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!