Melissa and Ted Get Married at the Preston-Woodall House!

Melissa and Ted planned their wedding for November 2, 2019 at the historic Preston-Woodall House in Benson. I've been doing weddings there for years. It is spacious, fun and well organized.  The house can accommodate the bride and groom for the weekend and they have guest cottages for guests and wedding party. 

This is the Queen Anne pavilion which was fashioned from the original gazebo in the backyard. It is large enough to accommodate a large wedding party and many guests. The beautiful brick walk eliminates grassy bare spots and mud!

Inside the Cora Lily Ballroom which was added about 12 years ago, the carpet has been replaced with nice vinyl planking which is great for dancing! Melissa and Ted love the colors orange and teal, can't you tell!

This beautiful wedding cake was provided by Capital Cakes. 

The ballroom spans the depth of the historic house from front to back with a beautiful view of the fountain and landscaping in the back yard.  When the weather does not cooperate, the ceremony is usually relocated to the far end of the ballroom where there is plenty of natural light.

Melissa and Ted chose the Anniversary Box for their unity ceremony. They had this box specially made to hold their letters which will accumulate on every anniversary!

The guys and I congregate in the ballroom to await the signal that it is time to begin our processional. Meanwhile the bride and her attendants and the parents are in the front of the house from which they will process in.

Our DJ is Peter who owns Island Sound DJ and Video. We work together a lot. When I first arrived, I plugged my mic into his body pack and we did a sound check.

I entered solo and asked the guests to put away their cameras and turn off their phones so they could be with Ted and Melissa for this important time in their lives without the distraction of technology.

Ted led his guys in around the fountain onto the steps of the pavilion. 

We await the bride's attendants to process in and join us. Love those orange sneakers!

 And the teal sneakers for the bride's side! 

Melissa is escorted in by her parents, Gary and Susan. 

Ted and I stepped down for the transfer of hands.  I asked both sets of parents to step forward and asked "Who gives their love and support for the marriage of Melissa and Ted?" and all the parents said "I do" and were seated. 

As soon as Melissa and Ted took their places I launched into their story.  I like to take the guests on the journey from the day the couple met to their wedding day.

They originally met online like many modern couples 6 years ago and their guests had been waiting all these years for their wedding day.

Everyone enjoyed herring their story and what some of their friends think of their relationship. 

After welcoming everyone we remembered those loved ones no longer with us. Then there was a surprise blessing for their parents. Next came the secret paragraphs about what they love about each other.

Then it was time for them to make their vows to each other and seal them with their rings. 

They had written their own vows and read them to each other from my book.

They placed their loveletters in the box then it was time for the closing blessing.

I joyfully pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to kiss!

Their first married kiss!

Got a good photo of the groom's parents recessing out.

Ted and Melissa! Great wedding. It was truly you! So happy for you and thank you for giving me the honor of joining you in marriage. I know you are so happy to finally be married and enjoying wedded bliss!

Darcie and Willie Get Married at The Preston-Woodall House!

Darcie and Willie chose the historic Preston-Woodall House in Benson NC for their wedding venue. I have done many weddings there in the past 20 years. The staff is great and take really good care of their couples. The wedding took place on September 30, 2017.

 This cupid welcomes you in the foyer!

This beautiful cake was baked by Ashley Cakes and is in the Cora Lilly Ballroom where the receptions will take place.

Dragonfly Florist provided the centerpieces and the bouquets and boutonnieres.

Although added later, the Cora Lilly Ballroom is very spacious and elegantly decorated to fit the vintage of the house. 

I love the "key theme" because I also use a key as my logo. 

Every guests got a key which also identified their table.

Little jars of honey were the favors--so sweet!

This is the set up at the Queen Anne Pavilion for the ceremony. 

The sand is ready for the pouring!

Nick, the venue's event coordinator and wedding director, finishes putting out the yellow flower petals flanking the aisle. 

As the guests arrive, they signed the guest book and took a program. 

Getting off my feet to review the ceremony before we begin. Willie was the best man in the wedding of his friend Joey which I officiated. So he contacted me to officiate his and Darcie's wedding. And of course Joey was Willie's best man!

When the Queen Anne Pavilionwas built, the owners salvaged the roof of the original gazebo and incorporated it into this structure.

Marcus Ward with Morse Entertainment was our DJ and provided me with a microphone.

The groomsmen and I are waiting inside the ballroom for our cue to enter. 

The groomsmen and I entered first then Willie escorted his mother, Elizabeth, in then stepped up and joined us.

Here we go! 

Waiting for the bridesmaids to enter. 

Nick, is cueing Marcus and the wedding party.

Sophie is the last to enter before the bride.

Our beautiful bride is escorted by her father, John. 

Welcome to everyone followed by a prayer. 

I stepped out from behind the couple to pay tribute to their parents. 

Then I told the guests the story of how Darcie and Willie met. There was an instant attraction at a very chance meeting. It did not take them long to become a couple.

They exchanged their vows.

Then exchanged their rings. 

The pouring of their sand together. 

As part of the closing blessing I asked them to look around them at their loved ones who had come to honor them on their wedding day.

Pronounced married!

Sealed with a kiss! 

It was so good to see Sierra and Joey again! 

Willie and Darcie! Congratulations! Great wedding! Thank you for choosing me to officiate for you. I hope to see again at your other friends' weddings!