Lindsay and Collin's Beautiful Wedding at The NC Museum of Art!

i love beautiful weddings!! The wedding of Lindsay and Collins is one of the most beautiful--beautiful couple and beautiful setting--the NC Museum of Art.

A Watered Garden furnished all the florals. The wedding was on September 28th, 2019 in the North Courtyard with the reflecting pool behind us. 

Inside the open area in the front of the museum is all decked out with pretty fluffy cocktail tables for the cocktail hour before the reception.

 This gorgeous cake was designed and baked by Cinda's Creative Cakes. 

 The Iris Cafe is the site of the reception. It is ready to go. 

The guest book is actually a book of photos of our couple that the guests sign for them. 

A few minutes before the ceremony is to start, Morgan reminds the girls to walk slowly and smile! What gorgeous dresses in blush!

 I reminded them not to lock their knees and enjoy the ceremony! 

Checking in with the best man, John, to make sure he had the rings. Kerry looks on not knowing he is included in the story of how Lindsay and Collin met and fell in love.

Morgan Greer is the director of our wedding in addition to being a key employee of the museum. I can always count on Morgan to have everything perfectly organized and on time! We have done so many wedding together and it is always an experience I look forward to.

 Some random photos of the museum while we wait. 

 This amazing lady is always guarding the entrance to the courtyard! 

Hmmm. The statue of the cave man is a familiar figure who is a challenge for weddings indoors here if there is inclement weather. We usually are able to hide him behind a floral arrangement but he still threatens to bop the groom with his bat if he doesn't kiss the bride!

Brian Mullins on the left is one of my favorite photographers and probably the best wedding photographer I know. We've been working together for at least 20 years. I thank him for referring Lindsay and Collin to me. (Disclaimer: All the photos on this blog post are with my iPhone 8 Plus)

 A few moments of quiet to review the ceremony script.

Eric Hodgden is our DJ. He owns All Around Raleigh DJ and is one of my favorite DJs. We've done countless weddings together with him providing sound for my microphone. But today, he is inside for the reception while Arioso Strings provide the ceremony music. Hence I brought my own sound system to amplify my voice.

We are getting all lined up to process in. Collin is a little nervous, I think. He and I enter first followed by parents and wedding party.

The guests are seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin. Thankfully it was not very hot and the courtyard was shady.

 Arioso Strings quartet provided heavenly music for the processional and recessional. Always wonderful! 

 Let's go, Collin! 

 Yay, he's smiling and seems to be enjoying himself! 

Collin's parents, Joy and Mark. It was through Joy that Lindsay and Collin met. They are happy to see this day!

 We are all in. Time for the bride! 

 Jeff escorts his beautiful daughter in and down the aisle. 

 Almost there! 

Welcome to all and thanks for coming here from all across the country! Then a short prayer and remembering those not with us.

A surprise for their parents was next. I skip this at the rehearsal so they are not expecting me to address them and tell them how grateful their children are for all the love and support they have given them throughout their lives. I remind them that they are not losing but gaining a son or daughter and the circle of love expands and blesses them all.

Then it is time to have some fun as I relate the story of how Lindsay and Collin met and their journey to this day.

I think Collin is trying to stifle a laugh! It was a fun story and the wedding party and guests had some good laughs.

And now to tell each of them what their partner told me in confidence about them--what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

 A few words on love and marriage and welcoming them to the unparalleled promise called marriage. 

 They read their vows to each other from my book. 

 I called for the rings and explained their significance. 

 Collin takes the ring and places it on Lindsay's finger as he says 3 lines after me to her. 

 Then Lindsay does the same. 

They chose to write secret love-letters to each other and place them in a wooden box with a bottle of wine. Cady, girlfriend of Lindsay's brother Jared who is a groomsman, was chosen to bring the box forth for them to place the letters in. Then on their first anniversary they will open it, pour each other a glass of wine and read the love-letter from each other. I invite them to reminisce about their wedding day and the year that has passed, write new love-letters to each other and seal without sharing. Replace the bottle of wine, put the new and the old letters back in the box, and repeat on each anniversary creating a legacy of their love and marriage.

 A closing blessing for Lindsay and Collin as they begin their new venture in marriage. 

 It was my pleasure and my privilege to pronounce them husband and wife and invite them to kiss! 

 Perfect!

 I joyfully introduced them to their guests for the first time as a married couple and the cheers began! 

 Oh happy day!!

 And away they go! 

 Here are the mother and father of the bride, Lori and Jeff, jubilant as well! 

Lindsay and Collin, Congratulations!! What a wonderful wedding and I am thrilled you gave me the honor of joining you in matrimony! I loved working with you and wish you the best always!

Angela and Marvin Wed at The Butterfly House!

I introduced myself to Angela and her mother at an open house at the Museum of Life and Science on March 8, 2019. When they told me that Angela and Marvin's wedding was on May 25th, just a couple of months away, I was surprised that they did not have an officiant. Fortunately I was available for their date and time and so we met on March 18th to start planning their ceremony. Marvin was deployed in Japan and I did not meet him until the rehearsal but we communicated by email for his part of the ceremony.

The day was beautiful when Dave and I arrived from another wedding that day. The chairs were artfully curved in a semi-circle in front of the stunning glass wall of the butterfly conservatory. Our DJs had a mobile unit and speaker set up on the far side.

The tables were all set and ready for the chairs to be added after the ceremony and cocktail hour. Southern Harvest was the caterer. The florist for the wedding was Pine State Flowers. (The wedding cake which had not been brought out from the cooler was by Groovy Duck Bakery.) Becky Chapman with Lily Rose Events was our director and our photographer was Morgan Henderson.

At the entrance to the butterfly house is this lovely terrace and the stairs that lead up to the area where the dinosaurs are! Cocktail hour will be here.

Nina and Garrett were on duty for All Events DJ and I got plugged into their system and did a sound check. Always wonderful to work with!

A beautiful spray of flowers for the ceremony area. 

Putting the finishing touches on our gorgeous bride! She is one of the most beautiful brides I've ever officiated for. 

Becky gets us all lined up for the processional. I entered before the others and made the unplugged announcement then the wedding party filled in around me.

This is Angela's beautiful sister and Maid of Honor! 

Angela and her dad Randy begin their walk down the aisle. 

Rounding the corner to the middle of the chairs as the guests stand in Angela's honor. 

Angela and Marvin have known each other since they were teenagers at Sanderson High School in 2011. 

In a sense they grew up together and their love for each other was sustained through years of college and military service separation. Finally they are having the wedding of their dreams!

After a welcome and prayer, it was time to honor their parents and tell them how much they loved and appreciated their support all their lives.

Then I had the good fortune to tell their love story. There were definitely some humorous moments and there was lots of laughter.

And so here they are today, ready to join their hearts in marriage surrounded by the people they love the most.

Angela gets to hear for the first time what Marvin told me in confidence what he loves about her and what he is looking forward to. Then Marvin gets to hear for the first time what Angela told me in confidence.

They said their vows and then exchanged rings. 

A closing blessing was next.

Making the pronouncement of marriage at last and inviting them to kiss! 

Happy to do so!!

And they step into their new lives! Off to Japan too! 

Photo-op with the butterflies in the butterfly house is a post wedding ritual. 

I stepped in to get a shot with the couple as a butterfly is resting on Marvin's thumb! Congratulations, Marvin and Angela. Wonderful wedding for a wonderful couple! All the best always!