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!