Christine and Andy's Gorgeous Wedding at Brier Creek CC!

Christine and Andy fell in love when they were in high school many years ago in Long Island. Their love withstood long distance separation for many years until Christine finally migrated south to join Andy. Their wedding was a beautiful one at Brier Creek Country Club on October 12th 2018. Hurricane Michael blew through North Carolina the day before forcing our rehearsal indoors and fortunately the ground had dried out enough for our ceremony to be held in the lovely Jasmine Courtyard. Of course the curtains had been removed because of the high winds but I really like the way it looks without the curtains. Gregg Kennedy with Brides and Bouquets put up the beautiful floral arch for the ceremony and provided all the other florals too.

Jason Huggins, owner of Stylus, was our DJ. When I arrived he had an ear microphone for me and we did a sound check then he knelt down as if proposing! Not sure what he was proposing but my husband Dave snapped this photo of it. Jason always provides the best sound for me, brings a mic for me and I love doing weddings with him.

After the sound check we went upstairs into the ballroom where the reception would be. 

The Sweetheart Table is all decked out in front of the picture window looking down into the courtyard. 

GiGi's Cupcakes provided this display of fabulous cupcake with a cake on top for cutting. 

A unique cake topper for Andy and Christine! 

Rebecca Faulk of Red Bridge Photography was our professional photographer. Another professional photographer, Brian Mullins, was her second shooter--an amazing team of the best photographers in the area!

Robin Crew with Bayleaf Video Productions on the left and Rebecca on the right are getting some shots of the bride before the ceremony.

Every couple gets a very pretty keepsake certificate of marriage from me. 

Getting the marriage license signed. 

And now we are getting all lined up to process in on the sidewalk beside Deke's Grill. 

Andy and I processed in first along the side to the front of the pergola. 

Waiting for the parents.

Andy's parents, Stella and Vito, start their walk into the ceremony area. 

Then brother of the bride, Frank, escorts his mother Laura into the ceremony then returns. 

First couple are Autumn and Brandon.

Vinny and Jennifer

Frank and Nicole.

Melissa and Alex

Doug (best man) and Angela (maid of honor) enter.

Our beautiful Flower Girl--Krystyna!

She did a great job sprinkling the petals!

Time for our stunning bride and her dad, Frank, to make their entrance!

Down the steps while their guests are all standing in honor of the bride. 

They stopped in front of Andy and me and I asked Frank the question, he answered then placed Christine's hand into Andy's hand and everyone was seated.

A warm welcome to everyone who had traveled from near and far. 

Then we remembered those who were no longer with us. 

After surprising their parents with a sweet tribute, I got to tell Andy and Christine's wonderful story! 

Lots of good laughs too!

After their story, they got to hear what their partner had told me in confidence what he or she loves about them.

Andy got a bit tearful hearing what Christine told me. 

Christine loved what Andy told me too!

Time for the vows.  These first vows were funny questions to them. 

Then to the more serious vows during which they exchanged their rings. 

Andy placed the ring on Christine's finger. 

Then Christine placed the ring on Andy's finger which took a little struggle to get it on. Andy is sharing in the struggle!

A closing blessing for our couple came next then the big pronouncement of marriage moment!

I invited Andy to show us the kiss as I stepped to the side out of the photo of the kiss.

Oops! Dave missed getting a photo of the kiss! Angela hands Christine her bouquet and I presented them to their guests as husband and wife!

And out they go!

I know Krystyna had a good time!!

Parents of the bride followed by parents of the groom.

Our wedding planner/director was Shannon Carpenter with Magnolia and Pine Events. She did a great job and it was wonderful working with her and her team.

A big Congratulations to you, Christine and Andy!! What a wonderful wedding! I wish you the best always!

Brooke and Chase's Wonderful Wedding at Solas!

Brooke and Chase chose Solas in Glenwood South downtown Raleigh for their wedding venue. The wedding date was September 22nd 2018. They live in Greenville NC but Brooke's parents live in Raleigh. Brooke's mother was helping her line up her officiant and contacted me. We did all the planning by email and text without meeting in person until the rehearsal.

And so the day finally arrived and all is set. 

Fresh Affairs erected this beautiful backdrop of drapes and flowers for the altar area. 

Looking down at the side walk in front of Solas. Little did we know at that point that there was going to be a block party going on during the ceremony with lots of very loud music.

Jenni, our DJ with Stylus, wisely pumped up the volume of my microphone so everyone could hear my words over the music playing on the streets below. Thanks, Jenni! Brad with Big Dog Little Bed was our videographer and Tracy Timmester was our professional photographer. Dionne with Carolina Fete was the planner and director and had her team taking care of everything. A great team of vendors!

On the second floor the space is ready for the reception. 

Love Cake furnished this beautiful cake. Just putting the flowers on for the finishing touch.

The guests are ready for the ceremony to begin on the open air rooftop. 

We have all processed in and are awaiting the entrance of our bride. 

Brooke and her father, Michael, enter and head down the aisle. 

Love the carpet runner. The only kind of runner that really works! 

Michael transferred Brooke's hand into Chase's hand and the guests were seated. We began with a welcome to all, a prayer and remembrance of loved ones not with us.

Then I stepped out to address the parents of the couple and thank them on behalf of Brooke and Chase for all their love and support.

The really fun part was getting to tell the story of how Brooke and Chase fell in love and their journey to their wedding day.

They enjoy hearing for the first time what their partner told me in confidence that he or she loves about them, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to.

Tracy gets a shot of me wiping Chase's forehead. It was hot that day and he was sweating a bit! 

Then we continued with the vows which they read to each other from my book then placed the rings. 

Chase goes first. 

Our pretty bridesmaids all in a row!

The significance of the rings. 

Brooke places the ring on Chase's finger.

They had written love letters to each other the night before the wedding which they placed in the Anniversary Box during the ceremony where they will open and share them on their first anniversary.

A closing blessing came next.

The pronouncement of marriage!

Aaah! The sweet kiss! 

Chase and Brooke! Congratulations! I loved your wedding (except for the loud music in the street) and I appreciate your working with me to create the perfect ceremony for you. I wish you all the best forever! And thanks for this wonderful review: Reverend Kayelily Middleton is an expert at what she does. She comes very highly recommended by several vendors, and stellar reviews. We didn't meet Ms. Middleton in person until the day of the rehearsal. We communicated via email and phone prior to that. She sends you a detailed questionnaire that you and your fiancé fill out together about your story and then has you write secret paragraphs about each other. She melds these together to tell a beautiful love story on your wedding day. Somehow without even meeting us she made it seem like she had known us forever! She customizes the ceremony exactly to your liking. All of my guests ranted and raved about how beautiful the ceremony was. Thank you so much for everything Reverend!!