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!!

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!