Mary Kate and Ryan's Beautiful Wedding at The Cotton Room!

Mary Kate and Ryan's beautiful wedding was at The Cotton Room in Durham. It was a very hot day July 15th, 2017.  I came to Durham from an outdoor wedding in Wake Forest and it was wonderful to get inside and cool off. 

First thing was to get my microphone hooked into our DJ's system. Eric Hodgden with All Around Raleigh DJ is always a treat to work with and makes it very easy.

Behind the scenes the tables were all set and ready to be moved into the ceremony area after the ceremony. Triangle Catering was doing the catering.

Ambrosia Cake Creations baked the beautiful cake and Tre Bella did the pretty florals. 

The colors of the wedding were navy and coral--a fabulous color combination. Here are the bridesmaids' bouquets and the bride's bouquet on the table with the guest book where the guests are lined up to sign in.

Little thoughtful touches here and there like a map for the guest to place a pin to show how far they came to this wedding. 

Coral roses and some coral berries in a white mason jar on a blingy navy table cover!

Our director with The Cotton Room is Summer. She did a great job at the rehearsal and directing the wedding. 

A picture for the blog! She's a lot of fun to work with too! We instantly liked each other! 

The guys come upstairs after the guests are seated and are all ready to go. Ryan is ready to get married! 

After the grandparents and parents of the groom are seated, the Mother of the Bride is escorted in by her sons-in-law.

Waiting for the music change.

Here we go, Ryan! 

Followed by all the guys.

The bridesmaids processed in after we were all lined up. 

Here comes the bride and her father! 

The guests are standing in their honor.

Bryan is beaming as he watches Mary Kate come down the aisle. 

And so we began with a welcome to everyone, a prayer and remembrance of those no longer with us.

Ryan was dripping with perspiration and so I mopped his face off and commented that it was hard work getting married which generated lots of laughter from the wedding party, the guests and Mary Kate!

Then there was a tribute to their parents. 

Mary Kate's cousins, Molly and Tim, presented a song "I Choose You" by Sara Bareilles. 

Then I got to tell their story. It was a good one with lots of laughter. 

They are hearing what each of them told me in confidence about what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

Time to wipe Ryan's face again. Yes, the air conditioning was on but once you fill the space with 150 guests on a hot day, the cooling system is challenged. Plus he had on a suit and tie!

Then it was time for them to make their vows of marriage to each other. 

Followed by the exchange of rings.

They had written loveletters to each other and sealed them without sharing. 

I handed the letters to them and asked them to place them in the wooden box that held a bottle of wine. 

And so they did.

I instructed them to open the box and the bottle of wine on their first anniversary, pour each other a glass of wine and then go read each other's letter. Have a conversation about their wedding day and the year that has passed. Write another letter and seal without sharing. Put the old and the new letters back in the box and repeat on each anniversary creating a legacy of their love and their lives.

We closed with a blessing.

One final wipe of Ryan's face before the pronouncement and kiss.

I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple.

Great kiss, Ryan! 

Hey, we are married! 

I invited the guests to stand and join me in congratulating our newlywed couple!

After the ceremony the wedding party congregated in the area behind the drapes out of sight of the guests who were enjoying cocktails while the space was turned.

My congratulations to the bride! 

Mary Kate and Ryan! Congratulations on your wedding and your marriage! I am so happy for you and wish you the very best forever!