Dana and Ryan's Wonderful Wedding at the Merrimon-Wynne House!

Dana and Ryan live in California and planned their wedding in Raleigh from afar. I met them when they were in town for Thanksgiving of 2016 with Dana's family in Raleigh.  Ryan's family lives in Virginia. They chose the beautiful Merrimon-Wynne House for their wedding on September 23rd, 2017.

Their florist was Meristem Floral and the caterer Donovan's Dish. 

This is the Carriage House which is wonderful for the reception and/or the ceremony. 

Everything looks so beautiful. Their color scheme was blush, peach, mint, grey and ivory.

The lawn is ready for the ceremony. 

Charis Films did the videography for the wedding. Jenn is manning this camera to capture the ceremony. The still photographers were Ally and Bobby Willix.

Matt Kanon provided the ceremony music and DJ Jamie Overcash provided the sound for me.

The guests are getting seated and eagerly awaiting this wonderful moment in Ryan and Dana's lives!

The Merrimon-Wynne House was moved to this location several years ago then purchased and refurbished into a wedding venue. It is of historical significance and makes for a great downtown wedding venue.

Our wedding planner, Amanda Scott with A Swanky Affair, is getting the parents and wedding party all lined up to process in.

Ryan and I get the signal and make our entrance. 

The bridesmaids followed the groomsmen. 

Here comes the bride!

Dana's brother, Fayek, had the honor of escorting his sister down the aisle since their father passed away many years ago.

And so the ceremony begins. 

Beautiful wedding party! 

We welcomed everyone and told them how important their presence was for our bride and groom.

Then I spoke with the parents of the couple and thanked them for all their love and support. 

Then I had the pleasure of telling the guests the story of how Ryan and Dana met and fell in love. It was destiny that brought Ryan to Los Angeles in 2009 to visit his friend who was also a friend of Dana's. The attraction was immediate and their conversation flowed so naturally that they wanted to see each other again. Ryan was crisscrossing the country on business, then settled temporarily in Seattle and eventually relocated to L.A. so they could be together.

Then I had the fun of revealing to each of them what they had told me in confidence of what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Sweet!

And funny too! 

They thoroughly enjoyed hearing all the words we had chosen together for the ceremony.

Then it was time for them to exchange their vows. 

I called for the rings from the best man who was Ryan's father, Alex.

They said their lines to each other and placed the rings on each other's finger. 

A closing blessing for the couple!

At last, the pronouncement of marriage!

The kiss! 

Presentation of the newlyweds!

Married at last! 

The wedding party exited and the two mothers walked out together!

Ryan and Dana, thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. I am so happy for you that you found each other and brought your two families together. I wish you the best in life forever.

Shannon and Michael Wed at St. Mark's Chapel!

Shannon and Michael tied the knot on September 8th, 2017 at the historic St. Mark's Chapel on the Mordecai campus in downtown Raleigh. The sweetest chapel for the sweetest couple! 

Michael's two sons were part of the ceremony and got to pour their sand together with Shannon and Michael's symbolizing the family that was officially born on this wedding day.

Fresh Affairs provided the floral spray and the lighted wire balls flanking the altar chest and the bride's bouquet and the boutonnieres. 

Meanwhile the guests were arriving and Michael and Shannon were greeting them having had their photos taken earlier.

Their photographer was Brian Mullins, one of the best in the area, who was accompanied by his second shooter, Rebecca. They were setting up family groups in front of the chapel.

This little guest was all decked out with orange glasses to match his orange suspenders! 

When it was time, we shooed the guests inside the chapel and got ready to process down the aisle. Shannon is poised at the bottom of the steps to ascend and make her entrance when cued.

Michael, his sons and I entered first, then Shannon. Michael met her in the aisle and escorted her in. 

I placed Shannon's bouquet on the altar chest and they turned and faced each other. Matt Kanon, our guitarist, on the right is winding down the music.

We welcomed everyone to this wonderful occasion followed by a prayer and remembering those no longer with us.

I invited their parents to stand while we gave them a big tribute for their love and support of our couple.

Then it was time to recognize Michael's two boys, Jordan and Zack. I read some sweet words to them from Shannon.

A few words about love and marriage.

They exchanged their vows. 

Then I gave them the opportunity to say some personal words to each other not having gotten Shannon's email that they had decided to leave this part out! So they were not prepared and we all had a good laugh about that!

They said "I love you" to each other and that was perfect!

Giving Michael the ring to place on Shannon's finger.

He said the words after me to Shannon as he placed the ring on her finger. Then she placed the ring on Michael's finger with the same words.

Time for the pouring of the sand.

Michael and Shannon each pour in a layer of their sand. 

Jordan and Zack came up and poured their sand in one at the time. Michael held the funnel to make sure all the sand got inside the central container.

A closing blessing was next. 

Then I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to share their first married kiss! 

And so they did! 

I invited the guests to stand and join me in congratulating the couple!

Then we assembled the guests on the altar for a group shot by Brian who was in the loft. 

The sand sculpture.

Congratulations, Shannon and Michael! What a sweet family wedding. It fit you so perfectly and I am so honored to have joined you in marriage. Best to you always!