I walked down the aisle first and made the unplugged announcement for all guests to put away their cameras and phones and truly be with David and Lauren during the ceremony without the distraction of technology.
That was David's cue to enter the altar area from the groom's room to the left.
Emma and Brian entered next.
Alison and Garth
Molly and Cameron
Kristin, Maid of Honor, and Raul, Best Man
Nathaniel and Payson brought in the rings.
Olivia did a great job sprinkling the petals for the bride.
I invited the guests to stand for the entrance of Lauren and her father, Scott.
David stepped down to shake Scott's hand then I asked Scott, "Who gives their love and blessings to Lauren as she comes to join in marriage to David?" He answered "I do" and placed Lauren's hand into David's hand.
Lauren and David stepped up onto the altar and Kristen fluffed the bride's dress and veil.
We began with a welcome to all then an opening prayer followed by remembrance of those loved ones who could not be with us for this wedding.
Then I addressed their parents and gave them a tribute from the bride and groom. Always tearful, especially for the mothers!
Then I began telling our guests that Lauren and David have known each other since they were little kids--growing up in the same town, their families going to the same church, and their siblings being good friends. Because of age and grade differences David and Lauren were never really friends. Little did they know that 17 years later they would be marrying each other.
They grew up--Lauren moved to Florida for high school, David moved to Raleigh to go to NC State. Then Lauren's older brother moved to Raleigh too. He and David had always been good friends so when Lauren later moved to Raleigh, she was included in her brother's circle of friends which of course included David.
On a group visit to the NC State Fair, Lauren noticed David was popping up everywhere and they were getting to know each other.
Later on they got together just the two of them at Lily's Pizza and continued to the Beer Garden and talked for hours and hours and shared their first kiss. It was then that they knew there was something special between them and their love for each other began to blossom.
Then there was the proposal--a complete surprise to Lauren who answered a joyful YES to David's question although she can't remember his exact words.
David had asked their photographer friend Colleen Winstead to hide nearby and get pictures of the proposal.
It was all a blur but when David handed her the ring, she said "I think you are supposed to put it on my finger!"
And so the wedding planning began in earnest. They found me and we began to write this ceremony!
They next heard for the first time what each other had told me in confidence what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.
They read their vows to each other from my book then it was time to exchange rings. Raul handed me the rings.
David placed the ring on Lauren's finger as he said "With this ring, I thee wed."
Colleen is a leftie so she switched hands and placed the ring on David's finger saying the same.
After a closing blessing, I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss!
Lauren and David!! Congratulations again. It was a fabulous wedding and I know you are enjoying wedded bliss. Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. I wish you all the best!
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