Suzanne and Justin Wed at Campbell Lodge!

Suzanne and Justin chose to have their wedding at the Campbell Lodge at Durant Nature Preserve on October 27, 2018. They did all of the wedding planning themselves with the help of family and friends. It is a daunting task but they were up to it and pulled off a fabulous wedding! 

The day was chilly but nice and everything was going according to plan. 

At the rehearsal I was thrilled to see that the old beige and green tiles had been removed revealing this beautiful wooden floor. It completely transformed the room with warmth. The  mantle has been decorated with greenery and candles and white flowers.

Suzanne and Justin had thought out all the little areas to display photos on the gift table. 

They had their guests sign in on Jenga blocks which they will use later to stack and play the balance game. 

Many scrumptious cakes--the "wedding cake" was by Capital Cakes and the others were homemade by family.

Daniel with Complete Weddings was all set up to provide the music for the ceremony and reception. 

Kristine Tew, good friend of the couple, was our wedding director and all around in-charge person. Great job, Kristine!

It's is time to begin. The guests were invited to take their seats so the ceremony could commence. (You can see that the other end of the lodge has an identical fireplace where the reception tables are confined to until after the ceremony when the chairs will be placed on the tables spread out in this space.)

I entered first then Justin followed from the side door. 

Justin's dad and best man escorts in Justin's Mother and Grandmother then joined Justin and me up front.

Mother of the bride is escorted in by her son and grandson. 

The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered as couples. 

After this couple our Maid of Honor entered. Not pictured.

Then Blaine, nephew of bride, entered with the sign "Here She Comes!"

Everyone turned to watch for the bride. 

Suzanne and her father entered and I invited all the guests to stand in their honor!

Father and Mother of the bride answered my question to them then all were seated. 

A warm welcome to all their guests with thanks from the couple for making the journey to be with them. 

An opening prayer.

Then remembrance of the people who were no longer with us. 

I stepped out to the side to address their parents and then to tell Suzanne and Justin's love story. They met back in 2015 and the attraction was instantaneous. It wasn't long before they were a couple enjoying traveling, introducing each other to their favorite restaurants, and discovering how great their compatibility is. Justin proposed in February of 2018 and they began planning their wedding together.

Then I revealed to each of them what their partner had told me they love about them, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Suzanne first as Justin watches her receive his sweet words. Then it was Justin's turn.

They made their vows and then sealed them with their rings. 

Suzanne gets that ring on Justin's finger securely!

Following a closing blessing, I pronounced them married and invited Justin to kiss his bride!

He wasted no time kissing his beautiful wife as we all cheered him on! 

While the guests were placing their chairs around the tables, the wedding party slipped outside and down to the lower level for photos. Their professional photographer was Haley Colley. Their florist was Gina with Designer Buds. The caterer was City BBQ.

Suzanne and Justin! Congratulations! What a great job you did in putting together a great wedding day. And I enjoyed getting to know you and working with you so much. I wish you all the best forever!!