Nicole and Jon Wed at The Merrimon-Wynne House!

This wedding was years in the making! Nicole and Jon met way back in 2011 during spring break in Panama City Florida! Little did they know then they had met their future spouse! 

They chose the beautiful historic Merrimon-Wynne House for their wedding venue. The wedding was May 31, 2019. It was a beautiful day. Whitney Davis with C&D Events was our wonderful director.

Getting my microphone on and plugged into Frank's DJ board. Frank is a DJ with Bunn DJ Company and we have done many weddings together.

The Cupcake Shoppe provided the cutting cake and cupcakes. Later on ice cream from Two Roosters would be served. Beau Catering was serving the food.

Their parents' wedding photos! 

Getting Courtney to sign as a witness on the marriage license. 

They had done a First Look earlier so the bride did not have to stay hidden away. The main object before the wedding was to keep their adorable little boy Thomas entertained and happy. He was 2.5 years old and a curious and active little chap! Unfortunately Thomas had a meltdown just prior to the processional and had to be kept in the house with a babysitter during the ceremony. It was really disappointing for Nicole and Jon not to have him at the ceremony but Thomas could not be consoled and they did not want to further delay the start of the ceremony.

Checking in upstairs in the man cave to see how everyone is doing and get the best man's signature on the license. They look all calm and laid back!

Jon loved this gift from one of his guys! 

I am really good at pinning on boutonnieres! Lots of practice so I offer to pin them on or straighten them to be sure they are secure.

When it was time to begin the ceremony, I entered first and requested the guests to put away their phones and cameras and be present with the couple without the distraction of technology.

Then the mothers were escorted in and took their seats. Both fathers circled back--Bill to enter with the groomsmen and Thomas to bring in the bride. Both dads served as groomsmen. 

Then Jon and his groomsmen entered and took their places up front. 

Then our pretty bridesmaids. 

And now our beautiful bride and her proud father. 

Whitney watches as Nicole and her father begin their walk down the aisle. 

The guests were standing in their honor and when they reached the altar area, Thomas transferred Nicole's hand into Jon's hand. took his place with the groomsmen, and the guests were seated.

As the bridesmaids and groomsmen faced the couple,  we joined together in prayer and then I welcomed everyone to this wonderful occasion. 

We remembered their loved ones who were unable to be present with us except in spirit. 

I stepped out front to honor the parents which was a sweet surprise for them and always invokes a few tears

Then I began telling the sweet story of how Nicole and Jon met and fell in love. and their journey to their wedding day. 

There were many humorous aspects to their story and we had fun laughing a lot. 

I stepped back in position and revealed their secret paragraphs to each other. They were each hearing for the first time what their partner had told me in confidence they love about them, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to.

After a few words about love and marriage, the vows came next. 

They each made their promises to each other. 

Then it was time to exchange rings. 

Jon said his promises after me as he put the ring on Nicole's finger. 

I handed Jon's ring to Nicole. 

Then she placed it on his finger saying words after me to him. 

A closing blessing preceded the pronouncement of marriage. 

I placed my hand on their joined hands and declared them husband and wife. 

They were happy to seal their vows with a kiss! 

Now! Doesn't Jon look like the cat who just swallowed the canary? Such a funny expression!

Happy! Happy! 

Jon and Nicole! What a great wedding! I loved working with you to come up with the perfect ceremony for you and the guests loved it too! Thanks for everything and I wish you the best always!

A Beautiful Wedding for Rickita and Jarrod at The Bradford on September 2, 2018!

Rickita and Jarrod chose The Bradford for their venue. It is located in New Hill just a hop skip and jump from Raleigh and easy to get to. It is an elegant estate built by two sister wedding planners to specifically to host weddings. 

Rain was threatening on September 2nd and dark clouds hovered over us when we arrived. Deziree, our wedding planner with K Dream Effects, was carefully watching the weather forecast. It was decided to delay the wedding by 20 minutes and the guests were moved under the tent over the terrace. (This photo was taken after the wedding as we were leaving and the sky has begun to reflect the sunset.)

Cool announcement board! 

This was taken before the rain delay was decided on. You can see the dark clouds rolling above! 

The redwood arbor was beautifully decorated. The Bradford staff provided the florals. 

Under the tent where the reception will be held is the sweetheart table. 

The tables are set and ready for the reception. After the ceremony the guests are invited into the manor house for cocktails while the staff places the chairs from the ceremony garden around the tables. On the far right you can see our DJ, Ray Wilson with Social Soundtracks, and me setting up my microphone for the ceremony.

Whole Foods provided their cakes. The little note to the left of the main cake gives the flavors: lemon-strawberry, chocolate-strawberry, and vanilla. Yummy!

While we are waiting, I get the mothers of the couple to sign the marriage license. This is Jarrod's mom, Victoria. I had to climb 3 flights of stairs to find Rickita and her mother, Angela. My friend and colleague, Tiwa Lawrence, make-up artist had just finished their make-up.

This pretty distressed chest holds photos of the couple's parents and maybe grandparents. 

Pinning the boutonniere on Ricky, Father of the Bride. 

Zachary Boylston was our photographer.

I entered the ceremony area first and made the "unplugged" announcement then the processional began.

Jarrod escorted his mother in and then joined me followed by our best man Tyler. (No, Jarrod did not forget his socks! Going sockless is apparently the trend for guys in weddings these days. He had on the same kind of velvet slippers the groom of my wedding the day before had worn without socks. He did say they were pretty uncomfortable!)

Rickita's brother Othell escorts their mother in. 

Rickita's sister Erica was her Maid of Honor. 

Then Ricky escorted in our beautiful bride while everyone stood in her honor. 

The little girl on the right is our flower girl but too shy to make it down the aisle! 

The ceremony began with a big welcome to all their friends and family. 

We had an opening prayer followed by remembrance of loved ones no longer with us. 

A tribute to their parents was next then I got to tell the story of how they met and fell in love. It was back in 2010 when they were both in college--Rickita at UNC and Jarrod at NC State. It was at a party with their circle of friends. Jarrod made sure to get her phone number from a friend and began texting her. Their first date was a few months later and really, the rest is history!

Jarrod watches Rickita's expression as I read to her what Jarrod told me in confidence he loves about her, why he wants to marry her and what he is looking forward to in marriage.

Then Rickita got to watch Jarrod hear what she had told me about him! 

They exchanged their vows by reading the words to each other from my book. 

Rickita's turn to make her vows to Jarrod. 

Then they exchanged their rings. 

A closing blessing. 

I pronounced them equal partners joined in marriage and invited them to kiss! 

And now I presented them to their guests as husband and wife! 

I invited the guests to stand and join me in congratulating them! 

The raindrops had begun to fall as they hurried into the ballroom and the guests into the manor house.

Rickita and Jarrod, congratulations! What a great wedding! I am so happy for you. Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. I wish you all the best!