Dana and David Wed at The Cotton Room on Mother's Day!

Dana and David are such a wonderful couple! Dana contacted me in September to see if I could officiate her wedding on May 13th, 2018 at The Cotton Room. She said she and David were "looking for a fun, happy ceremony that will reflect our love for one another as we start the next chapter of our life!" I was delighted that I was available so we met and they hired me. In the process of creating their ceremony Dana and I found out that we also might be distant relatives!

Cinda's Creative Cakes baked this beautiful wedding cake! 

Dana and David graduated from Duke Medical School the Friday before their Sunday wedding so it was a double celebration! And it was also Mother's Day! A trifecta!

The place cards are artfully arranged for the guests to pick up during cocktail hour while the reception area is being flipped.

A very nice guestbook full of photos of Dana and David and their adventures together. 

The guests are seated and Kylah, the event coordinator with The Cotton Room, has gotten the processional all lined up.

Making sure David's boutonniere is secure. He will escort in his grandmother then join me up front.

Petal and Oak were the florists who furnished the bouquets, boutonnieres and floral arrangements.

After the parents were escorted in, Dana's twin brother, B.I., escorted in his fiancee, Katharine.

The remaining 4 couples took their places and it was time for the bride to enter.

Bill proudly walks Dana down the aisle to begin her new married life! 

Once Bill placed Dana's hand into David's and got to his seat, I invited all the guests to be seated. 

We began with a warm welcome to all who had traveled from far and near, then remembered those loved one's who could not be present.

Then we had a sweet blessing.

I stepped out to address Dana and David's parents and tell them how thankful their children are for all the love and support they've given them through the years.

From there I had fun telling everyone the story of how Dana and David met and fell in love and all their adventures together, especially medical school!

Meanwhile their wonderful photographer, Hooman Bahrani with Vesic Photography, and Kylah are capturing the moment.

Hearing what they love about each other!

Making their vows to each other.

David places the ring on Dana's finger to seal the vows.

Then Dana says her ring vows to David and encircles his finger with the ring.

The pronouncement of marriage followed a closing blessing. 

Sealed with a kiss!

And here they are, folks, now husband and wife!! 

Dana's mother, Mary, is telling me how much she loved the ceremony!

And Dana too! 

A chat with Bill, father of the bride, about our heritages that go back to South Carolina. 

Had to get a photo of Bill and his sisters!

A last shot with Kylah before I left.  

Congratulations to you, David and Dana! I loved working with you and getting to know you and finding kindred spirits and likely some DNA in common! I wish you all the best not only in your marriage but also in your careers!