Anita and Seth's Family Wedding at Ashley Park!

Anita and Seth were such a great couple to work with for their wedding ceremony in which we included their children. It took place on September 22nd 2018 at Ashley Park apartment complex in Brier Creek. They also did my Marriage 101 course and we got to know each other quite well. It was a pleasure to see these two people so much in love and willing to make their marriage the best possible!

They thoughtfully provided a doormat for me to stand on so I would not sink into the ground! 

The kids came in first--Mary (Seth's daughter) and Deen (Anita's son) entered first. 

Then Gena (Seth's daughter) and her brother Bryan (Seth's son) came in together. 

Anita was escorted in by her son Kyle who flew in from out West to be with them. 

Kyle takes charge of his younger brother during the ceremony. 

We began with a welcome to all the guests who were gathered together on the other side of the sidewalk.

Then a sweet prayer. 

We remembered their mothers and Seth's father and other family members present for this sweet occasion. 

Then I addressed the children and told them how loved, special and important they are in the marriage we celebrate today.

I gave a brief synopsis of how Seth and Anita got to this moment in time and welcomed them into the unparalleled promise called marriage. Then they exchanged their vows and rings.

The Family Unity Sand Ceremony was next. Seth and Anita each pour ½ of their sand into the container making two layers representing them as individuals.

Then Gena poured all her sand in.

Bryan poured his in.

Kyle added his to the container. They used measuring cups as individual containers of sand. 

The two little ones, Deen and Mary who had poured their sand in earlier, watch as Anita and Seth blended their sand in for the final layer uniting this blended family.

I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple! 

Presenting them to their guests. 

Anita and Seth! I loved our work together! You are a great couple and I know you are so happy together--finally living in the same place with your kids under one roof. Bless you!

Nicole and Daniel Tie The Knot at 1705 Prime!

Nicole and Daniel came to see me on February 8th this year about officiating their wedding on October 26th, 2014 at 1705 Prime. We talked about the ceremony they wanted and I explained how we go about developing the ceremony together. They loved the idea of being able to decide what I would say at their ceremony and that it would be all about the two of them and their love for each other.

This whimsical and colorful cake by Edible Art gives you a clue how much fun Daniel and Nicole are. 

The reception room was ready for the reception. The colors were gray and orange and carry throughout. 1705 Prime is the home venue for Rocky Top Catering. Yum!

 This is one of our flower girls--either Olivia or Madison. They were precious! 

The other flower girl! What do you suppose was going on inside her head about why all those cameras were pointed at her!

It was my pleasure to work with Udeshi, our violinist, again. We have done so many weddings together this year!

And so the guests are all seated and it is time to process in. The parents and grandparents went first, then Daniel and me.

 And just before the bride, our ring bearers and flower girls make their way down the aisle! 

 Our Maid of Honor, Dawn, and Best Man, Joseph, Daniel and I wait for the bride! 

 Nicole's father, Nick, brings his beautiful daughter down the aisle. 

"Who has the privilege of presenting this young woman, Nicole, to be married to this young man, Daniel?" Of course Daddy said "Her mother and I do." Back up on the top of the steps we began with a welcome, prayer, remembrance of those loved ones who have passed on, and a sweet tribute to their parents whose marriages have stood the test of time.

 Nicole's aunt and Godmother, Judy, presents a reading from First Corinthians.

Nicole and Daniel met in their hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania, at the Snack N Pack 8 years ago when Daniel worked there. Two years later, they had become such good friends they decided to become a couple and later moved to North Carolina to be near Daniel's family. They both returned to school and expanded their family by adopting their canine children, 2 pugs named Rocco and Mia. In September of 2013, Daniel proposed and the wedding planning began. Then I revealed to each of them what the other had told me in confidence about what they love in each other and look forward to in marriage. 

 Then it was time for the vows and rings. 

We are cracking up here because I mistakenly said the best man's name instead of the groom's (oops!) when I handed the ring to Nicole! She said "I don't think so" and we all had a good laugh!

 Time to pour their sand together. 

When they have children, they can add more sand for each child.

 The pronouncement of marriage! 

 A sweet kiss! And may I point out the beautiful arch of shiny magnolia leaves with orange flowers behind us? It as gorgeous. Fresh Affairs of course!

 The "after-the-kiss" moment! 

Daniel and Nicole, husband and wife! 

 We did it! 

Time for the post-ceremony photos by Jennifer Kidd and her second shooter! I have done weddings with Jennifer for years.  We both grew up in Georgia too. She is always a sport and a lot of fun but she is a very dedicated photographer, too. I wish I had a photo I could post here of her laying down on the ground covered with leaves and dirt at the end of the aisle capturing the bride and her dad processing in.

Nicole and Daniel, I know you are enjoying wedded bliss and I know you are glad that the wedding is behind you now. It was wonderful and I am honored that you chose me to officiate for you. I wish you all the best!

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A Lovely Garden Wedding for Roberta and Christian at the Raulston Arboretum White Garden!

A week ago Jennifer Kidd and I attended Roberta and Christian's wedding at the White Garden of the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh--the first of 5 weddings that weekend for me. The date was October 4, 2013. Jennifer was their photographer and I officiated. Here we are clowning around. We discovered last year that we are both Georgia gals. 

When it was time to begin, the guests took their seats and the bride and groom with his two adorable little girls, Mary and Allison, processed in together.

The girls are ages 6 and 4 and really did not grasp the idea of processing in and would prefer to just go pour the sand right away!

Part of the ceremony was the children's blessing. Roberta said some very sweet words to both of her step-daughters to be and they sat quietly and seemed to be taking her words in.

Then she presented them each with a necklace and put them on them. That got their attention too! That is Christian's father, Bob, grinning at his granddaughters.

Since it was an intimate group of mainly relatives and a few close friends, we decided not to tell their story because everyone knew it, but we did include in the ceremony what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

I did not get a photo of the girls pouring their sand in but they did a great job! Roberta and Bob poured the remaining half of their sand on top of Mary and Allison's sand. 

After the wedding, the newlyweds and their guests headed over to Bloomsbury Bistro for the reception. I know they had fun and ate well. 

Roberta and Christian, I wish you many, many years of happiness!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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