Fun Fabulous Wedding for Mollyann and Sean!

Mollyann and Sean are a delightful couple--and I can attest that they are very well matched! I've known them several years since Mollyann is in the wedding industry and Sean often accompanies her to networking events. I was delighted that they chose me to officiate their wedding and we had a great time creating their wonderful ceremony.

They chose the historic Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh for their venue. The wedding date was Labor Day Sunday September 3, 2017. The weather could not have been prettier--guaranteed by their burying a bottle of bourbon upside down at the venue exactly 30 days earlier!

Instead of having the ceremony outside on the lawn, they chose to have it in the Carriage House and the reception on the lawn. It worked out so beautifully. The Carriage House has a polished concrete floor--great for dancing later. The floral decorations and design were by Eclectic Sage.

When Dave and I arrived, our first glimpse of our beautiful bride was while they were doing pre-ceremony photos. They chose to do a First Look so that they could get the bulk of photos done before the ceremony.

While the guys were standing around, I took this opportunity to do a "boutonniere check" to make sure they were securely pinned on. 

Their photographer was Mikkel Paige who was in a time crunch to get the photos done before the guests started arriving. Mikkel gets the bridal party together for a photo. Mollyann had a Man of Honor (also Sean) and a Matron of Honor (Tamara).

A group shot of the whole wedding party! Their videographer was Thomas Blake Films. 

A romantic shot of our bride and groom. They had to kiss over and over again to get the pose just right!

Mollyann has been the bride in many styled shoots and has worn many wedding dresses. She has always looked beautiful in them all but the one she chose for herself was absolutely gorgeous and suited her best. The make-up artist and hair stylist was Ashley Mooney. Note Mollyann's beautiful bouquet. The story goes that it accidentally got taken to Ohio after the wedding but when located was quickly re-routed back to Raleigh so it could be preserved. Whew!

The guests are all seated in the Carriage House and it is time for the wedding party, grandparents and parents to get lined up for the processional.

Our Wedding Director was Becca with C&D Events. Courtney and Dana, the founders of C&D Events were on hand to help her with this very special wedding.

Sean's sister, one of our bridesmaids, escorted in their grandfather, so Becca is holding her bouquet for her. 

After the families were seated, it is time for Sean and me to enter and take our places up front.

We were followed in by all the handsome groomsmen. 

And now all the bridesmaids and our Man of Honor are in position awaiting Mollyann's entrance. 

Mollyann is escorted in by her father, Mark, as all the guests are standing in their honor. 

Mark answered my question and placed Mollyann's hand into Sean's hand and made his way to his seat.

The backdrop is wonderful: "Let the Adventure Begin!" 

We pay tribute to their parents who are standing. 

Then it was time for the story of how they met and fell in love. They were both students at NC State and were in the same service fraternity. They were just mere acquaintances until one night at a dance  they danced the night away together. And that was all it took for them to begin dating. And the rest is really history!

Sean, who had met many wedding professional through Mollyann, staged an elaborate proposal under the guise of a styled shoot, surprising Mollyann who was not the least bit suspicious!

Of course we all know her answer! 

Telling Mollyann what Sean told me in confidence about what he loves about her, why he wants to marry her and what he is looking forward to in marriage--besides the honeymoon to Paris!

Sean got to hear what Mollyann told me about him. Then it was time for him to make his vows to Mollyann. 

Mollyann's turn to read her vows from my book where they are printed facing her. 

Sean places the ring on Mollyann's finger.

And Mollyann places the ring on Sean's finger.

A closing blessing before the pronouncement of marriage. 

At this moment they legally become husband and wife!

Time to kiss again, Mollyann and Sean!!

This time it is to seal the deal!

Time to introduce our newlyweds after the bride is handed her bouquet!

And away they go!!

Mikkel gets the recessional. Here is a sneak peek at her photos of the wedding! 

Mollyann's parents, Maryann and Mark.

Sean's parents, Robin and Tim.

The guests were invited to have cocktails in the house while the finishing touches were put on the dinner reception area on the lawn. Rocky Top Hospitality was the caterer.

Heather Miller, owner of Eclectic Sage, was actually gluing some little wooden stands that the breeze had knocked over.

Heather who owns Eclectic Sage and I love working together! Can you tell? She wanted me to officiate her spectacular wedding to Steven last March in Norfolk but I am not registered to do weddings in Virginia so we enlisted a friend of mine, Rev. Kathi Moon, who is registered in Virginia, to do the honors.

Back in the Carriage House the cakes by Sugar Euphoria were being set up in this vintage dresser. I love how the flowers are spilling out of the drawer!

Randi, the owner of Sugar Euphoria, is busy putting out the other sweets for the celebration!

Little pies and S'Mores shooters!

The famous Joe Bunn was our esteemed DJ for the reception. He also mic'd me for the ceremony. The sound of course was perfect!!  And since Dave and I stayed for the reception (a rare thing), let me tell you, Joe can really spin the music. I can see why he is so popular! We had a great time dancing!

