I loved working with Christine and Kevin! They've known each other almost all their lives but their romance didn't spark until Kevin's 25th birthday in 2015! He proposed in 2018 and they planned a beautiful wedding for October 27th 2019 at the
NC State Park Alumni Center with the help of their wedding planner and director, Caroline with
Caroline Ruth Design.
The original forecast for the day was rain and it did rain that morning but by 3:30, the clouds had cleared.
Inside in the foyer, the guests were arriving.
For their guest "book," they asked their guests to sign this wooden sign.
Inside the ballroom, this lovely cake by
Ashley Cakes was all set up and ready to be cut!
A view of the ballroom from the upstairs balcony. (This was our Plan B if it rained,)
Meanwhile Christine and her bridesmaids are dressed, make-up and hair done, and popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Evan with
Island Sound was in charge of providing my sound for the ceremony. It was perfect! What's the point of writing a beautiful one of a kind ceremony if the guests cannot enjoy it?
Caroline did a fantastic job being in charge of this wedding and all the behind the scenes details. I've never had the pleasure of working with her before this wedding and look forward to many more weddings together!
Chris Nieto and his team were their photographers.
North Raleigh Florists provided the birch arbor decked with florals. The table in the background holds their Anniversary Box for the unity ceremony.
The Anniversary Box holding a bottle of wine into which they will place their handwritten, sealed without sharing love letters. On their first anniversary, they will open the box, pour each other a glass of wine and read their letters from each other. Recall their wedding day and the year that has passed by. Then write each other another love letter, seal without sharing, place the old and new letters and a new bottle of wine back in the box and repeat on every anniversary creating a legacy of love for themselves and future generations.
Victoria Pedroza, violinist, and her friend the cellist provided beautiful music for the ceremony processional and recessional.
There are many sculptures of wolves around the alumni center! Go Wolfpack! My father and sister are NC State grads.
I entered first and asked the guests to put away their phones and cameras and be with Christine and Kevin in their hearts as they join their lives in marriage.
Then the parents were seated followed by Kevin and his guys.
Christine's attendants were next. She mixed it up with men and women. A popular trend these days.
Linda and Ryan
Our flower girl and ring bearer entered next and made their way down the aisle.
The kids sat on the front row and then it was time for the guests to stand for the entrance of the bride!
Christine and her dad, Bobby, entered from the front of the center around the sidewalk.
Happy day!
After the presentation of the bride we had a prayer and remembered those no longer with us, especially Christine's mother, Nancy. But she was with us in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her.
A tribute to their parents came next.
Following that I began telling the story of how they met and fell in love. There were quite a few funny moments and we enjoyed laughing together.
Time to reveal what they had each told me in confidence they love about each other.
They made their vows then exchanged rings while reading their ring vows from my book.
Christine's turn!
The anniversary box and closing blessing followed.
I love making the pronouncement of marriage and inviting them to kiss!
They love it as the guests applauded!
Yay! It is done!
Bobby and Luann, stepmother of the bride, exit.
Then Kevin's parents, Diane and Steven.
The children and their adult in charge exit!
Christine and Kevin, what a beautiful wedding! I loved it and I loved working with and getting to know you. You are a great match and I wish you all the best!
