Allie and Alex's Fabulous Wedding at Highgrove!

Allie and Alex are a great couple. I loved working with them to create the perfect ceremony for them and because they wisely chose to take my Marriage 101 course, I got to know them quite well. 

Their wedding was November 16, 2019 at the beautiful Highgrove Estates in Fuquay-Varina. 

Before the guests arrived, their photographers Brett & Jessica out of Wrightsville Beach were busy getting early photos. Here are Allie and her bridesmaids. Brent with Live View Studios was their videographer also getting these great shots.

Meanwhile I got hooked into the DJ's sound system and did a sound check. It is so important that the guests can hear all the words of our beautiful ceremony--a work of art and legacy for Allie and Alex. Our DJ today was Brian with Performance DJ. The musicians for the ceremony were from Arioso Strings. Because of the wind, they were set up inside the ballroom with microphones via the DJ's sound system. I had not seen that done before but it worked very well.

Virginia, our venue director, and I are discussing logistics. You can see from my dress how strong the wind was blowing. The temperature was a bit chilly but we were grateful for no rain!

 Checked in to see the ballroom. 

The pretty wedding cake by Highgrove's bakery.

I paid a visit to the bridal suite to see Allie and get the marriage license signed by her witness. It was then that I fell in love with her bridal cape!

So beautiful! 

When it was time to begin and the guests were all seated and ready for the ceremony to start, Virginia gave me the cue to enter and make the Unplugged Announcement.

After that, Alex escorted his mother Mona in and then joined me up front. 

Then next to enter were our 7 couples making up the rest of the wedding party. I just love these pretty green dresses. The color scheme was an elegant hunter green, black and white. The bouquets, boutonnieres, reception centerpieces and decor on the pergola were done by Flowers on Broad.

So we are all in and waiting for our bride and her parents to enter. 

Here they come! 

Again--that wedding cape is so beautiful instead of a veil. 

Allie handed off her bouquet to her sister Blair, I asked the question and her parents, Sharon and Jeff, responded then took their seats with the guests. 

Here we go!

After the welcome to all we had a blessing and remembered those who could not be with us. 

Then I stepped out from behind the couple and they shifted so they could watch their guests' reactions to the story of how they met and fell in love and their journey to their wedding day.

At that point the wind really picked up and there were leaves blowing all around us. 

They met in March of 2016 and were smitten. The dating commenced and they soon became inseparable. Alex proposed in May of 2018 and the wedding planning began.

They had each told me in confidence what they love about each other. And now for the first time, they are hearing what their sweetheart told me.

It was then time for the vows and rings. They spoke their vows to each other by reading them from my book. As I fetched the rings from the best man something funny happened but I don't remember what!

Alex placed the ring on Allie's finger saying the words after me. 

Then it was Allie's turn. 

After a closing blessing, I put my hand on theirs and pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss! 

Their first kiss as husband and wife!

Then I presented the newlyweds to their cheering guests and out they went!

Allie and Alex! What a great wedding! I loved it and it was so beautiful. I also enjoyed getting to know you as a couple and departing some wisdom about marriage to you. I wish you all the best!

Lindsay and Collin's Beautiful Wedding at The NC Museum of Art!

i love beautiful weddings!! The wedding of Lindsay and Collins is one of the most beautiful--beautiful couple and beautiful setting--the NC Museum of Art.

A Watered Garden furnished all the florals. The wedding was on September 28th, 2019 in the North Courtyard with the reflecting pool behind us. 

Inside the open area in the front of the museum is all decked out with pretty fluffy cocktail tables for the cocktail hour before the reception.

 This gorgeous cake was designed and baked by Cinda's Creative Cakes. 

 The Iris Cafe is the site of the reception. It is ready to go. 

The guest book is actually a book of photos of our couple that the guests sign for them. 

A few minutes before the ceremony is to start, Morgan reminds the girls to walk slowly and smile! What gorgeous dresses in blush!

