Wonderful Winter Wedding for CJ and Justin!

CJ (short for Caroline Judith) found me on The Knot and called me on 8/13/09 to see if I was available for her wedding date of January 2, 2010. We chatted and decided that since she and Justin, her fiance, lived in Boston, that I would meet with her parents to discuss my services and get to know each other a bit. Her parents, Susan and Gerald, live in Morehead City and it just so happened that my husband and I were going on vacation at Atlantic Beach nearby the following week. So we made all the arrangements and met one afternoon at the beach. I enjoyed meeting with Gerald and Susan and they reported back to CJ and Justin what they thought of me. Apparently I made a good impression because CJ and Justin decided to hire me as their wedding officiant and we got the contract signed and my fee paid quickly.

Then we began the process of creating their special ceremony via email. They really loved the idea of including their "story" in their wedding ceremony. CJ and Justin told me how and when they met, what first attracted them to each other and what they love most about each other, what they look forward to in marriage, what marriage means to them, and shared some of their cute stories and adventures with me. I took their material and crafted it into a running history of CJ and Justin and with their editing and approval, we had the bulk of their ceremony completed. All three of us loved it. It also included some great humor that I knew the guests would enjoy and I really looked forward to delivering the ceremony.  I love hearing the stories of couples and passing it on to their guests. I find the guests love it too and are in rapt attention throughout the ceremony.

CJ and Justin and I met face to face for the first time on December 22nd when they got back to NC for the holidays. We went over the logistics of our ceremony since we were having the rehearsal at a site different from the ceremony venue of the Carolina Club--the UNC Alumni Center. Both the bride and groom are UNC grads and of course this was the perfect setting for them. I had gone by there the week before (the day it snowed!) and met Sallie Sullivan, the events coordinator, and took a good look at the ceremony venue and how it would be set up for the wedding. Sallie was great and gave me a grand tour. I look forward to doing more weddings there! Finally the big day arrived! It was rather chilly with a wind chill factor down in the teens but it was warm and cozy in the Carolina Club and this beautiful wedding began.

After the grandparents, parents, groom, best man and the attendants and I entered, it was time for CJ and her father, Gerald, to make their grand entrance and float down the aisle. Here our photographer, Elizabeth Burgess, has them turn briefly and face her for a great photo.

There were about 140 guests filling this beautifully appointed and richly decorated room. There was a trellis with a floral arrangement on top and a huge fern on each side flanked by the candelabras which you cannot see from here.

A friend of theirs, Melissa Bennett, on the left here, sang a Beatles tune "In my Life" which is a favorite of CJ and Justin's and they were almost singing along with her! She was accompanied by their friend Jeffrey Danielson on keyboard. 

This is an amazing photo because the professional photographer's flash went off at the same time as mine and we got fantastic illumination of the moment I am making the pronouncement of marriage. (You can click on any of these photos and get a larger image.)

It's done! They're married!

The bride and groom and wedding party and parents and grandparents all exited to a private room while the guests went on to the reception. Then we went back into the ceremony room for photos. Here I am talking with Cindy and David, Justin's parents, holding hands, and Susan, CJ's mom. Their kids have been together since high school and they were all so thrilled with this marriage and this wedding ceremony.

Congratulations to the new "Missus!" She is really radiant! I believe all her expectations were met and she is so thrilled. No fussy babies or misbehaving children! On the left is one of our bridesmaids, Sandra, and on the right behind us is Justin's brother, Jake.

The beaming newlyweds. It's off to Jamaica in the morning! Do you think we have a Carolina Blue theme going on here? Just you wait and see!

Just look at that gorgeous wedding gown. It was encrusted with sparkles and beads and was pretty heavy. Once the train was in place, it hardly moved!

