Elizabeth and Miguel Elope to WRAL Azalea Garden!

Elizabeth and Miguel and their parents wanted a more special wedding than for them to just to go to the courthouse and get married in a standard ceremony by magistrate. Elizabeth found me on line and contacted me right away. By email and texts, we discussed location, date and time, and the ceremony she had in mind. She loves the WRAL Azalea Garden and although their wedding date of March 29th 2019 was a week or two before the azaleas bloomed, it is a beautiful setting for a small family wedding. I sent her a proposed wedding ceremony script based on what she told me she wanted and she and Miguel made their edits and we were all set. The wedding day could not have been more beautiful! 

Both sets of parents and siblings and friends gathered on a grassy spot near the parking lot. It was flanked by many tulips in full bloom. We decided to stand in front of a large flower bed for the ceremony so that the background of their wedding photos would be a natural setting. Elizabeth's father, Mike, walked her "down the aisle" to where Miguel and their mothers, Andrea and Macarena, stood with me.

I asked Mike who loved and supported Elizabeth as she came to join in marriage with Miguel. He answered that her mother and he did.

Elizabeth gave her dad a big hug then turned to join hands with Miguel in front of me. 

I welcomed everyone and thanked them for being there for Elizabeth and Miguel. Then we had a sweet and simple prayer followed by a blessing and honoring of their parents.

Miguel and Elizabeth met almost exactly 5 years ago in March of 2014. The attraction was instant and they found they had the same values and interests. They soon became inseparable.

There were a few words on love and marriage and I wish I could remember what got us laughing here! It must have been one of the children sitting on the blanket watching. They were so cute!

Then it was time for them to make their promises of marriage to each other. 

They both answered "I always will" to my questions and it was time for the rings. 

Miguel placed the ring on Elizabeth's finger as he recited the words after me line by line. 

Then Elizabeth did the same as she placed the ring on Miguel's finger. 

We closed with a blessing for the couple then it was time to pronounce them husband and wife.

I placed my hand on theirs and began.

Elizabeth and Miguel, by the love that has brought you here today, by the vows you have exchanged and by the integrity of your commitment in the presence of your loved ones and in the presence of God, it is my distinct pleasure to declare that you are now husband and wife.

Miguel, you may kiss the bride!! Then I quickly stepped out of the way. 

Miguel was most happy to do so!!

Elizabeth and Miguel! Congratulations on your love and marriage. I hope you are enjoying wedding bliss and have settled into a wonderful marriage! I wish you the best always!

Liz and Cody's Beautiful Wedding at the WRAL Azalea Garden!

So, last November, Liz contacted me to see if I could officiate her wedding. A friend of one of her bridesmaids had been at a wedding I officiated and recommended she contact me. I was delighted that I was available for hers and Cody's wedding day April 20th 2019 at the WRAL Azalea Gardens. They live in DC so we did not meet in person until the day of the rehearsal but we skyped and emailed.

Their videographer, Dean Garris with Deano Pictures, was setting up when Dave and I arrived.  I went about setting up my sound system and did a sound check. All sounded good. Dean put one of his microphones on me to get the sound for the video. It was a good thing too because my sound system failed--don't understand why, maybe frequency interference with the towers at WRAL, but Dean got my voice for the video. Here is the LINK to the video trailer.

The guests were arriving and filling in the seats. Meanwhile the wedding party was hidden behind the gray stone facade in the rear. The reception for this wedding was at The Cannon Room in downtown Raleigh. Christie Williams who is the event manager for The Cannon Room was our wedding director for the ceremony. In fact, because it was terrible weather the day before, we had our rehearsal there instead of getting drenched in the garden! Thanks, Christie!

The Petals String Duo was playing prelude music. Our photographer was Eric with Arbor Union and the florist was Juniper & Rye Floral.

 The groomsmen and I were the first to enter down the aisle. 

 Cody followed as he escorted his mother Debbie down the aisle then joined me and the guys. 

Mother (Jill) and Grandmother (Lib) of the Bride came in together. 

 Then it was the bridesmaids' turn. Above is Emily, Liz's twin sister, Maid of Honor!

 Time for Emily and her dad, John, to make their trek across the grass and down the aisle. 

As the guests stood in their honor, they stopped in front of Cody and me and I asked John: "Who gives their love and blessing to Liz as she comes to join in marriage to Cody?" He answered: "Her mother and I do." The guests were seated and the ceremony began. It was then that I found out my voice was not being amplified. I walked over to the sound system and it was on and my bodypack was on and there was nothing I could do short of taking a time out and unplugging and reconnecting everything which I think would be inappropriate. So, I just projected my voice.

I welcomed everyone and told them how happy Liz and Cody were to have them present with them on this auspicious occasion.

Then I stepped out much further than usual so that I could direct my voice to the guests. First was a tribute to their parents which was a sweet surprise. The couple and I created the script so they knew what I was saying.

Then I had the fun task of telling their story like no one had ever heard it. They each had separately answered a bunch of questions for me which I blended together telling their story from both perspectives. I could tell the guests could hear me because they were laughing at the right places!

