Carly and Preston Get Married at her Parents' Home in Youngsville!

Carly and Preston have been sweethearts since high school. Their sustaining relationship and enduring love for each other is proof that high school crushes and puppy love can be the real thing!

Carly and Preston came to see me in October of 2018 to plan their wedding ceremony for September 21st of 2019. The wedding was held at the lovely home of Carly's parents in Youngsville.

When Dave and I arrived, the clear roofed tent and tables and chairs had been set up and ready for the reception. 

This brick wall was perfect for the motto of the wedding! 

Preston is ready to get married--a little nervous--quite normal, I assured him! 

When we were ready to begin and all the guests in their seats, I entered and asked the guests to please put away their phones and cameras and truly be with Carly and Preston in their hearts without the distraction of technology.

These beautiful bridesmaids made their entrances after the parents and the groomsmen had joined me up front.

Preston is overcome when he saw his beautiful bride enter with her father.

After the transfer of Carly's hand into Preston's, they turned and faced each other as I welcomed all their guests followed by a prayer. 

I stepped out from behind them and addressed their parents in a surprise tribute to them on behalf of their children invoking tears.

Then I had the pleasure of telling the story of how Carly and Preston met back 9 years ago as sophomores in high school. Preston was the new kid in school and latched onto Carly who enjoyed his attention and company. Like typical teenagers, they spent hours and hours talking on the phone and became inseparable. After high school graduation they went their separate ways to different colleges but the bond was strong and they remained a couple through college. Preston proposed in 2018 but wedding plans were delayed when Carly's graduate studies took her to Hickory, Preston was able to transfer his job there.  Finally they are becoming husband and wife this wonderful day. 

They read their vows from my book to each other. 

Then it was time to exchange rings.

Explaining the symbolism of the rings. 

They each said words after me as they placed their rings on each other's fingers. 

After a closing blessing, pronouncement of marriage and a kiss, they stepped into their new married lives!

Into the house while I invited their guests to enjoy cocktails around back. 

Carly and Preston! What a beautiful perfect wedding for you! It was gorgeous and I believe your guests loved every minute! I wish you the best always!

Brandi and Devin's Fabulous Wedding at Cedar Grove Acres!

I thank Kevin Seifert of Love Every Moment for these wonderful photos! They are amazing! And so are Brandi and Devin who put this wedding together with the help of wedding planners Carol and Andrea of Forward Fig!

Cedar Grove Acres is located in Creedmoor NC and not that far from Raleigh. Almost straight up Six Forks Road then two turns. Easy! The old plantation has been re-purposed into a lovely rustic wedding  venue by its owners Paula and Richard.

There is signage for weddings all over the place!

More signage pointing guests to the different areas. 

Andrea and Carol of Forward Fig chatting with Jim Dukes, photographer.

This is the outbuilding with the bar. 

View of the gathering area before the ceremony and the reception area after the ceremony. 

This barn-like structure is open air and you can see the DJ set up with speakers facing the ceremony area. Our DJ for this wedding was Wanda Thompson. The rest of the barn is filled with tables and chairs for the sit-down dinner reception.

Here is a view of the same building from the other end. 

Here you can see the ceremony area in the background and the sweetheart table in the foreground. 

The couple's photographer, Jim Dukes of JJD Photo2Art, is getting a shot of the wedding party. Actually this was taken after the ceremony while the guests were enjoying specialty cocktails.

I am getting the best man's signature on the marriage license here. 

On the way to the cabin where the bride was hidden away is this lovely table and stools. I am with the maid of honor here getting her signature on the marriage license.

The ceremony script filled in all the funny details in-between this outline of dates!

Sadly Brandi's son Zachary has passed on from this earth but will never be forgotten. This chair at the ceremony is in his sweet honor.

I'm not sure this made it down the aisle but it got to the wedding! 

Guest sign in on little hearts then placed in a glass frame. 

Some horsing around before the ceremony starts!

Some last minute words with our groom, Devin, before we get started. 

His groomsmen were a stitch. They kept me and the guests laughing. 

Guests are arriving and being directed to the ceremony area. 

The bride's attendants have left the cabin and are getting ready to be lined up. 

Our flower girls with their buckets of petals are ready!

After mother of the bride was escorted in, it was time for Devin and me to make our entrance.

So here we are and here we go! 

The attendants enter and take their places--can you tell they are having a ball! 

And now the flower girls! 

Our beautiful bride Brandi enters with her sweet father. 

They make their way to the front of the platform where Devin is waiting for them. 

After the presentation of the bride, everyone is seated and I began with a warm welcome to all. 

Then a sweet prayer and remembrance of those who are not with us. 

Time for the blessing of their children: Devin's sons Kiefer and Colby and Brandi's daughter Mia. 

I read words to them from their parents which were so touching and sweet. 

Then it was time for the story of how these two met and fell in love. They have quite a story filled with humor and I loved telling it!

It was obvious that they loved hearing it again and so happy to have found each other. 

Another funny moment in the wedding! It was truly a joyful time. 

Finally it was time for the secret paragraphs to be revealed. I had each one of them to tell me what they love about their partner and what they are looking forward to in marriage. They are hearing what their partner told me for the first time in the ceremony.

They made their vows to each other and then exchanged rings. 

Then they had a Family Unity Sand Ceremony which included their kids. 

I pronounced them married and told Devin I wanted to see that kiss! 

No problem here! 

If the kiss is not long enough to get a good picture, I make them kiss again!

Finally--married at last! 

Brandi gave me a big hug and thanks. 

Then we posed for Jim.

Brandi and Devin! It was a great wedding and I hope you are enjoying wedded bliss! I loved working with you and joining you in marriage!