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!

Hannah and Deanna's Wonderful Wedding at Cedar Grove Acres!

On October 13th, 2017 Deanna and Hannah joined their hearts and their lives in marriage surrounded by the people most dear to them at an amazing wedding venue out in the country. Cedar Grove Acres is an historical farm in Creedmoor NC and the owners, Richard and Paula, have opened the gates for weddings. The many outbuildings provide lots of opportunities for creativity and Deanna and Hannah had so much fun taking advantage of this and letting their imaginations soar.

Pinning the boutonniere on Deanna so the pin does not show. 

Doing the same for Dustin, our best man. 

Then I visited Hannah in the bridal cottage. She was all dressed and ready. While I was getting Sara, Hannah's maid of honor, to sign the marriage license, I heard Hannah singing while Luke, her man of honor, accompanied her on the guitar. Hannah has a beautiful voice and she told me the song they were practicing was a surprise for Deanna at the reception later. I bet it evoked tears from Deanna!

Looking out over the fields where the cows were lying down napping, I guess!

I found a quiet space in the "tavern" to review the ceremony script.

The signature cocktail!

Heather Bonawitz with Paisley and Pearl Events was on board keeping everyone organized and on time. 

Nothing Bundt Cakes provided the cakes. 

This is the barn for the reception. The cakes and sweets are in place, the tables all set and ready. This photo above is the sweetheart table for our brides.

Joe Brower with Limitless Entertainment is all set up. I had plugged my receiver into his system earlier and done a sound check. You can see the ceremony area behind the barn.

The view from the barn deck. Brandi's Botanicals furnished all the florals.

Another area of the property with a fire pit and seating for later.

This is the catering barn with a buffet line set up outside. City BBQ was the caterer.

 Looks and smells delicious!

Guests and some wedding party folks were milling around before the ceremony waiting more guests' arrival.

The guests were being seated now.

I love all the furniture out on the lawn. Dustin, Deanna and I are awaiting the start of the procession.

So Heather gets us all lined up to process in.

Hannah's parents, Kelli and Denis enter first.

My turn!

Deanna and her mother, Kimberly, start their walk down the aisle. 

Luke processed in then Sara.

Then Hannah! 

As Hannah was walking down the aisle, Deanna started walking toward her.

They met in the middle and walked to the platform for the ceremony.

I invited the guests to be seated and gave them a warm welcome and thanked them for being there. 

Then an opening blessing for our brides.

The telling of the story of how they met and fell in love. They met in 2014 when they both worked at the same restaurant. Deanna was a line cook and Hannah a server while also attending school. To celebrate Hannah's graduation they took a trip to St. Louis in May of 2016. Under the arch, Deanna surprised Hannah with a proposal of marriage. And the wedding planning began.

They each get to hear what their partner told me in confidence about what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

Then they made their vows of marriage to each other.

Hannah makes her promises to Deanna reading them from my book.

They exchanged rings.

They chose to do a tree planting unity ceremony which included the wedding party. First the brides placed soil around the tree.

Then the wedding party took turns watering the tree symbolizing the importance of friends in the relationship. 

Dustin makes sure it is well watered!

A closing blessing followed by the pronouncement of marriage. 

The brides seal their vows with a kiss!

Then a hug!

Time to celebrate! 

They dash down the aisle amidst the cheering of their guests.

Stopping for another photo opportunity!

Deanna and Hannah--you planned an amazing wedding and it came out beautifully! I adored working with you to get the ceremony just right and such a wonderful expression of your love and relationship. I wish you the best always!