Lilia and Brian's Wedding at Melrose Knitting Mill!

Wedding vendors were busy getting set up behind the scenes for this wedding when Dave and I arrived to join in the preparation for Lily and Brian's wedding on April 8, 2017 at the historic Melrose Knitting Mill. 

Babylon was catering and Mark with Bunn DJ Company was providing the music. 

Mark got my mic connected into his system and we were doing a sound check when Wil, our videographer with Cinema Film Production, approached to give me the video microphone to put on. HERE is a video of this wedding! Good thing the flowing dresses I wear to weddings have two deep pockets to hold all this technology!

Expressions of Love did the lovely sweetheart table and all the gorgeous flowers! 

The person from Duck Donuts was assembling the pyramid of doughnuts and the aroma of sugar and cake was intoxicating all of us who were assembled in the back area.

Publix furnished this elegant small cake for cutting. I bet it also tasted very good too! 

Greeting guests before they are seated is the mirrored announcement. 

When our photographer, Hooman with Vesic Photography, had finished with the wedding party, I rounded up our best man and maid of honor to sign the marriage license for me.

Janna, on the right, is assisting Jessica Tilton with Chad Biggs Event Planning & Design. She is here in the back room behind the drapes with me and the groomsmen who will enter from this point. Chad is sneaking in from behind the back drop on the left and on the right is Nathan Morris with Oak City Films provided his Slow Motion Booth for the reception fun.

On Dave's way out to the ceremony area to capture the processional, he caught Chad circling around making sure everything was flowing smoothly! Such a pro!

So the guests have been seated and it is time for the processional. 

Lily's grandmother, Lilianna, is sitting until her turn while Brian's grandmother, Betty, is ready to process in with Brian's father, Richard.

Jenny, Mother of the Bride, escorts her mother Liliana in and then returns. (Her mother is from Bulgaria and speaks very little English.) 

Mother of the Groom, Mary, is proud to be escorted in by our Groom, Brian. 

Then Lily's mother, Jenny, is escorted in by Ray, Lily's stepfather, who returns to escort Lily. 

All the guys and I entered from the side in front of the guests and took our places. 

After the bridesmaids processed in one at the time and got into their places, it was time for Lily. 

They pause for Jessica to straighten out the bride's veil. 

And down the aisle they go. The guy on the right is the second shooter for the videographer. 

So beautiful! I can see Chad in the mirror looking on. 

"Who presents this woman to married to this man?" Ray replied: "Her mother and I do." 

We began with a warm welcome to all who came from near and far, even out of the country. 

Then a prayer and remembering Lily's father, Boris, and their grandparents who were with us in spirit. 

I stepped out to address their parents and thank them for all their love and support. A few tears flowed!

Then I launched into the story of how they met 10 years ago in upstate New York and how they got to North Carolina. There was lots of laughing and cheering! 

Then I revealed to them what each had told me in confidence they loved about their partner. Sweet moment. 

They read their vows to each other from my book.

Then they exchanged their rings. 

I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss!

Yay! Married at last! 

The wedding party and parents followed then the guests were invited downstairs into the Hanging Garden while the upstairs was being flipped for the reception.

Lily and Brian, what a wonderful wedding. I hope it fulfilled all your dreams. Thank you for giving me the honor of joining you in marriage. I wish you the very best always!
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