Tara and Tad Come All the Way from California to North Carolina for Their Sweet Family Wedding!

Tad and Tara both grew up and live in California. However, Tara's sister lives in Apex in a gorgeous home and Tara has many beloved nieces and nephews in this area that she wanted to be at her wedding. So it was much easier for Tad and Tara to come here instead of all of them flying to California.

The wedding day of June 27th, 2015 was beautiful but it had rained and cleared. When we arrived, the chairs were set up in the garage for the ceremony.

Outside it was so pretty. The grounds are really spectacular with natural areas, a zip line for the kids, and a garden with vegetables and huge sunflowers. Also note the bat-boxes on the trees. Bats are natural anti-mosquito agents and have been much maligned! I was tickled to see that they are welcome here! Of course they are nocturnal and did not appear while the wedding ceremony and celebration were going in daylight.

Jessica King of Happily Ever After has a lot on her mind. I know just what she was thinking here--move the chairs back outside for the ceremony or keep them in the garage?

She decided to go for outside although the doppler showed a cell of thunderstorms approaching. It was a good call and we hurried up and got ready.

All the children were assembled for some pictures. Aren't they precious? 

Meanwhile the house had been transformed into the reception area. Springwell Gardens was their florist. 

Sweet Sarah's Cupcakes provided the sweets! 

A natural path through the woods was behind the area for the ceremony. 

A scene from the garden of the back of the house. The tent was for cooking where Rocky Top Hospitality staff Adam and Rebecca were preparing the delicious food to come. Patrick Cook of PC Productions is setting up the speaker on the lawn. His DJ set up was safe and secure from rain inside the garage. I am speaking with Jenn Carlin from Rocky Tom and Jessica is busy getting things ready.

Clever burlap runner with rose petals. 

And so we line up to begin processing in from the back deck. 

After I walked in and took my place, Tad escorted his mother, Kiyoko, to her chair. Behind them are Tara's mother, Vicki, escorted in by brother of the bride, Hugh, who returned to escort Tara.

After all the children entered and took their seats, it was time for our beautiful bride! 

We began with a welcome, remembered loved ones no longer with us, especially Tara's father, Quintin. Then a blessing of the parents.

Tara and Tad have a great love story. They have known each other for 10 years and were best friends for many years before the love bug bit Tad! With encouragement he confessed his true feelings to Tara in 2011 only to find out that the feelings were mutual! He proposed two years later on the beach.

The guests are enjoying the story! 

After the story I related to each of them what the other had told me in response to these questions: What characteristics do you love about your partner, why do you want to marry your partner, and what are you looking forward to in marriage?

Then came the vows. 

May I have the rings, please? Joshua walked forward and brought them to me. 

The ring exchange then the pronouncement of marriage! 

Missed the kiss! 

Presentation of the newlywed couple! 

Tara and Tad, what a great couple you are. You are perfect for each other and I know your marriage will be very happy and enduring! I am honored to have joined you in marriage!

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Kristen and Chris Marry Surrounded by Mother Nature!

Kristen and Chris' wedding was my first one at Rock Quarry Farm in Chapel Hill. I had heard about this lovely venue and gotten requests to do weddings there but the dates and times never worked. So happy that it worked out for me to officiate Kristen and Chris' wedding there on April 26, 2014. It is a gorgeous site. I met Camille, the owner, at our rehearsal in the rain the day before. But the wedding day dawned sunny and beautiful.

When Marty and I arrived, their photographer Jessica Crawford and her second shooter had our beautiful bride and her maidens out in the front yard taking photos. Marty snapped a few and here is one. I must admit there were so many great photos from this wedding that it was hard to choose which ones to put on this post. So, there are more than usual!

We made our way past the farmhouse, the carport area and the barn to the ceremony site and set up my sound system.

Dana Cadwell with C&D Events was their wedding planner and her staff had set up the arbor and decorated it with pretty flowers.

 They also hung mason jars with assorted flowers on the aisle chairs. 

The musicians were warming up--a string quartet put together by Catherine Hueston. 

 The guests began arriving and were invited to get refreshments at the bar area under the carport. 

The groom and his groomsmen were playing corn hole in front of the barn. I snagged Eric, the best man, to sign the marriage license for me. We also decided that he should hold the real rings and not our little ring bearer, Nathan--a wise decision.

The barn is apparently new construction and the boards have been left with gaps to allow light and air to stream in. It was quite unique and airy. It had been set up for the reception. The caterer was Unforgettable Food Affairs and instead of a wedding cake, they had Wedding Desserts by Sweet Traditions by LeAne.

 The guests of honor! 

Patrick Cooke with PC Productions was the DJ for the reception. I know everyone had a great time with Patrick as MC! 

 The guest table with programs (I forgot to get one!) and the Tree of Life style guest sign in. 

The guests had all been ushered to the ceremony site and Dana was getting the processional lined up.  Dana is the tall young lady in the orange dress on the right.  Great job, Dana!

The bride's grandmother, Caroline, was escorted in first, then Chris' parents, Marilyn and Bob (above), made their way down the aisle.

 Mother of the Bride, Kim, is escorted by Allen, Father of the Bride, who returned to bring in Kristen.

Then it is time for the guys and me. You will note that I am dressed in a light blue, close to Carolina Blue, at their request.

 It was a long processional!! 

 Waiting for the ring bearer and the bride. 

Nathan started off headed for the aisle but veered off track to the right. Someone intercepted him and got him back on track and he made it down the aisle. He was so cute!

 Here comes our gorgeous bride and her proud father!

 Everyone stands in her honor. 

 Welcome to everyone!

 The Wedding Prayer by Robert Louis Stephenson.

 Beautiful setting in the arms of Mother Nature!  

The parents stood for a special blessing the couple prepared for them. Tears spilled! 

Then I asked everyone to stand and asked for their blessing and support of this marriage. Everyone answered "We will" very enthusiastically.

 Kristen's friend, Crystal, shared words by George Eliot.

 Chris' friend, Mike, shared the words of William Shakespeare from King John.  

And now for the story of how Kristen and Chris met and fell in love and decided to marry followed by a special paragraph from each about what they love about each other.

 The vows along with a few tears and sniffles! 

 Exchange of rings.....

I believe this is where Chris turned his back to the guests to wipe his nose and I said "give it a good blow!" (I always check to see that noses are wiped before the kiss which was coming up soon!) It was also a "two hankie" wedding--one for the bride and one for the groom!

 The pronouncement followed by.......

 Wow, we're married! 

Time for some post-ceremony photos!  

Jessica set up some great compositions. But, I am not sure Kristen is very confident that Chris will not lose his grip on her!

 Chris and Kristen, you were a joy to work with and a very well matched couple. I know you will have a very happy and prosperous marriage! Best always!

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