See what I mean? Carolina Blue everywhere and a UNC monogram on the glasses. This lovely cake was created by Ronald Johnson of UNC Alumni Club Catering. Our florist was Charles House of University Florist. Our capable photographer was Elizabeth Burgess of Burgess Photography and her assistant was Laurence Lynn with whom I have worked many weddings. What a team they make! I know CJ and Justin will have some fabulous photos of their special day. The make up artist was Jenny Raele of Make-up Art by Jenny.

Our DJ for the reception who also provided the sound for my microphone during the ceremony was Ken Holmes with Joe Bunn DJ Company. It was great to work with Ken again. Cindy Shuford, family friend, did a superb job of directing the wedding.  Thank you, Cindy! Sorry that the photo Marty took of us was not good enough to use--my camera was misbehaving!  

CJ and Justin, you are a wonderful couple and I know you will be very happy together and continue to live life to the fullest! You have such a bright and beautiful outlook on life and your future. I hope you will keep in touch! Have a great honeymoon in Jamaica!

New Year's Eve Wedding for Teresa and Eric!

New Year's Eve evening, Marty and I arrived at the home of Teresa and Eric for their wedding. They were referred to me by Kenneth and Julia, a couple I married this past summer (see their wedding post by clicking here). Teresa is a local veterinarian and Julia is a student at the veterinary school, hence the referral to me. Kenneth, an airline pilot, is also a photography buff, and so he was photographing the wedding. It was good to see them both again and they looked pretty happy and content together.

Both Eric and Teresa had two sons each from previous marriages that we were blending into one big family this evening. When we were ready to begin, the boys entered followed by the bride and groom.

The wedding took place in the sunroom. The couple had cleverly covered up the windows so that the camera flashes would not be bouncing all over the place! Eric's sons, Hayden and Gavin are on the right. Teresa's sons, Brenden and Devin are on the left. Teresa's parents were also there as well as Eric's sister, Denise, and many other friends.

The boys lit the four candles on the altar when they entered which represented all the guests. Then during the Children's Blessing we recognized the kids and told them how loved and important they are in this newly formed family. After the vows and rings, they participated in a family unity sand ceremony.

The married couple exit the ceremony area to the cheers of their guests. We later staged some photos in the sunroom.

One big happy family now! Teresa and Eric, congratulations on finding one another and I wish you all the best in life!

I want to thank Jonathan Colgan who provided our music for the wedding. You did a fabulous job. Thanks to Julia who served as our cue person to let Jonathan know when to start and stop the music since he was in the living room and not in a position to see the actual ceremony. 

Christian/Hindu Interfaith Ceremony for Lori and Bijal at Highgrove!

The rain forced my 3:00 wedding indoors but Lori held out for an outside wedding at 5:30 on October 24, 2009. When Marty and I arrived, Joe Bunn, their DJ, was setting up outside so he could provide sound for me and the readers. It was a last minute decision of the bride and we stuck to it. The guests arrived and were seated after being given a beautiful wedding program Lori and Bijal created. The couple also had a basket of rolled up soft pink pashminas for the women to take as a wrap if needed to snuggle up in. How thoughtful! The pink matched the latte bridesmaids dresses accented with the soft pink of the flowers they carried.

When it was time to begin, Roxana, our director with Highgrove Estate, cued the musicians and the parents were seated. Then Bijal and I processed in together followed by the best man, Chris.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered as couples--all 8 of them! It was a large wedding party. Then the 3 ring bearers--Noah, Adam and Milan--entered.

Then our sweet little flower girls-- Bella and Layne--came down the steps and the aisle with flower wands with bells on them. They were supposed to ring them as they came in but they forgot.

Then Roxana rang a large bell 5 times to announce the entrance of the bride. I had everyone stand.

This is the overall scene with our photographer, Bianca, and her husband and videographer, Sean, getting all the action.

Lori was a beautiful bride. I saw Bijal's eyes tear up just a bit when she came down the aisle.

