Nicole and Brandon's Beautiful Wedding at The Bradford!

Nicole and Brandon chose to have their wedding at The Bradford, a beautiful all-in-one wedding venue in New Hill, just right down Hwy 1 from Apex. 

I love the natural elements of this attractive sign. 

On display on the mantel inside was this sweet engagement photo. Their photographers were Joey and Brook with Urban Bloom Photography out of Winston-Salem.

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate for an outdoor ceremony and tentless reception. But, The Bradford can handle any weather issues with finesse. Catering was by Donovan's Dish.

Their florist was Bushel and Peck. Love the garlands of leaves and flowers on the tables. 

The sweetheart table!

Now this is really impressive!

Gigi's Cupcakes provided all these wonderful sweets and the presentation was amazing!

So, the ballroom was all set up for the ceremony. Afterwards the guests exit back into the manor house for cocktails while the staff place the chairs around the tables in the reception tent.

Dean Garris was there to video their wedding. We have done quite a few weddings together and he always has a microphone for me to wear so that he can get every word of the ceremony and choose what fits into the video perfectly. HERE is a link to Nicole and Brandon's wedding video preview!

Meanwhile Dana, one of the owners of The Bradford, and I are trying to figure out how to get the loveletters of the couple to each other to fit into the box with the wine. It was a tight fit and we wanted to put the letters into envelopes.

Mission accomplished. The Anniversary Box ceremony is a wonderful unity ceremony within wedding ceremonies. The couple write loveletters to each other about all the feelings they are having during this exciting time the day before the wedding without sharing and give to me to hand to them during the ceremony to place in the box and close the box. Then I invite them to open the box on their first anniversary, pour each other a glass of wine, and read their letters from each other. Have a conversation about their wedding day and the year that has passed by. Write another love letter to each other and seal without sharing. Place the old letters and the new letters and a new bottle of wine into the box and repeat on every anniversary. Eventually Nicole and Brandon are going to have to either scale down the size of the bottle of wine or just omit it because their letters will fill up the box.

Up to the third floor where our gorgeous bride and her ladies are hanging out in the bridal suite. 

Back down to the second floor to speak with Brandon and his guys. Everyone is ready for the ceremony to begin!

Ashley Vause of Ashley Vause Events was in charge of this fabulous wedding. We think that this is the first wedding we have done together and it was a pleasure! She's having a baby soon but the weddings go on! Brandon's mom is listening in as we chat about the wedding.

The guests have arrived and Ashley gets us lined up to process in while her assistant went up to retrieve the bridal party.

After the last bridesmaid took her place, I invited the guests to stand to honor the bride.

Nicole and her dad floated down the aisle and came to a stop in front of Brandon and me. 

Our DJ, All Events DJ, faded the music and I asked "Who gives their love and support to Nicole as she comes to join in marriage with Brandon?" Mike answered "Her mother and I do" then shook Brandon's hand and placed Nicole's hand into Brandon's hand. Then all the guests were seated.

The ceremony we had written together began with a warm welcome to everyone thanking them for being present for this momentous moment in Nicole and Brandon's lives.

An opening prayer was followed by remembrance of their grandparents who were not with us. 

I stepped out to ask their parents to stand.

At this point we paid tribute to the parents and told them how grateful the couple is for all their love and support all their lives. Usually brings tears from the mothers too!

And now for the story of how Nicole and Brandon met and fell in love. 

There were many humorous moments and everyone had some good laughs. 

Nicole and Brandon have been together since 2013 and the adventure from the day they met to their wedding day reflected their love and their great sense of humor!

Here I am revealing to Brandon what Nicole told me she loves about him and why she wants to marry him. Then Nicole heard for the first time what Brandon had told me about loving her. Again, more humor and laughter!

They exchanged their vows and joined left hands to put the rings on each other. 

Placing their letters in the box. I had warned them that it would be tight but Brandon managed to get the box closed.

A closing blessing for our couple.

The big moment when I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss!

So happy to be married at last!

