Jackie and Dean Are Wed At Caffe Luna!

Jackie and Dean met with me on March 6th and hired me to officiate their wedding at Caffe Luna on October 15th, 2017. It was not a first wedding for either of them and they wanted a fun, laid-back wedding and Caffe Luna is the perfect place for that kind of wedding. I love weddings there. The staff is great to work with and the food delicious. Jackie and Dean and I got busy collaborating on the wedding ceremony. They each answered a questionnaire for me and from their answers, I put together the story of how they met and fell in love in a way no one had ever heard. They are both good writers and furnished lots of humor to sprinkle in.

Pinning the boutonniere on Matt, our best man. Every Bloomin' Thing was the florist.

Their friend Ingrid was their wonderful wedding director. She had no problem getting the procession organized and signaling people when to walk out.

I was the official boutonniere-pinner-on person at this wedding! 

This cake is from Wicked Sweet Cakes.

The reception area was ready.

Our DJ, Willis Buie with Willis J Entertainment, was ready. 

One more boutonniere!

Jackie's son, Braxton was in charge of the rings.

And so the guests are all seated and we are ready to begin. I walked out first and asked the guests to put away their cell phones and cameras so they could truly be with Jackie and Dean without the distraction of technology. Our professional photographer, Amy with Your Still Life Photography, would capture the wedding in images. (The photos on this blog were taken by my sweet husband Dave.)

Getting ready to walk in from the sidewalk area in the back of the restaurant.

Dean and his groomsmen and Braxton joined me up front.

The bridesmaids are in place, including our maid of honor, Lauren, Jackie's daughter.

Jackie is escorted in by her father, Nguyen. 

And so the ceremony began.

There was a welcome address and a family blessing including recognizing Jackie's children, Lauren and Braxton.

Now for the fun part: the story! They met just a few feet down the sidewalk one evening when they were out on the town with friends. The attraction was immediate. But Jackie was finishing up her degree, raising her family, and a very busy woman. Dean wrangled a date from her and they begin to get to know each other. Dean was born and raised in England but had been living in Raleigh for 3 years for business. Jackie was contemplating relocating out west but that notion disappeared as they fell in love.

They will be quick to tell you that the journey of their relationship was not without some bumps in the road but they will also tell you that their relationship was a great opportunity for mutual evolution.

They had each told me in confidence what they cherish most about each other and their hopes and dreams for their future together. It was time to share those words with each of them.

Their vows were printed in my ceremony book facing them and they read them to each other then exchanged their rings.

I made the pronouncement of marriage and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple!

An so they did! 

Hey, we are married!

And away they go!

Jackie and Dean! What a great wedding! So happy for you. Thanks for being so creative and working diligently with me to create your wonderful ceremony. I wish you the best always!