Shiyi and Oliver's International Wedding at Second Empire!

I met Shiyi and Oliver in October of 2018 to talk about the ceremony they envisioned and my services as their officiant. They chose to have the Sweet and Simple Ceremony with secret paragraphs. Their wedding was set for December 22nd 2018 at Second Empire in downtown Raleigh. Kevin Seifert with Love Every Moment was our photographer and furnished all the photos for this blog post.

The ceremony was in the Atrium downstairs. It is bright and light. Oliver and I make our entrance.

The venue was all decorated for Christmas this time of year. 

After Oliver and I were in place, Shiyi's father Chen, escorted his lovely daughter down the aisle. 

They made their way down the aisle as the guests stood in their honor. Everyone was so happy!

The transfer of the bride's hand into the groom's hand with the blessing of her parents. 

And so we begin with a warm welcome to all especially their parents. 

Oliver's parents traveled from Germany and Shiyi's parents from China for this special occasion. 

They met in 2017 while working in the same lab. It was not long before they fell in love. 

Now to reveal what they told me in confidence--what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking for in marriage.

Oliver makes his vows to Shiyi.

Shiyi wipes away a little tear that escaped from Oliver's eye!

Time to exchange the rings.

Oliver places the ring on Shiyi's finger as he says "With this ring, I marry you." 

Shiyi says the same to Oliver as she places the ring on his finger.

Now for the Wine Unity ceremony.

Before the ceremony I had combined wine from each of their heritages into one container. During the ceremony I poured the blended wine into glasses for them to drink from.

And they interlocked their arms and drank the wine!

A closing blessing before the pronouncement of marriage and the invitation to kiss!

Sealed with a kiss!

Introduction of the newlyweds!

I invited the guests to stand and join me in congratulating them.

So it is done and they take the next step in their new adventure--marriage!

A change of clothes into the traditional Chinese costumes for the reception and some photos.

Shiyi and Oliver, congratulations! Great wedding for a great couple. Thank you for choosing me to join you in marriage. I wish you the best always!

Alex and Mike Wed at Second Empire Atrium!

Alex and Mike graduated from medical school the day before their wedding at Second Empire on May 13th, 2017. They knew their family and friends would be in the area for their graduation and the Triangle was the perfect venue for their wedding since they met in Durham during a "second-look" weekend at Duke in 2013.

When Dave and I arrived for the wedding, they were just coming in from getting some photos in downtown Raleigh with their photographer Casey Tarpy with Casey Rose Photography and her second shooter.

Mike is watching while his brother Brian signs the marriage license. 

The Atrium is such a nice light-filled room for a wedding. And the acoustics are great too without a microphone.

The guests are gathering--from the very young to some oldsters! 

This may be a little nephew of Alex's but I am not sure. 

The English Garden did all the pretty florals. 

Alex's brother Matthew on guitar and his friend Walter on violin provided very pretty music for the wedding. 

A closer look at the guitar, please! 

Are we ready to begin? Yes. Nicolle Roberts with Second Empire was our director. 

Alex's father, Greg, had to squeeze by the potted tree to get in!

And down the aisle they go! 

Welcoming the guests, a sweet prayer, remembering those who are no longer with us, and then a tribute to their parents led us to the Wedding Address which was the story of how they met and fell in love.

They have a really good story. We went through each year of medical school up to the present.

There was no shortage of humor either. The guests really enjoyed hearing this. In fact, Alex wrote me this today (3 days after the wedding): "Thank you so much for giving us a wedding ceremony we will never forget! It was truly the most special day and the heartfelt ceremony was the center of that. Mike and I feel so lucky to have found you. Also, multiple family members and friends have come up to us saying it was the best ceremony they have ever witnessed."

                                                             Time for the secret paragraphs! 

The vows and rings.......

Alex reads her vows to Mike from my book as she slips the ring on his finger.

After a closing blessing, I pronounced them married and invited them to share their first kiss as husband and wife!

The guests went into the tavern for cocktails while the couple thanked their musicians, then we went outside for a few final photographs.

Mike and Alex, congratulations. I loved your wedding and your story. Beautiful! I wish you the best always!