Avalyn and Stephen Wed in the Jasmine Courtyard at Brier Creek Country Club!

I want to thank and credit Tosha with Story and Rhythm (a husband wife duo of photographer and DJ) who took ALL these beautiful photos and let me have them for this blog. I am sure you will enjoy them in contrast to the amateur photos taken with my point and shoot camera that usually populate my blog posts. Thank you, Tosha!

Avalyn and Stephen's wedding was at Brier Creek Country Club on October 2nd, 2016 which was a beautiful day. Sunny and pleasant temperatures for which we were all grateful. The ceremony was held in the Jasmine Courtyard which had been set up by the staff and The English Garden florist. The guests have arrived at this point and we are ready to begin the processional.

Kimberly Myer is our wedding director. Stephen and his guys and I stand ready for her cue for us to walk in.

First in are Stephen's parents who are so happy for this day. 

Time for us to walk along the side and take our places up front. 

The color theme is navy blue--always a good color on everyone.

Our lovely Maid of Honor, Sharon, processes down the aisle.

We eagerly await Avalyn's entrance!

She enters solo since her family is not with us today.

Stephen begins walking toward her and they meet at the back of the aisle. 

Together, arm in arm, they enter to take the next step in their lifelong commitment to each other--marriage! 

Welcome everyone! 

After a prayer we remembered those loved ones who were not with us and a scripture reading.

Then their story (an excerpt): "One of the best things about being a wedding minister is getting to know my couples and hearing the story of how they met and fell in love. I asked Avalyn and Stephen to share their story with me and now I will share it with you.

Those of you who know Avalyn know that when she sets her mind to something she is relentless until she accomplishes what she wants. Finding a life-partner was no exception. She joined Match.com hoping to meet someone whom she could vet before meeting in person. She wanted to eliminate the awkwardness of trying to get to know someone by dating. So, while browsing on line, she saw Stephen’s profile and it stood out to her. She liked his clean-cut look. So she looked through all his photos searching for clues to his character. She even took screenshots of a few of his photos and sent them to her friend Vanessa and actually said that he looked like he could be the one. She went through his photos with a fine toothcomb, seeing one with his dog, she figured he was caring. She also noticed some family photos indicating he might be family oriented. She clicked LIKE on his picture and the adventure began.

Stephen saw Avalyn’s profile picture in which she was wearing a dress with Jamaican colors. She was posing with her hands on her hips and he thought she was really cute. One thing led to another and a few weeks later on September 21st, 2014 they met in person at the Cheesecake Factory in Raleigh. They sat and played a staring game for most of that first date, forgetting about eating. At the end of the date they hugged in the parking lot and thought about each other all the way home. After 4 or 5 dates, Stephen introduced Avalyn to his parents and once that hurdle was jumped, he asked her to be his girlfriend on October 18, 2014. Avalyn felt like he had proposed!"  

Then the big reveal: their secret paragraphs! 

Their vows began with a few humorous requests then got down to the serious promises! 

The exchange of rings.

The pouring of sand together is a unity ceremony symbolic of their marriage.

As part of the closing blessing I asked them to turn and look at their loved ones honoring them on their wedding day.

And so they did.  A very sweet moment in the ceremony.

I pronounced them husband and wife and invited Stephen to kiss the bride!

Avalyn and Stephen, congratulations on finding each other and for your diligence in making your wedding ceremony so special. I loved working with both of you in the collaboration. It was 100% you! Thank you for choosing me as your officiant. I wish you the best always!