered after their large wedding party had made our entrances. She was wearing a very gorgeous lace wedding gown.

Their wedding party and guests assembled here from all over the world! 

The couple honored their parents with a sweet blessing and the mothers were moved to tears.

Marcy's friend, Cynthia, read "I Love You" by Roy Croft.

Andrew's Uncle Barry read "I carry your heart with me," a poem by ee cummings.

Marcy and Andrew made their declarations of intent then I stepped out to speak to the guests and request a community blessing.

They said their vows of marriage to each other then exchanged rings and it was time for the Unity Candle lighting.

While they were lighting the candle, Andrew's sister, Jenny, sang a beautiful song "Asleep at Last." She has such a lovely voice.

Jenny was having a difficult time making it through the song and kept tearing up and sniffling!

Finally she just gave up on finishing the song, threw up her hands and gave the bride and groom a big hug as we all laughed at her antics and applauded her. 

 The pronouncement of marriage...... 

What a wonderful wedding, Marcy and Andrew! I loved working with you to make your ceremony what you had always dreamed of. I know you both will go far in life and create a satisfying and loving marriage. I wish you all the best of everything!