Leslie and Rich Get Married at The Umstead

The wedding of Leslie and Rich on June 1st, 2018 at The Umstead Hotel is particularly sentimental and emotional for me. Leslie's mother, Cynthia, was a dear friend of mine who passed away from Alzheimer's about 2 years ago. It was my honor to join Leslie and Rich in matrimony and include their amazing life journey in the ceremony.

Leslie's son, Dylan, needed his boutonniere secured, so I got that done while the bridal party waited out of sight for the guests to arrive.

Frank Mauldin with Bunn DJ Company was our DJ for the wedding. Here Stefan with the hotel is setting up the house system which Frank will operate.

After doing a sound check, I sat down to review the script. 

Our wedding director, Kelly Ann Ward, on the right is ready to direct the processional. She is with A Southern Soiree. The woman on the left was the caretaker for Leslie's mother and so happy for Leslie.

Everyone but Leslie and Dylan are assembled in the lobby outside the garden. I got Rich's beautiful daughters Kelly and Quinn to sign the marriage license for me then.

Rich and I processed in first. 

Then Kelly......

Then Quinn....

Then Leslie's lovely daughter, Nia, took her walk down the aisle. 

The ring bearer, Jonah, and the flower girl, Marin, entered next. So sweet! 

Dylan proudly escorts his beautiful mother down the aisle. 

The guests are standing in her honor. 

And so we began with a welcome to all and a tribute to their parents, all deceased. I mentioned to the guests how sweet it was for me to officiate this wedding. Leslie's mother and I sang in our church choir together and had many good times together. She was such an elegant and dignified woman and it was so sad for us and especially for Leslie who took care of her to watch her decline. We all know she is in a better place now. And so now Leslie's life moves on.

And then a blessing for their children: Kelly and Quinn, Dylan and Nia. 

And now for their wonderful love story. 

Leslie and Rich met 30 years ago in medical school. They fell madly in love and dated for about a year then split up and went their separate ways.

They married other people and had their wonderful children. No regrets whatsoever. Their lives were like stepping stones, all necessary to get them back together.

About 5 years ago, Rich emailed Leslie--she is so thankful she never changed her AOL email address! They found out that they were both single again and quickly reunited. This time they resolved to stay together for good!

There were many humorous moments in the ceremony as I told the story of how they fell in love all over again. Their children were also enjoying this exquisite moment.

They had each told me what they love about each other and so I am revealing that to them during the ceremony. 

They chose to use the lyrics of a Bruce Springsteen song "If I Should Fall Behind" for their vows. 

Rich read the first verse from my book.

Then Leslie the second verse. Then they read the chorus together.

It is time to put the rings on the fingers! 

First I had to do a little "housekeeping" with my hankie! 

Then the rings went on the fingers! This photo is by our professional photographer Cara. 

Following a closing blessing, I pronounced them finally and forever, husband and wife. 

Hallelujah! 

The guests were invited to enjoy cocktail hour while the couple and their families were taking photos.

Cara Galati Powell (also a bride of mine) with f8 Photo Studio was our wonderful photographer. Here she is in action!

Cara captured this sweet image of Leslie with her kids, Nia and Dylan.

Photo by Cara of mother and daughter.

Photo by Cara of Rich with Kelly and Quinn

The new siblings by Cara!

 Cara's photo of the new family born today.

Together again for good. Photo by Cara f8. 

A hug together in celebration! 

Leslie and Rich! I am SOOO happy for you for finding one another again and rekindling that long-ago love. You are perfect for each other. I love your attitudes and your devotion to your children. And I know that Cynthia is celebrating for you somewhere in another realm! May you love and live with wild abandon and have a happy, satisfying and enduring marriage!

Diana and Matt Tie the Knot at 1705 Prime on April 15, 2018!

Diana and Matt fell madly in love the first time they met! That was September 24th, 2015 at a Starbucks after being matched up on line. They began seeing each other and soon became a couple and on March 17th 2017 Matt proposed and planning this wedding began. 

They chose 1705 Prime for their venue and planned an outdoor ceremony. However, the weather did not cooperate. Diana had two criteria according to what her dad told me: 25% or less chance or rain and 75 degrees or more outdoors. With 40% chance of rain and temps in the 60s, both criteria were met and she wisely called it. Although it was not raining when I arrived, it was windy and overcast. Wise call!

They had these little wooden blocks of the Balance game for their guests to sign. So every time they play the game, they remember all the family and friends gathered for their wedding.

Patrick Jones furnished beautiful violin music for the ceremony. I am going over the processional here with him. 

Cara with f8 Studios was their photographer. Cara is also one of my brides. Hers and Brad's wedding was just the month before. Love working with her and she is a fantastic photographer.

Barbara, center, is our honorary director. She did a great job. The other person on the right is Amy, a friend of Diana's who presented a reading during the ceremony.

A visit to the bride before the ceremony to see if there were any questions or if I could help in any way. 

The guests had arrived and it was time to begin the ceremony. Matt's mother and father entered first and lit the candle that represented Matt. Next in were Diana's mother escorted by Diana's brother.

Then Matt and the groomsmen and I took our places while the bridesmaids processed in. 

Our three little flower girls were adorable. One went off course but Barbara redirected her down the aisle. They also did a great job sprinkling the red petals before they were retrieved by their parents.

Diana and her father are ready to enter as soon as the music changed and the guests stood up. 

Here comes the bride! 

And so we began--a warm welcome to everyone, a prayer and remembrance of those no longer living.

A sweet tribute to their parents was next then a reading of First Corinthians 13 by Amy, a reading from Genesis by Matt's father, then I shared words from Colossians.

Then it was time to tell the story of how Matt and Diana met.

They've had some great adventures together like rehabbing Diana's childhood home!

They've gone hiking and camping........

Then the proposal story! 

Diana hears for the first time what Matt told me he loves about her and is looking forward to.

Then Matt hears what Diana told me she loves about him and what she is looking forward to. 

Before the vows I took my hankie and blotted the tears running down Diana's cheeks and the moisture on her upper lip saying "the kiss is coming soon!"

Matt could not keep a straight face and broke down and laughed. We loved it! 

Exchanging their vows with each other........

Blessing of the rings.......

Matt repeated words after me as he placed the ring on Diana's finger.

And Diana places the ring on Matt's finger. 

At this point it was time for the lighting of the Unity Candle. 

After a closing prayer I pronounced Matt and Diana husband and wife! 

They sealed their vows with a kiss! 

Yes, really finally married! 

Diana and Matt, congratulations on your wedding and your marriage! You did a great job pulling this lovely wedding together for this wonderful moment in your lives. I wish you all the best ever!