Alanna and Chris' Fabulous Wedding at The Sutherland!

Alanna and Chris' wedding took place on October 20th, 2019 at the lovely historic The Sutherland in Wake Forest. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Donna with the venue was our wonderful director.

The pavilion is all set for the reception. Rocky Top Catering was in charge of providing their delicious food for all the guests. I know the reception was great and I heard the next week from their photographer at another wedding he was shooting that Chris injured his knee during the reception ):

I placed the keepsake certificate of marriage into their card holder inside a vintage wagon ready to receive the gifts and envelopes from the guests.

In the Settler's Cabin, Chris and his guys were hanging out before the ceremony. They all had their ties tied in the celtic knot--something I had never seen before.

When it was time to begin, I entered first and made the unplugged announcement and then Chris and the groomsmen entered and joined me.

The bridesmaids were next and the Maid of Honor Rachel was the last to enter before the bride. 

And now we wait for our beautiful bride and her dad to enter. I invited the guests to stand. 

Alanna and her father Lenny begin the walk down the aisle. 

Rachel helps straighten Alanna's dress and train. Our photographers were Chris Nieto and his team and our videographers were Nathan and his Oak City Films crew. Our DJ was Randy Bennett with Bunn DJ Company The Purple Poppy was their florist.

And so we are all in place, the guests are seated and the ceremony begins. 

I began by welcoming all their guests with "Cead mile failte"--one hundred thousand welcomes in Gaelic! 

The parents stand to be given tribute by their children. Such a sweet surprise for them. 

Then I had the fun of telling Chris and Alanna's story which spanned 9 years. These two are quite unique individuals and do things in their own way, in their own time--as their guests well knew.

There was a lot of laughter as their guests heard their story for the first time from both perspectives. 

Next it was the secret paragraphs. Each of them told me in confidence what they loved about their partner. Then that was revealed for the first time at the ceremony.

The story wrapped up bringing our guests from the day they met to the wedding day. 

I asked them to them make their promises of marriage to each other. They had each written vows that were secret from the other. The words were printed in my book facing the couple.

Despite the wind blowing his hair in his face, Chris said his vows without once looking at the words!

Alanna read her vows to Chris from my book, in shock that Chris had memorized his! 

Next the rings. They said their words to each other after me. Chris went first and placed the ring on Alanna's finger.

Then Alanna. 

They chose to do the Anniversary Box for their unity ceremony. They had each written love letters expressing all he feelings and emotions they were experiencing during this exciting time in their lives and sealed them without sharing.

During the ceremony they placed the letters in the box to be opened on their first anniversary along with the wine and the letters. Then they are to write another love letter, seal without opening, replace the bottle of wine and place the old and new letters back in the box and repeat on each anniversary creating a legacy of love for the generations to follow.

A closing blessing followed.

I placed my hands on theirs and pronounced them married and invited Chris to kiss the bride!

Deed done!

What fun! 

I introduced them to their guests as husband and wife and the cheering began! 

We gathered inside while the guests went to the Groom's Terrace for cocktails.

Alanna and Chris! What a fabulous wedding! Despite hurting your knee at the reception, Chris--probably doing some wild dancing--I know you are enjoying wedded bliss. I loved getting to know you and collaborating on your fabulous ceremony! I wish you the best always!

Nicole and Jon Wed at The Merrimon-Wynne House!

This wedding was years in the making! Nicole and Jon met way back in 2011 during spring break in Panama City Florida! Little did they know then they had met their future spouse! 

They chose the beautiful historic Merrimon-Wynne House for their wedding venue. The wedding was May 31, 2019. It was a beautiful day. Whitney Davis with C&D Events was our wonderful director.

Getting my microphone on and plugged into Frank's DJ board. Frank is a DJ with Bunn DJ Company and we have done many weddings together.

The Cupcake Shoppe provided the cutting cake and cupcakes. Later on ice cream from Two Roosters would be served. Beau Catering was serving the food.

Their parents' wedding photos! 

Getting Courtney to sign as a witness on the marriage license. 

They had done a First Look earlier so the bride did not have to stay hidden away. The main object before the wedding was to keep their adorable little boy Thomas entertained and happy. He was 2.5 years old and a curious and active little chap! Unfortunately Thomas had a meltdown just prior to the processional and had to be kept in the house with a babysitter during the ceremony. It was really disappointing for Nicole and Jon not to have him at the ceremony but Thomas could not be consoled and they did not want to further delay the start of the ceremony.

Checking in upstairs in the man cave to see how everyone is doing and get the best man's signature on the license. They look all calm and laid back!

Jon loved this gift from one of his guys! 

I am really good at pinning on boutonnieres! Lots of practice so I offer to pin them on or straighten them to be sure they are secure.

When it was time to begin the ceremony, I entered first and requested the guests to put away their phones and cameras and be present with the couple without the distraction of technology.

Then the mothers were escorted in and took their seats. Both fathers circled back--Bill to enter with the groomsmen and Thomas to bring in the bride. Both dads served as groomsmen. 

Then Jon and his groomsmen entered and took their places up front. 

Then our pretty bridesmaids. 

And now our beautiful bride and her proud father. 

Whitney watches as Nicole and her father begin their walk down the aisle. 

The guests were standing in their honor and when they reached the altar area, Thomas transferred Nicole's hand into Jon's hand. took his place with the groomsmen, and the guests were seated.

As the bridesmaids and groomsmen faced the couple,  we joined together in prayer and then I welcomed everyone to this wonderful occasion. 

We remembered their loved ones who were unable to be present with us except in spirit. 

I stepped out front to honor the parents which was a sweet surprise for them and always invokes a few tears

Then I began telling the sweet story of how Nicole and Jon met and fell in love. and their journey to their wedding day. 

There were many humorous aspects to their story and we had fun laughing a lot. 

I stepped back in position and revealed their secret paragraphs to each other. They were each hearing for the first time what their partner had told me in confidence they love about them, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to.

After a few words about love and marriage, the vows came next. 

They each made their promises to each other. 

Then it was time to exchange rings. 

Jon said his promises after me as he put the ring on Nicole's finger. 

I handed Jon's ring to Nicole. 

Then she placed it on his finger saying words after me to him. 

A closing blessing preceded the pronouncement of marriage. 

I placed my hand on their joined hands and declared them husband and wife. 

They were happy to seal their vows with a kiss! 

Now! Doesn't Jon look like the cat who just swallowed the canary? Such a funny expression!

Happy! Happy! 

Jon and Nicole! What a great wedding! I loved working with you to come up with the perfect ceremony for you and the guests loved it too! Thanks for everything and I wish you the best always!