I presented them to their guests and the music began!

What a joyful moment!

Brandon and Nicole! What a great couple you are!! I am honored that you chose me to join you in marriage and appreciate all your hard work with me to create your amazing ceremony. I know you are so happy to be married. I wish you all the best!

Christine and Andy's Gorgeous Wedding at Brier Creek CC!

Christine and Andy fell in love when they were in high school many years ago in Long Island. Their love withstood long distance separation for many years until Christine finally migrated south to join Andy. Their wedding was a beautiful one at Brier Creek Country Club on October 12th 2018. Hurricane Michael blew through North Carolina the day before forcing our rehearsal indoors and fortunately the ground had dried out enough for our ceremony to be held in the lovely Jasmine Courtyard. Of course the curtains had been removed because of the high winds but I really like the way it looks without the curtains. Gregg Kennedy with Brides and Bouquets put up the beautiful floral arch for the ceremony and provided all the other florals too.

Jason Huggins, owner of Stylus, was our DJ. When I arrived he had an ear microphone for me and we did a sound check then he knelt down as if proposing! Not sure what he was proposing but my husband Dave snapped this photo of it. Jason always provides the best sound for me, brings a mic for me and I love doing weddings with him.

After the sound check we went upstairs into the ballroom where the reception would be. 

The Sweetheart Table is all decked out in front of the picture window looking down into the courtyard. 

GiGi's Cupcakes provided this display of fabulous cupcake with a cake on top for cutting. 

A unique cake topper for Andy and Christine! 

Rebecca Faulk of Red Bridge Photography was our professional photographer. Another professional photographer, Brian Mullins, was her second shooter--an amazing team of the best photographers in the area!

Robin Crew with Bayleaf Video Productions on the left and Rebecca on the right are getting some shots of the bride before the ceremony.

Every couple gets a very pretty keepsake certificate of marriage from me. 

Getting the marriage license signed. 

And now we are getting all lined up to process in on the sidewalk beside Deke's Grill. 

Andy and I processed in first along the side to the front of the pergola. 

Waiting for the parents.

Andy's parents, Stella and Vito, start their walk into the ceremony area. 

Then brother of the bride, Frank, escorts his mother Laura into the ceremony then returns. 

First couple are Autumn and Brandon.

Vinny and Jennifer

Frank and Nicole.

Melissa and Alex

Doug (best man) and Angela (maid of honor) enter.

Our beautiful Flower Girl--Krystyna!

She did a great job sprinkling the petals!

Time for our stunning bride and her dad, Frank, to make their entrance!

Down the steps while their guests are all standing in honor of the bride. 

They stopped in front of Andy and me and I asked Frank the question, he answered then placed Christine's hand into Andy's hand and everyone was seated.

A warm welcome to everyone who had traveled from near and far. 

Then we remembered those who were no longer with us. 

After surprising their parents with a sweet tribute, I got to tell Andy and Christine's wonderful story! 

Lots of good laughs too!

After their story, they got to hear what their partner had told me in confidence what he or she loves about them.

Andy got a bit tearful hearing what Christine told me. 

Christine loved what Andy told me too!

Time for the vows.  These first vows were funny questions to them. 

Then to the more serious vows during which they exchanged their rings. 

Andy placed the ring on Christine's finger. 

Then Christine placed the ring on Andy's finger which took a little struggle to get it on. Andy is sharing in the struggle!

A closing blessing for our couple came next then the big pronouncement of marriage moment!

I invited Andy to show us the kiss as I stepped to the side out of the photo of the kiss.

Oops! Dave missed getting a photo of the kiss! Angela hands Christine her bouquet and I presented them to their guests as husband and wife!

And out they go!

I know Krystyna had a good time!!

Parents of the bride followed by parents of the groom.

Our wedding planner/director was Shannon Carpenter with Magnolia and Pine Events. She did a great job and it was wonderful working with her and her team.

A big Congratulations to you, Christine and Andy!! What a wonderful wedding! I wish you the best always!