In the beginning of the ceremony just when the bride came in, it started to sprinkle and the pages of my book started to get wet. See the umbrellas. Then it stopped for the rest of the ceremony.
In this misty shot, I am addressing the couple's parents and paying tribute to them. We also remembered the couple's grandparents. Bijal's grandmother had made a special candle for the occasion which they brought with them and we lit it along with the other candles lit in their memory. It was very special. Then we had two readers. Janyl, one of the Matrons of Honor, read a passage from the Christian Bible. Namita, Bijal's cousin, read a passage from the BhagavadGita.

Bijal and Lori worked very carefully to combine both the Hindu customs and the traditional American/Christian customs in their ceremony. I had previously done several interfaith ceremonies of Hindu/Christian couples but they were separate ceremonies and never integrated together like this one. It was fabulous! Here they light the Unity Candle--a Christian tradition.

Then they used the Unity Candle as the Sacred Fire in the Hindu tradition of Phere and performed Mangal Fara which is 4 rounds around the fire. The groom led the bride in the first three rounds then the bride led the groom in the last round you see here. Each round had a specific significance and represented aspects of marriage.

They then celebrated Saptapati by taking 7 steps around the fire saying in unison a vow for each step. They got tickled about half way through and I had to repeat the vow for them! Following the vows they exchanged rings and I pronounced them husband and wife and they kissed. Applause, applause. I introduced them to their guests and out they went, married at last.

They head for the house for photographs followed by the big reception in the big tent. The rain was still holding off.

They posed with me for the customary photo with the officiant. They were so pleased with how the ceremony went. Even Bijal's parents complimented me on how I handled the ceremony. I think they must have had some doubts at the rehearsal but it all turned out fabulously! Thank you, Lori and Bijal, for this wonderful experience. I am honored to have been your officiant and I know you two will be so happy and have a wonderful marriage!

Highgrove Estate is a fantastic place for a wedding. I love doing weddings here. They provide the couple with their own coordinator to help them make all their plans, conduct the rehearsal and direct the wedding. Roxana Costivc was our capable coordinator. Thanks, Roxana, it was a pleasure working with you!

Here are some photos of the reception area. It was so elegant.
















Our musicians provided heavenly music. Unfortunately because of the potential for rain, they had to be under cover so they were stuck back in the tent on the patio at the far end so they could see the ceremony for cues. Evelyn Snyder, the violinist on the right, plays many weddings I officiate. It is always good to see her and I know I can count on great music. With her is cellist Shana Tucker Williams and violinist Elle Bentler, a friend of the bride. I think Elle knew Evelyn and Evelyn knew Shana. The three of them together were great. Thanks, gals!

Joe Bunn--I always look forward to doing weddings with Joe. He is an excellent DJ and probably the most well-known in these parts and for good reason. Joe, the sound was perfect and I appreciate your help at every wedding we do together! I know the reception must have been a blast. I see that you already have this wedding on your blog.......you are speedy!

Cinda's Creative Cakes made this 6 tier coconut wedding cake. Isn't it incredible?

Our photographer and videographer were Bianca and Seth of A Moment Like This. They were delightful to work with as usual. They capture everything and don't miss a moment.

Melinda and Jeff's Fantastic Wedding at Washington-Duke Inn!

Melinda and Jeff's wedding was really special for me. They wisely chose to take my Marriage Optimization course to be sure they were starting their marriage off on the right foot and would not have any unforeseen problems arise. They were so much fun to work with and I got to know them quite well. They are quite well matched for each other. So, I was really looking forward to marrying them. Together we created a very warm and meaningful wedding ceremony that they both loved and enjoyed hearing on their wedding day.

Diane Tighe at the Washington-Duke Inn helped them make their wedding ceremony very unique by seating the guests in a circle with 6 aisles, 4 of which had a bridesmaid and a groomsmen standing at the inside of the aisle. I could see that the guests were just fascinated as each groomsman entered and took his place followed by each bridesmaid entering and taking her place beside him. The Maid of Honor, Bethany, stood just outside the arbor opposite the best man, Andrew, Jeff's brother. Then Jeff entered by walking completely around the outside of the circle then coming down the center aisle to join me under the arbor.

