Jamie and Ryan's Fabulous Wedding at St. Mary's Chapel!

Jamie and Ryan are a beautiful young couple who know what they want. In fact their whole relationship reflects their determination to be together and create the life together they envision. It was my delight to work with them to create a unique, one of a kind wedding ceremony for their beautiful wedding on May 2, 2015 at the picturesque historic St. Mary's Chapel in downtown Raleigh. The weather could not have been more perfect for their wedding day!

The flowers are by Anna Pascarelli who owns Simply Elegant Floral Design and are gorgeous. 

I love the greenery on the railing outside the chapel. 

St. Mary's is almost 200 years old! 

A string duo from Arioso Strings provided the lovely music. Elise Cranford, our wedding director, goes over the cues with them.

Jamie's father, Pete, and her mother, Becky, center, and our flower girl, Taylor, and her mother taking some pictures before the wedding starts!  

Taylor and Noah pose for the camera with one of the pretty wedding programs. 

The guys and I are all lined up to enter from the side of the chapel. On the right is the chapel director, Ginny Martin, and Elise's assistant walking around to the front of the chapel to get the processional started.

Our bridesmaids are lined up to process in. In the background you can see our bride and her father hiding out around the corner so Ryan cannot see her.

Here we go! 

They were so cute and did a great job. Noah had the real rings too which he handed over to the best man. 

Jamie's dress was absolutely stunning! I would call it "bohemian" style and it was perfect for her! 

Getting the train ready for the walk down the aisle. 

Ryan met Pete and Jamie at the bottom of the steps to the altar and after Pete placed Jamie's hand in Ryan's, Jamie and Ryan ascended the steps for the ceremony. Beautiful and so symbolic of taking their relationship to a higher level.

Ryan's Best Man was his father, Don, and our Maid of Honor was Jamie's sister, Conie. 

It was a beautiful ceremony which included a parents' blessing with some funny lines! 

I loved telling the story of how they met in Delaware. It was practically love at first sight! 

Our photographers were Rachel with Blue Barn Photography and her second shooter. 

Ryan kisses his beautiful wife! 

Looks like Ryan is whistling a very happy tune!

Another opportunity for a kiss! 

More photo opportunities before the guests depart for the reception at the Merrimon-Wynne House. 

The flowers in her hair match her bouquet! So pretty, Anna!

The groom and groomsmen wore leather suspenders to which they managed to pin the boutonnieres! Sharp! Posing with grandparents.

Noah and Taylor with the bride and groom.

Once again, that wedding gown is fabulous! Can you tell Jamie is a style setter and clothes horse? 

Jamie and Ryan, what a great couple you are! I congratulate you on a fabulous wedding and wish you the best marriage and life together forever!

***********************************************

To contact me:

Email

919-345-4608

My Website

Pinterest

Facebook

Or leave a comment below!

************************************************

Amy and Phillip Get Married at St. Mary's Chapel!

Last September I met Amy and Phillip when they came to see me about officiating their wedding on September 20, 2014. They had chosen to have their wedding at Long View Center downtown. We signed the contract and reserved their wedding on my calendar. Then a few weeks later I had to notify them that the Long View Center had been sold to a church that would not be offering the sanctuary to the public. I recommended several other chapels in downtown Raleigh that do allow non-members to rent out the sanctuary for weddings, including St. Mary's Chapel which is on the campus of St. Mary's School on Hillsborough Street. Their date was available and so they booked it right away!!

The sanctuary will hold about 175 guests. 

St. Mary's Chapel is over 150 years old and has been beautifully maintained through the years. It is a historic site in Raleigh. It was good to see their event manager, Jenny, again!

The floor plan of the chapel is a cross--a long center area with sitting alcoves on each side near the altar forming the cross piece. You can see the pipes of the old pipe organ on the left which can still be played. Our music for this wedding was provided by Kyle Scobie who plays the guitar and sings. 

