Jana and Joe chose the lovely
Highgrove Estates for their wedding on September 30th, 2017. Jana is from Raleigh and that is where her family lives. Joe and Jana live in South Carolina and we did not actually meet in person until their rehearsal the day before.
Of course during the process of creating their ceremony with them, I get to know them pretty well so when we met it felt like I had known them for years. I have each of my couples complete a questionnaire individually and send to me without sharing their answers with each other. From their answers, I write the story of how they met and fell in love, what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Then we weave this into their wedding ceremony.
Highgrove is so beautifully decorated and comfortable. It is a venue that furnishes each couple with a wedding director and the venue is an "all in one" for ceremony and reception and they do their own catering. A one-stop shopping wedding venue!
The garden ballroom is all set for the reception.
My friend, Tim Smith, a talented musician, is part of the band for the reception. What a sweet surprise to run into Tim at this wedding!
The band is all set up in the ballroom and ready for some dancing later on.
Meanwhile, upstairs, the bride and her bridesmaids and mothers are in the bridal suite getting ready and then go downstairs to process in. I came in to say hello to Jana and her entourage and to get the marriage license signed.
Downstairs I ran into Mark Holland whom I have known for many years through weddings. He is a videographer and when he has time, he bartends at Highgrove. That is what he was doing today.
The guests came through the house on the way to the portico for the ceremony and wrote their notes for the couple.
Getting ready to line up. This gentleman is Joe's grandfather. Joe's father is standing behind him. They were delightful to get to know for this wedding.
Our Highgrove director, Jill Frink, gave me the signal to enter and take my place for the ceremony.
After the grandparents entered, Joe escorted his mother in and his father followed behind. Then Joe joined me up front.
Mother of the bride is escorted in by her son, Henry, then he returned to be with his brother Ricky to escort Jana in. Their father is deceased.
Our Maid of Honor takes her place.
Ricky and Henry had the honor of escorting their sister down the aisle to be married to Joe.
Our photographer,
Dave Shay, was capturing the presentation of the bride and the exchange of hands.
It was a beautiful day and Jana was so happy and Joe was beaming at her!
After the welcome address and an opening prayer, I stepped over to the parents to surprise them with a tribute from their children.
Their friend Amber then presented a contemporary reading of First Corinthians 13.
Then I launched into the story of how they briefly met back in 2011 when they were both students living in Norfolk. Joe spotted Jana first and it was close to love at first sight. He finally wrangled a way to meet her in August of 2013. Once she met Joe, Jana was inspired by how passionate he is about his career and wanted to know him better. And so the dating began.
When Joe landed a desired position in South Carolina, Jana followed and began her career there.
Joe surprised her the day she moved into a new place with a new puppy and a proposal of marriage on June 4th, 2016.
Of course we know what Jana's answer was! And then the wedding planning started.
Then they each got to hear what the other had told me in confidence about what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.
The declarations of intent followed as I asked each one of them their promises. Joe answered "I do."
Jana answered "I do."
Then they read the vows they had written from my book to each other.
Jana's turn.
A blessing of the rings then the exchange as they placed them on each other's finger.
A closing blessing for Jana and Joe.
The big moment--the official pronouncement of marriage.
Then I invited them to celebrate their union with a kiss!
Yay! We are married!
Our director, Jill, congratulates them on their way in the house.
Jana and Joe! Congratulations on your marriage and such a beautiful wedding! I loved working with you and honored to join you in marriage. God bless you always!
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