Alanna and Chris' Fabulous Wedding at The Sutherland!

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!

Jamie and Marc's Fabulous Wedding at The Sutherland!

The Sutherland in Wake Forest is a beautiful wedding venue. The owner, Ashlee Adams, has carefully restored this old plantation estate to its current splendor. Jamie and Marc fell in love with it and booked it for their wedding on July 15th, 2017. 

This is an original cabin on the premises that is used for a place for the groom and his groomsmen to hang out in while the bride and her ladies are in the big house getting ready.

 It is a blazing hot day and the sun is as bright as it gets! But not untypical for a July day in North Carolina! 

 Inside the manor house here is an original fireplace in the old dining room that has been preserved. 

Off the dining room is a sun room where the cake is on display. The cake is by Ashley Cakes.

 The ceremony took place in the Walled Garden. 

 The Unity Candle ceremony is set up. To protect the flame, the Unity Candle is inside a glass lantern.

A new addition to the premises a few years ago is the Pavilion. This past year doors were added on all sides so that now it is climate controlled for the comfort of the wedding guests and wedding party.

Very spacious beautiful light-filled space to celebrate inside! The caterer, Donovan's Dish, is preparing for the reception.

 All is ready! 

We delayed the start of the ceremony 15 minutes due to an accident on Highway 1 which delayed one of the shuttles from getting to the venue. And now it is time to begin the processional.

 The guests are seated under the parasols to shade them from the sun.

Marc and I, followed by his brothers, Robbie and Andrew--his best men, enter from the side gate. I want to thank Alex Choi with Vox DJ for the music and for letting me plug my mic into his system. The sound was perfect! 

 The groomsmen and bridesmaids entered as couples followed by the Maid of Honor, Jamie's sister, Dena.  

They had six children in the wedding party and the last little girl, Emily, entered with a sign that said "Uncle Bubba, Here Comes Your Bride!" 

 Jamie and her dad, Ernest, entered around from the front door into the garden.  

 The guests are standing in their honor. The videographers  were Zach and Ethan with Bowtie Films. 

 Everyone is seated now for the ceremony. 

A welcome to all who traveled from near and far to be here. All of Marc's family came from New York for the wedding. We remembered those that could not be with us then began with a prayer.

Next was a tribute to their parents: Ernest and Francine, Robert and Mary Ellen. This is kept a secret so that it is a sweet surprise for them on the wedding day.

Then I got to tell the story of how Jamie and Marc met. Having no good way to meet people in person, they met on line, liked chatting with each other and decided to meet in person on July 11, 2015. The attraction was immediate, the dating began and they soon became a couple.

They found they had a lot in common, especially a love of football and their favorite teams. Marc supported Jamie in preparing for and running a marathon which showed her how supportive he was of her. Marc surprised her with a proposal of marriage on October 22, 2016 and Jamie of course said yes. Being a big Pinterest fan, she already had a lot of ideas compiled for her wedding so this wedding came together quite naturally.

Then it was time for them to hear for the first time what they each told me in confidence what they love about each other.

Their photographer was Ashley with Bowtie Collaborative. 

 They chose some funny questions for each other like:  

"Marc, do you promise to go to Target whenever Jamie wishes and even go towards the back where the seasonal section is located?"

 "Jamie, do you promise to let Marc buy Jeep parts on a regular basis?" 

 Then they made more serious promises of marriage to each other. 

 Jamie promises.

 Talking about the symbolism of these rings they will exchange.

 Marc: "With this ring, I give you my heart." 

 Jamie: "With this ring, I give you my heart."

 I invited the parents to come forward and light the individual candles for the bride and groom. 

 Then Jamie and Marc brought their flames together and lit the Unity Candle inside the lantern.

 Time for the closing blessing before the pronouncement of marriage.

 I asked them to close their eyes and feel the happiness and let it register in their hearts.

 Then they opened their eyes and I placed my hand on theirs to make the pronouncement of marriage!

 The customary kiss--long enough to get a good picture! Yay! 

 I think Marc is feeling a little sheepish about that kiss in front of everybody! Awww! 

 "Honored guests, please stand and join me in congratulating our newlyweds!" 

The music began and out they went! 

 Cheers! 

A kiss for the videographer! Christy Ethridge on the porch is our wedding director from The Sutherland. Great job, Christy! Enjoyed working with you!

 A photo of the Unity Candle after the ceremony. All the flames are still lit! 

Marc and Jamie! Congratulation on your marriage and a wonderful wedding! I wish you all the best!