Sealed with a kiss!

Sealed with a kiss!
Laura & Chris' Wedding at JCRaulston Arboretum

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Nicole and Jon Wed at The Merrimon-Wynne House!

This wedding was years in the making! Nicole and Jon met way back in 2011 during spring break in Panama City Florida! Little did they know then they had met their future spouse! 
They chose the beautiful historic Merrimon-Wynne House for their wedding venue. The wedding was May 31, 2019. It was a beautiful day. Whitney Davis with C&D Events was our wonderful director.
Getting my microphone on and plugged into Frank's DJ board. Frank is a DJ with Bunn DJ Company and we have done many weddings together.
The Cupcake Shoppe provided the cutting cake and cupcakes. Later on ice cream from Two Roosters would be served. Beau Catering was serving the food.
Their parents' wedding photos! 
Getting Courtney to sign as a witness on the marriage license. 
They had done a First Look earlier so the bride did not have to stay hidden away. The main object before the wedding was to keep their adorable little boy Thomas entertained and happy. He was 2.5 years old and a curious and active little chap! Unfortunately Thomas had a meltdown just prior to the processional and had to be kept in the house with a babysitter during the ceremony. It was really disappointing for Nicole and Jon not to have him at the ceremony but Thomas could not be consoled and they did not want to further delay the start of the ceremony.
Checking in upstairs in the man cave to see how everyone is doing and get the best man's signature on the license. They look all calm and laid back!
Jon loved this gift from one of his guys! 
I am really good at pinning on boutonnieres! Lots of practice so I offer to pin them on or straighten them to be sure they are secure.
When it was time to begin the ceremony, I entered first and requested the guests to put away their phones and cameras and be present with the couple without the distraction of technology.
Then the mothers were escorted in and took their seats. Both fathers circled back--Bill to enter with the groomsmen and Thomas to bring in the bride. Both dads served as groomsmen. 
Then Jon and his groomsmen entered and took their places up front. 
Then our pretty bridesmaids. 
And now our beautiful bride and her proud father. 
Whitney watches as Nicole and her father begin their walk down the aisle. 
The guests were standing in their honor and when they reached the altar area, Thomas transferred Nicole's hand into Jon's hand. took his place with the groomsmen, and the guests were seated.
As the bridesmaids and groomsmen faced the couple,  we joined together in prayer and then I welcomed everyone to this wonderful occasion. 
We remembered their loved ones who were unable to be present with us except in spirit. 
I stepped out front to honor the parents which was a sweet surprise for them and always invokes a few tears
Then I began telling the sweet story of how Nicole and Jon met and fell in love. and their journey to their wedding day. 

There were many humorous aspects to their story and we had fun laughing a lot. 
I stepped back in position and revealed their secret paragraphs to each other. They were each hearing for the first time what their partner had told me in confidence they love about them, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to.
After a few words about love and marriage, the vows came next. 
They each made their promises to each other. 
Then it was time to exchange rings. 
Jon said his promises after me as he put the ring on Nicole's finger. 
I handed Jon's ring to Nicole. 
Then she placed it on his finger saying words after me to him. 
A closing blessing preceded the pronouncement of marriage. 
I placed my hand on their joined hands and declared them husband and wife. 
They were happy to seal their vows with a kiss! 
Now! Doesn't Jon look like the cat who just swallowed the canary? Such a funny expression!
Happy! Happy! 
Jon and Nicole! What a great wedding! I loved working with you to come up with the perfect ceremony for you and the guests loved it too! Thanks for everything and I wish you the best always!

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