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!

Shannon and Michael Wed at St. Mark's Chapel!

Shannon and Michael tied the knot on September 8th, 2017 at the historic St. Mark's Chapel on the Mordecai campus in downtown Raleigh. The sweetest chapel for the sweetest couple! 

Michael's two sons were part of the ceremony and got to pour their sand together with Shannon and Michael's symbolizing the family that was officially born on this wedding day.

Fresh Affairs provided the floral spray and the lighted wire balls flanking the altar chest and the bride's bouquet and the boutonnieres. 

Meanwhile the guests were arriving and Michael and Shannon were greeting them having had their photos taken earlier.

Their photographer was Brian Mullins, one of the best in the area, who was accompanied by his second shooter, Rebecca. They were setting up family groups in front of the chapel.

This little guest was all decked out with orange glasses to match his orange suspenders! 

When it was time, we shooed the guests inside the chapel and got ready to process down the aisle. Shannon is poised at the bottom of the steps to ascend and make her entrance when cued.

Michael, his sons and I entered first, then Shannon. Michael met her in the aisle and escorted her in. 

I placed Shannon's bouquet on the altar chest and they turned and faced each other. Matt Kanon, our guitarist, on the right is winding down the music.

We welcomed everyone to this wonderful occasion followed by a prayer and remembering those no longer with us.

I invited their parents to stand while we gave them a big tribute for their love and support of our couple.

Then it was time to recognize Michael's two boys, Jordan and Zack. I read some sweet words to them from Shannon.

A few words about love and marriage.

They exchanged their vows. 

Then I gave them the opportunity to say some personal words to each other not having gotten Shannon's email that they had decided to leave this part out! So they were not prepared and we all had a good laugh about that!

They said "I love you" to each other and that was perfect!

Giving Michael the ring to place on Shannon's finger.

He said the words after me to Shannon as he placed the ring on her finger. Then she placed the ring on Michael's finger with the same words.

Time for the pouring of the sand.

Michael and Shannon each pour in a layer of their sand. 

Jordan and Zack came up and poured their sand in one at the time. Michael held the funnel to make sure all the sand got inside the central container.

A closing blessing was next. 

Then I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share their first married kiss! 

And so they did! 

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

Then we assembled the guests on the altar for a group shot by Brian who was in the loft. 

The sand sculpture.

Congratulations, Shannon and Michael! What a sweet family wedding. It fit you so perfectly and I am so honored to have joined you in marriage. Best to you always!