Rachel and Jeff's Fantastic Wedding at The Merrimon-Wynne House!

Rachel and Jeff chose the beautiful Merrimon-Wynne House for their wedding. The day was November 17th, 2018 and the weather was wonderful.

I met Jeff and Rachel in November of 2017 to plan their wedding ceremony. They met in 2009 when both of them were students at NC State. They became good friends and their friendship gradually blossomed into romance! Jeff proposed in March of 2017 and they waited until Rachel finished grad school before starting the wedding planning.

The garden is all set up for the ceremony. 

Up front is a table that holds the Anniversary Box into which they will place their unopened loveletters to each other during the ceremony.

Randy Bennet with Bunn DJ Company was already set up to provide the ceremony music. I plugged my mic into his body pack and we did a sound check.

The Carriage House was all set up for the reception. After the ceremony the guests enjoy cocktails in the house before the reception.

Wylde Flowers provided the florals. Beautiful arrangements in white urns flanked the ceremony site.

Jessica King with Happily Ever After was our wedding planner and director. Love working with Jessica! She always has covered all the details and we love giving the couple a wonderful wedding day!

The guests have arrived and taking their seats.

Kristen Moore, our photographer, and Thomas Blake, our videographer, are ready for the processional to begin!  Here is a link to a short video of their wedding.

I entered the ceremony space first and made an unplugged announcement (asked the guests to put away their cell phones and cameras and truly be with our couple during the ceremony without the distraction of technology).

Then the processional of the family, the bridesmaids and groomsmen. 

Rachel chose not to be "presented" in the traditional way. Instead, she and Jeff chose to enter together. 

I invited the guests to stand in their honor as they came together to be married. 

They stopped at the front row to greet their parents and each other's parents. 

As the guests were seated, Rachel handed off her bouquet to the maid of honor then she and Jeff joined hands facing each other.

After welcoming everyone to this wonderful occasion, I stepped out for the Honoring of the Parents segment. Then I got to tell the story of how Jeff and Rachel met, fell in love, and the journey to their wedding day.

I had asked each of them in confidence to tell me what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

During the ceremony, they got to hear what their beloved told me for the first time. 

Then it was time to exchange vows and seal them with their rings. Jeff reads from my book the vows he has chosen then put the ring on Rachel's finger.

Then Rachel does the same. 

They placed their unshared loveletters in the Anniversary Box to open and read on their first anniversary.

After a closing blessing for Rachel and Jeff, I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss!

Yay! First kiss as a married couple!

The guests cheered as I introduced the newlyweds!

Congratulations to you, Rachel and Jeff! What a wonderful wedding for two people so much in love and happy to be married! I loved working with you and telling your great story! I wish you all the best in the world!

A Gorgeous December Wedding for Alison and Daniel!

Alison and Daniel chose the historic Merrimon-Wynne House for their December 30th, 2017 wedding. They had great weather for their big day. It was my last wedding of 2017.

Greeting the guests by the front porch. 

When I arrived, our photographer, Ginny Corbett, had our couple on the side lawn for the first look which had taken place. I jumped in to get a photo with the guests. Alison's blush wedding gown was absolutely stunning!

Also stunning was her bouquet by Anna, owner of Meristem Floral! 

Ginny Corbett and her second shooter! They were good sports at allowing my husband, Dave, to take these photos for my blog. 

Ryan Pflumm owner of Spin DJ helps me put on the microphone he furnishes for me. Love working with Ryan!

The couple also asked me to make the "unplugged" announcement before the processional began. 

Pretty flowers and floating candles flank the aisle. The flames of the candles, although recessed in the glass containers, got a bit close for comfort to the clothing of one person sitting in the seat next to him as I watched him move them a bit further from his chair!

The alcove has been draped and lined with white lights and florals. 

Back inside the house, the photos of the couple are on the old fireplace mantle. 

Upstairs in the groom's room, the guys are playing bumper pool. 

The best man signs the license for me. 

Then the maid of honor does the same. 

I took this opportunity to sit down on the chaise and review the ceremony script. 

View of downtown Raleigh from the window behind the chaise lounge. 

The bride is getting a touch up on her hair and makeup by Joanne Maye. She admitted that she was feeling quite nervous about the ceremony and so I assured her that all would go well and she should just focus on Daniel during the ceremony. 
Daniel's hands were ice cold! He was equally nervous about the ceremony. They are both shy people and don't relish being up in front of people! He was telling me here how much he appreciated my calmness and assurance that all would go well--which it did, of course!

Ashley Cakes makes the most gorgeous wedding cakes! This one matches the bride's wedding gown!

Ryan has changed into his tux now and we are chatting about the ceremony. 

Making the unplugged announcement before the processional begins. 

Daniel's parents, Lynn and Lars, entered first.

Then father of the bride, Ed, escorts in the mother of the bride, Carol. He then circled back to bring in the bride!

Daniel entered and took his place beside me. Then his 4 groomsmen entered.

Then the 4 bridesmaids entered. 

Lynn Scott with Happily Ever After was in charge of this wedding and always does a spectacular job sending the wedding party in right on cue. Love working with her and her daughter Jessica.

Here comes the bride! 

Ed placed Alison's hand into Daniel's. Alison gave her father a little kiss then he carefully made his way to his seat without stepping on her dress as I invited the guests to be seated!

Some words of welcome to all our guests. Alison and Daniel relaxed, let their anxiety melt away and truly enjoyed their ceremony.

A surprise tribute to their parents was next. Then I got to tell Alison and Daniel's love story which began in downtown Raleigh almost 3 years ago. The attraction was immediate and soon blossomed into love. Neither of them was expecting to meet their future spouse when they did and had to rethink their futures!

At this point I am telling Alison what Daniel told me in confidence that he loves about her and what he is looking forward to in marriage. Then Daniel heard what Alison had told me in confidence.

They made their vows to each other then it was time for the ring exchange. 

They placed their rings on each other's fingers. 

A closing blessing followed. 

I was delighted to then pronounce them husband and wife and invited them to kiss! 

Now that was easy!!

I presented the newlywed couple to the guests as they stood and joined me in congratulating them. (Wish my photos were better but the light level was low and my little camera struggled.)

The wedding party followed the couple into the house for cocktail hour and since they had a done a "first look" before the ceremony, they were able to join their guests.

Inside the house I congratulated Alison and then Daniel. They both told me that they had been just fine during the ceremony because of my calming presence and because we had written the ceremony together and they loved hearing the words. So happy to hear that! 

Alison and Daniel, your wedding was spectacular. So happy you found each other and honored to have joined you in marriage. Congratulations and I wish you the best always!