Jamie and Marc's Fabulous Wedding at The Sutherland!

The Sutherland in Wake Forest is a beautiful wedding venue. The owner, Ashlee Adams, has carefully restored this old plantation estate to its current splendor. Jamie and Marc fell in love with it and booked it for their wedding on July 15th, 2017. 

This is an original cabin on the premises that is used for a place for the groom and his groomsmen to hang out in while the bride and her ladies are in the big house getting ready.

 It is a blazing hot day and the sun is as bright as it gets! But not untypical for a July day in North Carolina! 

 Inside the manor house here is an original fireplace in the old dining room that has been preserved. 

Off the dining room is a sun room where the cake is on display. The cake is by Ashley Cakes.

 The ceremony took place in the Walled Garden. 

 The Unity Candle ceremony is set up. To protect the flame, the Unity Candle is inside a glass lantern.

A new addition to the premises a few years ago is the Pavilion. This past year doors were added on all sides so that now it is climate controlled for the comfort of the wedding guests and wedding party.

Very spacious beautiful light-filled space to celebrate inside! The caterer, Donovan's Dish, is preparing for the reception.

 All is ready! 

We delayed the start of the ceremony 15 minutes due to an accident on Highway 1 which delayed one of the shuttles from getting to the venue. And now it is time to begin the processional.

 The guests are seated under the parasols to shade them from the sun.

Marc and I, followed by his brothers, Robbie and Andrew--his best men, enter from the side gate. I want to thank Alex Choi with Vox DJ for the music and for letting me plug my mic into his system. The sound was perfect! 

 The groomsmen and bridesmaids entered as couples followed by the Maid of Honor, Jamie's sister, Dena.  

They had six children in the wedding party and the last little girl, Emily, entered with a sign that said "Uncle Bubba, Here Comes Your Bride!" 

 Jamie and her dad, Ernest, entered around from the front door into the garden.  

 The guests are standing in their honor. The videographers  were Zach and Ethan with Bowtie Films. 

 Everyone is seated now for the ceremony. 

A welcome to all who traveled from near and far to be here. All of Marc's family came from New York for the wedding. We remembered those that could not be with us then began with a prayer.

Next was a tribute to their parents: Ernest and Francine, Robert and Mary Ellen. This is kept a secret so that it is a sweet surprise for them on the wedding day.

Then I got to tell the story of how Jamie and Marc met. Having no good way to meet people in person, they met on line, liked chatting with each other and decided to meet in person on July 11, 2015. The attraction was immediate, the dating began and they soon became a couple.

They found they had a lot in common, especially a love of football and their favorite teams. Marc supported Jamie in preparing for and running a marathon which showed her how supportive he was of her. Marc surprised her with a proposal of marriage on October 22, 2016 and Jamie of course said yes. Being a big Pinterest fan, she already had a lot of ideas compiled for her wedding so this wedding came together quite naturally.

Then it was time for them to hear for the first time what they each told me in confidence what they love about each other.

Their photographer was Ashley with Bowtie Collaborative. 

 They chose some funny questions for each other like:  

"Marc, do you promise to go to Target whenever Jamie wishes and even go towards the back where the seasonal section is located?"

 "Jamie, do you promise to let Marc buy Jeep parts on a regular basis?" 

 Then they made more serious promises of marriage to each other. 

 Jamie promises.

 Talking about the symbolism of these rings they will exchange.

 Marc: "With this ring, I give you my heart." 

 Jamie: "With this ring, I give you my heart."

 I invited the parents to come forward and light the individual candles for the bride and groom. 

 Then Jamie and Marc brought their flames together and lit the Unity Candle inside the lantern.

 Time for the closing blessing before the pronouncement of marriage.

 I asked them to close their eyes and feel the happiness and let it register in their hearts.

 Then they opened their eyes and I placed my hand on theirs to make the pronouncement of marriage!

 The customary kiss--long enough to get a good picture! Yay! 

 I think Marc is feeling a little sheepish about that kiss in front of everybody! Awww! 

 "Honored guests, please stand and join me in congratulating our newlyweds!" 

The music began and out they went! 

