Laura and Charlie's Spectacular Autumn Wedding at the Barn at Valhalla!

Laura and Charlie and I met in June 2019 to plan their wedding ceremony which took place on October 26th, 2019 at the Barn at Valhalla in Chapel Hill. They specifically asked for a non-traditional secular ceremony and so that is what we created together.

The wedding day was beautiful and the barn was ready. A tent had been erected for the reception dinner. 

Their wedding date was just a few days before Halloween so they took advantage of that theme in many clever ways.  

This golden skeletal hand guarded the cards placed inside the box. Next to it are their wedding programs. 

Dave snapped this photo of Charlie's pretty mother, Carolyn, before the ceremony. 

A few photos and Halloween props on the table! 

In place of a guest book, they asked their guests to write notes and their names on the blocks so that whenever they play this game they can fondly remember them.

The deck and fireplace are located in the wooded area between the barn and the house the original owner built. The deck has been expanded to accommodate more guests. The Wedding Woman furnished the florals for the wedding. Note the pretty autumn spray on the top of the fireplace mantel.

Lanterns, candles, some pampas grass plumes, and greenery decorate the ceremony area in front of the fireplace. 

Add some mums!

They included the Anniversary Box unity ceremony in the wedding. The box with a bottle of wine was placed on the fireplace hearth at the ceremony site for them to put their sealed and unshared love letters into during the ceremony, then shared on their first anniversary.

Our DJ, Brian with McSound Productions was all set up to play the music for the processional and recessional with a set up also for cocktail hour on the deck and dancing in the barn later. I officiated his wedding too several years ago.  Always enjoy working weddings with Brian.

Emily with Events by Emily was our planner and director. Before the ceremony she lit all the candles. 

Kivus and Camera, the professional photographers, staged the First Look for our couple. Always a special moment and photo op! (photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

Just look at that gorgeous bride, the happy groom and the stunning bouquet!

(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera) 

Inside the house from which the wedding party will process, enjoying some laughs with some of their "wedding people."

The guests are taking their seats and John, one of the photographers, was making sure they filled in the chairs up front and along the aisle. Pictures of a wedding with lots of empty chairs look like folks didn't show up for the wedding! By the time we started, after a few late-comers arrived in costume (optional choice of dress), the chairs were all filled. Full House!

A quick photo of Emily and me. Thank you for everything you did, Emily, it was a great wedding!

After the grandmothers and wedding party took their places, Charlie and his parents, Terry and Carolyn, entered. They were seated and Charlie stepped up beside me to await his bride!
(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

Laura and her parents, Russell and Rebecca, floated down the aisle as the guests stood in their honor.  

(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

Charlie is watching them approach as a few tears leaked from his eyes!

(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

After welcoming their guests, remembering those who could not be with us, then paying tribute to their parents and grandmothers, Marilyn and Doris, we enjoyed hearing the story of how Laura and Charlie met and fell in love spanning 9 years. They knew each other as acquaintances in high school but became friends when they were both students at Appalachian State. It was not long before their  friendship blossomed into romance and they have been together ever since.
(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

After the proposal story, I moved back to my spot behind the couple and revealed their secret paragraphs--each one had told me in confidence what they love about their partner and what they are looking forward to in marriage. They did not know what the other told me until the ceremony. A tender moment that usually evokes a few tears.
(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

They wrote their vows to each other and read them to each other from my book where the words were printed facing them. Then they exchanged rings.
(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

After they placed their loveletters in the Anniversary Box, we had a closing blessing then the pronouncement of marriage in which I declared them husband and wife, equal partners joined in marriage. The KISS came next!
(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

The guests cheered as I introduced the newlywed couple to them and invited them to stand and join me in congratulating them!
(photo courtesy Kivus and Camera)

Charlie and Laura! What a great wedding! Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. It was a pleasure working with you to create the ceremony you dreamed of. I wish you the best always!

Annika and Brandon Wed at the Merrimon-Wynne House in Raleigh!

Annika and Brandon's wedding was on Friday June 17th, 2016 at the beautifully restored historic Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh. It had been raining on and off all day. 

When I first arrived, I checked in with Sally Oakley, our wedding director. She did not know yet whether we would move the wedding inside or be outside.

So, Randy Bennett with Joe Bunn DJ Company, was on hand to plug my wireless mic into his system and we did a sound check in the drizzle.

The garden was absolutely beautiful with the pretty green artificial grass and the new Carriage House. 

Inside the Carriage House everything was ready for the reception. Randy's DJ station was all set up and ready to begin.

Inside the house, the mantels were display areas for old family photographs of the couple. Tre Bella was the florist for this wedding. 

The rain did not improve but steadily increased so the call was made to have the wedding inside in the parlor. All the guests except for the immediate family of the couple were standing for the ceremony. Sally has just sent in the maid of honor and gets Annika and her dad poised to begin their walk down the aisle flanked closely by their guests.

And here they come! At the end of the aisle, Annika and her dad stopped in front of me and Brandon and I asked: "Iver, as Annika's father, do you and her mother, Nancy, bless and support her as she comes to join in marriage to Brandon?" He replied "Yes, we do!" and placed Annika's hand into Brandon's hand and took his seat next to Nancy.

There were so many bridesmaids that they wrapped around the corner and down the wall. 

The groomsmen did the same!

After a welcome to all, a prayer and remembrance of those no longer with us, the tribute to their parents was given. We keep it as a sweet surprise for them. Since both their parents have intact happy marriages, the parents' blessing included thanking them for providing role models for Annika and Brandon. There were also a few humorous references to their parenting challenges such as "Paul, you tried to teach Brandon when to just 'shut his mouth' but that took a long time to teach!"

Annika and Brandon watch her parents as I said "Your marriage will serve as a model of equal partnership and friendship that Annika and Brandon will look to as the embark on their journey together."

Then I had the pleasure of telling the story of how they met and fell in love when they were both grad students at Duke. Brandon was diligent in pursuing Annika from the moment he saw her. Almost 3 years later Brandon proposed while on an outing for Annika's family for her sister's graduation in New York City. After telling the story, I then revealed their secret paragraphs about what they love about each other. A good bit of humor here!

Brandon reads his vows from my book. 

Annika reads hers to Brandon.

Brandon places the ring on her finger.

Annika places the ring on Brandon's finger.

After a closing blessing I joyfully pronounced them husband and wife!

Brandon made sure the kiss lasted long enough to get a good photo!

Introduction of the newlyweds! 

And they step into their new married life!

Brandon and Annika, what a pleasure you were to work with and your wedding was beautiful despite the rain imposed changes. What is important is that you are married and had a wonderful time on your wedding day! I wish you the best of everything!
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