A Wonderful Wedding Day for Chrissy and Chris!

Chrissy contacted me over a year before her wedding to Chris slated for October 20, 2012 at Doubletree Suites. I had officiated the wedding of her mother, Ursula, to her stepfather, Richard, back in 2007. I was so honored to officiate for Chrissy and Chris and I knew I would also get to see Ursula and Richard at their wedding. So, we met on 10/20/11, exactly a year in advance, to plan their ceremony. A beautiful ceremony with lots of both sweetness and humor emerged from our joint efforts and we were all excited for the wedding day to arrive. And, it dawned bright and sunny with temps in the seventies! Perfect!

The huge reception area at the Doubletree Suites was ready.

The guests were asked to take a stone with them for the ceremony and infuse them with their blessings then return them after the wedding to be displayed in the couple's home as a reminder of all the love and loved ones on their wedding day.

Old fashioned suitcases are really in vogue these days. They had one for cards and another with a jar labeled "Honeymoon Fund!"

Thumbprint "guest books" are all the rage now, usually a tree image with leaves for thumbprinting. I had not seen this one with a peacock onto which the guests put their thumbprints. I made sure to put mine. Notice the purple and orange color theme?

Each table had a rack and Scrabble tiles spelling out the number! Cute! Love Scrabble too.

What a beautiful cake by Simply Cakes! 

The Team: On the far right is Amy Acosta with Doubletree. Amy and I have worked together for years. She is so efficient and reliable. Thanks, Amy! In black is Kristen Stoneman of N The Mix Events, our DJ. With her is her assistant, Laura, who is also a full time nurse who likes to get away from it all and go to events with Kristen! Kristen has years of experience as a DJ and is expanding into weddings. She is the only female DJ in the Triangle! She is also a good friend of my daughter who books the music for Piper's Tavern.

Quite popular these days are old windows repurposed for weddings. This one has the table assignments on it. 

It's time to get this show on the road! 

Our little "ring bearer," Dominic, less than 2 years of age, made it all the way down with his father's help. He pointed Dominic toward his mother, the Matron of Honor, and down the aisle he toddled!

Chrissy and her mother entered last. What a pretty pair of women! Both of them my brides!

You may notice the orange strips in the background across the lake. On closer inspection when we went to do photos near the waterfall in the distance behind us, we discovered it is that orange barrier used to cordon off areas. The area used to be all trees and now it looks like someone is going to build there. At any rate, the orange fits right into Chrissy and Chris' color scheme of orange and purple. Especially the groom and groomsmen's orange shoes!

I had fun telling their story. Although they were born only 40 miles apart in New York, they never met until they both moved to North Carolina and worked at the same bar, Chrissy as a bartender and Chris as the bouncer! They secretly noticed each other at work long before they actually met. When they finally met, they discovered they were meant to be together. They both work two jobs  but still find time to have fun and go places. Chris proposed to Chrissy in the Elizabethan Garden on Roanoke Island, how romantic!

The words that they each gave me to describe their love for each other were so sweet and it is clear to all around them that they are very much in love and so happy to finally get married.

I think at this point I had said to Chris as to why Chrissy wanted to marry him: "Chris, you are smart, strong, stubborn and have great facial hair when you let it grow. Do you think that is a hint?" He told me that Chrissy likes him with a beard! 

Dominic got a little fussy, and probably bored, at the ceremony! His daddy took him off to the side and Marty snapped this cute photo I could not resist putting here!

Chrissy and Chris really loved the Celtic ritual of hand-fasting and what it stands for in the Celtic tradition and so we included it in their ceremony.

With their left hands bound by the cord which represents the bond of love, they then clasped right hands, "forming the symbol of eternity blessing their marriage in the eternal ebb and flow of the universe." They made their vows thus bound together.

And then it was time to release their right hands and remove the cord then replace the symbolism of the cord with their rings.

They recessed out then headed down to the waterfall for photographs. The guests were invited to enjoy refreshments on the terrace. Marty and I retrieved my microphone and receiver from Kristen and headed down to the waterfall for photos too.

Of course I had to get a picture of Ursula and Rich! They seem as happy today as they were 5 years ago when I married them! Congratulations to you both!

Chrissy and Chris, finally you are married and can start your new life together creating all those memories and enjoying the happiness you both deserve! Your wedding was delightful! Thank you for choosing me to officiate for you. May you have all the best that life can bring!

Unforgettable Cinderella Wedding for Kristie and Mike at Doubletree!

When Kristie and Mike came to see me last June, Kristie told me that it was her dream to arrive at her wedding in a horse-drawn carriage. She had seen it done at Doubletree Suites and was planning on it for her wedding. Finally the big day arrived--Sunday October 25, 2009. The day was cool and overcast and the trees had begun to change to their beautiful fall colors. Little did I suspect the tremendous visual and emotional impact this wedding would have on me!

The guests have all arrived and our director, Susan Ashley, cued the DJ, Bob Perry, to begin the music for the entrance of the wedding party and parents. Mike and I started off to the terrace followed by groomsman, Fred, and then Mike's parents, Larry and Cindy. Larry would join us as his son's best man after seating Cindy. Next came Samir, a good friend of the bride's who served as a "bridesman" and his son Kabir as our ring bearer. Then Mike's sister, Sandra, entered as the Maid of Honor. Kristie's mother is unfortunately not living but her father was standing proudly by for the arrival of the bride.

And then it was time for the bride's grand entrance. The expansive music began. I turned all the way around and looked behind me and saw the horse and carriage coming from the waterfall area. It was absolutely spectacular with the beautiful green grass, the trees in green and colors, and the reflection in the lake. Just like in the movies! I tapped Mike on the shoulder and whispered for him to turn around and look. What a picture. I was hoping that my husband, Dave, who was standing in as my roadie, was getting some shots of this incredible scene with my camera and thankfully he got some great ones for this blog post.

