Reecha and Heath's Forever Wedding at Rose Hill!

Reecha and Heath's wedding was originally scheduled for September 15th 2018 but Hurricane Florence blew in and changed their plans. They postponed to December 8th. The weather was cold and snow and ice predicted for later in the evening but the wedding was on no matter what! 

They chose the beautiful Rose Hill Plantation in Nashville, NC for their venue. 

A view of the gazebo where weddings in good weather are held. 

Inside the ballroom, I check out the sand ceremony set up and make sure it is ready. 

The cake was ready! And beautiful. By Edible Art. 

Heath and Reecha have known each other since middle school and went to high school together. They never dated but had a little crush on each other but nothing came of it. They graduated, went their separate ways to live their lives and raise their families. These are their high school photos for the 1980s!

Everyone was getting dressed and hanging out in the lodge. The guys were downstairs playing pool and snacking while the women were upstairs getting ready.

The place was beautifully decked out for Christmas. Would you believe I've done a wedding in this room many years ago?

Meanwhile back in the ballroom, the guests are assembling for the ceremony. Reecha's heritage is Indian and there are many guests dressed up in the traditional garments of this culture.
(Our wedding director for this wedding was Jennifer with Vision Events. The photographer was Brandon with Southern Love Studios. Our DJ was Randy Bennett with BunnDJ Co. The videographer was Elijah with Morgan Scott Films and the florist was Specialties Florals and Events. Rose Hill does their own catering.

The wedding party and I processed in then it was time for Reecha and her father to enter!

Purple was their color. Everyone is standing for the bride. 

They make their way down the aisle and I asked her father Ravi who blesses and supports Reecha as she comes to join in marriage to Heath. He of course answered that he and her mother did and everyone was seated.

We began the ceremony with a warm welcome to all followed by a prayer and remembrance of loved ones no longer with us.

A special surprise tribute to their parents was next.

Then I turned to their children who were in the wedding party and told them how important they are in the marriage we celebrate today.

The story--fast forward more than 20 years from high school graduation. Heath, single again, began browsing around on Facebook and found Reecha's page. He looked around to see how her life had gone since high school. He loved looking at photos of her and her kids.  He sent her a Friend request and wished her a Happy Mother's Day for the next two years. She friended him back but it took her 2 years to start a conversation. They found themselves in similar situations and the Facetiming, texting,  messaging commenced. Four months later they met in person. It was instant attraction and the feeling of being home again. But, he lived in Florida and Reecha in Raleigh so they endured a 4½ year long-distance relationship. He proposed on her birthday in 2017 and the wedding planning began in earnest!

I asked them each to tell me in confidence what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. During the ceremony I revealed to the other what their beloved has told me.

Time for their vows and the exchange of rings. 

Heath places the ring on Reecha's finger.

They each poured in their sand then each of their children came forward and poured in their container of sand creating one big happy family.

A closing blessing then I pronounced them married and invited them to share their first kiss as husband and wife.

Sealed with a kiss! 

Married at last! 

So happy for them! 

My friends Rubin and Pam were their guests. I had no idea that they had known them since high school! 

The sand sculpture in a glass brick with all their names on it. 

Our cute little flower girls who finally can dance and sing without being shushed as they were during the ceremony! So adorable!

Reecha and Heath! Congratulations! It was a long time coming and I am so thrilled to have joined you in matrimony! I wish you and your family all the best forever!

Sonya and Matthew's Reunion Wedding at Barclay Villa!

I love "reunion weddings!" That is what I call weddings of couples who knew each other as kids, went their separate ways and then reunited many years later usually at a high school reunion! They are the sweetest weddings. It is like true love triumphed! Sonya and Matthew's wedding is a reunion wedding. 

They chose Barclay Villa for their sweet wedding on December 17, 2016. 

The villa is all decked out for the holidays.

Not often do I catch a cake maker delivering and touching up the wedding cake but I spotted Ashley of Ashley Cakes and got a photo of her just as she finished with the beautiful cake she made for Sonya and Matthew.

And here it is--stunning! 

Traditional poinsettias on the steps...The florals were furnished by Dragonfly Florists.

Matthew was so ready to marry Sonya. We hung out in the hallway waiting for the last of the guests to arrive so we could get started.

Here is a last minute guest all decked out for Christmas. We could even call her Ms. Santa Claus in her pretty red outfit with the white fur. Love it!

Our DJ for this wedding was Eric Hodgden with All Around Raleigh DJ, one of my very favorites to work with. He is waiting for Jennifer of Jennifer V Events to give him the signal to start the music. Brandon Hume of Southern Love Studios was our photographer.

Here we go!

They chose to have no attendants. Sonya was escorted in by her son Nicholas, a very handsome young man with a happy grin on his face. And just look at that beautiful princess wedding dress!

Everyone was seated and the couple faced each other holding hands. 

After welcoming everyone, we began with a prayer followed by remembering those no longer with us on earth. But their love will always be felt and we knew they were with us in spirit.

Then we recognized their children who are all grown up. 

Matthew and Sonya knew each other in middle school and high school and were even in the same homeroom for 6 years! They never dated but definitely were aware of each other. The timing apparently was not right yet. The reconnected many years later after attending several high school reunions.

Unbeknownst to Sonya, Matthew has been in awe of her since they were teenagers. He always wanted to date her but was overwhelmed by her gorgeousness and thought she was out of his reach!

Sonya is so happy to be marrying the kindest person she knows and her best friend. She loves how Matthew spends time together with their families and friends and what a blessing he is in her life.

They made their promises of marriage to each other and then Matthew placed the ring on her finger. 

Even though it was a winter day and not particularly warm inside, Matthew had beads of perspiration on his forehead. So I took my hankie and mopped his face, telling him that getting married was hard work. And, we were getting close to the kiss.

Then Sonya placed the ring on Matthew's hand and said her promises to him line by line after me. 

Some tears began leaking out of her eyes so I took the hankie and mopped her face too. By this time we were all laughing along with the guests.

After a closing blessing for them, I placed my hand on theirs and made the pronouncement of marriage.

A wonderful kiss!

It was my privilege and my delight to present to the guests the newlyweds, together at last! 

They were such a happy couple. I loved joining them in marriage. 

Sonya and Matthew! Congratulations! I am so happy that you found each other again and found true love at last! What a wonderful story you have. I wish you the best always!!