Candace and Pesh's Fabulous Wedding at Prestonwood Country Club!

Sally Oakley of Sally Oakley Personalized Wedding Planning sent Candace and Pesh (full name Rupesh) my way back last September. We met and because I have done quite a number of Hindu/American blended ceremonies, they chose me to officiate. They were delighted that their ceremony could be very couple-specific which includes the story of how they met and fell in love, what they love about each other, and they could write their own secret vows. They have a great love story! See the story of their engagement at this post: Candace and Pesh.

Their gorgeous wedding was held at the prestigious Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. Sally and her staff had worked hard to make the couple's dream wedding a reality. Their photographer was the famous Dara Blakely and her crew. Their videographer, Rob, was with Twenty-One Films, and Udeshi Hargett, violinist, provided the lovely music for the ceremony.

 Fresh Affairs did the florals. 

This is the setting for the ceremony. An air wall at the back of the guests was opened up to flow into the adjoining ballroom after the ceremony and the ceremony area was flipped with tables and chairs.

After the entrance of Candace's grandmother and the parents, Pesh and his groomsmen and I entered and waited for the bridesmaids to make their entrance and take their places on the steps. Then it was time for Candace to enter. She was escorted in by her grandfather and her stepfather.

And so we began with a warm welcome, prayer, tribute to the parents, and remembrance of those who could not join us.

 Then I had the honor of telling their story which garnered some good laughter from their guests. 

At this point I am telling each of them what the other told me in confidence--what they love about their partner and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

 Again, we had some good laughs! 

For the vows we incorporated the Hindu tradition of Sapta Padi and I ascended the steps where the Maid of Honor and Best Man were waiting. Then the couple took a step for each of the seven vows.

They had written secret personalized vows with a touch of humor and they read them from my book as they exchanged rings.

 The pronouncement of marriage! 

 Ahh! The Kiss, Looks like a scene from a movie! 

 It is done! 

 The new Mr. and Mrs. step into their future! 

Candace and Pesh--what a romantic and meaningful ceremony! Thank you for giving me the honor of  joining you in marriage. May you always be happy and satisfied beyond your wildest imagination!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Kristin and Andrew Get Married at The Cookery!

My first wedding at this unique venue--The Cookery! It is smack dab in the middle of downtown Durham and a blank palette for couples to make what they want of it. Kristin and Andrew decided to go with it and it turned out fabulous. Their wedding was Friday August 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM.

 When you walk in the front door and turn to your left, you see this. 

Straight ahead is the bar and kitchen area. Sage and Swift was the caterer and also provided cupcakes in place of a wedding cake. There is a mezzanine up the steps and their Photo Booth from Anything Music was there. Their photographer was Amy Allen. 

From the bar area you can see the front door then the opening to the outside where there was a big tent erected and air conditioned! 

 Everyone is chipping in to get things ready. 

 Their wedding "logo."

Talking to JD Silverthorne with Anything Music DJs. He was great to work with. He is in his corner of operation below for the ceremony.

All the guests are seated and we are standing around getting ready to start. On the left are our attendants, Anna and Adam, then Pat (mother of the bride) with her escort, Casey (her son).

Tom is proud to escort his beautiful daughter, Kristin, into the ceremony area as the guests are standing in her honor. Jule, our wedding director and friend of the bride, did a wonderful job sending us all in on cue. 

And here we go! Kristin and Andrew did not like the white curtains for their "backdrop" so Andrew built that wall of recycled wooden boards for the occasion which will be used in their home. It was so heavy it had to be transported in two pieces. The florals were DIY and the simplicity of the baby's breath and green peace lilies was elegant and very organic!

Welcome to all! (You may notice that the bride and groom are on opposite sides than traditional. The parents wanted to see their child's face during the ceremony instead of their backs. I get this request from time to time and it makes sense to me!) 

Talking to the parents: Kristin and Andrew had written sweet words to each of their parents thanking them for all their love and support during their lives.

 There was lots of laughter and some tears too! 

 The guests taking it all in.

Now to tell their story! They were introduced on line and when they met in person for their first date which lasted 4 hours, they were both smitten and never looked back!

Revealing what each of them had told me about the other--what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Sweet moment.

 The vows..... 

 The rings......

 The closing blessing where they turn and gaze around at the loved ones there to honor them. 

 "It is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife!" 

 THE KISS!!

Outside in front of the wall mural on The Cookery......Andrew and Kristin, you had such a wonderful warm, laid back wedding and it is all because that is what you are! What a pleasure to work with you both. I wish you all the best forever!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Alyson and Tom's Wonderful Wedding at Hudson Manor!

Alyson and Tom's wedding was Sunday August 3, 2014 in Louisburg NC at the lovely Hudson Manor and Estate. It is a long drive but with the road improvements that continue to be made, it is getting closer and closer. I've been doing weddings there since it opened about 10 years ago. The owner, Melissa Cogliatti, has really developed the property into a dream wedding venue.

The interior of the reception hall is ready for the reception. This building was not even there 10 years ago. Melissa has her own catering and bar staff and the food is wonderful.  Fallon's provided the florals.

Now there are three spots on the estate where the ceremony can be. The original outdoor Ceremony Garden in good weather, the Lake View Terrace which adjoins the reception hall and is covered, and the Chapel. Our wedding today was held on the Lake View Terrace because of the potential for rain.

This is the view of the terrace from the steps of the reception hall looking toward the lake and the chapel. 

This is the view of the reception hall from the terrace. It is large and well covered. When we have weddings here, the processional is from the reception hall so the wedding party does not get drenched.

 This pretty cake with the special characters on top was baked by Delicious Bakery.

 Their photographer, Chris Florio, provided the couple with the "unplugged" message!

The bride and her parents and bridesmaids are on their way from the Manor House where they get dressed and hang out until it is time to start.

 The footwear for the day is sneakers! (I did not get the memo!)

 

Following me are the groom carrying Tommy, their son, and his brother, Ken, carrying his son. They gave the kids to their grandparents to hold for the ceremony. They were very well behaved for 1-year olds!

 The wedding party and parents are in place and it is time for the bride! 

Reed brought in his beautiful daughter, Alyson, circled round and I stepped into to place to ask: "Who has the privilege of presenting this young woman, Alyson, to be married to this young man, Tom?" Of course he answered: "Her mother and I do."

 A kiss for dad and then we begin.

 The really fun part was telling their story. Not everyone had heard it. 

 Hearing for the first time what the other told me they loved in their partner. 

 The vows to each other. 

Behind the groomsmen is Taylor Pittman, our DJ for the day. Always love working with Taylor. The sound was perfect!

 The rings go on.....

In the closing blessing I ask the couple to look around at their loved ones who have come to honor them on their wedding day.

It was quite humid and Tom had a lot of perspiration that was just about ready to run down his face and so I mopped his face to get him ready for the kiss!

 And there it is.....the KISS! 

Alyson and Tom, congratulations on your marriage and I know your future together will be filled with happiness, Tommy, and more!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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