Christine and Andy's Gorgeous Wedding at Brier Creek CC!

Christine and Andy fell in love when they were in high school many years ago in Long Island. Their love withstood long distance separation for many years until Christine finally migrated south to join Andy. Their wedding was a beautiful one at Brier Creek Country Club on October 12th 2018. Hurricane Michael blew through North Carolina the day before forcing our rehearsal indoors and fortunately the ground had dried out enough for our ceremony to be held in the lovely Jasmine Courtyard. Of course the curtains had been removed because of the high winds but I really like the way it looks without the curtains. Gregg Kennedy with Brides and Bouquets put up the beautiful floral arch for the ceremony and provided all the other florals too.

Jason Huggins, owner of Stylus, was our DJ. When I arrived he had an ear microphone for me and we did a sound check then he knelt down as if proposing! Not sure what he was proposing but my husband Dave snapped this photo of it. Jason always provides the best sound for me, brings a mic for me and I love doing weddings with him.

After the sound check we went upstairs into the ballroom where the reception would be. 

The Sweetheart Table is all decked out in front of the picture window looking down into the courtyard. 

GiGi's Cupcakes provided this display of fabulous cupcake with a cake on top for cutting. 

A unique cake topper for Andy and Christine! 

Rebecca Faulk of Red Bridge Photography was our professional photographer. Another professional photographer, Brian Mullins, was her second shooter--an amazing team of the best photographers in the area!

Robin Crew with Bayleaf Video Productions on the left and Rebecca on the right are getting some shots of the bride before the ceremony.

Every couple gets a very pretty keepsake certificate of marriage from me. 

Getting the marriage license signed. 

And now we are getting all lined up to process in on the sidewalk beside Deke's Grill. 

Andy and I processed in first along the side to the front of the pergola. 

Waiting for the parents.

Andy's parents, Stella and Vito, start their walk into the ceremony area. 

Then brother of the bride, Frank, escorts his mother Laura into the ceremony then returns. 

First couple are Autumn and Brandon.

Vinny and Jennifer

Frank and Nicole.

Melissa and Alex

Doug (best man) and Angela (maid of honor) enter.

Our beautiful Flower Girl--Krystyna!

She did a great job sprinkling the petals!

Time for our stunning bride and her dad, Frank, to make their entrance!

Down the steps while their guests are all standing in honor of the bride. 

They stopped in front of Andy and me and I asked Frank the question, he answered then placed Christine's hand into Andy's hand and everyone was seated.

A warm welcome to everyone who had traveled from near and far. 

Then we remembered those who were no longer with us. 

After surprising their parents with a sweet tribute, I got to tell Andy and Christine's wonderful story! 

Lots of good laughs too!

After their story, they got to hear what their partner had told me in confidence what he or she loves about them.

Andy got a bit tearful hearing what Christine told me. 

Christine loved what Andy told me too!

Time for the vows.  These first vows were funny questions to them. 

Then to the more serious vows during which they exchanged their rings. 

Andy placed the ring on Christine's finger. 

Then Christine placed the ring on Andy's finger which took a little struggle to get it on. Andy is sharing in the struggle!

A closing blessing for our couple came next then the big pronouncement of marriage moment!

I invited Andy to show us the kiss as I stepped to the side out of the photo of the kiss.

Oops! Dave missed getting a photo of the kiss! Angela hands Christine her bouquet and I presented them to their guests as husband and wife!

And out they go!

I know Krystyna had a good time!!

Parents of the bride followed by parents of the groom.

Our wedding planner/director was Shannon Carpenter with Magnolia and Pine Events. She did a great job and it was wonderful working with her and her team.

A big Congratulations to you, Christine and Andy!! What a wonderful wedding! I wish you the best always!

Haidee and Steve's Fabulous Fall Wedding at Brier Creek Country Club!

"Who would have known that a 7day free trial offer would end up in marriage! This love story we all celebrate today began when Haidee decided to take match.com up on their free trial offer back in September of 2009. She filled in the profile information and a few days later, Steve sent her a note just as the free trial offer expired so she quickly signed up for 3 months so she could find out more about this Steve guy." Needless to say they really hit it off right from the beginning and Steve proposed on November 12, 2010. This was the happiest moment for both of them. They started planning their wedding for October 21, 2011 at Brier Creek Country Club and met with me in January to plan their ceremony. 

October 21st was an absolutely pristine autumn day. The weather was crisp and pleasant and the sun was shining. It was a perfect day for a wedding. Above is the lovely portico at Brier Creek Country Club where weddings are held on good weather days. Below is the view of the portico for a wedding I did in 2005. Back then there was considerable construction underway in the new subdivision in the background and sheer panels were hung to block the view. The vines had not matured and grown up and across the top of the portico like they are now. For Haidee and Steve's wedding, the panels were removed because the ornamental grasses have grown up and make a stunning background, especially with the sun drenching them at this wedding as you will see in the following photos. 

Haidee and her Maid of Honor, Wendy, and flower girl, Mary, were posing for photos before the wedding. Mike Phongsa was their photographer and Robin and Linda Crews with Bay Leaf Video Productions were videoing the wedding. Note the pretty grasses behind the portico.

Steve Stowe with Joe Bunn DJ Company was providing music for the ceremony while Joe was upstairs in the ballroom preparing to host the reception. All three of us love working together. Steve and Joe also have a joint venture called The Lincoln Agency which books bands and entertainers.

This scrumptious cake was baked by Sugarland, a premier wedding cake baker in Chapel Hill and now also in Cameron Village in Raleigh.

 

This is the grand ballroom where the reception took place. I understand from reading Joe Bunn's blog, that they had some special entertainment show up!

It is time for us to process in. Steve and Haidee were so happy they could include their furry 4 legged child, Jazz, in the ceremony. He is a rescue pup that is part chow and part terrier. I would love to see a DNA test done on him to get his specific heritage. He is a very friendly and well behaved dog. Steve and Haidee feel so fortunate to have him because they had a cancer scare with him not too long ago but he has fully recovered and is considered cured.

Wendy and Mary start their long walk down the aisle. 

Haidee was born in the Phillippines and dedicated herself to become a nurse and immigrate to the US. Her father is deceased so her Uncle Edwin had the honor of escorting both Haidee's mother and Haidee down the aisle.

Behind them is Rachael, our honorary wedding director. She was on the ball and everything flowed seamlessly.

I was surprised that the aisle runner stayed put as well as it did. They brought some weights wrapped up like little gifts to hold it in place.

 

 

A friend of Haidee's from the Philippines did triple duty--he ushered, helped roll out the aisle runner and then did a reading during the ceremony.

 

Steve's friend was in charge of keeping Jazz from wandering around too much during the ceremony.

 

 Kenneth was Steve's best man and Kenneth's son, Tyler, was the ring bearer.

 Haidee is making her vows here. 

 

Haidee and Steve, you are such a wonderful couple and your love for each other shines all around you. I wish you health, happiness, peace and joy!