Kim's favorite time of the year is the Fall when there is pumpkin picking, corn mazes and haunted houses. Their wedding decor certainly fills the bill for Fall items like pumpkins, colorful chrysanthemums, and autumn leaves. It was no surprise that Kim and Russell chose the date of September 28, 2014 at 4 PM at
The Oaks at Salem in Apex. It was a beautiful fall day.
Kim also mounted some memorable photos in the old window and put an assortment of pumpkins in an old carrier of some sort.
These mini-pumpkins made great name holders!
Her color scheme was dark purple with pops of orange and red. The tables were all set and the florals by
Mews Floral Designs were lanterns with a candle and decked by the pretty flowers.
Belle's Catering catered the wedding.
Of course this beautiful wedding cake by
Cakes by Chloe was dripping with colorful fall maple leaves, sugar of course!
Their guest book fittingly was a tree on which guests were asked to imprint their fingerprints.
The ceremony took place across the lake from the manor house and terrace. This beautiful old oak tree has embraced many weddings under its branches since
The Oaks was built and weddings began a few years ago.
Kim and Russell's lovely wedding program!
The memory box into which their secret letters will be placed during the ceremony.
Flanking each side of the entrance to the aisle was a lantern, mums and pumpkins announcing the couple....
...and their wedding date.
Joslin, event manager at The Oaks, gave Travis, DJ with
Blue Box, and me a ride in the golf cart to the ceremony site to hook up the sound system and do a sound check. Blue Box also provided their wedding photographers, David and Brittany,
April Maness, the creator and owner of
The Oaks at Salem, and I talk about this wonderful old oak tree. I am not sure what kind of oak it is but from the leaves, I think it is an English Oak. It is very old and no one knows exactly how old it is. It took a big hit in a storm last year and lost one of its major branches so it is not a symmetrical as it used to be and that made it vulnerable to disease. April is not sure how much longer the beloved old tree will live but whenever that time comes, she has some great ideas for the area.
Back over at the terrace, there is a photo booth of sorts--a frame and an assortment of little signs you can hold and have your picture taken with one of them. I decided to be a wedding crasher!
The guests are seated, a few late-comers hurried in, and we were ready to begin the ceremony.
The guys and I made our walk around the lake.
The pretty bridesmaids came around the other side of the lake.
Kimberly's brother, Chris, escorted her in.
"Chris, do you and her family present Kim to be married to Russell?"
And so we begin with a warm welcome and a prayer.
Remembered their loved ones who are no longer with us.
And then paid tribute to their parents.
Then we had a community blessing by the guests.
And now it is time to tell their story! After much convincing by one of her friends, Kim decided to try on line dating two years ago. This was not an easy task because Kim had decided that there were no good guys left and marriage was not in the cards for her. Russell saw her photo and because she was pretty and also had a good job, was reasonably intelligent and seemed like fun, he sent her a message. Kim liked what he had to say so she responded. After emailing back and forth for about 2 weeks they decided to meet in person. Russell won her heart by bringing Kim her favorite Cadbury Chocolates in two flavors instead of flowers! They talked for hours and forgot to go out to dinner as planned. It seemed like they had known each other for years. When Russell left that evening he thought to himself "I am going to marry that girl!" But, Kim got cold feet and decided this was just too good to be true and freaked out. After some soul searching and prompting by one of her bridesmaids, she changed her mind and it was only a matter of time that Kim and Russell became inseparable which eventually led to this wonderful wedding day.
"Kim, Russell told me that you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. Russell loves everything about you..." and so on.
"Russell, Kim is so grateful she came to her senses and did not let you get away......." and so on as I revealed what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage.
They made their promises of marriage and it was time to exchange rings.
"With this ring, a symbol of my love, I thee wed."
They placed their letters in the memory box--a very meaningful and popular "unity" ceremony these days.
20 years ago when Kim was a mere teenager, she saw a wedding prayer she simply loved and so she saved it knowing if she ever married, she wanted it to be part of her wedding ceremony. And it was! It is a version of a Native American wedding blessing.
"Kim and Russell, you have declared your love and devotion to one another in the presence of your families, friends and loved ones and received their blessings. It is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife. Russell, you may kiss your beautiful wife!"
And so he really "laid one on" her!
A sweet "after-the-kiss" moment as Kim closes her eyes and lets it all sink in!
Presentation of the newlywed couple!
And off they go into their future!
Kim and Russell, what a great couple you are. I am so glad you found each other and tied the knot. Thank you for choosing me to officiate for you! I wish you all the best!
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