Kony and Patrick's Indian American Fusion Wedding at Caffe Luna!

Kony, Patrick and I met in January to plan their fusion wedding ceremony which took place on March 17th, 2019 at Caffe Luna in downtown Raleigh. They wanted to blend together the American wedding traditions with the Indian traditions of Kony's heritage.

Their photographer with Complete Weddings took them on a First Look and when they came back I had done a sound check and guests were arriving.

Kony was worried about her parents because they were late arriving. However, due to construction on Moore's Square, the parking situation was challenging and time consuming. They arrived shortly thereafter.

Kelly Kennedy of Teacup Florals was their florist and had the ceremony space ready with flowers on the chairs and flower petals lining the aisle.

The reception area was ready as well. 

The mothers! Julia on the left is Patrick's mom and Ruby on the right is Kony's. They had gotten to know each other during the courtship of Kony and Patrick who are very close to their parents. They had vacationed together several times and enjoyed each other's company. Kony's parents live in India.

It is time to begin the processional. I motioned the couple and their parents to get lined up on the sidewalk at the rear door of the restaurant.

Billy Ezzell with Complete Weddings was our DJ. Billy and I have worked together at weddings for 20+ years. He was stationed right by the back door and I cued him for the music.

I entered first to anchor the ceremony space as the couple and their parents joined me. 

Patrick and his parents entered first then Kony and her parents. 

The guests were standing in their honor. 

We began with a warm welcome to all and thanked them for being with them on this special occasion. 

Kony and Patrick wanted to thank and honor their parents during the ceremony and so they each wrote a paragraph printed in my book to read to their parents during the ceremony. Kony went first (tearfully) then Patrick. So sweet.

Then I got to tell the guests the story of how Kony and Patrick met in 2017. It was on line but not a dating site. They were both on Reddit at the same time and struck up a conversation that intrigued both of them and they decided to meet in person. The attraction was instant and mutual. The date ended up being 5 hours as they walked around downtown Raleigh. One thing led to another and they soon became inseparable. And as they say, the rest is history! 

After the story they each got to hear what the other had 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.

Kony is hearing what Patrick told me in confidence! 

Then it was time for a few words of wisdom and advice about marriage then they exchanged vows and rings. 

I asked them each a series of questions to which they said "I do" and put the ring on their partner's finger. Patrick is pushing the ring onto Kony's finger!

Then Kony put Patrick's ring on.

Next came the Garland Exchange. The jaimala is an ancient Hindu wedding tradition that can be dated back to the Vedas – sacred Hindu scriptures that can be dated back to 1700 BC. The act of exchanging garlands signifies that the bride and groom are no longer separate individuals but are now united into a single family as equal partners. Given they are now one, they may share garlands, as they will everything else in life. Their mothers gave them a garland which they placed on their partner. 

Next came the Sindoor Ceremony. Sindoor, a vermillion powder applied in the parting of the bride’s hair by the groom holds importance in Indian society, and is considered auspicious in Hindu astrology. Mesha Rashi or the House of Aries is on the forehead, with Lord of Mesha – Mars, represented by the color red.  This is why red sindoor is applied at the forehead and at the parting of the hair. Both are signs of good fortune. Sindoor is also considered to be the symbol of the female energy of Goddesses Parvati and Sati. 

I opened the little tin of red powder and Patrick dipped his finger in it then placed the powder in the part of Kony's hair to signify their union as husband and wife.

Next was a closing blessing.

I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them husband and wife! 

Their first married kiss! 

I introduced the newlywed couple and invited the guests to join me in congratulating them!

And away they go!!

I stayed behind long enough to invite the guests to go into the room next door for refreshments.

Kony and Patrick! What a wonderful wedding ceremony you designed. It fit you perfectly and was so fun and meaningful. Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage and for your wonderful words and 5-Star reviews (below)!! I wish you the best always! 

Wonderful, professional and kind! 

Without Kayelily we wouldn't have been married - and I don't just mean it literally. She helped create an amazing story about how we met, what made us fall in love, and our journey together. She made the day so special and important, and even the guests commented on how beautiful the ceremony was.
Moreover, we were both kind of scared about saying things out loud, so she said our vows for us and that was so helpful! Neither of us are religious and she took that into account to still make the most beautiful ceremony ever. I also have to say that I find her voice so pleasing to hear, and that was great during the ceremony too. She also coordinated her outfit with us which looked beautiful.
Thank you again Kayelily, you're absolutely wonderful.

Sarah and Shawn Tie The Knot!

On November 11, 2017, Sarah and Shawn joined their lives in marriage and I was delighted to have officiated their wedding at 214 Martin in downtown Raleigh.

The ceremony space was all decked out with a pretty arch and florals provided by Kelly Kennedy of Teacup Floral. She always does such a great job. Bethany Joy Photography was our professional photographer and Complete Weddings was their videographer, DJ, and photo booth.

There were many cute signs for the guests. 

And more signage! 

Catching up with Jenny, our honorary director and friend of Shawn's mother. 

Billy Ezzel of Complete Weddings was the DJ. Billy and I have known each other for years and love working together at weddings. I plugged my microphone into his body-pack and we did a sound check. This venue shares the building with another venue (Market Hall) and the walls are very thin and the sound from one bleeds over into the other. Our ceremony was timed to start at 6:00 sharp to avoid interference from sound through the wall behind the ceremony altar which was due to begin at 6:30. Billy assured me he could drown out any sound that came from next door!

I pinned the boutonnieres on all the guys. Shawn first.

Checking that the runner is taped down securely. A loose runner is a tripping hazard.

It is 6:00 and time to begin. The guests are all seated and waiting! Jenny starts getting the grandparents, parents, and wedding party lined up. 

Meanwhile I am keeping Shawn sequestered so he won't glimpse his beautiful bride prematurely!

And so we are all lined up and Jenny has gone up the stairs to get the bridesmaids. 

The grandparents and parents are on their way and Shawn and I followed by the groomsmen are next. 

The bridesmaids take their places. 

Jaci, our Matron of Honor, processes in with her sweet baby girl who is handed off to Jaci and Sarah's mother!

Jenny cued Billy then it was time for Sarah and her father, Frank, to enter. 

The guests were standing in their honor!

Everyone was seated and given a warm welcome followed by an opening prayer. 

We remembered the loved ones who are no longer with us physically but who are here in spirit.

I spoke to the parents and told them how much their children loved and appreciated them. Evoked a few tears from the two mothers!

Then I got to tell the story of how Sarah and Shawn had met when they were both students at East Carolina University back in the summer of 2011. Shawn went on to become a professional athlete and that has taken them on many adventures together.

Shawn proposed in August of 2016 and they began planning this wedding!

Sarah gets to hear now what Shawn told me in confidence he loves about her and why he wants to marry her. 

Then it is Shawn's turn to hear what Sarah told me about him!

I don't have the photos of them exchanging their vows, the rings, lighting the unity candle, the pronouncement and the kiss but here I am presenting them to their guests as husband and wife! (I am hoping Bethany Joy will send me her photos to fill in these gaps.)

And out they go into their new married life!

The wedding party recessed followed by the parents and grandparents.

Their unity candle is shining brightly as are their individual candles which do not cease to burn just because they are married.

While the guests enjoyed cocktails and the room was being flipped, we caught some photos up front.

Sarah and Shawn! Great wedding despite the sound distraction at the end. You are now married and your course is set for a grand adventure in life together. I loved working with you and I wish you the best always!