Sealed with a kiss!

Sealed with a kiss!
Laura & Chris' Wedding at JCRaulston Arboretum

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Summerlin and Buck Wed at Fletcher Park!

It has been a number of years since I have done a big wedding at the beautiful Fletcher Park Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh right off Glenwood Avenue. The circle is such a pretty setting and you can rent chairs or simply use the stone sitting walls for guests. The Borden House behind it is available for indoor weddings and other events. Owned by the City of Raleigh since 1982. Summerlin and Buck chose this lovely setting for their wedding and The Royal for their reception. So, on October 10th, 2014 their guests began arriving.  It could not have been a more gorgeous day for a wedding! 


There was a section of the wall right in front of the table and arch reserved for their families. 
The parents, grandparents, and wedding party (groom and me!) entered and waited for Summerlin and her Dad to enter.
And here they come!
Summerlin was a striking bride! 
And we are starting! I think Buck was happy to get on with it! 
Their photographer and second shooter were getting some great photos. 
As you surely know if you follow my blog, I have never officiated the same ceremony twice. Each ceremony is "couple-specific" and Summerlin and Buck's is certainly no exception. They are very deep thinking individuals and by the time they met with me, they had already written their "philosophy of marriage" which I incorporated into their ceremony. Along with some good humor too!
They chose to read readings to each other and their guests.
And of course they wrote their own vows!
Which they read from my book where they were printed facing them. 
At this point Buck added a few impromptu words of his own.
Rings were exchanged....
They wanted something different and unique for a unity type ceremony so they invented the "journal" ceremony!
They are both wordsmiths and enjoy writing so it was perfect. At the designated time, they each made an entry into the journal marking the beginning of their marriage. Nice!
A closing blessing...
 Look at all your friends and family who are honoring you on your wedding day!
 The moment they become husband and wife! 
 Summerlin really planted one on Buck! 
 Buck got her back! 
 And off they go into their future!
Summerlin and Buck, you did it! A wonderful wedding that reflected the two of you so well. Congratulations! I know you are so happy and enjoying wedded bliss!

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To contact me:
919-345-4608
Or leave a comment below!
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Melissa and Ion Wed at Duke Gardens!

Melissa and Ion both grew up in Ohio and met when they were in college. Ion's career brought him to the Triangle of NC and Melissa transferred to NCSU so they could be together. They have both fallen in love with this area and in particular Duke Gardens. They have also brought all their family to the gardens in hopes of persuading them to relocate to NC. So, how perfect that they chose to have their small intimate family wedding in the Gardens at the Fish Pool area on Sunday October 5th 2014.
Over the years Duke Gardens has been renovated and updated. When you walk in through the gates from the parking lot at the visitors' center, at the end of the path is a beautiful rotunda with this stunning fountain!
Then at the end of the vista from the pergola is the beautiful fish pool with the overlook above it. 
Time to start the ceremony. Ion and I take our places in front. 
Our wonderful violinist, Udeshi Hargett!
Melissa and her father, Pat, begin their walk through the gorgeous foliage. 
Down the steps...
"Who blesses and supports Melissa as she comes to join in marriage with Ion?"
Welcome everyone! 
They wanted both of their shelties, Chloe and Kai, to be there but one of them was not up to it so we just have the one sweet pup. From the right is Ion's father, Ted, with Melissa's sister, Christina, and her significant other, Marcel, holding the leash.
Our photographer, Julian Ribinik, is getting so many good photos! I have seen them posted on Facebook and he has generously offered them to me. The photos on this blog are taken by my husband Dave who was being my "roadie" that day.
From the left is Ion's mother, Cynthia, Melissa's parents, Diane and Pat.
Following the welcome was a blessing of the parents and remembering those loved ones not with us. 
After a few words on how much Ion and Melissa are attuned with each other, it is time for the vows.
Ion read the vows he had written for Melissa from my book, then Melissa read hers to Ion.
The exchange of rings "With this ring, I marry you and pledge my heart to you." 
A closing blessing before the pronouncement!
I love the kiss AND there is always this very special moment right after the kiss where being married is just sinking in!
Hooray! 
                                                  
Congratulations, Melissa and Ion!! Thank you for choosing me to join you in matrimony! I wish you all the best life can bring your way!
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To contact me:
919-345-4608

Or leave a comment below!
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Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Most Elegant Wedding for Kate and Kyle at NC Museum of Art!

