Carly and Preston Get Married at her Parents' Home in Youngsville!

Carly and Preston have been sweethearts since high school. Their sustaining relationship and enduring love for each other is proof that high school crushes and puppy love can be the real thing!

Carly and Preston came to see me in October of 2018 to plan their wedding ceremony for September 21st of 2019. The wedding was held at the lovely home of Carly's parents in Youngsville.

When Dave and I arrived, the clear roofed tent and tables and chairs had been set up and ready for the reception. 

This brick wall was perfect for the motto of the wedding! 

Preston is ready to get married--a little nervous--quite normal, I assured him! 

When we were ready to begin and all the guests in their seats, I entered and asked the guests to please put away their phones and cameras and truly be with Carly and Preston in their hearts without the distraction of technology.

These beautiful bridesmaids made their entrances after the parents and the groomsmen had joined me up front.

Preston is overcome when he saw his beautiful bride enter with her father.

After the transfer of Carly's hand into Preston's, they turned and faced each other as I welcomed all their guests followed by a prayer. 

I stepped out from behind them and addressed their parents in a surprise tribute to them on behalf of their children invoking tears.

Then I had the pleasure of telling the story of how Carly and Preston met back 9 years ago as sophomores in high school. Preston was the new kid in school and latched onto Carly who enjoyed his attention and company. Like typical teenagers, they spent hours and hours talking on the phone and became inseparable. After high school graduation they went their separate ways to different colleges but the bond was strong and they remained a couple through college. Preston proposed in 2018 but wedding plans were delayed when Carly's graduate studies took her to Hickory, Preston was able to transfer his job there.  Finally they are becoming husband and wife this wonderful day. 

They read their vows from my book to each other. 

Then it was time to exchange rings.

Explaining the symbolism of the rings. 

They each said words after me as they placed their rings on each other's fingers. 

After a closing blessing, pronouncement of marriage and a kiss, they stepped into their new married lives!

Into the house while I invited their guests to enjoy cocktails around back. 

Carly and Preston! What a beautiful perfect wedding for you! It was gorgeous and I believe your guests loved every minute! I wish you the best always!

Michael-Anne and Michael's Surprise Wedding!

Michael-Anne and Michael's wedding was a surprise for their guests! They had gathered to celebrate their engagement at Michael-Anne's parents' home in Louisburg and enjoy a barbecue dinner. Michael-Anne and Michael had met with me a few weeks earlier and booked me as their officiant for their wedding planned at St. Mark's Chapel in Raleigh in October. Then Michael came up with the idea of surprising the guests at the engagement party on September 22nd 2018 and Michael-Anne loved that plan. They called me and I was able to do it! It was my 4th wedding of the day but the timing worked out perfectly.

This cake is a lot bigger than it looks in this photo! Made by a friend of the bride's mother. 

Michael-Anne's mother is a collector of everything mermaids. They are everywhere! 

The table with the Family Unity Sand Ceremony components are ready for the ceremony on the deck. 

Because this was a surprise wedding, we had difficulty pulling the guests away from their barbecue dinner to come around to the deck for the big announcement.

Finally with everyone in place for the ceremony we began. After making the surprise announcement that the guests were here to witness not an engagement but a wedding, I welcomed them all then we had an opening prayer.  Here I am addressing their kids and telling them how important they are in this marriage we celebrate today. Michael's daughters are Grace and MacKenzie and Michael-Anne's son is Tyler. 

After a few words on love and marriage, I invited them to share the vows they had written for each other. 

Michael went first. His words were so touching. He put a lot of time and thought and emotion into his promises of marriage to Michael-Anne.

Then it was her turn. She also had very touching things to say to Michael with her heartfelt promises to him. 

Then it was time to put the rings on. I began with some words on the meaning of the rings. 

So they placed the rings on each other's fingers after saying their ring vows after me. 

For the unity sand ceremony they each poured ½ of their sand into the container making 2 layers. 

Then each child poured all their sand into the container one at the time. MacKenzie went first. 

Then Tyler followed by Grace. 

The bride and groom then blended their remaining sand on top to complete the ceremony. 

I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple!

Dave missed the kiss but look at the happiness on their faces! 

Michael-Anne and Michael, you did it! It was a great way to get married and avoid all the fanfare and formality. Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. I know you will be very happy and wonderful parents for your blended family. All the best!

Jess and Royce's Backyard Wedding on August 11, 2018!!

Jess and Royce wanted to get married in their backyard surrounded by their family and friends--a down-home wedding with no fanfare. When Dave and I arrived at 7:00 PM, the picnic was in full swing.

They had a main tent and a side canopy for the wedding gifts.

That tent was well-staked. No chance of any wind blowing it away! 

This bright red barn and side shed is where the food and drinks were laid out for everyone to fill their plates! 

A quick photo with the bride and groom before the wedding before they changed clothes for the ceremony. 

Everyone gathered under the main tent for the ceremony. 

Their kids and best man and maid of honor, Royce and I got into place in one corner facing the guests sitting at their tables.

Royce's son, Nathan, on guitar and niece Dominique on cello played Leonard Cohen's moving version of Hallelujah as the bride and her dad processed in from the house.

And here they are! 

I asked the question and Tim answered and took his seat. 

Royce and Jess turned to face each other and the ceremony began. Jess's dress was perfect for the wedding! We welcomed everyone and had a prayer and a tribute to their parents. Then special words for each of their children: Kyrstin and Nathan, Julia and Christopher. 

I pronounced them married after a few words on marriage, revealed what they each love about each other, they exchanged vows and rings and a closing blessing.

Their first kiss as husband and wife! 

Reality sinking in!

I presented them to their guests who were cheering them on. 

Everyone was so happy to see Jess and Royce married! 

We got a quick photo out in the field. You can see the threatening rain clouds as a few drops fell. 

Royce and Jess, congratulations! What a fun wedding. I hope it exceeded all your dreams of your wedding day. Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. I wish you all the best forever!