Shalyn and Leugray live in Little Rock, Arkansas but met in Cary NC. Her family lives here in Raleigh and his in Fountain Inn, SC. So they chose to have their wedding ceremony in the White Garden at the
JC Raulston Arboretum and their reception at The Stockroom in Raleigh. It was on Sunday May 17th, 2015 and the weather was ideal. I had not met them in person until their wedding day but we had Skyped back last September. However, working with them to create their ceremony, I felt I had known them for years! It was great to meet them in person, finally!
This is a sweet little gazebo. The arboretum had also brought in an extension cord from quite a distance so that the guitarist would have power. I never knew they could do this! I always use my battery powered sound system.
The bride and her father will enter from this lovely archway.
Just after Marty and I arrived, Luciano, our guitarist from
Arioso Strings arrived with his guitar and equipment.
Leugray and his Best Gal Lisa arrived and we did some chair rearranging, then
Neil Boyd, their photographer and his two associate shooters, Caroline Dickson and another young lady whose name I failed to write down and now cannot remember! Photographers are not used to having their picture taken!!
So we are waiting for the guests to be seated then we will be signaled by their friend Rhett who acted as their director.
Time to get started!
Lisa, Leugray's Best Gal, processed in. (She may be his sister, not sure though!)
Cateringworks furnished the pretty bouquets and boutonnieres, the wedding cake and all the food for the reception.
Leugray escorted his mother, Beverley, in then stepped up and joined me and Lisa.
Jesse, our Man of Honor, escorted his mother and mother of the bride, Cathy in then joined us up front.
Our sweet little flower girls then entered and were seated.
Shalyn was escorted in by her proud father, Nathan!
That is Rhett in the blue shirt. The photographers are standing by while Neil is up front getting them walking down the aisle. They had this wedding well covered!
And so we begin!
It was a beautiful spiritual ceremony with a warm welcome, a faith-neutral prayer, and remembrance of loved ones who have passed on from this earth.
Then we paid tribute to their parents for all their love and support through the years.
They have a good story and it was fun to tell. They met in 2012 in a designated smoking area outside the building they both worked in. Both being quite shy, it took months until either acted on the attraction that they both felt. And it was Shalyn who made the first brave move. Leugray panicked and almost missed responding! But, once they got past that point they hit it off. Shortly thereafter Leugray was transferred to Texas for work and the relationship turned long-distance. While Shalyn was considering possibly moving to Texas, Leugray was transferred permanently to Little Rock. Once she got a job there, she joined him. In July of 2014, while back in the Carolinas to visit family, Leugray proposed. Of course Shalyn said yes and the wedding planning commenced.
They read their vows from my book and exchanged rings. Leugray went first.
Then Shalyn.....
The pronouncement of marriage followed the closing blessing.
At last!
So, here they are, Leugray and Shalyn, now husband and wife!
They exited to a secluded spot for photos.
Followed by Lisa and Jesse and the flower girls and parents.
I invited the guests to depart and find their way to The Stockroom. It was 5:30 and Artsplosure was just closing down so I trust they made it okay. I did see some photos of the reception on Facebook so I know it was a grand celebration!
A photo with Leugray's mom.
Shalyn with Zoey and Jada who are Leugray's nieces.
My turn for a picture with the happy couple! Leugray and Shalyn, congratulations. I know you are so happy and enjoying wedding bliss back in Little Rock by now! My honor to join you in matrimony!
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To contact Kayelily:
919-345-4608
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