So, here is the reception area on the artificial turf which makes it possible to do this kind of thing. The ground is very level and chair legs (or high heels!) don't sink into the ground. It is lovely!

Our harpist, Erin Jones Fuson, who played the ceremony music and sang, also played for the cocktail hour. She was amazing!

Wedding photos of Mollyann's parents on the left and Sean's on the right!

The name cards were actually luggage tags which had the name and table number. Very clever! All but a few had been picked up. 

Also attending the wedding are friends of Mollyann, Mary and Jason, whom I married back in 2013 and had not seen since. Here is the post for their wedding. We were seated at the same table and got to catch up on their lives and see photos of their adorable daughter, Monica.

Mollyann and Sean--what a fabulous wedding you created! And congratulations on your marriage. I know you are having a wonderful honeymoon in Paris and when you get back, you will start your new chapter: Married Life! I will see you around and catch up with your adventures! It was such fun working with you and not only officiating but having a great time at your reception!

Amy and Gavin's Beautiful Wedding at Raleigh Rose Garden!

Amy and Gavin's wedding on October 9th, 2016 at the Raleigh Rose Garden was the Sunday after Hurricane Matthew blew through Raleigh the day before. In fact, our rehearsal was during the hurricane and most of us were wet to the bone when we were done. Who would have believed that the next day, the wedding day, would dawn sunny and clear and the garden that had been like a lake had drained dry. And so we were able to proceed as planned and not have to resort to any Plan Bs. It felt like a miracle!

Amy is a very creative young woman. She is into theater and arts and hers and Gavin's wedding was a reflection of this interest and ability. She definitely had a vision for her wedding which, with the help of Sally Oakley, her wedding planner, was brought into fruition. I thoroughly enjoyed crafting the wedding ceremony with Amy and Gavin.

I am sure Amy designed this very unique wedding program!

It was just phenomenal that the grass was not a bit muddy or squishy! The chairs have been placed, I set up my sound system up front. The table for the wine ceremony is ready up front. The 9th Street Ramblers Bluegrass band is playing. We are ready to go!

They had snacks for folks after the wedding in the shelter in the back of the garden while they waited for the shuttle bus to take them to The Stockroom for the reception. 

 Let's go, Gavin! Gavin is from England and his family and friends came to the States for this wonderful wedding!  The large wedding party entered after we did. 

Amy's mother, Cathy, was delighted to escort her daughter down the aisle! (Sally is in the background with a big grin on her face at how this wedding has come together!)

 Not only did Cathy wish Amy well, she had to give Gavin a hug too! 

 Now to get down to the business of getting these two married! 

After welcoming everyone, especially those who came from "across the pond," we remembered our couple's grandparents and how important they were in their lives. Then a sweet tribute to their parents.

Before launching into their story, I asked their community of friends and family to support their marriage and they enthusiastically agreed!

Amy and Gavin's paths first crossed back in 2005 when they both lived in Madison, Wisconsin. They met each other while out on the town and were instantly intrigued with each other. Gavin with Amy's sense of humor, conversational skills and her love of impersonations! Not only was Amy taken with Gavin's British accent, she discovered he was incredibly genuine, funny and smart.

It wasn't long before they were a couple and shared many memories of their lives in Wisconsin before Gavin accepted a position at NC State in Raleigh in 2009. Amy took a giant step and joined him in NC but shortly after that move, she spent a year in NYC getting a degree in Applied Theater.

Fortunately they hung in together despite the distance and when Amy graduated she landed a position with NC State too. They were finally back in the same town. The wedding planning began after they co-proposed to each other in September of 2014 while visiting their old haunts in Madison.

They hear the secret paragraphs from each other. Sweet moments sprinkled with good humor that kept our guests laughing.

Time for their secret vows....which they wrote and were printed in my book facing them. Lots more humor here too!

 "Gavin, take this tiny ring........"

 "....and place it on Amy's finger as you say these words to her." 

Amy did the same.

 The Celtic Wine Ceremony involves each of them drinking from the same glass of wine. 

"In marriage, your souls will join together so that your strengths shall be twice as great and your hardships will be only half as hard. As you share the wine from this wedding cup let it remind you to trust in your soul which is the universal spirit. Trust in its strength and it will strengthen the bond between you." 

After a closing blessing, without further ado, I pronounced them husband and wife and invited Amy to kiss the groom!

 And so she did! 

 "Aw shucks, we are married!"

 They step into happily ever after time! 

While we were trying to get some photos of me with the couple this humongous puppet appeared from the trees! A surprise for Amy from her friends. Perfect!

Amy and Gavin, it was intense working with you to create the most perfect ceremony for you....and I loved it. The final result is so YOU! I hope all your dreams of the ceremony were fulfilled. I am so happy that Destiny brought you together and that Destiny brought you into my life. May all your dreams come true!