 Cheers! 

A kiss for the videographer! Christy Ethridge on the porch is our wedding director from The Sutherland. Great job, Christy! Enjoyed working with you!

 A photo of the Unity Candle after the ceremony. All the flames are still lit! 

Marc and Jamie! Congratulation on your marriage and a wonderful wedding! I wish you all the best! 

Lauren and Cade's Beautiful Wedding at The Merrimon-Wynne House!

Lauren and Cade met in 2006 when they were both students at the University of Florida. Their attraction to each other was immediate but at that stage of their lives they concentrated on their education and the relationship grew slowly and steadily. Now almost 11 years later, they have weathered the typical storms of relationships, Cade proposed, and they set about planning their wedding. Their wedding was July 1st 2017 at the historic Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh. It was a beautiful sunny day and a little on the hot side--typical for July in North Carolina.

After getting my microphone on and doing a sound check with Steve Stowe of BunnDJ Company, I paid a visit to the groom's room where all the groomsmen were congregated. There I got Cade's brother, Cody, signature on the marriage license.

They guys were all ready with boutonnieres pinned on their jackets and were joking around with each other--and me! There were 9 groomsmen plus 2 junior groomsmen!

Now to the Bride's suite where Lauren was getting a back and neck massage from one of her maidens! 

Lauren's sister, Allie, signed the marriage license for me.

Back downstairs the area for the guest book and gifts is ready.

A peek out the window at the ceremony site. 

I found a quiet spot to review the ceremony.

Photos of the couple on the old mantle.

The guests are being directed to their seats by our wedding planner/director, Lynn Scott with Happily Ever After. Heba Salama, our photographer and one of my former brides, is heading towards the guests.

Lauren and Cade love bluegrass music so they had this trio play for the ceremony and cocktail hour.

Jason Jenning, our videographer, is getting set up. Jenn Aan, our second shooter is behind him. 

The sun is very bright and it is hot!

Lynn brings the processional line-up out the front door around to the ceremony site. 

I think Jame McKimmon would appreciate the beautiful weddings that take place in her old homestead although it has been moved from its original location to Blount Street and totally restored.

Cade's parents Doc and Diana, step forward.

I like that the groomsmen did not wear ties in this heat. Nevertheless, Cade pulled out his handkerchief to mop his face.

The whole wedding party! 

I headed in first followed by Cade and his groomsmen.

The bridesmaids and junior groomsmen are all in place and waiting for the bride. Once she is presented by her father, all the attendants will be seated except for the maid of honor and best man.

Heba is getting a great shot of Lauren and her father Barry entering. 

Lauren hands off her bouquet and her father answers my question then transfers her hand into Cade's while the guests and attendants are being seated.

Cade tends to be on the shy side but he is doing great and I see a little smile growing on his face!

Everyone was greeted and welcomed then we bowed our heads in prayer and memory of those no longer with us.  The florals on the arbor are stunning thanks to the couple's florist, Gregg Kennedy with Brides and Bouquets.

I stepped out from under the arbor to speak with the parents. This is a surprise for them--a tribute to their love and support of our couple throughout their lives. Brings some tears from the mothers!

Then I told the story of how Lauren and Cade met. The story was sprinkled with humor.

Cade is all relaxed now and enjoying the ceremony with Lauren who is so "in the moment" for her wedding. 

A humorous moment here!

More! The guests were loving it! 

And now to reveal what they love about each other!

Making their vows to each other. 

Everyone seems to be paying attention! 

Time for the ring exchange.

Lauren says the words to Cade as she puts the ring on his finger.

A closing blessing before the pronouncement of marriage.

Lauren is letting my words sink in for this pivotal moment while Cade watches her with a smile.

First kiss as wife and husband! 

Allie hands Lauren her beautiful bouquet and I invited the guests to stand and join me in congratulating our newlyweds.

And away they go--married at long last! 

A dash to the front porch to wait for the ceremony area to clear before coming back for pictures.

Cade and Lauren, you did it spectacularly! Congratulations to you both. With your dedication and love for each other, I know you will have a very happy marriage. I wish you all the best forever!