Liz and Cody met for the first time in 2013 when both of them were interviewing for the same internship. Cody noticed Liz sitting in the lobby area all cool and collected reading a book while all the other interviewees were stewing about nervously. She was so beautiful and intriguing, he just couldn't resist the urge to introduce himself, and so he did. They had a lively conversation that neither of them would ever forget. But getting together then was not in the stars. They went their separate ways back to their universities in different states. They became Facebook friends but Liz ended up going abroad the following summer and Cody got that job they interviewed for. Fast forward to over a year later in Spring of 2014 when Liz reached out to Cody on Facebook. They were both free of any other love interests by then and the spark was fanned into a flame! The first date was set for June in DC and the rest is history. Cody proposed in June of 2018 with an elaborately orchestrated plan that didn't work out quite as he had hoped but she said yes and the wedding planning began. Liz's parents live in Cary so they chose to have their wedding here.

 You can see how much the twins look alike. And they are very close too. 

I continued to stand closer to the guests as I read to Liz and Cody what the other had told me in confidence--what they love about each other, why they want to marry, and what they are looking forward to in marriage. They had not heard these secret paragraphs until that moment.

 Cody read his vows to Liz. They both had included touches of humor in their promises to each other.

A few little tears had escaped from Liz's eyes and down her cheeks and so I blotted them for her. I always carry a hankie for that purpose! 

 Then they exchanged rings.

 A closing blessing came next. 

 Then I pronounced them husband and wife and invited them to seal their vows with a kiss! 

 And so they did! 

 They are so so happy to finally be married! 

 They are cheered on by their guests as they step into their new marriage! 

Mother and father of the bride exited after the bridesmaids and one groomsman hung back to escort Cody's mom out.

Liz and Cody!! Wonderful wedding! I loved working with you and creating your ceremony so that it was a wonderful expression of the two of you. I wish you the best always!

Teesha and Gregory's Beautiful Wedding at WRAL Azalea Gardens!

Teesha and Gregory had the prettiest wedding! It was at the WRAL Azalea Gardens on Sunday April 22nd, 2018. The azaleas were all blooming along with the tulips and pansies and more.

When Dave and I arrived, we set up the sand ceremony. I furnished the table and Teesha had given me the containers and sand and the broom the day before at our rehearsal.

This is the circular bricked patio for the ceremony. The chairs were arranged in a curve on the thick lush grass. Dave and I placed my sound system to one side and did a sound check.

Looking from the chairs to the entrance to the gardens. 

Following the ceremony the guests were invited to have some cake and toast the couple. 

This pretty cake was baked by and delivered by a friend. Smart to put the net on it to keep the bees away!

We are all ready for the guests to be taking their seats. Rachel goes to help Teesha get ready.

View of the ceremony area from the top of the hill when you first enter the gardens.

WRAL building. There are no changing facilities other than the ladies room though. 

Our keyboardist David Klingman got set up and began playing prelude music. 

Gregory and I began the long walk down the aisle to the ceremony area.

Gregory's son Jayden followed closely behind. He served as his father's best man. 

Teesha and Gregory's children together, Alexus and Deandre, followed next and were seated with their grandmother, Teesha's mom, Brenda. They were so cute and well-behaved!

And now it is time for Teesha to make her grand entrance. 

She begins walking across the sidewalk until she gets in front of the ceremony site. 

She started down the "aisle" toward us. Such a pretty bride! 

At this point Gregory, as planned, began walking up the aisle toward her.

And they came the rest of the way together to get married. Great symbolism! 

Wiping a few tears from Teesha's cheeks! 

I welcomed everyone to this wonderful occasion and thanked them for being with us. 

Then we had a sweet prayer and remembered their loved ones who have passed on from this earth. 

I stepped out and gave a tribute to Teesha's mom, Brenda, and thanked her for her love and support of Teesha and Gregory and their children. It was a tearful moment as I took a tissue to Brenda. Jayden needed a tissue as well!

Then we recognized Jayden, Deandre, and Alexus and told them how loved they are and how important they are in the marriage we celebrate today. After that I related the story of how Gregory and Teesha met and fell in love. (Our professional photographer was Darkred Photography in the background.)

Then it was time for them to make their vows to each other.

After the vows, I called for the rings from Jayden.

The exchanged their rings.

At this point it was time for the Family Unity Sand Ceremony. 

Teesha and Gregory poured some of their sand in first making two layers. 

Then each of the children poured in their sand.

Teesha and Gregory blended their remaining sand on top. 

It was my honor and my delight to pronounce them husband and wife and invited them to share their first kiss as a married couple!

Oh Yes!!

As they kissed, I retrieved the broom for them to jump over.

And they did!!

A thumb's up to David to begin the recessional music!

On their way out, Teesha got her bouquet from her mother who was just beaming with happiness for her daughter.

And out they go into the gardens with their photographer to take some photos. 

The central container was filled to the brim! 

Teesha, you did it! You pulled off a gorgeous wedding! I hope it fulfilled all your dreams for your wedding day. Congratulations to you both! I wish you the best always!