Suzanne and Justin Wed at Campbell Lodge!

Suzanne and Justin chose to have their wedding at the Campbell Lodge at Durant Nature Preserve on October 27, 2018. They did all of the wedding planning themselves with the help of family and friends. It is a daunting task but they were up to it and pulled off a fabulous wedding! 

The day was chilly but nice and everything was going according to plan. 

At the rehearsal I was thrilled to see that the old beige and green tiles had been removed revealing this beautiful wooden floor. It completely transformed the room with warmth. The  mantle has been decorated with greenery and candles and white flowers.

Suzanne and Justin had thought out all the little areas to display photos on the gift table. 

They had their guests sign in on Jenga blocks which they will use later to stack and play the balance game. 

Many scrumptious cakes--the "wedding cake" was by Capital Cakes and the others were homemade by family.

Daniel with Complete Weddings was all set up to provide the music for the ceremony and reception. 

Kristine Tew, good friend of the couple, was our wedding director and all around in-charge person. Great job, Kristine!

It's is time to begin. The guests were invited to take their seats so the ceremony could commence. (You can see that the other end of the lodge has an identical fireplace where the reception tables are confined to until after the ceremony when the chairs will be placed on the tables spread out in this space.)

I entered first then Justin followed from the side door. 

Justin's dad and best man escorts in Justin's Mother and Grandmother then joined Justin and me up front.

Mother of the bride is escorted in by her son and grandson. 

The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered as couples. 

After this couple our Maid of Honor entered. Not pictured.

Then Blaine, nephew of bride, entered with the sign "Here She Comes!"

Everyone turned to watch for the bride. 

Suzanne and her father entered and I invited all the guests to stand in their honor!

Father and Mother of the bride answered my question to them then all were seated. 

A warm welcome to all their guests with thanks from the couple for making the journey to be with them. 

An opening prayer.

Then remembrance of the people who were no longer with us. 

I stepped out to the side to address their parents and then to tell Suzanne and Justin's love story. They met back in 2015 and the attraction was instantaneous. It wasn't long before they were a couple enjoying traveling, introducing each other to their favorite restaurants, and discovering how great their compatibility is. Justin proposed in February of 2018 and they began planning their wedding together.

Then I revealed to each of them what their partner had told me they love about them, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Suzanne first as Justin watches her receive his sweet words. Then it was Justin's turn.

They made their vows and then sealed them with their rings. 

Suzanne gets that ring on Justin's finger securely!

Following a closing blessing, I pronounced them married and invited Justin to kiss his bride!

He wasted no time kissing his beautiful wife as we all cheered him on! 

While the guests were placing their chairs around the tables, the wedding party slipped outside and down to the lower level for photos. Their professional photographer was Haley Colley. Their florist was Gina with Designer Buds. The caterer was City BBQ.

Suzanne and Justin! Congratulations! What a great job you did in putting together a great wedding day. And I enjoyed getting to know you and working with you so much. I wish you all the best forever!!

Anne and Alan's Wonderful Wedding at Campbell Lodge!

Anne and Alan's wedding is one of those rare weddings in which I knew the bride and groom before they knew each other and have had the privilege of being friends with them and watching their friendship blossom into romance. It was over 11 years ago that they met one Sunday at the same church I attend, Unity Church of the Triangle in Raleigh. They found each other very easy to talk to, very intelligent and both had been raised Catholic. There was an instant mutual attraction. Their first date was on Alan's birthday, December 11th in 2002. Fast forward to December 14, 2013 a few days after his birthday this year and their wedding at the Campbell Lodge in Durant Park.

We took photos before the ceremony, so here is the wedding party posing for their picture but we are missing Bob, the best man! He was probably off dancing somewhere. He was a terrific dancer and practically spent the whole reception on the dance floor!  Their friend Walt Johnston was taking pictures for them.

Their wedding cake was made by a friend. The musical notes are symbolic of the musical talents of both our bride and groom.  

This little cutie is Shannon. I believe I heard someone say that he is the grand nephew of Alan. He spent a lot of time on the dance floor too. He was fascinated with the West Street Band with keyboardist Kenni Hairston you can see in the background. They were a great dance band and the dance floor was full most of the time during the reception.

 Are we ready, guys? 

I went in solo to first make an announcement at the couple's request for the guests to put away their cell phones and cameras and be with us fully in their hearts while the professional photographer got the images. Then Alan and his men followed. That is Karen Harmych in the back cueing them in. Karen is my go-to "rescue" wedding planner/director. When Anne and Alan were feeling completely overwhelmed with their DIY wedding, I convinced them to call in Karen to pull it all together and make sure nothing was overlooked. Thanks, Karen, you did a terrific job, as usual!

Anne's brother, Walter, escorted her in. Her father unfortunately passed away a year or so ago and her mother was unable to travel to the wedding to be with us.

Anne and Alan and I had fun putting their story together. The funniest part was when Anne was out shopping one day and saw a wedding dress she loved. She called Alan and asked "Do you still want to marry me?" They had discussed marriage before and Alan had conceded that he did want to marry her but she just wanted to be sure. He said "yes, buy the dress!" And then they contacted me to coordinate a wedding date! And her dress was absolutely perfect for her!

 Alan requested that we include the lovely words of Khalil Gibran "On Marriage" from The Prophet.

 They made their vows to each other.

 They exchanged rings. 

 The big pronouncement of marriage! 

 The kiss!!! 

 The new Mr. and Mrs.! 

Anne's mother's sister reached out to give her a pat. So sweet! I know Anne was touched by that.

Dave and I stayed for this reception. I usually don't because I typically don't know anyone but the couple and Dave, if he is assisting me, does not even know the couple. But this was an exception. In fact about half the choir I sing in was there! It was a lot of fun. Tarbouch, Mediterranean Cuisine, catered and it was delicious. I got to dance once with Bob, the best man, too! As well as Dave! Karen snapped this photo and the two below with her cell phone.

 Karen, Anne and me. 

Anne and Alan having a fun time on the dance floor! I think that is Bob and I on the left of them.

Anne and Alan, what a great wedding! You pulled it off! It was fantastic working with you and even better joining the two of you in marriage. Thanks for giving me the honor!

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