Samantha and Dru's Beautiful Wedding at Highgrove!

Friday September 21st was a beautiful day at Highgrove Estates in Fuquay-Varina--one of my very favorite venues for weddings.

This sign greeted me when I arrived. 

A look inside the Garden Ballroom where the reception will be held. 

Look at the size of that dance floor! Sam and Dru are a fun-loving couple and so I know it was packed at the reception after the guests had eaten the delicious meal that Highgrove caters.

Cake by Sweet Memories Bakery.

Purple Poppy provided the bouquets the flowers at the ceremony sight and the hanging vases along the aisle. The owner of the Purple Poppy, Doug Odom, told me he has known Sam since she was a little girl and was so happy to be providing the florals for her wedding.

The ceremony site is all ready for the nuptials. Plans are underway to extend this area toward the lake and be able to accommodate even larger wedding ceremonies. All this will take place over the winter when the wedding season is in a lull.

Amanda Shepherd is our Highgrove wedding director. She is great and I love working with her. We make a good team!

Their table assignments.

Chris Overstreet provided ceremony music as well as DJ'd the reception. 

Amanda is getting us all lined up to process in. Dru's dad, Vince, was also his best man. He will be escorting his mother, Dru's grandmother.

Amanda gives the cue for me to walk in. I usually go in first then the wedding party joins me up front.

Vince and Nonna make their walk down the aisle and Vince returns to the line-up. 

Then our Maid of Honor, Ellen, escorts in Sam's grandfather, Al, then she returns to the line-up. 

Dru proudly escorts his mother, Cindi, in then joins me up front. (Love Cindi's beautiful flowing magenta dress!)

Mother of the Bride, Denise, is escorted in by Father of the Bride, Bill, then he returns to bring in Sam. 

Then the groomsmen and bridesmaids processed in and took their places up front. Time for the Bride!

Bill proudly escorts his beautiful daughter down the aisle! 

At the end of the aisle he shook hands with Dru then placed Sam's hand in Dru's and everyone was seated. 

I delivered a warm welcome to everyone and thanked them for being with us.  Then we remembered the couple's loved ones who could not be with us.

At this point I stepped out to the side and spoke to their parents and told them how much their children appreciate all their love and support for all their lives. Then I launched into the story of how Sam and Dru met, their adventures together, and how they got to this day. They both have a great sense of humor and that was reflected in their story.

Then I revealed what each one had told me about the other--what characteristics they love, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

After the secret paragraphs came their vows. 

Asking Sam the questions she answered I Do to. 

Vince handed me the rings and I explained their significance. 

Dru puts the ring on Sam's finger and says the ring vows to her. 

After Sam placed the ring on Dru's finger, I gave them a blessing and made the pronouncement of marriage! 

The Kiss! 

And more kisses! 

And away they go into the next chapter of their lives together! 

Sam and Dru! Congratulations on your marriage and on putting together such a beautiful wedding! Thank you for giving me the honor of joining you in marriage. You were so much fun to work with and I loved delivering your ceremony. I wish you all the best forever!