 I reminded them not to lock their knees and enjoy the ceremony! 

Checking in with the best man, John, to make sure he had the rings. Kerry looks on not knowing he is included in the story of how Lindsay and Collin met and fell in love.

Morgan Greer is the director of our wedding in addition to being a key employee of the museum. I can always count on Morgan to have everything perfectly organized and on time! We have done so many wedding together and it is always an experience I look forward to.

 Some random photos of the museum while we wait. 

 This amazing lady is always guarding the entrance to the courtyard! 

Hmmm. The statue of the cave man is a familiar figure who is a challenge for weddings indoors here if there is inclement weather. We usually are able to hide him behind a floral arrangement but he still threatens to bop the groom with his bat if he doesn't kiss the bride!

Brian Mullins on the left is one of my favorite photographers and probably the best wedding photographer I know. We've been working together for at least 20 years. I thank him for referring Lindsay and Collin to me. (Disclaimer: All the photos on this blog post are with my iPhone 8 Plus)

 A few moments of quiet to review the ceremony script.

Eric Hodgden is our DJ. He owns All Around Raleigh DJ and is one of my favorite DJs. We've done countless weddings together with him providing sound for my microphone. But today, he is inside for the reception while Arioso Strings provide the ceremony music. Hence I brought my own sound system to amplify my voice.

We are getting all lined up to process in. Collin is a little nervous, I think. He and I enter first followed by parents and wedding party.

The guests are seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin. Thankfully it was not very hot and the courtyard was shady.

 Arioso Strings quartet provided heavenly music for the processional and recessional. Always wonderful! 

 Let's go, Collin! 

 Yay, he's smiling and seems to be enjoying himself! 

Collin's parents, Joy and Mark. It was through Joy that Lindsay and Collin met. They are happy to see this day!

 We are all in. Time for the bride! 

 Jeff escorts his beautiful daughter in and down the aisle. 

 Almost there! 

Welcome to all and thanks for coming here from all across the country! Then a short prayer and remembering those not with us.

A surprise for their parents was next. I skip this at the rehearsal so they are not expecting me to address them and tell them how grateful their children are for all the love and support they have given them throughout their lives. I remind them that they are not losing but gaining a son or daughter and the circle of love expands and blesses them all.

Then it is time to have some fun as I relate the story of how Lindsay and Collin met and their journey to this day.

I think Collin is trying to stifle a laugh! It was a fun story and the wedding party and guests had some good laughs.

And now to tell each of them what their partner told me in confidence about them--what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

 A few words on love and marriage and welcoming them to the unparalleled promise called marriage. 

 They read their vows to each other from my book. 

 I called for the rings and explained their significance. 

 Collin takes the ring and places it on Lindsay's finger as he says 3 lines after me to her. 

 Then Lindsay does the same. 

They chose to write secret love-letters to each other and place them in a wooden box with a bottle of wine. Cady, girlfriend of Lindsay's brother Jared who is a groomsman, was chosen to bring the box forth for them to place the letters in. Then on their first anniversary they will open it, pour each other a glass of wine and read the love-letter from each other. I invite them to reminisce about their wedding day and the year that has passed, write new love-letters to each other and seal without sharing. Replace the bottle of wine, put the new and the old letters back in the box, and repeat on each anniversary creating a legacy of their love and marriage.

 A closing blessing for Lindsay and Collin as they begin their new venture in marriage. 

 It was my pleasure and my privilege to pronounce them husband and wife and invite them to kiss! 

 Perfect!

 I joyfully introduced them to their guests for the first time as a married couple and the cheers began! 

 Oh happy day!!

 And away they go! 

 Here are the mother and father of the bride, Lori and Jeff, jubilant as well! 

Lindsay and Collin, Congratulations!! What a wonderful wedding and I am thrilled you gave me the honor of joining you in matrimony! I loved working with you and wish you the best always!