This pretty photo and the one below it were taken about 4:00 on Saturday April 25, 2014 at
The Oaks at Salem in Apex. The weatherman had been predicting terrible rain and thunderstorms all day and it had rained on and off yet the sun was shining. Should we take a chance?
Joslin at The Oaks had put out all the chairs for the ceremony in front of the big tree about 2:30 but the clouds were building and the weather report predicted a thunder boomer would hit Apex at about 5:00--ceremony start time. Wisely at about 3:30, the call was made to relocate the wedding under the tent on the terrace--a beautiful Plan B for this venue. There was no time to retrieve the chairs.
Brian Darocha, our DJ with
Unlimited DJ Service, was all set up when Marty and I arrived. My microphone plugged into his body pack and we did a sound check and all was well. I was so happy to work with Brian again and I knew he would monitor the sound and raise or lower the volume as needed due to rain and thunder.
Bride are always disappointed when the weather does not cooperate but Eleanor was being a great sport about it. Might as well!
Sweet Memories Bakery made this gorgeous cake. The irises are all sugar and the colors are delicious!
Crave was the caterer and the buffet was all set up in the downstairs area for the reception.
It is raining now. Can you tell? Such a beautiful venue with the stately manor house, lake and terrace.
You can see that the sky is darkening and the lights are on inside the tent. Exactly at 5:00 there was a huge downpour of rain. We decided to wait about 10 minutes for a lull.
And it is time to begin......I walked out first and Justin and his two sons, Jared and Jordan, escorted the mothers in and then they joined me up front.
Justin brings in his mother, Cindy, followed by his dad, Terry.
Eleanor's dad has passed on so her mother, Marjorie, escorted her in.
The English Garden did the flowers.
Our two bridesmaids followed. Jacie, Justin's daughter, was first in and then Melissa, Maid of Honor and friend of the bride, who is expecting twins in just a few months--or sooner!
Welcome, prayer, remembering loved ones who are no longer with us, honoring of the parents, and blessing of Justin's children.
Then their story began......
Eleanor and Justin started working at a local hospital in 2006 at about the same time. Their departments worked in close tandem with each other but it would be years before they knew each other's names and became acquainted--not that they had not noticed each other from a distance though!
Justin flirted with Eleanor and kept asking her if she was on Facebook.....
Eleanor did not even text! However as her interest in Justin grew, she had a friend help her get on Facebook and out of the blue, Justin got a Friend request from her. And that opened up the lines of communication outside of work.
In 2010 when Eleanor needed a good friend to talk to, she called Justin and they went to a park to talk--for hours--and shared a kiss under the stars, each claiming that the other instigated it! And ever since, they have been inseparable.
On May 20, 2013 their lives changed forever when Justin planned an elaborate and intricate proposal on a boat. Justin pulled out the ring box and opened it. Eleanor, in shock, tearing up and at a loss for words, realized that they were holding a diamond ring on the bow of a boat over the water and quickly took the ring and put it on her finger. Justin asked "Does that mean yes?" Eleanor responded "You haven't asked me yet!" Of course he asked quickly and she could not say yes fast enough. The wedding planning began!
They had written secret vows to each other that were printed facing them in my book. Justin had a bit of trouble getting through his. Eleanor had practically memorized hers but I heard a some tears in her voice too!
Then they exchanged rings and received a blessing.
The big moment......
Justin and Eleanor, despite the weather, your wedding was wonderful and I know your marriage will be filled with love, happiness and satisfaction! I wish you only the best of everything!
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