Great Wedding for Cassie and Michael at the Compass Rose Brewery!

On August 15th, Cassie contacted me and wrote: "My fiancé and I have been together for four years and have been happily committed to each other yet too busy to plan a wedding. We've had such an amazing year though that we agree there would be no better way to end such an amazing year than to get married! So we are forcing time to plan our day! Our wedding will be small and intimate, at most 75 guests....." They were looking for a venue that would work for them and originally targeted December 12th as their wedding date. But things changed and their wedding date got pushed out to January 16th, 2016 and they were so excited when they discovered Compass Rose Brewery in North Raleigh near the intersection of Gresham Lake Road and Capital. It fit them to a T! I met with them on October 6th and we began planning their ceremony.  

Having made a trial run the day before following a bridal show at Landmark Hall and Garden to find out where this brewery was, Dave and I arrived at the brewery on the wedding day to find the room with the beer tanks all set up for a wedding. It was spotless of course--as required by sanitation standards for a brewery. The space adjoined the bar and restaurant area but it was quiet and private. I am not certain but this wedding might have been the first for this venue.

Our musicians, Anthony and Mariah, were positioned over on the far side from this photo and were warming up.

In the public area the tables were set up for the wedding guests with pretty flowers by Sharon Coulter, co-owner of Compass Rose Brewery. She also served as their wedding director.

The guests were given bracelets to identify them as wedding guests for the food and drink.

The buffet for the wedding guests was catered by Cannon Catering in Wake Forest. 

A note from the bride and groom! 

A very unique guest book: a beer keg for them to sign in on! 

The cupcakes were by Sweet Traditions in Wake Forest. 

Michael and I are going over the logistics for the ceremony since I was not part of their rehearsal. 

And it was time to begin. After the parents were seated, Michael and I took our places up front. 

The bridesmaids snuck in the back door and got in line then processed out one by one. All of their attendants were their children.

Cassie was escorted in by her son, Jordan. 

The bride and groom turned and faced each other, holding hands, centered in front of me and we began! 

I welcomed everyone and thanked their parents for all their love and support. 

Then it was time to address their children, Alexis--Michael's daughter, and Cassie's daughter, Kaylee, and her two sons, Jordan and David.

For a community blessing, I asked the guests to stand and answer these questions: "Will all of you do everything in your power to preserve this marriage? Will you give them your love, your blessing, and your support?" Of course they answered "We will."  

After a brief but humorous wedding address, the couple read their vows to each other from my book.

Then they exchanged rings. 

Then they legally became husband and wife! 

I invited them to kiss for the first time as husband and wife! 

"Family and friends, it is my great pleasure to now present to you for the first time, Michael and Cassie Wheeler, husband and wife!! Go forth in love, joy and peace and drink beer!!"

They exited with their wedding to a private area out of sight of the guests so we could get the witnesses to sign the marriage license and take some photos together.

Michael and Cassie, what a fun wedding. It was truly YOU! I loved being a part of it and having the honor of joining you in marriage! I wish you all the best forever!

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Wonderful Wedding for Kristy and Vaughn at All Saints Chapel!

I knew when I met with Kristy and Vaughn on February 4th to plan their wedding on October 12, 2012 at All Saints Chapel that they would be a fun couple to work with! They are so vibrant, so enthusiastic and have lively personalities that mesh really well together. I loved working with them to create their terrific ceremony that was so much fun for all of the wedding party and guests at the wedding. We had a lot of good laughs!

When Marty and I arrived, just about everything was ready. The English Garden had the aisle floral arrangements in place and the altar beautifully decorated. Kristy's bouquet was added to the altar table because she did not want to carry it down the aisle since she was being escorted in by both her father and stepfather, making it awkward to carry a bouquet. She did want to recess with it though. They were doing a sand ceremony too. Diane, with the chapel, lit all the candles before the guests were seated by the ushers. Cannon Catering was getting set up in the back of the chapel and in the little room off the altar, they were making the salad plates. Smelled really good in there when the guys and I crowded in right before we took our places! The reception was in the chapel after the chairs had been moved and tables set up. The guests were sent downstairs to the lower level for cocktails right after the ceremony. Brian Darocha with Unlimited DJ Service was all set up in the loft. I always enjoy working with Brian! Our photographer was AJ Dunlap and she was assisted by her husband Kyle who carried all the equipment.  The couple hired Katee, a new wedding planner getting started. She did a very good job but does not have a website for me to link to yet but I do have her email. Thanks, Katee!

Then it was time to get started. First in from the front were the groomsmen and I, then Vaughn honored his mother by escorting her in then joining us on the altar. The lovely bridesmaids followed.

Waiting for the bride! Their little "sign-bearer," Eli, was standing up front holding a sign that said "Here Comes the Bride" but you cannot see the sign in this photo. 

 Vaughn stepped down and retrieved Kristy from her two fathers and we began!

 What a gorgeous train! Just beautiful! 

We had two readers, Angie and Stephanie. 

Several of their friends believed that Kristy and Vaughn would make a great couple and urged them to get together. They did "friend" each other on Facebook, but the timing apparently was not right for them to meet in person until March Madness in 2011. Kristy was watching Carolina play basketball at Rudino's one night and casually told Vaughn her plans, not seriously thinking he would really show up, especially since she was with seven of her girlfriends. But he did! As a result they set up a first date for a few days later. After that date, Kristy told her mother that she wanted to marry this guy and six months later started thinking "wedding" before she even got a ring! And that, she says, is how she planned this wedding so quickly!

They had each told me in private why they wanted to marry the other and heard those reasons for the first time on their wedding day. They have a great sense of humor and it was definitely reflected in the ceremony!  

 They poured their sand together.....

 I know it is a blurry picture but it is the only one I have of the pronouncement! 

 Yay! The kiss!

The "after" shot of the Unity Sand Ceremony. The first layer was poured by me to symbolize the spiritual foundation of their marriage. Then they layered their sand on top.

Kristy and Vaughn, I simply adored working with you two! You make a wonderful couple and I know you are going to have a great marriage! I wish you the best of everything!