Emilie and Russell Wed at the Old Milburnie Fishing Lodge!

Emilie and Russel decided to have their wedding at the Old Milburnie Fishing Lodge in east Raleigh. They had been to a wedding there and they liked the casual style and beautiful lake setting. I met the couple there one day to take a look and choose the best place and orientation for the ceremony  because we actually had the rehearsal at Joyner Park in Wake Forest. 

The wedding date was Sunday November 3rd, 2019. This sign was placed near the start of the aisle. 

A very nice plaque to hang at their home!

Flowers by Henry was their florist and all the bouquets were lined up and boutonnieres were ready to be pinned on.

I was happy to help do the pinning! I have many years of experience doing that now! 

The cake and catering was provided by their dear friends and family.

Emilie pins the boutonnière on her dad's lapel. 

Emilie and Russel had thought of all the details and everything was in place. They provided a sound system into which I plugged my microphone.

Time to begin the ceremony. The guests have all been asked to take their seats and included many of the couple's grandparents. I entered and asked them to refrain from taking photos during the ceremony. Their photographer, Megan King, would be capturing how the ceremony looked.

Russel escorted his parents in then joined me up front. 

You can see that it was a beautiful day!

Emilie's mom was escorted in by her father, Emilie's grandfather. 

The attendants came in as couples then it was time for the bride and her proud father to make their entrance! 

A warm welcome to all followed by a surprise blessing for their parents. 

Then the story of how they met and fell in love! Emilie and Russel have known each other since they were teenagers and, in a sense, have grown up together. They are also evidence that school crushes and puppy love can survive and grow into a soft abiding love that lasts for life. 

After the story and secret paragraphs about what they love about each other, it was time for the vows.

They chose to include the Celtic handfasting ceremony with 7 ribbons of different colors and a vow with each one.

Then the ribbons were removed and replaced symbolically with their rings.

They make their ring vows. 

Russel places the ring on Emilie's finger.

Then Emilie places the ring on Russel's finger.

I happily pronounced them married after a closing blessing. 

Sealed with a kiss! 

Russel and Emilie, your wedding was so sweet and just perfect for the two of you. I loved working with you and co-creating your beautiful ceremony. I wish you the best of everything always!

Melissa and Ted Get Married at the Preston-Woodall House!

Melissa and Ted planned their wedding for November 2, 2019 at the historic Preston-Woodall House in Benson. I've been doing weddings there for years. It is spacious, fun and well organized.  The house can accommodate the bride and groom for the weekend and they have guest cottages for guests and wedding party. 

This is the Queen Anne pavilion which was fashioned from the original gazebo in the backyard. It is large enough to accommodate a large wedding party and many guests. The beautiful brick walk eliminates grassy bare spots and mud!

Inside the Cora Lily Ballroom which was added about 12 years ago, the carpet has been replaced with nice vinyl planking which is great for dancing! Melissa and Ted love the colors orange and teal, can't you tell!

This beautiful wedding cake was provided by Capital Cakes. 

The ballroom spans the depth of the historic house from front to back with a beautiful view of the fountain and landscaping in the back yard.  When the weather does not cooperate, the ceremony is usually relocated to the far end of the ballroom where there is plenty of natural light.

Melissa and Ted chose the Anniversary Box for their unity ceremony. They had this box specially made to hold their letters which will accumulate on every anniversary!

The guys and I congregate in the ballroom to await the signal that it is time to begin our processional. Meanwhile the bride and her attendants and the parents are in the front of the house from which they will process in.

Our DJ is Peter who owns Island Sound DJ and Video. We work together a lot. When I first arrived, I plugged my mic into his body pack and we did a sound check.

I entered solo and asked the guests to put away their cameras and turn off their phones so they could be with Ted and Melissa for this important time in their lives without the distraction of technology.

Ted led his guys in around the fountain onto the steps of the pavilion. 

We await the bride's attendants to process in and join us. Love those orange sneakers!

 And the teal sneakers for the bride's side! 

Melissa is escorted in by her parents, Gary and Susan. 

Ted and I stepped down for the transfer of hands.  I asked both sets of parents to step forward and asked "Who gives their love and support for the marriage of Melissa and Ted?" and all the parents said "I do" and were seated. 

As soon as Melissa and Ted took their places I launched into their story.  I like to take the guests on the journey from the day the couple met to their wedding day.

They originally met online like many modern couples 6 years ago and their guests had been waiting all these years for their wedding day.

Everyone enjoyed herring their story and what some of their friends think of their relationship. 

After welcoming everyone we remembered those loved ones no longer with us. Then there was a surprise blessing for their parents. Next came the secret paragraphs about what they love about each other.

Then it was time for them to make their vows to each other and seal them with their rings. 

They had written their own vows and read them to each other from my book.

They placed their loveletters in the box then it was time for the closing blessing.

I joyfully pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss!

Their first married kiss!

Got a good photo of the groom's parents recessing out.

Ted and Melissa! Great wedding. It was truly you! So happy for you and thank you for giving me the honor of joining you in marriage. I know you are so happy to finally be married and enjoying wedded bliss!