Brandi and Devin's Fabulous Wedding at Cedar Grove Acres!

I thank Kevin Seifert of Love Every Moment for these wonderful photos! They are amazing! And so are Brandi and Devin who put this wedding together with the help of wedding planners Carol and Andrea of Forward Fig!

Cedar Grove Acres is located in Creedmoor NC and not that far from Raleigh. Almost straight up Six Forks Road then two turns. Easy! The old plantation has been re-purposed into a lovely rustic wedding  venue by its owners Paula and Richard.

There is signage for weddings all over the place!

More signage pointing guests to the different areas. 

Andrea and Carol of Forward Fig chatting with Jim Dukes, photographer.

This is the outbuilding with the bar. 

View of the gathering area before the ceremony and the reception area after the ceremony. 

This barn-like structure is open air and you can see the DJ set up with speakers facing the ceremony area. Our DJ for this wedding was Wanda Thompson. The rest of the barn is filled with tables and chairs for the sit-down dinner reception.

Here is a view of the same building from the other end. 

Here you can see the ceremony area in the background and the sweetheart table in the foreground. 

The couple's photographer, Jim Dukes of JJD Photo2Art, is getting a shot of the wedding party. Actually this was taken after the ceremony while the guests were enjoying specialty cocktails.

I am getting the best man's signature on the marriage license here. 

On the way to the cabin where the bride was hidden away is this lovely table and stools. I am with the maid of honor here getting her signature on the marriage license.

The ceremony script filled in all the funny details in-between this outline of dates!

Sadly Brandi's son Zachary has passed on from this earth but will never be forgotten. This chair at the ceremony is in his sweet honor.

I'm not sure this made it down the aisle but it got to the wedding! 

Guest sign in on little hearts then placed in a glass frame. 

Some horsing around before the ceremony starts!

Some last minute words with our groom, Devin, before we get started. 

His groomsmen were a stitch. They kept me and the guests laughing. 

Guests are arriving and being directed to the ceremony area. 

The bride's attendants have left the cabin and are getting ready to be lined up. 

Our flower girls with their buckets of petals are ready!

After mother of the bride was escorted in, it was time for Devin and me to make our entrance.

So here we are and here we go! 

The attendants enter and take their places--can you tell they are having a ball! 

And now the flower girls! 

Our beautiful bride Brandi enters with her sweet father. 

They make their way to the front of the platform where Devin is waiting for them. 

After the presentation of the bride, everyone is seated and I began with a warm welcome to all. 

Then a sweet prayer and remembrance of those who are not with us. 

Time for the blessing of their children: Devin's sons Kiefer and Colby and Brandi's daughter Mia. 

I read words to them from their parents which were so touching and sweet. 

Then it was time for the story of how these two met and fell in love. They have quite a story filled with humor and I loved telling it!

It was obvious that they loved hearing it again and so happy to have found each other. 

Another funny moment in the wedding! It was truly a joyful time. 

Finally it was time for the secret paragraphs to be revealed. I had each one of them to tell me what they love about their partner and what they are looking forward to in marriage. They are hearing what their partner told me for the first time in the ceremony.

They made their vows to each other and then exchanged rings. 

Then they had a Family Unity Sand Ceremony which included their kids. 

I pronounced them married and told Devin I wanted to see that kiss! 

No problem here! 

If the kiss is not long enough to get a good picture, I make them kiss again!

Finally--married at last! 

Brandi gave me a big hug and thanks. 

Then we posed for Jim.

Brandi and Devin! It was a great wedding and I hope you are enjoying wedded bliss! I loved working with you and joining you in marriage!

A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING FOR ALLIE AND BEN AT THE OAKS AT SALEM!

Allie and Ben met when they were freshmen in high school 14 years ago. They are each other's first love and have shared all the experiences of growing up together, graduating high school and college together and now have tied the knot of marriage together. Their wedding was a beautiful day at The Oaks at Salem--October 27th 2017.

They met with me last January and began putting together all the details of their wedding day. 

Nothing But Bundt Cakes provide the pretty and tasty cakes. 

The reception area under the tent on the terrace was all set up and the guests were mingling before being invited to walk to the other side of the lake for the ceremony.

The beautiful wedding garden area.

David, Allie's father, needed his boutonniere secured and I was happy to make that happen. 

Then two of the grandmothers needed a little help with their corsages.

Joslin, on the right, is our venue director and she cues us when to begin the long walk around the lake. 

The grandparents went first, then I followed and made the "unplugged announcement" to the guests to put away their devices and truly be with Allie and Ben during the ceremony.

Our DJ and Videographer is Damien Maas. Always a pleasure to work with him. 

The two videographers with tripods and our photographer, Krista with Six Foot Photography are ready to capture the procession of parents and wedding party and finally Allie and her dad..

Ben escorts his mother, Kathy, in followed by his dad, Steve.

Unfortunately, the sun was right in our faces at 5:00 that day!

Here come the bridesmaids and groomsmen! 

Finally the children and the last bridesmaid made their way to the ceremony. 

Our little ring bearer decided it was time to sit down and our flower girl was in awe of all the guests watching them.

The children were handed off to grandparents at the front and then we were ready for the bride to enter.

And so Allie and her father make the final stretch where he answers my question and places Allie's hand into Ben's. Then he is seated along with the guests.

Lauren, our maid of honor, reaches around to retrieve hers and Allie's bouquets after fluffing the bride's train. 

And the ceremony begins with a welcome to all and a prayer. 

Then we remembered those no longer with us.

At that point I stepped out front and for a surprise tribute to their parents. Always a sweet and special moment in the ceremony.

Telling the story of how they met and fell in love, all their adventures and Ben's surprise proposal. Such fun and laughter!

Then it was time for them to hear what their partner told me in confidence about why they love each other, want to marry each other, and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

Meanwhile our little ring bearer had to get up and move around. As long as he had his pacifier and his grandparents and great-grandparents keeping an eye on him he was just fine!

And now it is time for Allie and Ben to make their promises of marriage to each other which were printed in my book facing them.

Ben reads his vows to Allie first. 

Then Allie reads hers to Ben.

To seal the vows they exchange rings. Ben goes first and puts the ring on Allie's finger while saying a few words after me.

Then Allie places the ring on Ben's finger while saying the same words to him.

After a closing blessing, I placed my hand on theirs, made the pronouncement of marriage and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple.

Yay! 

They turned and faced their guests, the maid of honor returned the bouquet to the bride, and I presented them to their guests.

Meanwhile Damien cranks up the drone which will fly overhead and get a video of the whole scene.

The guests were asked to remain in their seats but to stand and turn around for the video with the bride and groom positioned up front. Great shot! Can't wait to see the video!

Ben and Allie! Great wedding! I hope it fulfilled all your dreams of your big day. I loved your wedding ceremony and I think your guests did too. I am honored to have been a part of your big day and to have joined you in marriage. I wish you the best always!