Lauren and Tyler's wedding was one of the prettiest, sweetest weddings of my career as a wedding officiant. And all that despite their wedding weekend being one of the rainiest weekends in May. Their wedding was May 19th, 2018 at
Shady Wagon Farm in New Hill.
They waited to the last minute to call the wedding but the weather just could not be counted on to stay dry for the ceremony. Above is where the wedding would have been had it been dry enough. The gazebo stands empty this day! See other weddings at
Shady Wagon Farm.
was our amazing florist. He put this together the day before not knowing what the call would be. It was perfect for the ceremony.
So the ceremony took place on the covered terrace area where cocktail hour usually takes place after weddings at the gazebo. I loved the arc of the chairs and the beautiful natural backdrop of the woods.
Their guest book!
Monica West, granddaughter of the owner of
Shady Wagon Farm, is the on-site event manager. We are going over the logistics. This is the first time for me for the ceremony on the terrace.
Inside the barn this beautiful cake was set up.
Cinda's Creative Cakes baked this beauty.
Cook Shack was our caterer.
The barn is all set up for the reception. The wedding party and parents will congregate and process from here.
I paid a visit to the bridal suite to speak to Lauren and get her maid of honor to sign the license for me. Our little flower girl Penny was preoccupied with her electronics and not at all nervous about her upcoming duties.
Lauren's dress was one of the most gorgeous I've ever seen. It even had pockets and the style and color (a rose-gold-ivory) fit her perfectly.
At the groom's quarters the guys are all dressed and ready. Tyler's father, Jerry, was his best man and so I got him to sign the license for me.
Back at the terrace....there were so many little thoughtful details at this wedding. Lauren and Tyler love going on adventures and travel in their truck, their side-by-sides off road, bow hunt, fish and kayak.
Monica goes over the cues for the music with our DJ,
Bill Freeman. I really liked Bill. He is out of Sanford and I had not met him before.
I took advantage of a quiet moment to review the ceremony script. I love Lauren and Tyler's story. They met in high school but went their separate ways to college and did not connect until they graduated and moved back to Raleigh and were ready to concentrate on their relationship.
This old wagon is perfect for displaying wedding signage and other goodies that will be added for cocktail hour.
Buck and Summerlin referred Lauren and Tyler to me and I appreciate that so much. I married them in 2014 at Fletcher Park.
HERE is a link to their wedding. It was so good to see them again and to learn that they have a little daughter!
Penny and Noah, both age 4, were really taken with each other. They met for the first time at this wedding and soon became inseparable. It was so sweet! Who knew? Wonder what their future will be!
Getting the processional lined up. Tyler will escort his mom in then circle back.
After the parents are seated, Tyler and his groomsmen and I entered and took our places up front.
The guys are all in place. See the empty chairs? People at weddings tend to fill up from the back first!
Now all the bridesmaids have processed in and taken their places. There were 6 attendants on each side.
I invited the guests to stand for the bride and her father.
Lauren's father, Henry, answered my questions then placed her hand into Tyler's hand then took his seat next to her mother, Myra.
We began the ceremony with a hearty welcome to everyone and thanked them for making the journey to be with us.
Then we had a prayer and remembered those loved ones no longer with us.
At this point I invited the parents to stand. I asked Tyler's dad to stand with Tyler's mother Karen for the parents' blessing where we paid tribute to them and thanked them for their love and support of our couple.
Now is the time I had the great pleasure of telling our guests the story of how Lauren and Tyler met. It is a good story and filled with humor. Lauren, Tyler and I had fun putting this story together in a way no one had ever heard before.
Now you can really see how beautiful Lauren's dress is. And it has pockets! How wonderful! It was the prettiest color--a pale rose gold.
After the story they got to hear the secret paragraphs for the first time--what they love about each other!
Of course there was more humor here too!
Before the vows, we had a musical interlude. Cayleigh, Lauren's friend from college, sang a song in memory of Lauren's grandmother who had recently passed away. It was a bit tearful for all those who knew her, especially Lauren and her mother.
Following the song were the vows. They read them to each other from my book. Tyler stumbled over a few words adding even more humor to the wedding ceremony. At one point I cracked up and so did everyone else including Tyler and Lauren! More memories!
Of course Lauren's recitation of her vows was perfect!
Then they exchanged rings. Tyler placed the ring on Lauren's finger and said the words after me line by line.
Lauren did the same.
They chose the Fisherman's Knot for their unity ceremony and it was quite appropriate given their love of the outdoors and sports. It is a very nice symbolic ritual for two people joining their lives in marriage.
Back to the center for the closing blessing. I think our ring bearer is now bored. I was amazed that the two 4-year-olds, Penny and Noah, and our 6-year-old Trey stood still in their places during the whole ceremony.
I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple.
They were most happy to oblige!
There is that "after-kiss moment" when reality sinks in!
Presenting the newlywed couple to our guests!
Jubilant!
Out they go followed by their wedding party and parents while the area was flipped for cocktail hour.
The Fisherman's Knot. The more you pull on it, the stronger it gets.
We gathered for photos after the ceremony. Thankfully it had not rained.
Lauren and Tyler! Congratulations! What a fabulous wedding you planned and it turned out so beautifully despite inclement weather. You are a great couple and so well matched. I loved getting to know you and working with you to create your memorable ceremony--in many ways! I wish you all the best forever!!
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