Laura and Jeff Wed at The Arrowhead Inn!

The Arrowhead Inn in N. Durham is a quaint B&B where many couples get married. They offer romantic get-a-ways and many wedding packages. Laura and Jeff fell in love with the place for their sweet family wedding and we met on February 9th to plan their wedding on October 1st, 2016. 

Gloria and her husband, the owners of the Inn, have created lavish flower gardens and meandering paths throughout the grounds. Every time I go there it is more beautiful.

This is the circular drive from the entrance.

 Pathway to the cottage.

 Pathway to the back courtyard and Victorian gazebo.

 More whimsical landscaping! 

 Path to the terrace behind the inn. 

 Cool garden sculptures! 

 The garden cottage.

 The beautiful Victorian gazebo where the guests have gathered.

 The musicians from Florian Music are playing prelude music.

 Jeff and I walk down the path from the garden cottage.

Our photographer is Christine Stock. The wedding coordinator for the inn is Ashley and is directing the wedding processional. Gloria, our gracious owner and hostess, is making sure everyone is taken care of. They have a great staff.

 Laura's father, Ken, is proud to escort his beautiful daughter down the walk.

 The transfer of hands is made and Laura's veil lifted. 

And so we began this sweet, sweet ceremony. Laura and Jeff loved being able to personalize their wedding so that it was meaningful and inclusive.

 After welcoming everyone and opening with a prayer, we remembered those loved ones no longer with us.

Then it was time for the children's blessing and Jeff, who had warned me before we walked in that he was going to have a hard time not tearing up, needed one of my hankies. I invited their kids to step up and join us.

This is a second marriage for our bride and groom and it combines their adult children into a new family configuration. It was very important to Jeff and Laura that they tell their children how much they love them and how happy that they are to be together.  We spent a lot of time and thought putting   their feelings into words. Laura spoke to Jeff's three children first.

 Then it was Jeff's turn to speak to Laura's two children.

 It was very emotional and so I ended up finishing what he wanted to say. 

 Then the children returned to their seats. As you can see many of the guests were very touched.

Then we had a scripture reading from Genesis they chose followed by words on love and marriage the second time around.

Instead of relating their story, they chose to expand the paragraphs about what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Those are what I call the secret paragraphs. They both poured their hearts out to me in confidence and I took their words and created the paragraphs that their partner would hear for the first time in the ceremony. Their love for each other is very strong and their words touching with a sprinkle of some humor to make us chuckle a bit--amidst all the tears we needed a little comic relief!

 Then it was time for them to read their vows to each other from my book and place the rings. 

 Laura's turn. And a few more tears! I pulled out another hankie!

 A closing blessing was next.....

 The pronouncement of marriage!

 Their first kiss as husband and wife! 

 I introduced the newlyweds to their guests as they were cheering them on.

They made their way across the lawn to a grassy area for photos while their guests enjoyed cocktails on the terrace.

 The new family! 

Jeff and Laura, I am so happy you found each other. A perfect match. I loved working with you to make your ceremony a true reflection of the two of you and an expression of your love for each other and your family and friends. God bless you always.

Shortly after the wedding, Laura left this message for me on Facebook for which I am grateful:

We couldn't have made it through our wedding ceremony without Kayelily. This was the second marriage for both of us and 5 teenagers and young adults involved. Kayelily helped guide us through having the most meaningful, tearful, joyous and memorable event of our lives. Kayelily spoke about us in a way that it felt like she had known us and our family forever. Our expectations were pretty high on how are ceremony would go, but never expected how personal and perfect Kayelily would have made it. Kayelily took her time, kept reminding us to take this moment in and embrace all the love. It will never be forgotten! I would recommend Kayelily Middleton if you want one of the best wedding ceremonies ever. If you're nervous she calms you, if you cry she helps you with your tears and turns them into laughter. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And, again I will say we couldn't have made it without you...... Jeff & Laura