Dana and Ryan's Wonderful Wedding at the Merrimon-Wynne House!

Dana and Ryan live in California and planned their wedding in Raleigh from afar. I met them when they were in town for Thanksgiving of 2016 with Dana's family in Raleigh.  Ryan's family lives in Virginia. They chose the beautiful Merrimon-Wynne House for their wedding on September 23rd, 2017.

Their florist was Meristem Floral and the caterer Donovan's Dish. 

This is the Carriage House which is wonderful for the reception and/or the ceremony. 

Everything looks so beautiful. Their color scheme was blush, peach, mint, grey and ivory.

The lawn is ready for the ceremony. 

Charis Films did the videography for the wedding. Jenn is manning this camera to capture the ceremony. The still photographers were Ally and Bobby Willix.

Matt Kanon provided the ceremony music and DJ Jamie Overcash provided the sound for me.

The guests are getting seated and eagerly awaiting this wonderful moment in Ryan and Dana's lives!

The Merrimon-Wynne House was moved to this location several years ago then purchased and refurbished into a wedding venue. It is of historical significance and makes for a great downtown wedding venue.

Our wedding planner, Amanda Scott with A Swanky Affair, is getting the parents and wedding party all lined up to process in.

Ryan and I get the signal and make our entrance. 

The bridesmaids followed the groomsmen. 

Here comes the bride!

Dana's brother, Fayek, had the honor of escorting his sister down the aisle since their father passed away many years ago.

And so the ceremony begins. 

Beautiful wedding party! 

We welcomed everyone and told them how important their presence was for our bride and groom.

Then I spoke with the parents of the couple and thanked them for all their love and support. 

Then I had the pleasure of telling the guests the story of how Ryan and Dana met and fell in love. It was destiny that brought Ryan to Los Angeles in 2009 to visit his friend who was also a friend of Dana's. The attraction was immediate and their conversation flowed so naturally that they wanted to see each other again. Ryan was crisscrossing the country on business, then settled temporarily in Seattle and eventually relocated to L.A. so they could be together.

Then I had the fun of revealing to each of them what they had told me in confidence of what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Sweet!

And funny too! 

They thoroughly enjoyed hearing all the words we had chosen together for the ceremony.

Then it was time for them to exchange their vows. 

I called for the rings from the best man who was Ryan's father, Alex.

They said their lines to each other and placed the rings on each other's finger. 

A closing blessing for the couple!

At last, the pronouncement of marriage!

The kiss! 

Presentation of the newlyweds!

Married at last! 

The wedding party exited and the two mothers walked out together!

Ryan and Dana, thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. I am so happy for you that you found each other and brought your two families together. I wish you the best in life forever.