Heidi and Keith chose for their wedding, the unique venue of
The Rickhouse. It is a whiskey distillery located downtown Durham. Their decor vendors
Get Lit and
Springwell Gardens worked to enhance its natural lighting and industrial features into a magical setting for their wedding.
I love the criss-crossed drape in the center and the strings of white cascading down the glass window into the distillery machinery.
When the guests were seated and we were ready for the ceremony to begin, I entered solo first to make the "unplugged" announcement asking the guests to truly be with Keith and Heidi in their hearts without the distraction of technology. Then Keith and his groomsmen made their entrance.
They took their places up front then the bridesmaids joined them one by one.
Then the adorable ring bearer pulled the wagon of babies down the aisle.
And lastly our beautiful bride was escorted in by her mother and father and another sweet little flower girl.
At the end of the aisle they gave their daughter their love and support as they transferred her hand into Keith's hand and were seated.
A hearty welcome to all their guests followed by tributes to their family members.
The couple and I had written the story of how they met and fell in love and the adventures they had had since them bringing the guests up to the wedding day.
Telling the love story is my favorite part of the ceremony and it is fun for the couple to hear and watch their guests' enjoying hearing it.
A spectacular photo by our professional photographers, Elyssa and John with
Kivus and Camera. In fact, they provided most of the photos for this blog post and I am so grateful. Look for their watermark-- the encircled star in the lower right-hand corner. (The photos without the watermark were taken by my husband with my camera.)
There was lots of laughter as well as tender moments.
And now the big reveal as I tell them what their partner has told me in confidence about what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.
Another humorous moment!
Following the exchange of their vows, they exchanged their rings.
Heidi and Keith chose the Anniversary Box for their unity ceremony. They wrote love letters to each other about this exciting time in their lives and sealed them without sharing. During the ceremony they put them in a special box with a favorite bottle of wine and closed it. I invited them to open the box on their first anniversary and pour each other a glass of wine and read their letters from the other. Then have a conversation about the wedding day and the year that has passed. Write new love letters and seal without sharing and place in the box with the first letters and a new bottle of wine and repeat every anniversary.
We closed with a blessing then the pronouncement of marriage.
Their first kiss as husband and wife!
Oh happy day!!
The joyous walk back down the aisle into their new life!
And another kiss!
Outside after the ceremony the wedding party and parents and the Durham Bulls mascot gathered for some photos.
The wind was making it extra fun and made for some great photos!
Emily Thomas, owner of Emily Katherine Events, coordinated the wedding vendors and helped bring the couple's vision of their wedding day into reality!
Keith and Heidi! A fabulous wedding! Congratulations to you on your marriage. Thank you for giving me the honor of joining you in marriage!
