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!

Fun Fabulous Wedding for Mollyann and Sean!

Mollyann and Sean are a delightful couple--and I can attest that they are very well matched! I've known them several years since Mollyann is in the wedding industry and Sean often accompanies her to networking events. I was delighted that they chose me to officiate their wedding and we had a great time creating their wonderful ceremony.

They chose the historic Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh for their venue. The wedding date was Labor Day Sunday September 3, 2017. The weather could not have been prettier--guaranteed by their burying a bottle of bourbon upside down at the venue exactly 30 days earlier!

Instead of having the ceremony outside on the lawn, they chose to have it in the Carriage House and the reception on the lawn. It worked out so beautifully. The Carriage House has a polished concrete floor--great for dancing later. The floral decorations and design were by Eclectic Sage.

When Dave and I arrived, our first glimpse of our beautiful bride was while they were doing pre-ceremony photos. They chose to do a First Look so that they could get the bulk of photos done before the ceremony.

While the guys were standing around, I took this opportunity to do a "boutonniere check" to make sure they were securely pinned on. 

Their photographer was Mikkel Paige who was in a time crunch to get the photos done before the guests started arriving. Mikkel gets the bridal party together for a photo. Mollyann had a Man of Honor (also Sean) and a Matron of Honor (Tamara).

A group shot of the whole wedding party! Their videographer was Thomas Blake Films. 

A romantic shot of our bride and groom. They had to kiss over and over again to get the pose just right!

Mollyann has been the bride in many styled shoots and has worn many wedding dresses. She has always looked beautiful in them all but the one she chose for herself was absolutely gorgeous and suited her best. The make-up artist and hair stylist was Ashley Mooney. Note Mollyann's beautiful bouquet. The story goes that it accidentally got taken to Ohio after the wedding but when located was quickly re-routed back to Raleigh so it could be preserved. Whew!

The guests are all seated in the Carriage House and it is time for the wedding party, grandparents and parents to get lined up for the processional.

Our Wedding Director was Becca with C&D Events. Courtney and Dana, the founders of C&D Events were on hand to help her with this very special wedding.

Sean's sister, one of our bridesmaids, escorted in their grandfather, so Becca is holding her bouquet for her. 

After the families were seated, it is time for Sean and me to enter and take our places up front.

We were followed in by all the handsome groomsmen. 

And now all the bridesmaids and our Man of Honor are in position awaiting Mollyann's entrance. 

Mollyann is escorted in by her father, Mark, as all the guests are standing in their honor. 

Mark answered my question and placed Mollyann's hand into Sean's hand and made his way to his seat.

The backdrop is wonderful: "Let the Adventure Begin!" 

We pay tribute to their parents who are standing. 

Then it was time for the story of how they met and fell in love. They were both students at NC State and were in the same service fraternity. They were just mere acquaintances until one night at a dance  they danced the night away together. And that was all it took for them to begin dating. And the rest is really history!

Sean, who had met many wedding professional through Mollyann, staged an elaborate proposal under the guise of a styled shoot, surprising Mollyann who was not the least bit suspicious!

Of course we all know her answer! 

Telling Mollyann what Sean told me in confidence about what he loves about her, why he wants to marry her and what he is looking forward to in marriage--besides the honeymoon to Paris!

Sean got to hear what Mollyann told me about him. Then it was time for him to make his vows to Mollyann. 

Mollyann's turn to read her vows from my book where they are printed facing her. 

Sean places the ring on Mollyann's finger.

And Mollyann places the ring on Sean's finger.

A closing blessing before the pronouncement of marriage. 

At this moment they legally become husband and wife!

Time to kiss again, Mollyann and Sean!!

This time it is to seal the deal!

Time to introduce our newlyweds after the bride is handed her bouquet!

And away they go!!

Mikkel gets the recessional. Here is a sneak peek at her photos of the wedding! 

Mollyann's parents, Maryann and Mark.

Sean's parents, Robin and Tim.

The guests were invited to have cocktails in the house while the finishing touches were put on the dinner reception area on the lawn. Rocky Top Hospitality was the caterer.

Heather Miller, owner of Eclectic Sage, was actually gluing some little wooden stands that the breeze had knocked over.

Heather who owns Eclectic Sage and I love working together! Can you tell? She wanted me to officiate her spectacular wedding to Steven last March in Norfolk but I am not registered to do weddings in Virginia so we enlisted a friend of mine, Rev. Kathi Moon, who is registered in Virginia, to do the honors.

Back in the Carriage House the cakes by Sugar Euphoria were being set up in this vintage dresser. I love how the flowers are spilling out of the drawer!

Randi, the owner of Sugar Euphoria, is busy putting out the other sweets for the celebration!

Little pies and S'Mores shooters!

The famous Joe Bunn was our esteemed DJ for the reception. He also mic'd me for the ceremony. The sound of course was perfect!!  And since Dave and I stayed for the reception (a rare thing), let me tell you, Joe can really spin the music. I can see why he is so popular! We had a great time dancing!

So, here is the reception area on the artificial turf which makes it possible to do this kind of thing. The ground is very level and chair legs (or high heels!) don't sink into the ground. It is lovely!

Our harpist, Erin Jones Fuson, who played the ceremony music and sang, also played for the cocktail hour. She was amazing!

Wedding photos of Mollyann's parents on the left and Sean's on the right!

The name cards were actually luggage tags which had the name and table number. Very clever! All but a few had been picked up. 

Also attending the wedding are friends of Mollyann, Mary and Jason, whom I married back in 2013 and had not seen since. Here is the post for their wedding. We were seated at the same table and got to catch up on their lives and see photos of their adorable daughter, Monica.

Mollyann and Sean--what a fabulous wedding you created! And congratulations on your marriage. I know you are having a wonderful honeymoon in Paris and when you get back, you will start your new chapter: Married Life! I will see you around and catch up with your adventures! It was such fun working with you and not only officiating but having a great time at your reception!