Amber and Thomas' Gorgeous Wedding at Prestonwood!

 Amber and Thomas' wedding on September 17th, 2016 was a picture book wedding at the prestigious Prestonwood Country Club. They worked hard and made their vision come true with the help of Kathy Swope with Sally Oakley Events. I was honored to be on the vendor team.

Thomas and his groomsmen and I are gathered on the other side of the ballroom door from where we will enter once Thomas' father escorts Thomas' mother in and joins us. 

The parents, bridesmaids and sweet little flower girls entered from the reception area through this incredibly beautiful arch created by Kelly Odom Flowers. 

Once we were all in place, it was time for our bride and her father to enter.

Amber looked like a princess! 

I greeted all the guests on behalf of our couple then we had a short prayer. 

The loved ones no longer with us were remembered then we paid tribute to the couple's parents. Always heartfelt and evokes tears from the mothers most of the time!

Then I got to tell the story of how they met and fell in love. They were matched up on line and from the first meeting they were smitten with each other. One thing led to another and in less than a year, Thomas proposed. Of course Amber said yes and they started planning this wedding. 

 They exchanged their vows.

 Then their rings.

(My dear husband, Dave, takes photos of weddings for me to post on this blog. He got a bit artistic here and played with the zoom on the camera and the backlighting.) 

It was time for a closing blessing and the pronouncement of marriage! 

The moment they become husband and wife! 

 I think they really enjoyed this kiss! 

And away they go! 

The staff slid back the partitions and here is that beautiful archway! 

Thomas and Amber, what a wedding! Great job. It was like a fairytale wedding and I loved it. I wish you the best of everything always!

Chrissy and Mike Get Married at the Lynnwood Brewing Concern!

Mike and Chrissy are a cool couple I enjoyed getting to know and loved working with to write their ceremony so that it was perfect for them! Their wedding was Monday Labor Day September 5th, 2016 at Lynnwood Brewing Concern in Raleigh. Breweries are getting to be popular places for wedding these days. 

 This room is where the many beers are made and off limits to guests!

This is the bar for ordering one of their many beers. 

Across the room from the brewing room tables were set up for the wedding. This is the cupcake and cookie table.

The Cookie Table is a family tradition! 

Appropriate can huggers for weddings in breweries! 

This is the equivalent to the guest book!

I took a moment by myself to review the ceremony. 

Chrissy and Mike have a wonderful German Shepherd named Gryffindor who was in the wedding.

 Our DJ was with Live Action Events. 

 Getting Mike's polka-dotted handkerchief folded just right.

 First to enter were Mike's parents then Chrissy's mother, then Mike, Gryffindor, and the groomsmen followed. 

 The the lovely bridesmaids. 

 The kiddos! Jenna, Olivia and Charlie! 

We all stood for the bride and her father to enter. 

Chrissy had on these amazing HIGH heels! 

We await her walk down the aisle. 

Her dad answered my question then placed Chrissy's hand into Mike's and all guests were seated. 

We began with a warm welcome on a warm day followed by a prayer, remembered those no longer with us in person, and then a tribute to their parents.

I loved telling their story. Then they heard the secret paragraph from the other. 

Their vows and rings followed.

 The closing blessing and pronouncement of marriage!

The Kiss!!!

"We are really married!"

 I presented them to their guests!

Another kiss for our photographer, Shane Snider, to capture on the way out. 

Here is a couple of guests whose wedding I also officiated. Erin and Matt wed in October 2015. It was great to see them again! 

The families gather for a group shot!

The Wandering Moose Food Truck has arrived!!

Chrissy took a break from her shoes and relaxed on a stool for our photo! Congrats, Chrissy and Mike! I loved your wedding and I loved getting to know you and am honored to have joined you in marriage. You are the best! 

Melissa and Andy Wed at Hudson Manor!

On Sunday September 4th, 2016 we gathered with Melissa and Andy to witness their union in matrimony and celebrate their wedding at the lovely Hudson Manor in Louisburg NC. Hudson Manor is a historic estate that has been beautifully and lovingly restored and embellished by the owner. It is a drive from Raleigh but I love doing weddings here and the opening of the 401 bypass makes it faster to get back and forth.

 This the outdoor garden where most wedding ceremonies take place. 

 Daniel's Florist provided the floral arrangements, bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding. 

Most recently the venue has added a sweet chapel for weddings for couples wanting a church-like setting or as an alternate to the garden if the weather is adverse.

Taylor Pittman is our DJ and helps me hook my wireless microphone into his system. Love working with Taylor! 

After the wedding party has processed down the aisle, it is time for the bride and groom.

Melissa and Andy walked toward each other to the arch, then together they processed in to be joined in marriage. 

The ceremony began with a warm welcome to all, a prayer, remembrance of loved ones passed, and a thank you to their parents.

One of the most touching parts of their ceremony was paying tribute to Melissa's 3 daughters, Mariela, Julianna, and Sophia, who were her attendants. Andy spoke some very moving words to his new stepdaughters that brought most of us to tears.

Next came the story of how they met and fell in love. It was a good one and most of our guests had never known the whole story. 

What came next were what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Then they exchanged the vows they had written to each other by reading them from my book. 

 The exchange of rings was next. 

 It was time to mop Andy's face before the pronouncement and kiss! It was rather hot that day! 

They celebrated with a kiss! 

 The happy couple! 

Congratulations, Melissa and Andy! What a fine wedding for a fine couple who have found each other! I loved working with you and joining you in marriage. My best wishes to you always.
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