When I met Kate last January, I knew without a doubt she had exquisite taste and that her wedding would be impeccable. And it was! I met Kyle a few months later and was impressed with his dedication to this wedding coming off with precision! And it did! They chose the gorgeous NC Museum of Art for their fall wedding on October 4, 2014.
This beautiful courtyard was the perfect setting. Surrounded by reflective glass walls and a shallow pool of water, this contemporary place was simply stunning.
 To back up with the camera a bit you see the sculptures that provided the gateway to the wedding. 
Up front was the table with the Unity candle set up flanked by large pots of flowers by the Watered Garden. 
How perfect in front of the water that was sprinkled with lily pads. 
 The view from the front.  
Our handsome groomsmen enter the area where the guests were arriving to usher them in. 
Sara Shumay with SweetSaraBelle Weddings, our wedding director, played flower girl and sprinkled the petals down the aisle before the processional began.
Meanwhile the rest of us had walked around the north side of the new building from the old building where we had been hanging out before the wedding. Kate and Kyle did a "first look" with their photographer Shane Snider and so we did not have to maneuver to keep Kyle from seeing Kate!
 Kyle and I entered with his 6 groomsmen. 
 Now for the seating of grandparents and parents. 
 Catherine, grandmother of the bride, was escorted in by our best man, David. 
 Kyle's parents, Jimmy and Melissa.
 Roseanne, mother of the bride, was escorted in by her son Michael then he joined the groomsmen. 
 The first bridesmaid in was Rachel who just happened to be with Kate the day she met Kyle! 
 These dresses are so pretty and becoming to the young ladies. 
 Sarah helps Michaela and Tristan start down the aisle!
 Finally our beautiful bride enters with her father, Mark. The emotion of the moment is getting to Kate! 
 Mark transfers Kate's hands into Kyle's and carefully makes his way around the dress to his seat! 
After a warm welcome to everyone and remembering those who could not be with us, I spoke to the parents. 
A beautiful tribute to their parents whose marriages have stood the test of time! 
Then Kate's brother Michael took over! He was supposed to do a reading but he prefaced the reading with a few unexpected words for the bride and groom all of which he read from his cell phone!
There were some difficulties with the sound and so I used the handheld microphone for the rest of the wedding. Everyone was delighted with Kate and Kyle's story of how they met and fell in love. Kate and Kyle met the first day that Kate arrived on campus at NCSU her freshman year.
Kate is a very focused young woman and set her sights on Kyle from day one and although Kyle held her back so they could go slower, he finally capitulated after two years! We had some really good laughs! 
They love traveling, cheering for the Wolfpack, being foodies and beer snobs, and caring for their two canine kids, Ella and Charlie. 
 Spectacular! 
  Talking about Kyle's surprise proposal during a trip to the Dominican Republic in 2013!
Kyle proposed at sunset on the beach down on one knee with a ring with a diamond from Kate's grandmother's engagement ring. They were both so nervous and shaking, Kate was afraid the ring was going to fall into the surf! Thankfully it didn't and they spent the rest of their vacation in engaged bliss!
 Kyle reads his vows to Kate from my book.......
 And Kate does the same.......
 Then the rings......
There was a good breeze that afternoon and evening but the tall walls surrounding the courtyard fended off a good bit of wind. We were prepared though. They lit their candles from the votives their mothers lit when they entered.
 And their Unity Candle is lit! And it was still burning after the ceremony! A good sign! 
 The closing blessing......
Because I could not hold the mic, my book and place my hand on their hands to make the pronouncement, they lifted their hands to mine under the book! Thanks, Kate and Kyle!
 Aaahhhhh!  
 The presentation of the newlyweds! 
Jason Martin of Veritas Digital Photography videoed the wedding and it was catered by The Iris Restaurant in the Museum. I thank Morgan Greer with the museum for referring Kate and Kyle to me along with Heather, a former bride. It was an incredible wedding!
Wow! Kyle and Kate, what a wedding! I wish you all the best forever!
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To contact me:
Call me: 919-345-4608
Or leave a comment below!
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