Mary and Justin's Wonderful Wedding at Brier Creek Country Club!

I met Mary and Justin in October of 2014 when they came for a consultation with me about officiating their wedding which was scheduled for October 10th, 2015 at the Brier Creek Country Club. They knew they wanted a personalized ceremony but did not know quite where to start. I reassured them that I would guide them every step of the way and that together we would collaborate on their ceremony to make it not only meaningful to them but engaging for their guests. And so we did! 

October 10th of 2015 was the busiest day of the year wedding-wise for me and wouldn't you know, it was a rainy day--of all days. Justin and Mary's wedding was number four for me that day. The ceremony had been moved inside from the Jasmine Courtyard to the Arnold Palmer room. Beth Jarvah shooting for Neil Boyd Photography, was busy getting photos before the ceremony and snapped this one of Mary and her flower girl, Ashley. (Many thanks to Neil Boyd for sharing his photos with me. The low light condition of the ceremony room was a challenge to my little digital camera wielded by my friend Susan. In this post I will identify the professional ones with captions to that effect.) 

At the entrance to the ceremony room the guests signed in on this photographic guestbook! 

 Inside the ballroom was this beautiful cake by Blue Moon Bakery. 

 The ballroom was being set up by the staff of the club while the ceremony was going on. 

The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association is near and dear to Mary's heart and my heart was touched by her tribute to them.

Lenny Fritts, one of my favorite DJs, was all set up in the ballroom and in the ceremony room. He also gifted the couple with the lavender uplighting in the ceremony room. Note his purple vest and my purple dress to color coordinate with the couple's purple color scheme. 

After the wedding party made their entrance and took their places, it was time for our ring bearer and flower girl to enter before the bride. Their honorary wedding director was their friend Jennifer and she sent Carter in first.

Then it was time for sweet little Ashley to make her way down the aisle! 

 Mary was escorted in by her parents, Michael and Carol. It was a very emotional moment! 

(photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

The guests are standing in their honor.

They had almost 200 guests and the room was packed full. Due to space constraints, the aisle could not be made wide enough for Carol to walk with Michael and Mary so she hung back then was by Mary's side for the presentation of the bride. (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

 After the trip down the aisle everyone was seated and the ceremony began. 

(photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

I told their sweet love story and then revealed to each of them what the other had told me in confidence they loved about them, why they wanted to marry each other and what they were looking forward to in marriage.  (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

They made their vows to each other. (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

Then it was time to exchange the rings.  (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

A closing blessing...... (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

                                                      The pronouncement of marriage! 

                                        (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

 (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

 (photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

 And down the aisle they went into their new life together! 

 Ashley followed! 

Mary and Justin......loved your wedding. I appreciate your flexibility and wonderful attitude when the weather did not cooperate with our plans for an outdoor wedding. Thank you for being so considerate of your wedding party and guests! I also appreciate your words in an email following the wedding:

"Hi Kayelily. First of all I want to say how much Justin and I loved the ceremony. It was perfect, and all the guests loved it too. Thank you!" 

(photo compliments of Neil Boyd Photography)

Our Vendors for this wedding:

Venue: Brier Creek Country Club

DJ: Lenny Fritts

Photographer: Neil Boyd Photography

Florist: The English Garden

Wedding Cake: Blue Moon Bakery

Shalyn and Leugray Wed in the White Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum!

Shalyn and Leugray live in Little Rock, Arkansas but met in Cary NC. Her family lives here in Raleigh and his in Fountain Inn, SC. So they chose to have their wedding ceremony in the White Garden at the JC Raulston Arboretum and their reception at The Stockroom in Raleigh. It was on Sunday May 17th, 2015 and the weather was ideal. I had not met them in person until their wedding day but we had Skyped back last September. However, working with them to create their ceremony, I felt I had known them for years! It was great to meet them in person, finally!

This is a sweet little gazebo. The arboretum had also brought in an extension cord from quite a distance so that the guitarist would have power. I never knew they could do this! I always use my battery powered sound system.

 The bride and her father will enter from this lovely archway.

Just after Marty and I arrived, Luciano, our guitarist from Arioso Strings arrived with his guitar and equipment.

Leugray and his Best Gal Lisa arrived and we did some chair rearranging, then Neil Boyd, their photographer and his two associate shooters, Caroline Dickson and another young lady whose name I failed to write down and now cannot remember! Photographers are not used to having their picture taken!!

