Melanie and Justin wed at La Rez!

When I arrived at La Rez for Justin and Melanie's wedding on February 28th, it was cold (48 degrees) and raining. But, we were dry and warm in the covered patio courtyard with the outdoor heaters. My husband, Dave, came with me and while I went over logistics with the wedding party, he set up my sound system which worked very well in allowing my voice to be heard over the sound of rain pattering on the fiberglass roof. I was so glad I had it.

It was a lovely wedding that all came together just fine despite the basketball traffic that caused some delay in the groom and groomsmen getting there. Justin was really spiffy in his spats! Melanie was a beautiful bride and beamed as she and her mother floated down the aisle hand in hand. Melanie handed off her bouquet to her mother who then stepped to my right to serve as her Matron of Honor. Justin's father served as his best man and his two brothers were groomsmen. Justin's mother was with us in spirit and a candle and photograph were placed in the chair she would have occupied as a memorial to her.

From my material Melanie and Justin put together a sweet and meaningful ceremony. Melanie's friend, McGee, read a poem. We also included the blessing of the hands ceremony. The couple read their vows to each other from my book where I printed them to face them, then they exchanged rings. I pronounced them husband and wife and they shared their first kiss as a married couple. I presented them to their guests amid applause and upbeat music and out they went! The guests went inside to enjoy cocktails while the staff rearranged the courtyard for the reception and we took photos. While I got the signatures of the witnesses on the marriage license, Dave packed up the sound system and we were on our way, leaving Melanie and Justin and their guests to celebrate!

A Small Intimate Wedding for Lesley and Joe at La Rez!

Lesley contacted me in August about officiating a private wedding for her and Joe in the garden patio at La Residence in Chapel Hill. We looked at my calendar and their schedule to find a suitable time for both of us and decided on September 13, 2008 since I was already going to be in Chapel Hill for another wedding that day. All the logistics were worked out and I wrote a proposed ceremony for them based on what they wanted and emailed it to them. They made the changes they wanted and we had a final ceremony until Lesley found out that her father could not make it due to illness and some of their friends could not come due to the devastation to their home in Turks and Caicos caused by Hurricane Ike. They decided to continue with their wedding plans despite these set-backs though and we lovingly remembered in the ceremony all those who could not be with us for this special occasion. They were thankful that Lesley's mother, Joyce (in purple), from Canada could be with us as well as their friends Mike and Vita who stood up for them. Leslie wore a gorgeous gown that was so becoming to her. I did not ask the couple how tall they were but I felt like a midget standing with them and I am not particularly a shortie at 5'5"! Theirs was a brief but meaningful ceremony which began with Lesley processing in on her own with Joe meeting her halfway and together they stepped in front of me. Their vows to each other generated a few lumps in throats and some tears, always a good sign to me that they really mean their vows to each other! I know you will have a great marriage, Joe and Leslie, and I wish you all the best!