Meanwhile outside the chapel, our photographers, Michael and Marcy of Michael's Memories were getting photos of the bridal party. Amy is posing with her mother, Maureen. The weather was perfect!

Back inside the chapel the beautiful stained glass windows overlook the altar area where the Unity Candle is set up. No real flames are allowed in the chapel these days so the battery operated ones are used.

 This must be the flag for the school which was founded in 1842. It is a residential school for girls. 

All the beautiful woodwork has been well-preserved.  These lovely flowers and the wedding bouquets were provided by Gregg Kennedy of Brides and Bouquets. 

With the bridal party hidden away inside the school, Phillip and his groomsmen are outside for their photos before they go wait in an area where they can watch the football game! They were happy about that! 

So, now it is time to begin. After the procession of the grandparents, parents and wedding party, Amy is escorted in by her brother, Chris. Sadly their father is deceased and we paid tribute to him in the ceremony. I did not get a photo of her but Amy's Aunt Tricia directed the wedding and did a fine job!

After the welcome and prayer, I asked the parents to stand for so they could be honored for all the love and care they have given Amy and Phillip through the years. Guaranteed to reduce the mothers to tears and this wedding was no exception.

 Amy and Phillip asked me to read a lovely poem by Cheryl J. Barclay entitled "The One." 

 And then I got to tell their love story.....

 Then what each one told me secretly what they love about the other......

 They combined the vows with the rings and repeated the words after me. 

 Then it was time to "light" the Unity Candle which they did while Kyle sang a special song.

 Before the pronouncement of marriage we closed with a prayer based on First Corinthians. 

 Then I put my hand on their joined hands and pronounced them husband and wife!

 Just missed getting a picture of the kiss, but close enough! 

 May I present to you for the first time, Phillip and Amy, husband and wife!

I could tell Phillip was happy the ceremony was behind them! He was a bit nervous but did just fine. The reception that followed was right downtown at Caffe Luna! I know they had a great celebration!

Amy and Phillip! It was a long time waiting to get to this wonderful milestone in your lives but it was worth it! Thank you for choosing me to officiate for you. It was great working with you both and I wish you the best of everything!

***********************************************

To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

My Website

Pinterest

Facebook

Or leave a comment below!

************************************************

Pretty Wedding for Kristy and Danny at St. Mary's Chapel!

Danny contacted me in September to see if I could officiate his and Kristy's wedding at Angus Barn Wine Cellar on November 3rd or 17th. I was available both dates.

In the meantime, before we could meet, they fell in love with the historic chapel on the campus of St. Mary's School campus. It was built in 1842 and is in pristine condition today. They were able to book the chapel for Saturday November 24th. The three of us met on September 18th and started planning their ceremony. November 24th dawned a crisp clear and breezy fall day with temperature of about 50 degrees and full sun shining through the beautiful stained glass windows.

The altar area was decorated with flowers and candles. The sun was streaming through the stained glass window and the image did not show up on this shot. 

Marty got up close and beneath the window and got this nice picture of the pretty angel looking over the chapel.

Over the front door at the opposite end of the chapel was this beautiful stained glass window.

Our musicians were warming up when we arrived. Erin Peters on violin and Emilly Olsen on piano are friends of the bride. Enjoyed their music and thank them for hanging in there despite the ceremony starting late. Look at that wonderful organ behind them!

After the seating of the parents and Danny's grandfather who traveled from Michigan for the wedding and the processing in of honorary maid of honor, two flower girls and the adorable son of the bride, Kristy and her father, Bill entered.

After the welcome, prayer, remembering those not with us, a reading and blessing of Benjamin, the bride and groom exchanged vows and rings.

I invited Benjamin up to join us for the Family Unity Sand ceremony. He was adorable and so well behaved.

 Then I made the pronouncement of marriage. 

This is not the first kiss! The first kiss was so brief, I made them kiss again so we could get a picture!

 Stepping into their new life together! 

Danny and Kristy, congratulations on your marriage. I wish you all the best life has to offer!