So we are waiting for the guests to be seated then we will be signaled by their friend Rhett who acted as their director.

 Time to get started! 

Lisa, Leugray's Best Gal, processed in. (She may be his sister, not sure though!) Cateringworks furnished the pretty bouquets and boutonnieres, the wedding cake and all the food for the reception.

 Leugray escorted his mother, Beverley, in then stepped up and joined me and Lisa.

 Jesse, our Man of Honor, escorted his mother and mother of the bride, Cathy in then joined us up front.

 Our sweet little flower girls then entered and were seated.

 Shalyn was escorted in by her proud father, Nathan!

That is Rhett in the blue shirt. The photographers are standing by while Neil is up front getting them walking down the aisle. They had this wedding well covered!

 And so we begin! 

It was a beautiful spiritual ceremony with a warm welcome, a faith-neutral prayer, and remembrance of loved ones who have passed on from this earth.

 Then we paid tribute to their parents for all their love and support through the years. 

They have a good story and it was fun to tell. They met in 2012 in a designated smoking area outside the building they both worked in. Both being quite shy, it took months until either acted on the attraction that they both felt. And it was Shalyn who made the first brave move. Leugray panicked and almost missed responding! But, once they got past that point they hit it off. Shortly thereafter Leugray was transferred to Texas for work and the relationship turned long-distance. While Shalyn was considering possibly moving to Texas, Leugray was transferred permanently to Little Rock. Once she got a job there, she joined him. In July of 2014, while back in the Carolinas to visit family, Leugray proposed. Of course Shalyn said yes and the wedding planning commenced.

 They read their vows from my book and exchanged rings. Leugray went first. 

 Then Shalyn.....

 The pronouncement of marriage followed the closing blessing. 

 At last! 

 So, here they are, Leugray and Shalyn, now husband and wife! 

 They exited to a secluded spot for photos. 

 Followed by Lisa and Jesse and the flower girls and parents.

I invited the guests to depart and find their way to The Stockroom. It was 5:30 and Artsplosure was just closing down so I trust they made it okay. I did see some photos of the reception on Facebook so I know it was a grand celebration!

 A photo with Leugray's mom.

 Shalyn with Zoey and Jada who are Leugray's nieces. 

My turn for a picture with the happy couple! Leugray and Shalyn, congratulations. I know you are so happy and enjoying wedding bliss back in Little Rock by now! My honor to join you in matrimony!

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 919-345-4608

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Short, Sweet, and Beautiful Wedding for Amanda and Tim!

The Oaks at Salem in Apex is a wonderful place for a wedding--large or small! March 15, 2014 was a beautiful warm sunny day and the tent on the terrace had been taken down for the good weather--soon to be re-erected for the unfavorable forecast the next weekend, though--what crazy weather this year!

April Maness, owner of The Oaks, realizing the need for a Director of Event Coordination hired Joslin Rodely (above) almost a year ago and had her watch as I conducted a wedding rehearsal there so she could learn the ropes.  She has done well and I see her often because I officiate a lot of weddings at this lovely spot!

Tim (groom) and his brother Pete (best man) and I assembled for the ceremony. There were 8 guests and our esteemed photographer Neil Boyd  can be seen in the background.

 Amanda's daughter and maid of honor, Abbey, made her entrance. 

 Then it was time for our bride, Amanda! 

 Standing with Abbey is her brother, Aiden,  both serving as their mother's attendants.

 We honored their parents for guiding them to this celebration of love. 

Then Tim had some sweet words for Abbey and Aiden which he read from my book. This day they all officially became a family!

  The vows and rings were exchanged. 

"Tim and Amanda, by the love that has brought you here today, by the vows you have exchanged and by the integrity of your commitment, it is my distinct pleasure to now declare that you are husband and wife!"

 Looks like Aiden is really happy to have Tim as his stepfather! 

Mothers of the couple, Kathleen and Jean, are now officially related, but the English language has no word for their relationship. Maybe we should create one! Any suggestions?  

Dave, my husband, was my photographer for the wedding. He and I both remarked how much Amanda looks like Sandra Bullock. She probably hears that all the time. Look at this beautiful mother daughter image. They are both so beautiful and personally, I think they look more like sisters! 

Amanda and Tim, I am so happy that you found each other and that you found me to join you in marriage. It was indeed an honor and a pleasure! I wish you the best always! 

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Or leave a comment below!

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