Melinda, you are a gorgeous bride. Of course you come by it naturally with a beautiful mother and handsome father. Here they proudly escort her in.

They walked her around the outside of the circle then at the entrance to the center aisle, they kissed her and from that point Jeff escorted Melinda down the aisle and under the arbor. Then they turned and faced each other centered in front of me and I began to speak.

Each set of parents had chairs nearest the arbor; Jeff's parents, Tom and Eileen, are on the right and Melinda's parents, Jim and Nancy, are on the left in the photo above.

You can see the bridesmaids and groomsmen in couples at the inside of each of the 4 aisles and the best man and maid of honor just outside the arbor. As I delivered the welcome, I rotated in different directions to greet all the guests. The rain had held off all day and there was a lovely glow in the air as the sun started to go down.

In this photo, the parents have joined us under the arbor, or chuppah, for the Parents' Blessing thanking and honoring them on behalf of the couple and guests. It was an emotional moment.

Jeff's cousin, Winn, read to us the poem by Taylor Mali "Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog." Melinda and Jeff chose this reading because it expresses both their love for animals--especially dogs, as well as the humor they embrace in their relationship. It is a sweet and funny poem that everyone enjoys and one of the most popular poems chosen by my couples for their weddings for the past 2 years.

Jeff and Melinda made their vows to each other loud and clear! Then they exchanged rings and after the pronouncement we had the "breaking of the glass" to honor Melinda's Jewish heritage.
Then they finally got to kiss each other! The raindrops started gently falling just as we ended.

Husband and wife, equal partners joined in matrimony, at last!

Melinda and Jeff, you are a terrific couple. I know you will both go far in your careers and have a happy marriage too. It was my pleasure working with you and officiating your beautiful and memorable wedding ceremony. Congratulations, I wish you the best of everything!

The Washington-Duke Inn is one of the most elegant settings for weddings in the Triangle and probably the whole State of North Carolina. This is the ballroom set up for their reception. I always enjoy working with Diane Tighe who is in charge of the weddings there. She is so knowledgeable, so creative, and so pleasant to collaborate with on weddings. Some of the most beautiful and memorable weddings I have done have been done here. Great job, Diane!

The Matthew-Chicurel String Trio provided the lovely music for the ceremony. This is Matt with his back to the camera who put together this group. He plays viola, the other instruments are cello and violin. Standing behind them is Craig Carpenter, our photographer, with Luster Studios. His photographic skills are excellent and his photos show it. I love working with Craig and we do a lot of weddings together. Send me some photos of this one, Craig!

Floral Dimensions did all the flowers. Aren't these centerpieces beautiful?

This wonderful wedding cake was made by a friend of the couple. I believe her name is Carla Young. I don't know if she is in the business of baking wedding cakes or not. Maybe someone will let me know.

A Wedding in the Round for Delaney and Jake at Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill!

Jake and Delaney met at the University of North Carolina 9 years ago but they live in Chicago now. Jake is originally from Laurinburg NC and is descended from the Lumbee Indians. Delaney was born in Tennessee and lived in NJ and her heritage is Christian and Jewish. Their wedding ceremony was a beautiful blending of all their heritages.

Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill fit Delaney and Jake's dream site for their wedding. It is an old dairy farm with barn and silo, now converted to a great casual party place out in the country. Here is our wedding director in the black dress, Lindsey Moyer, directing guests to the wedding ceremony area. The pooch is Jake and Delaney's sweet doggie, Stella, who was honored by a reading during the wedding entitled "Love is Like Owning a Dog." She was wearing a ring pillow on her collar but Jake's dad had the real rings. She was such a gentle dog and had the sweetest face.

