Cassandra and Ashton are a wonderful couple who did all their own wedding planning with a limited budget and proved you can have a fabulous and fun wedding!
The
Jiddi Courtyard is an open-air space in between several large old buildings in Raleigh. It can be accessed by going through either Gravy (an Italian restaurant) or Sitti (a Lebanese restaurant) on Wilmington Street. The building on the other side of the courtyard from the restaurants has been rehabbed into a fabulous space for receptions and events. Above you can see it is all decked out for their reception. Empire Eats catered the affair.
Not sure I have ever seen a "wedding towel" before!
Cassandra and Ashton are both school teachers. Ashton's students contributed to this cute album.
Each child filled out a questionnaire about what they thought marriage was and other tidbits. So cute and a treasure to cherish forever!
Chelsey Cook with
Gravy was their wedding coordinator. She is holding the aisle runner that we decided not to use. Actually I (strongly) requested we not use it because of
all the issues with runners of that kind that I have experienced. They cannot be secured to grass, concrete, bricks and for that reason they wrinkle and become a tripping hazard. The least little breeze will lift it and displace it. It is also easily snagged by shoes and gets drug along behind someone processing in!
Sweet little touches!
The seating chart.
Our dashing little ring bearer is Amare, age 5!
They guys and I get all lined up to process in from the side door.
The guests are filling in the chairs.
Chelsey is giving last minute instructions to the wedding party. Most of them were not able to attend our rehearsal the afternoon before.
A great looking group of handsome guys!
Here come the maidens!
Our flower girls, Olivia and Cadence, flank Amare as they entered.
Cassandra was escorted in by her father and stepfather.
The fathers gave their love and support to Cassandra and Ashton and placed her hand in his.
And so the ceremony began. We started with a warm welcome to everyone and thanked them for being with us. Then their sister-in-law Erin shared an opening blessing.
We remembered those no longer with us.
Then I stepped out and addressed the parents and stepparents and told them how much the couple appreciated all their love and support throughout their lives. A few sniffles from the mothers!
After a few words on love and marriage, Ashton and Cassandra exchanged their promises of marriage to each other.
Some tears began to leak from Cassandra's eyes and I pulled out my hankie and blotted her cheeks.
Cassandra made her vows to Ashton.
Time for the rings!
They placed the rings on each other's fingers.
Then it was time for the Wine Unity ceremony. Ashton opened one bottle of wine and poured a little into the central decanter.
Cassandra surprised us by picking up a large bag of wine which was hidden behind the table and pouring it in as her contribution! Ashton helps aim the stream of wine into the decanter! We all got a good laugh from that surprise move!
Then Ashton poured the blended wine into their two glasses.
The next part was for them to drink to the past, drink to the present, and drink to their future!
After a closing blessing by their sister-in-law Emma, I made the pronouncement of marriage and invited them to share their first kiss as husband and wife.
And so it is done!
I introduced them to their guests and invited them to stand and join me in congratulating them!
Stepping out into their future!
The wedding party recesses.
Then the parents. It is time to celebrate!
Ashton and Cassandra!! Wow, a great wedding. The weather was perfect and everything went so well. Great job. You are the sweetest couple and such a good match. My blessings and congratulations!
