Brooke and Justin's Wonderful Wedding at Highgrove!

The wedding day of December 7th 2019 was sparkling and clear. A little chilly but not bad for December! Happy to be back at Highgrove for another great wedding! 

(The photos on this post were taken by my good friend Bob Andron who graciously volunteered to come with me because Dave was off at another gathering. The photos are taken with his iPhone 8+. Thanks so much, Bob! Great job!)

The stunning pergola is ready for the ceremony. Flowers on Broad does such a beautiful job!

Pretty hanging lanterns with candles inside flanked the table with the sand ceremony components. 

That chandelier is so elegant! 

This is the covered terrace area with bar where the guests congregate after the ceremony before the reception. 

The Garden Ballroom is decked out and ready. Big dance floor!

The sweetheart table for Brooke and Justin is in front of the fireplace. 

Nearby is the lovely cake by the Highgrove bakery. 

Ready for the ceremony are Nina and her assistant with All Events DJ. I work with them a lot! 

A fairly new addition to the Highgrove estate is this outdoor fireplace. 

It has a clear fiberglass room which protects it from rain and small ceremonies can be here. 

Checking in with Justin before the ceremony. 

Before the ceremony began, our Highgrove director Virginia cued the father of the flower girls to move into position at the bottom of the steps. We learned at the rehearsal that the little girls did not do well descending steps so best to start them on the ground level.

Then I entered to make the Unplugged Announcement before the processional began. 

Justin's grandmother was escorted in. Then Justin escorted his mother, Leeanne, in and joined me up front. (not pictured)

The flower girls are waiting patiently! 

Mother of the bride, Wendy, was escorted in by father of the bride, Don, who circled back for the bride. 

Justin's dad, Wade, was one of his groomsmen and escorted in one of the bridesmaids. 

Sweet ring bearer did his job perfectly! 

And now it's time for the flower girls to make their way down the aisle. The younger one needed some extra encouragement and help from her dad but they made it. Children in the ceremony are often easily intimidated by the guests watching them and may or may not make it down the aisle. This is something that cannot be anticipated at the rehearsal because no guests are there.

The flower petals are sprinkled and the little girls get to their chairs while the music changes for the entrance of the bride.

Brooke and her sweet daddy make their entrance while the guests stand in their honor! 

After Brooke was presented, the guests took their seats, and the couple turned and faced each other. I welcomed everyone, and said a prayer.

Then I stepped out and spoke to the couple's parents in a surprise blessing and tribute to them. 

It was then that we also paid tribute to their son, Jackson, who was born in April of 2019. 

Then it was my pleasure to share with the guests the story of how Justine and Brooke met and their journey to this wonderful wedding day.

They have a good story and we had some fun laughing at some of the funny moments. 

Then they get to hear what the other told me that they love about each other. 

Time for the vows! They each said "I do" and I called for the rings. 

They exchanged the rings as they said the words to each other after me. 

They pour their containers together and add some for Jackson representing family unity. 

A closing blessing. 

The pronouncement of marriage. 

Their first married kiss! 

Yay! Finally married and so happy!

Stepping out into the next chapter of their lives together!

Brooke gives the camera a big smile and Justin is just glad that the ceremony is done and it is time to celebrate! 

Our ring bearer escorts out mother of the groom, Leanne. 

I invited the guests to go up to the terrace and enjoy cocktails before the reception.

I had asked the grandparents to stay in their seats because the wedding party was coming back to take photos. They told me how much they enjoyed the ceremony. Always happy to hear that. 

Justin and Brooke! It was a wonderful wedding you planned and it went so well. I am so happy for you and wish you all the best!

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!