Here Jake is being escorted in by his parents. Jake and Delaney wanted to have their guests in a circle around them. There were 3 rows of concentric circles of chairs. Seated in the Inner Circle were their family members and special friends instead of having attendants standing up with them. That made it easy for the three of us under the Chuppah to make a quarter turn every quarter section of the ceremony so all the guests got good views of the bride and groom. In the ceremony we included a Native American saying “Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are the stars. The wind in its greatest power whirls. Birds make their nests in circles. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man or a woman is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.”

Delaney is escorted in by her mother and father and helped along by Lindsey.

Here Delaney and her parents enter the circle as the guests are standing in honor of the bride. (I noticed after the wedding that there was a note in the program Please Don't Stand for the entrance of Inner Circle, Groom and Bride, but I did not see it ahead of time and had the guests stand for the bride!)

The sun is shining right in Delaney's eyes while we stood facing this direction. She was glad when we turned. Did you notice the big rocks in the pots holding the poles of the Chuppah? Well, although the poles were embedded in concrete, it was not heavy enough to keep the Chuppah from blowing over. Having seen 4 good sized rocks on my way in, Lindsey and I enlisted the help of 4 strong young men to fetch those rocks to anchor the pots. Once these guys were involved, they took over making sure that Chuppah would not blow over and they were certainly successful. Thanks, you guys!

Jake is tall. The Chuppah is almost grazing the top of his head! This Chuppah was very special to this couple as the canopy incorporated needlework of her great grandmother.

Jake and Delaney drink wine together as part of the Jewish wedding tradition. L'Haim, may your cup of life run over!

Stella decided it was nap time during the ceremony but I believe she did pay attention during the reading dedicated to her.

I had to include this amazing photo filled with rainbow light!

Delaney is reading to Jake her personal statement to him from my book. All of us got a good laugh at her sense of humor about how they met. Jake's personal statement to Delaney included his singing to her a song he wrote for her. It was so romantic. I could almost hear the women all around us swooning!

I made the pronouncement of marriage, Jake stomped the glass, and after 9 years, Jake and Delaney are sooooo happy to be married, at last!

The sun is shining bright on this very special couple. Jake and Delaney, your wedding was terrific. I love your creativity and expressiveness. It was definitely a one-of-a-kind wedding. Congratulations to you both.

Who made this lovely cake? I forgot to find out.

This is the reception area inside the barn at Snipes Farm Retreat. (They don't have a website but you can call the owner, Roger Snipes, at 919-929-3454.) Delaney made the favors and each table was named for a city they either lived in or visited with a photo of them there and words explaining the significance. Delaney also made some of the most beautiful wedding programs I have ever seen. She is so talented and creative. She actually stamped a swatch of fabric with the design of a tree with the roots spelling out hers and Jake's full names. This was sewn onto the cover of each program. In addition to having the usual order of service and the names of parents, grandparents and Inner Circle friends, they made a crossword puzzle specific to their facts, like "the name of the Tarheel mascot, Chicago-style pizza, Jake's birthday month Scorpio, what's black, barks and bears the ring?" Inside each program was a handwritten name or word that was to match or "twin" with another name or word in another program, i. e. Peanut Butter and Jelly would match. The guests were to find their "twin." A wonderful touch and a fun mixer.

Many thanks to Lindsey Moyer of A Joyful Occasion, and her assistant, Suzanne Dale, for doing a super job organizing the guests and wedding party and directing the wedding.

I want to thank Jonathan C. Ward, Native American flutist, who played original flute music for the processional. It was so beautiful, so much so that I bought one of his CDs. He also brought his sound board so that all I had to do was plug in my ear mic and the handheld mic I brought for our reader. The website address www.jonathancward.com on his card does not work but his phone number is (910) 474-8189 and if you google him, you can watch his U-tube. Forbes Boyle, guitarist and singer and one of the Inner Circle Friends, played and sang for the entrance of the Inner Circle Family and Friends and Groom and Bride.

James Bowman of James Bowman Photography was our photographer. The photos on this blog, however, were taken with my point and shoot digital camera by my friend and "roadie," Marty.