Last September I met Amy and Phillip when they came to see me about officiating their wedding on September 20, 2014. They had chosen to have their wedding at Long View Center downtown. We signed the contract and reserved their wedding on my calendar. Then a few weeks later I had to notify them that the Long View Center had been sold to a church that would not be offering the sanctuary to the public. I recommended several other chapels in downtown Raleigh that do allow non-members to rent out the sanctuary for weddings, including
St. Mary's Chapel which is on the campus of St. Mary's School on Hillsborough Street. Their date was available and so they booked it right away!!
The sanctuary will hold about 175 guests.
St. Mary's Chapel is over 150 years old and has been beautifully maintained through the years. It is a historic site in Raleigh. It was good to see their event manager, Jenny, again!
The floor plan of the chapel is a cross--a long center area with sitting alcoves on each side near the altar forming the cross piece. You can see the pipes of the old pipe organ on the left which can still be played. Our music for this wedding was provided by Kyle Scobie who plays the guitar and sings.
Meanwhile outside the chapel, our photographers, Michael and Marcy of
Michael's Memories were getting photos of the bridal party. Amy is posing with her mother, Maureen. The weather was perfect!
Back inside the chapel the beautiful stained glass windows overlook the altar area where the Unity Candle is set up. No real flames are allowed in the chapel these days so the battery operated ones are used.
This must be the flag for the school which was founded in 1842. It is a residential school for girls.
All the beautiful woodwork has been well-preserved. These lovely flowers and the wedding bouquets were provided by Gregg Kennedy of
Brides and Bouquets.
With the bridal party hidden away inside the school, Phillip and his groomsmen are outside for their photos before they go wait in an area where they can watch the football game! They were happy about that!
So, now it is time to begin. After the procession of the grandparents, parents and wedding party, Amy is escorted in by her brother, Chris. Sadly their father is deceased and we paid tribute to him in the ceremony. I did not get a photo of her but Amy's Aunt Tricia directed the wedding and did a fine job!
After the welcome and prayer, I asked the parents to stand for so they could be honored for all the love and care they have given Amy and Phillip through the years. Guaranteed to reduce the mothers to tears and this wedding was no exception.
Amy and Phillip asked me to read a lovely poem by Cheryl J. Barclay entitled "The One."
And then I got to tell their love story.....
Then what each one told me secretly what they love about the other......
They combined the vows with the rings and repeated the words after me.
Then it was time to "light" the Unity Candle which they did while Kyle sang a special song.
Before the pronouncement of marriage we closed with a prayer based on First Corinthians.
Then I put my hand on their joined hands and pronounced them husband and wife!
Just missed getting a picture of the kiss, but close enough!
May I present to you for the first time, Phillip and Amy, husband and wife!
I could tell Phillip was happy the ceremony was behind them! He was a bit nervous but did just fine. The reception that followed was right downtown at
Caffe Luna! I know they had a great celebration!
Amy and Phillip! It was a long time waiting to get to this wonderful milestone in your lives but it was worth it! Thank you for choosing me to officiate for you. It was great working with you both and I wish you the best of everything!
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