Brianna and Yasin Get Married in Kayelily's Garden!

Brianna and Yasin are expecting their first child in September and wanted to get married before their baby is born. Brianna texted me and decided that my wedding garden would be a great place for their wedding surrounded by their family and close friends on Friday May 26, 2017 at 1 PM. I recommended she hire my friend Kevin Seifert, wedding photographer,  to shoot her wedding and so they did. Thanks to Kevin for these fabulous photos!

The little bridge in my front yard is a favorite spot for pre-ceremony photos. 

Before the processional I briefed Brianna's father, Joe, on the question I would ask of him. 

Yasin's brother stood up with him. 

Brianna's niece, Holly, was our adorable little flower girl!

Here comes the bride!

Holly ran out of petals by the time she got down the aisle! 

Brianna's mother, Denise, stood with her daughter for the ceremony.

A view from my upper deck of the ceremony. It was a beautiful day--sunny and not too hot. 

Words about the serious commitment they are making to each other. 

We also gave a blessing to their unborn son during the ceremony. 

They are making their vows to each other.

Yasin quickly said "I do!"

Brianna answered "I do!" 

Look at that happy smile! 

Time to exchange the rings.

We close with a blessing for the couple and their marriage.

They become husband and wife! 

I invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple and turned to ring the bell.

The kiss was too short to get a picture so I asked them to kiss again!

A good laugh!

Ah! Kevin got the kiss this time! 

I congratulated them and they walked back down the aisle! 

Back to the bridge for a few more shots. 

Holly joined us for this photo on the steps.

Brianna and Yasin, congratulations on your marriage and for the upcoming birth of your new baby boy! You are the best and I wish you a long and happy marriage!

Alex and Mike Wed at Second Empire Atrium!

Alex and Mike graduated from medical school the day before their wedding at Second Empire on May 13th, 2017. They knew their family and friends would be in the area for their graduation and the Triangle was the perfect venue for their wedding since they met in Durham during a "second-look" weekend at Duke in 2013.

When Dave and I arrived for the wedding, they were just coming in from getting some photos in downtown Raleigh with their photographer Casey Tarpy with Casey Rose Photography and her second shooter.

Mike is watching while his brother Brian signs the marriage license. 

The Atrium is such a nice light-filled room for a wedding. And the acoustics are great too without a microphone.

The guests are gathering--from the very young to some oldsters! 

This may be a little nephew of Alex's but I am not sure. 

The English Garden did all the pretty florals. 

Alex's brother Matthew on guitar and his friend Walter on violin provided very pretty music for the wedding. 

A closer look at the guitar, please! 

Are we ready to begin? Yes. Nicolle Roberts with Second Empire was our director. 

Alex's father, Greg, had to squeeze by the potted tree to get in!

And down the aisle they go! 

Welcoming the guests, a sweet prayer, remembering those who are no longer with us, and then a tribute to their parents led us to the Wedding Address which was the story of how they met and fell in love.

They have a really good story. We went through each year of medical school up to the present.

There was no shortage of humor either. The guests really enjoyed hearing this. In fact, Alex wrote me this today (3 days after the wedding): "Thank you so much for giving us a wedding ceremony we will never forget! It was truly the most special day and the heartfelt ceremony was the center of that. Mike and I feel so lucky to have found you. Also, multiple family members and friends have come up to us saying it was the best ceremony they have ever witnessed."

                                                             Time for the secret paragraphs! 

The vows and rings.......

Alex reads her vows to Mike from my book as she slips the ring on his finger.

After a closing blessing, I pronounced them married and invited them to share their first kiss as husband and wife!

The guests went into the tavern for cocktails while the couple thanked their musicians, then we went outside for a few final photographs.

Mike and Alex, congratulations. I loved your wedding and your story. Beautiful! I wish you the best always!