Coming on around the lake as all the guests watch. What a breathtaking sight it was.

I blew this photo up so you could see more detail. I think I see the bride looking around at us.

This is just before the carriage had to go behind a little footbridge and they disappeared for a few moments. We were holding our breaths that they did not get stuck in the soggy ground because it had rained the night before. Of course the driver had checked it all out beforehand to make sure it would not get stuck.


By this time my heart was in my throat and the tears in my eyes! It was just all so dreamy and surreal! I think every little girl who has read the Cinderella story dreams of this day and Kristie made her dreams come true.
What a handsome horse and the driver was all dressed up in proper attire for the wedding. I don't have photos of Kristie getting out of the carriage but it was not an easy task with her wedding dress and train.

Her sweet father then escorted her down the aisle to transfer her hand into Mike's as the guests were all standing in her honor. I cleared the tears from my throat and my eyes (It has been a long time since I have been moved to tears at a wedding. I guess I was getting a little jaded!) and began the ceremony with a warm welcome to the guests.

See Kristie's beautiful gown--she looks like a princess in a fairy tale! They wanted to have the Celtic handfasting ritual in their wedding so here I am looping it around their joined hands. While bound together they said their vows. I then removed the cord which was symbolically replaced by their rings.

After the exchange of vows and rings, they poured their sand together. Her sand was red and his was green. On the right, you can see our videographer, Mark, getting very good footage of this.

Nice kiss! I could tell they had been practicing!

It's back up the aisle and before getting into the carriage, a group shot with all the guests.

I think everyone was still starstruck with the storybook aspect of this wonderful wedding. Her father's eyes were filled with tears. Now for the task of getting the bride and her dress back up into the carriage and joined by her new husband!

I bade farewell to the newlyweds at this point because I had to get to another wedding at The Umstead. They went back around the lake to the waterfall for photos with their wedding party. Kristie and Mike, kudos to you for making your dream wedding happen. If your marriage reflects the same dreams and determination I know you will have a bright future and great life together.

Off they go! There is a sign on the back of the carriage that says "Just Married!"

Our Vendors who made this all happen:

First of all, let me give a bunch of credit to Amy Acosta of Doubletree Suites who knew exactly how to pull this all together for Kristie and Mike and get the timing just right for the bride's entrance. It took a lot of skill and effort to accomplish this and she has it! Thanks so much, Amy, for making this couple's dream come true. Here is a photo of the reception decor. It was fabulous in red and white. Actually, it looked a lot like Valentine's Day!

Cinda's Creative Cakes made this fabulous cake! It is certainly unique and in keeping with the wedding colors.





I thank Bull City Carriage for providing this wonderful horse and carriage, the driver and the assistant who kept the horse from getting spooked by the setting and the crowd!






Susan Ashley, of It's Your Day to Enjoy, was our wedding coordinator and director. She really paid attention to detail and was very organized. Susan, it was a pleasure working with you.

Our photographer was Michael of Michael's Memories.

Our videographer was Mark Holland of Ron K. Smith Productions. Mark is so much fun to work with. Good to see you again, Mark.

Our DJ was Bob Perry with DJ Professionals & Video. Bob did a great job. He told me that the couple asked him to find the right music for the entrance of the bride. He chose the perfect music from William Shakespeare In Love by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra from the scene where Romeo first sees Juliet. The music was expansive and sweeping--just perfect! Thanks, Bob!

Catherine and Tim Wed at Doubletree Suites!

"As autumn leaves turn their brilliant hue, two hearts will join and say I do." A quote from the wedding program for Tim and Catherine who were married on Sunday October 4th, 2009. It was a beautiful wedding. "Red weddings" are always so striking with the contrast of red and white. It was a beautiful day with a pleasant breeze and overcast skies which were perfect for good photos.

Here Tim and I enter and take our places followed by the Best Man and groomsmen.

Here comes our beautiful bride and her proud father. Catherine was so lovely in her gorgeous bridal gown as she floated down the aisle. I noticed Tim's eyes filling with tears as he watched her come toward him with her eyes locked on his.

Catherine and Tim created a lovely ceremony from my material that fit exactly what they wanted on their wedding day.

The happy couple, now married, making their way down the aisle!

We took photos down the way at the waterfall area. The background of the water and the woods make a stunning setting for pictures. Catherine and Tim, many congratulations!

I am not sure Catherine felt real comfortable being out in the middle on the slabs with the water rushing under them! But she was a good sport and I know our photographer got some fabulous shots.

Our Vendors:

Lenny Fritts of Touch of Class DJs was not only our DJ and provided music for both the ceremony and the reception and plugged my mic into his system, but he also was our wedding director. Lenny has been part of so many weddings, he knows precisely how the processional is to go. He is a Pro! Thanks, Lenny.

Amy Acosta, Events Manager, at Doubletree Suites was on hand at the rehearsal and the wedding to make sure everything flowed smoothly. The hotel caters weddings.

Our photographer was Janell Register of Reflections Photography. I know she got some great shots, especially at the waterfall. I am going to be checking her website out to see them.

The florist was Tre Bella in Durham. The floral arrangements on the arbor at the altar were gorgeous and so were the bouquets, boutonnieres, and flowers on the tables.

Their lovely wedding cake was by Simply Cakes. It was beautiful.

At Doubletree Suites the receptions are held in a huge tent next to the patio, deck and lake. It is heated and air-conditioned so it is always comfortable. The white with red touches made a striking setting for a festive wedding celebration.