Raleigh Wedding Blog

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Beautiful Summer Wedding for Kaitlin and Ryan at The Oaks at Salem!

If you didn't know we are in Apex NC, this scene might look like it is in Scotland or Ireland, or maybe Italy or Spain! It is The Oaks at Salem, a wonderful wedding venue. Kaitlin and Ryan chose this beautiful place for their wedding on July 11, 2015 and the weather was beautiful.

The wedding courtyard awaits the guests and wedding party.

Back across the lake is the manor house and tented terrace for the reception. The guests have gathered there before walking around the lake to the ceremony area.

Inside is the donut wedding cake by Duck Donuts of Cary!

The head table is getting ready!

The other tables are awaiting the china and silverware. Beau's Catering was doing the honors.

So now the guests are seated and Phillip with Anything Music DJs, is ready to start the processional music.

The groom's parents lead the way around the lake. Ryan, his best man Allen, and I follow. The grandparents have been given a ride in the golf cart ahead of time.

And so we await the bridesmaids and groomsmen coming in as couples. Our photographer, Jordan Maunder, and his second shooter, and Jon with Jon Clark Weddings Video are awaiting them.

And here they come......

And then Kaitlin and her mother, Cathy, make their walk around the lake.

Kaitlin's father, Vick, is not living and so I asked Cathy as herself and as Vick's representative, if she blessed and supported Kaitlin as she came to join in marriage with Ryan. Of course she said yes!

And here we go! (The sun is shining brightly right in my eyes!)

We began with a warm welcome to all, a beautiful prayer, remembered those not with us, and then a community blessing where I asked all the guests for their support and blessing of this marriage.

Then I got to tell the story of how Kaitlin and Ryan met and fell in love. It is a good story and quite romantic. It was back in 2011 when they were both in college, different colleges. Ryan spotted Kaitlin's photo on Facebook and noticed that they had gone to the same high school. So he sent her a message introducing himself. They messaged and texted and were amazed how much they had in common.

So, over Thanksgiving holiday they met and continued the conversation. At Christmas they met each other's family and the dating officially began. Ryan proposed in April of 2014 and they began planning this wedding.

Then they got to hear what each of them told me they loved about each other!

The vows.......

The rings.....

The blessing of the hands.......

The big pronouncement of marriage that makes it all legal!

They were ready for this kiss!

Yay!

"Honey, do you realize we are married?"

Checking the veil.....

Mother of Bride and her son Chad exit.......

Mother of the Groom, Cindy, and Father of Groom, Ted exit.........

Beautiful couple!

Kaitlin and Ryan, you worked so hard on this wedding and it was a grand success! I think it met all your expectations. Thank you for working so diligently on your ceremony with me. It was really uniquely you. Congratulations!

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To contact me:

Email me

919-345-4608

My Website

Facebook

Or leave a comment below!

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Jacklyn and Gil Elope to Kayelily's Wedding on the Fourth of July!

Gil and Jacklyn eloped to my garden on July 4th, 2015!

Gil's mother and a couple of friends came along.

It was very humid and so the colors are vibrant!

They said their vows.

Gil went first, then Jacklyn.

Then Gil placed the ring on Jacklyn's finger.

Jacklyn placed the ring on Gil's finger.

A closing blessing......

And now I pronounce you husband and wife!

You may kiss the bride, Gil!

A happy couple!

Jacklyn and Gil, congratulations! May you have all the best life can offer and a long and enduring marriage!

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To contact me:

Email me

919-345-4608

My Website

Facebook

Or leave a comment below!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Fourth of July Wedding for Ellie and Matt!

Ellie and Matt Live in Virginia but wanted to have their wedding in North Carolina because his parents live here. They chose the new 21C Museum Hotel in downtown Durham. This is a new luxury hotel that combines hotel with art gallery and there are several of these boutique hotels around the country.

Matt and Ellie chose Saturday July the 4th, 2015 for their wedding date and we made all the arrangements for me to officiate for them by email.

When I arrived, their musician Wiley Porter, was all set up. We went over the cues for the music. You can probably tell from the photo that Wiley is easy-going and fun. I also found out that he is also a piano tuner if you are in need of one!

Meeting Ellie and Matt for the first time in person. (Ellie's lovely make-up was by Tiwa Lawrence of Pink Diamonds.)

The room for the ceremony is all set up. The icon for the hotel is the pink penguin and so they were there flanking the altar!

On the marker board wall they had written many sayings about love!

While waiting for the guests to arrive, we wandered around the hotel and looked at the art.

An amalgamation of Marilyn and Elvis?

Smile!

This exhibit was a room with the wooden piano and videos projected behind it.

Our fearless leader!

Interesting display of African art.

So, now we are ready to get started!

After Matt and I took our places up front, Thomas (best man) and Jessica (matron of honor) entered.

Wiley began "Ode to Joy" for the entrance of Ellie and her father, William.

We welcomed everyone with recognition of their parents and special acknowledgement of Ellie's grandmother, Rosalind, her role model. Tre Bella provided their flowers in the patriotic red, white and blue palette. On the plaques behind us are the names of movie stars.

Ellie and Matt met while they were both working in Afghanistan. They felt the connection from the beginning. Even after Ellie returned to the States they kept in touch. When Matt returned to the States, their friendship evolved into a deep and abiding love. And here, 7000 miles from where they began, the stand ready to pledge their hearts in marriage.