Kaitlin and Chris' Fabulous Wedding at the Park Alumni Center!

Kaitlin and Chris' wedding was on a beautiful fall day--October 20th 2018 at the NC State Park Alumni Center on the Centennial Campus. It had rained the day before but the grounds had dried out and the ceremony site was all ready to go.

Their guests filled every seat! 

Kent Blom with Bunn DJ Company was our expert DJ for the ceremony and the reception. He was all set up and ready to go too. 
Erin McCauley with Chestnut and Vine Wedding Coordination was our wedding director. She specializes in "day of wedding coordination." This was the first time Erin and I had worked together and we both had been looking forward to this wedding. We look forward to many more too!

While the guests were assembling for the ceremony, the wedding party was gathered together out of sight and Erin and I had a chance to sit down and chat before the processional began.

The English Garden provided the florals for this wedding. Pretty pots of bright red lined the generous wide aisle. 

In between the pots of flowers were plaques with verses of First Corinthians about Love. 

I processed in from the side and took my place in front of the guests. Then Chris and his parents, Jeffrey and Joan, entered. His parents were seated and Chris stepped up to join me up front.

The groomsmen then entered one by one.

They made their way down the aisle to join Chris. 

Groomsman David and bridesmaid Emily entered together.

Our best man, Matt, escorted in Chris' sister Meg (maid of honor) and Kaitlin's sister Jess (matron of honor).

The guests are invited to stand in honor of the bride. 

Kaitlin's mother, Melissa, is in a wheelchair but that did not stop her from joining Ed, to escort their daughter down the aisle. 

When Kaitlin and her parents reached the front row, Kaitlin stepped forward on her own and joined Chris and they turned and faced their parents. Then I asked their parents: "Who supports and blesses Chris and Kaitlin as they join together in marriage?" Of course they answered "We do" and everyone was seated.

Chris and Kaitlin wanted to pay tribute to key people in their lives: their parents and their sisters. I addressed each one of them individually identifying their attributes and thanked them on behalf of the couple. It was so touching and a sweet surprise to each of them. We also recognized and thanked their grandparents who were present and acknowledged those who have passed away.

Kaitlin and Chris have been in love since they met in high school in 2010. Their story of meeting at a movie night at Kaitlin's house one night when they were both 16 was so much fun to learn about and then tell to their guests who had never heard their story all put together from both perspectives. Kaitlin realized that she had more than high-school-crush feeling for Chris first. Eventually he caught on and asked her out by placing an origami heart on her windshield for her to find after sports practice. And, as they say, the rest is history!

The story generated lots of laughs. Most of the wedding party had been with them in high school as their romance developed and could relate to most of their experiences.

Kaitlin and Chris enjoyed hearing their story and watching their friends and family enjoy it too. 

Love the laughter and fun! 

After high school they both went to NC State and graduated which brings us to this wedding day after many months of very careful planning.

Kaitlin is hearing for the first time what Chris told me in confidence he loves about her and what he is looking forward to in marriage. They are both really good writers.

Then Chris gets to hear what Kaitlin told me about her love for him. 

They read their vows (secret from each other) to each other from my book while placing the rings. 

Kaitlin's turn!

I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple. 

Everyone was cheering them on! Their photographer, Faith Teasley, moves in for a closer photo. 

I introduced them to their guests and invited them to stand and join me in congratulating them!

Some photo-ops on the way out! 

The wedding party then exits. 

Kaitlin and Chris! What a wonderful wedding you put together. I am honored to have joined you in marriage. Thank you for the opportunity. I loved working with you to create your very unique ceremony. I wish you all the best!