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! 

Dominic and Aaron Wed in my Wedding Garden!

Dominic and Aaron got married in my Wedding Garden on Wednesday October 17th, 2018. It was the last wedding there before I moved and put my home up for sale. 

It was a short and sweet ceremony that also included Dominic's children and Aaron's son. Here I am telling them how much their parents love them and how important they are in this marriage celebrated today. 

After the vows and the pronouncement of marriage, I invited them to kiss. They were so happy! 

Their witnesses were a couple (Amber and Derwin) whom I married in the very same spot in 2015. That is how Dominic learned of me and it was so good to see them again!

Dominic and Aaron, congratulations! I am honored to have joined you in marriage. You were great to work with and I know you are a really good match. Your children are indeed fortunate to have the two of you as parents! I wish you all the best!!

Christine and Andy's Gorgeous Wedding at Brier Creek CC!

Christine and Andy fell in love when they were in high school many years ago in Long Island. Their love withstood long distance separation for many years until Christine finally migrated south to join Andy. Their wedding was a beautiful one at Brier Creek Country Club on October 12th 2018. Hurricane Michael blew through North Carolina the day before forcing our rehearsal indoors and fortunately the ground had dried out enough for our ceremony to be held in the lovely Jasmine Courtyard. Of course the curtains had been removed because of the high winds but I really like the way it looks without the curtains. Gregg Kennedy with Brides and Bouquets put up the beautiful floral arch for the ceremony and provided all the other florals too.

Jason Huggins, owner of Stylus, was our DJ. When I arrived he had an ear microphone for me and we did a sound check then he knelt down as if proposing! Not sure what he was proposing but my husband Dave snapped this photo of it. Jason always provides the best sound for me, brings a mic for me and I love doing weddings with him.

After the sound check we went upstairs into the ballroom where the reception would be. 

The Sweetheart Table is all decked out in front of the picture window looking down into the courtyard. 

GiGi's Cupcakes provided this display of fabulous cupcake with a cake on top for cutting. 

A unique cake topper for Andy and Christine! 

Rebecca Faulk of Red Bridge Photography was our professional photographer. Another professional photographer, Brian Mullins, was her second shooter--an amazing team of the best photographers in the area!

Robin Crew with Bayleaf Video Productions on the left and Rebecca on the right are getting some shots of the bride before the ceremony.

Every couple gets a very pretty keepsake certificate of marriage from me. 

Getting the marriage license signed. 

And now we are getting all lined up to process in on the sidewalk beside Deke's Grill. 

Andy and I processed in first along the side to the front of the pergola. 

Waiting for the parents.

Andy's parents, Stella and Vito, start their walk into the ceremony area. 

Then brother of the bride, Frank, escorts his mother Laura into the ceremony then returns. 

First couple are Autumn and Brandon.

Vinny and Jennifer

Frank and Nicole.

Melissa and Alex

Doug (best man) and Angela (maid of honor) enter.

Our beautiful Flower Girl--Krystyna!

She did a great job sprinkling the petals!

Time for our stunning bride and her dad, Frank, to make their entrance!

Down the steps while their guests are all standing in honor of the bride. 

They stopped in front of Andy and me and I asked Frank the question, he answered then placed Christine's hand into Andy's hand and everyone was seated.

A warm welcome to everyone who had traveled from near and far. 

Then we remembered those who were no longer with us. 

After surprising their parents with a sweet tribute, I got to tell Andy and Christine's wonderful story! 

Lots of good laughs too!

After their story, they got to hear what their partner had told me in confidence what he or she loves about them.

Andy got a bit tearful hearing what Christine told me. 

Christine loved what Andy told me too!

Time for the vows.  These first vows were funny questions to them. 

Then to the more serious vows during which they exchanged their rings. 

Andy placed the ring on Christine's finger. 

Then Christine placed the ring on Andy's finger which took a little struggle to get it on. Andy is sharing in the struggle!

A closing blessing for our couple came next then the big pronouncement of marriage moment!

I invited Andy to show us the kiss as I stepped to the side out of the photo of the kiss.

Oops! Dave missed getting a photo of the kiss! Angela hands Christine her bouquet and I presented them to their guests as husband and wife!

And out they go!

I know Krystyna had a good time!!

Parents of the bride followed by parents of the groom.

Our wedding planner/director was Shannon Carpenter with Magnolia and Pine Events. She did a great job and it was wonderful working with her and her team.

A big Congratulations to you, Christine and Andy!! What a wonderful wedding! I wish you the best always!