Alanna and Chris' wedding took place on October 20th, 2019 at the lovely historic
The Sutherland in Wake Forest. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Donna with the venue was our wonderful director.
The pavilion is all set for the reception.
Rocky Top Catering was in charge of providing their delicious food for all the guests. I know the reception was great and I heard the next week from their photographer at another wedding he was shooting that Chris injured his knee during the reception ):
I placed the keepsake certificate of marriage into their card holder inside a vintage wagon ready to receive the gifts and envelopes from the guests.
In the Settler's Cabin, Chris and his guys were hanging out before the ceremony. They all had their ties tied in the celtic knot--something I had never seen before.
When it was time to begin, I entered first and made the unplugged announcement and then Chris and the groomsmen entered and joined me.
The bridesmaids were next and the Maid of Honor Rachel was the last to enter before the bride.
And now we wait for our beautiful bride and her dad to enter. I invited the guests to stand.
Alanna and her father Lenny begin the walk down the aisle.
Rachel helps straighten Alanna's dress and train. Our photographers were
Chris Nieto and his team and our videographers were Nathan and his
Oak City Films crew. Our DJ was Randy Bennett with
Bunn DJ Company The Purple Poppy was their florist.
And so we are all in place, the guests are seated and the ceremony begins.
I began by welcoming all their guests with "Cead mile failte"--one hundred thousand welcomes in Gaelic!
The parents stand to be given tribute by their children. Such a sweet surprise for them.
Then I had the fun of telling Chris and Alanna's story which spanned 9 years. These two are quite unique individuals and do things in their own way, in their own time--as their guests well knew.
There was a lot of laughter as their guests heard their story for the first time from both perspectives.
Next it was the secret paragraphs. Each of them told me in confidence what they loved about their partner. Then that was revealed for the first time at the ceremony.
The story wrapped up bringing our guests from the day they met to the wedding day.
I asked them to them make their promises of marriage to each other. They had each written vows that were secret from the other. The words were printed in my book facing the couple.
Despite the wind blowing his hair in his face, Chris said his vows without once looking at the words!
Alanna read her vows to Chris from my book, in shock that Chris had memorized his!
Next the rings. They said their words to each other after me. Chris went first and placed the ring on Alanna's finger.
Then Alanna.
They chose to do the Anniversary Box for their unity ceremony. They had each written love letters expressing all he feelings and emotions they were experiencing during this exciting time in their lives and sealed them without sharing.
During the ceremony they placed the letters in the box to be opened on their first anniversary along with the wine and the letters. Then they are to write another love letter, seal without opening, replace the bottle of wine and place the old and new letters back in the box and repeat on each anniversary creating a legacy of love for the generations to follow.
A closing blessing followed.
I placed my hands on theirs and pronounced them married and invited Chris to kiss the bride!
Deed done!
What fun!
I introduced them to their guests as husband and wife and the cheering began!
We gathered inside while the guests went to the Groom's Terrace for cocktails.
Alanna and Chris! What a fabulous wedding! Despite hurting your knee at the reception, Chris--probably doing some wild dancing--I know you are enjoying wedded bliss. I loved getting to know you and collaborating on your fabulous ceremony! I wish you the best always!
