Mary and Marek's Beautiful Family Wedding in the White Garden!

Mary and Marek met and fell in love as kids in high school 11 years ago in 2008 and their love has endured--a testament that puppy love and school kid crushes can become true love and last a lifetime. They actually were engaged on Mary's 18th birthday in 2011 beginning an extraordinarily long engagement. It wasn't planned that way but life, college degrees, and careers just kept getting in the way of making wedding plans. But finally they made it a priority and booked the White Garden in the JC Raulston Arboretum for October 10th 2019. Then they met with me in June and we began writing their ceremony together. 

Upon arrival at the arboretum on the wedding day, I noticed a new addition to the garden--a bee hut! How adorable and I know the bees love it.

Aaron Prillaman was already there when Dave and I arrived. He was all set up and tuning the guitar.

A tribute to their loved ones who have passed on from this earth but surely were with us in spirit. They were especially missing Mary's mother Beth on this special day.

When the guests were seated I entered and took my place.

Marek escorted his parents, Milagros and Marek, in and then joined me up front. 

Mary's father Norm escorted in his beautiful daughter!

The English Garden provided the beautiful bouquet. 

Our photographer, Jennifer Outlaw of AO&JO Photography captured the presentation of the bride. Aaron Outlaw was videoing the wedding too.

They turned and faced each other holding both hands as I invited the guests to be seated and welcomed them all to this wonderful, long-awaited wedding!

A tribute to their wonderful parents was next. 

Then I launched right into their story and how they met. 

Marek was rather shy in school and Mary had to make a bold move to get him to ask her out and it worked!

For their engagement, Marek staged an elaborate "follow the clues" kind of game and at then end of which was Marek with ring and question. She answered yes, they cried tears of joy, then celebrated. 

Then I told Mary what Marek had told me in confidence he loved most about her and what he is looking forward to in marriage.

Then Marek got to hear for the first time what Mary told me about her love for him.

They had each written vows and kept them secret from each other. Marek reads his to Mary from my book here. Beautiful words for a beautiful woman.

With a little humor too! 

Then it was Mary's turn to read her vows to Marek.

The exchange of rings was next.

Mary places the ring on Marek's finger as she says words to him after me. 

They chose to have the Anniversary Box as their unity ceremony. It was inside the gazebo on my little table and I stepped back into the gazebo as they entered and placed their unshared loveletters to each other to be opened on their first anniversary.

Back to the steps for the closing blessing.

I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them married and invited them to kiss!

The first kiss was too brief so I got them to kiss again so Jennifer could get a good picture!

I invited their guests to stand and join me in congratulating Mary and Marek, now wife and husband!

Mary and Marek! What a wonderful couple you are. I am honored to have joined you in marriage. Thank you for giving me that honor. I wish you the best always!

Paula and Guy's Sweet Intimate Wedding at JC Raulston Arboretum!

The White Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum is a beautiful place for small family weddings. Paula and Guy's wedding day was may 25th, 2018 at 1:00 PM.

The weather was really nice--not too hot but quite pleasant. 

Almost everyone has arrived now. so we will get the guests to gather over by the gazebo.

Paula's parents were able to make the trip from Georgia to attend the wedding. Her mother Beverly pushes her dad George in the wheelchair to the gazebo while one of our photographers, Jared, gets a shot of them. Guy's mother, Kristine, was walking in behind them.

So, with the guests all assembled in front of the gazebo, I began walking down the aisle. 

Once I was in place, Guy and Paula processed in together. 

They turned and faced each other and joined hands. The videographer was a friend. Our professional photographers were Rachel and Jared with Rachel Bowman Photography.   HERE is a link to Paula and Guy's wedding on their blog.

Welcome to all who were there. Then a sweet prayer followed by a tribute to their parents.  

Next we recognized Guy's sons, Jacob and Jamie, who were with us for this occasion. 

A few words on love and marriage came next then they made their vows to each other. 

I said some words about the symbolism of the rings, and invited them to join left hands. 

Guy places the ring on Paula's finger as he says "With this ring, I marry you and pledge my heart to you." 

Paula said the same as she placed the ring on Guy's finger.

I placed my hand on theirs and pronounced them wife and husband and invited them to kiss. 

I forgot to tell them to hold the kiss long enough to get a picture of it! (But Rachel got it!) 

A friend hands the bouquet back to Paula.

It was my pleasure to present the newlyweds to their families and friends!

Everyone was invited to come congratulate Paul and Guy, now married! 

Paula and Guy, what a sweet wedding you planned. It fit you perfectly. Congratulations on your marriage. I am so happy you found each other and gave me the honor of joining you in marriage!

Laura and Chris' Wonderful Wedding in the White Garden!

The day was September 9th, 2017 in the lovely White Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. I had met Laura and Chris way back in January when they hired me to officiate their wedding. Little did I know how much fun we would have writing their ceremony. They are both creative and very independent thinkers to be sure! 

So I was really looking forward to this wedding and telling their story. They have known each other since college in New York State back in 2008. You could say that Laura pursued Chris until he caught her!

A little background on this lovely garden which has been pruned of heavy foliage that used to make it dark and mosquitoey.  It is light and bright now! And Like the bamboo screen behind it for privacy.

And they added a flagstone walk for the aisle.

Udeshi Hargett, our violinist, was already there when Dave and I arrived. It was good to see her again! We do lots of weddings together. 

When the guests were seated and everyone in the wedding party hidden from sight, I took my place.

Then Chris' best man, Eddie, escorted Laura's Grandmother Frances in, then joined me up front.

Chris escorted his mother Patty in. She was seated and he joined Eddie and me. 

Laura's sister and maid of honor, Melissa, then processed in down the aisle.

When Melissa was in place, Udeshi began the music for Laura and her mother Patty to enter. (Yes, both mothers are named Patty!)

Laura gazes around at all their guests as I welcomed them to this wonderful occasion.

There was a short prayer and remembrance of Laura's grandfather then a tribute to the couple's mothers. 

I had the best time telling their fabulous story! 

It was filled with humor and we laughed a lot, especially Laura who was enjoying hearing the tale of their love unfold.

Chris was having a pretty good time too. And so were their guests. 

Then I revealed to Laura what Chris had told me in confidence he loves about her, why he wants to marry her and what he is looking forward to in marriage!

Then it is Chris' turn to hear what Laura told me. 

I asked them to make their promises of marriage to each other by reading the words they had chosen from my book where I had printed them facing them.

Laura's vows to Chris.

Then I asked Eddie for the rings. And he handed me a packet of candy Pop rings. Another laugh. Then he handed me the little wooden box and the bottom fell out of it spilling Laura's ring onto the ground. She quickly retrieved it and handed it to me. Whew, glad it didn't roll under the gazebo!

Chris repeated the ring vows to Laura after me while placing the ring on her hand!

She did the same! 

And she held onto his hand for a few extra moments. 

I reached down and put my hand on theirs and made the pronouncement of marriage!

Time for the kiss!!

Hey, we did it! Married, at last!

They recessed down the aisle as everyone cheered. 

Another kiss for the photographer! (Their professional photographer was Bill Bolen with Thirteenth Moon Photography) Dave (my hubby/photographer) snapped this one for me for this blog. I love this shot!

Laura and Chris, what a joy it was to work with you to come up with such an amazing and humorous
ceremony then present it to your guests. A work of art and a legacy for you. I am so happy that you found each other and that you found me and gave me the honor of joining you in marriage. May you have all the best life has to offer and may your marriage be a grand adventure and may the force be with you!