Kayleigh and Dave's Beautiful Wedding at Highgrove Estate!

October 28th 2017 was a beautiful fall day in North Carolina. Perfect for Kayleigh and Dave's wedding at the historic Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina. We had met in January to begin work on their ceremony script. And so by the time their wedding day rolled around we were eager to see all their wedding planning come into reality!

The garden was ready and I did a sound check with Craig, the DJ with Showtime Productions. The florals were furnished by Flowers on Broad. Notice the signs that line the aisle.

A closer look at the signs and on them are written out the verses of a contemporary version of First Corinthians 13 which teaches us about love. 

The "altar" area was filled with meaningful items on an ornate table flanked by the urns filled with mums in fall colors.

On the table was the Anniversary Box in which there is a bottle of wine and in which during the ceremony the couple will place their sealed without sharing loveletters to each other. On their first anniversary they will open the box, pour each other a glass of wine and read their letters from each other, have a conversation about their wedding day and the year that has passed. Then write new loveletters, seal without sharing, place the old and the new letters in the box with a new bottle of wine  and repeat on each anniversary creating a legacy of love for their children and future generations. This is my favorite Unity Ceremony.

On the terrace at the entrance to the garden was another table where the guests signed in. They added photos of their parents's weddings.

Although it did not get chilly for the ceremony, the couple were so thoughtful to have these colorful wraps handy if a guest needed one.

 Their place cards fitting for a Fall theme wedding.

 The Garden Ballroom is all set. Highgrove does their own catering and the food is wonderful!

 The Sweetheart Table.

 Sweet Memories Bakery provided this beautiful wedding cake. The topper says "Fall in love." 

  Some candy apples for treats!

 Before the ceremony I was chatting with Dave's parents, Elissa and Eddie. 

 Our Highgrove director, Amanda Shepherd, got us lined up inside the house and then began the processional. 

Dave followed me and picked up his parents waiting for him at the top of the steps so that he could escort them in.

After the mother of the bride, Vicki, was escorted in, the groomsmen and bridesmaids took their places. 

Then it was time for Kayleigh and her father, Tom, to make their entrance. Amanda straightens the train.

I asked Tom: "Who gives their love and support to Kayleigh as she comes to join in marriage to David?" He answered:  "Her mother and I" then took his seat as the guests were seated.

I welcomed the guests and told them how important it was to our couple that they join them as they took the next step in their relationship--the joining of their lives in the covenant of marriage.

I stepped out to address the parents with a surprise tribute to them and thanked them for providing examples of marriages that have stood the test of time.

At this point it was my pleasure to share with the guests the story of how Kayleigh and Dave met and fell in love. It began with their first meeting in a Starbucks a little over 4 years ago. Since then they have been on many adventures and bought a house together. Dave proposed in May of 2016 but they wanted to wait to have their wedding after Kayleigh finished grad school.

Then I told them what the other had told me they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. A sweet moment.

 A little humor was sprinkled into the story and the secret paragraphs!

 They made their promises of marriage and exchanged their rings. 

 I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss!

 And they did!

 That after-kiss moment as reality sinks in! 

I thought the first kiss was too short for our photographer to get a good picture so I asked them to kiss again! They were happy to oblige!

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

Amanda is happy that this wedding is flowing along smoothly as the wedding party and parents exit into the house for photos and the guests are invited for cocktails on the terrace before the reception begins.

Kayleigh and Dave! What a fabulous wedding! I trust you are enjoying wedding bliss now that the big day is done and the wedding planning is over! It was my honor to join you in marriage and I wish you the best of everything!