Heidi and Keith's Stunning Wedding at The Rickhouse!

Heidi and Keith chose for their wedding, the unique venue of The Rickhouse. It is a whiskey distillery located downtown Durham. Their decor vendors Get Lit and Springwell Gardens worked to enhance its natural lighting and industrial features into a magical setting for their wedding.

I love the criss-crossed drape in the center and the strings of white cascading down the glass window into the distillery machinery.

Chalkboards by Julie greeted the guests on this beautiful day of March 23, 2019. 

When the guests were seated and we were ready for the ceremony to begin, I entered solo first to make the "unplugged" announcement asking the guests to truly be with Keith and Heidi in their hearts without the distraction of technology. Then Keith and his groomsmen made their entrance.

They took their places up front then the bridesmaids joined them one by one. 

Then the adorable ring bearer pulled the wagon of babies down the aisle. 

And lastly our beautiful bride was escorted in by her mother and father and another sweet little flower girl. 

At the end of the aisle they gave their daughter their love and support as they transferred her hand into Keith's hand and were seated.

A hearty welcome to all their guests followed by tributes to their family members.

The couple and I had written the story of how they met and fell in love and the adventures they had had since them bringing the guests up to the wedding day.

Telling the love story is my favorite part of the ceremony and it is fun for the couple to hear and watch their guests' enjoying hearing it.

A spectacular photo by our professional photographers, Elyssa and John with Kivus and Camera. In fact, they provided most of the photos for this blog post and I am so grateful. Look for their watermark-- the encircled star in the lower right-hand corner. (The photos without the watermark were taken by my husband with my camera.)

There was lots of laughter as well as tender moments.

And now the big reveal as I tell them what their partner has 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.

Another humorous moment!

Following the exchange of their vows, they exchanged their rings.

Heidi and Keith chose the Anniversary Box for their unity ceremony. They wrote love letters to each other about this exciting time in their lives and sealed them without sharing. During the ceremony they put them in a special box with a favorite bottle of wine and closed it. I invited them to open the box on their first anniversary and pour each other a glass of wine and read their letters from the other. Then have a conversation about the wedding day and the year that has passed. Write new love letters and seal without sharing and place in the box with the first letters and a new bottle of wine and repeat every anniversary.

We closed with a blessing then the pronouncement of marriage. 

Their first kiss as husband and wife!

Oh happy day!!

The joyous walk back down the aisle into their new life! 

And another kiss! 

Outside after the ceremony the wedding party and parents and the Durham Bulls mascot gathered for some photos. 

The wind was making it extra fun and made for some great photos! 

Emily Thomas, owner of Emily Katherine Events, coordinated the wedding vendors and helped bring the couple's vision of their wedding day into reality!

Keith and Heidi! A fabulous wedding! Congratulations to you on your marriage. Thank you for giving me the honor of joining you in marriage!

Erin and Matt's Down Home Wedding at The Cookery!

Erin and Matt's wedding at The Cookery was the third one I've done there. The Cookery is a fabulous venue for a smaller wedding and you can dress it up or down. It is truly a wonderful repurposed building right in downtown Durham. 

View from the side with the amazing mural!

The main room is concrete floor, exposed brick and industrial fixtures. Extremely versatile. 

Erin and Matt brought ribbon wands for the guests to wave at the end of the evening when the bride and groom made their exit.

Outside the main room is the patio area with a tent. They added the padded rubber flooring which was comfortable to stand on and acoustically helpful. But the real purpose was to divert rainwater so that it would not accumulate on the patio. Rain was a possibility for this day and they were prepared.

Up on the mezzanine there is room for more seating. I have done a wedding up on this level too.

A symbolic tribute to Matt and Erin's wedding day! The calligrapher is Marika Wendelken.

No traditional wedding cake for this couple. They chose cakes by Chez Moi and pies from Scratch. 

Their wonderful DJ was Shannon Pate with Elevation Entertainment. He was so helpful in setting up the sound for the patio and plugging my microphone in. The space can be challenging but he had all the right equipment and the knowledge to sync it all together. Thanks, Shannon!

The view from the mezzanine as the guests start arriving. 

Jack Pope, our ring bearer, is ready for the ceremony to begin! 

The guests are filling in the chairs. Latecomers were fortunate that the second row was available! 

Matt, on the right, and his groomsmen are ready for the ceremony to begin. 

John, our best man, Matt and I get lined up to enter.

First couple are Brad and Tina.

Second couple are Joe and Sarah. 

Then Leo and Julie. 

Our Maid of Honor Jennifer enters solo.

Erin was stashed out of sight up on the mezzanine and on cue descends the steps. 

Her father, Dave, joined her at the foot of the steps and escorted her in.

Once he transferred Erin's hand into Matt's, they turned and faced each other as the guests took their seats and the ceremony began.

Welcome to all, opening prayer, remembering those loved ones no longer with us then a tribute to their parents. 

Telling their story was a lot of fun and filled with laughter that reflects what a wonderful match they are for each other.

Then what they love about each other and look forward to in marriage. 

They exchanged their vows and it was time for Jack to hand me the rings! 

I invited Erin and Matt to gaze around at their guests who were honoring them on their wedding day.

Pronouncing them husband and wife! 

Matt dived in for the kiss! 

And here they are! The Newlyweds!

Always a triumphant moment! 

Outside for photos! 

Erin and Matt, what a great wedding. It was YOU! I loved being part of your day and helping you set the tone for the celebration of your marriage. I wish you the best always!

Our Vendors:

Venue Wedding Director: Tammy Carwane (The Cookery)

Wedding Day Coordinator: Kim Smith, friend

Photographer: The PopesPhotography (Gerald and Airika Pope)

DJ: Shannon Pate of ElevationEntertainment

Florist: Tre Bella

Caterer: Sage and Swift

Cakes: Chez Moi

Pies: Scratch