Elegant Wedding at Second Empire

Weddings at Second Empire may be small but they are elegant in this restored historical home that is now a restaurant. Angie and Sean decided to have their wedding outside on the front steps facing Hillsborough Street on August 9th, 2008. The photos really show the story. They included Sean's 6 year old daughter Reilly as the flower girl and in the sand ceremony celebrating the birth of this new family.

The bride and groom's parents were all in attendance and Angie's father escorted her in. Ina Newell provided the heavenly harp music and Timberly Hill was their photographer. My husband Dave, serving as my roadie today, took these photos for the blog. Best wishes forever, Angie and Sean, and Reilly!

Flash! Wedding Party Dance!

I just got this note from one of my couples who were married on July 12th (see post below) and I thought it was so much fun that I would post it here for you all to see!

Hi!
We posted up a new video on youtube of our bridal party dance. I thought I'd send you a link, especially for vendors that weren't there for the live show. ;) Thanks so much for everything! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBgPIFO_beA
Sincerely,
Jacquie Rojanatavorn

A Lovely Wedding at Chapel Hill Bed and Breakfast!

Valerie and Matthew met with me on July 7th about their wedding on that magical date of 08/08/08. They told me they wanted a "simple basic ceremony." When our meeting was over, we had much more than a simple basic ceremony. They were very excited to learn about the sand ceremony and the Celtic handfasting ritual. The final ceremony script was anything but simple and basic!

They planned a small intimate wedding with family and friends (a group of 13) at the recently opened Chapel Hill Bed and Breakfast--a lovely site with a huge lily pond more the size of a lake in front! They were late arriving for the wedding which gave me a chance to take up Oscar Moncade, the owner, on his offer of a grand tour of the house which has wonderful guest rooms with large whirlpool baths and all the amenities. Thank you, Oscar! You can see photos on their website including the "lily lake." The wedding ceremony was held in the rear of the house on a huge covered pavilion with lots of ceiling fans to keep the cool breezes blowing.

When everyone arrived, including the chairs, we settled down for Matthew and Valerie's unique and meaningful ceremony. Valerie was wearing a lovely dress of Oriental style in blue and aqua and Matthew's white suit with aqua vest and tie coordinated perfectly and with the maid of honor's dress and the best man's tie. Without knowing what their colors would be, somehow I chose to wear coordinating colors too. We started with Valerie's parents escorting her in and saying some wonderful words in response to my question: "Who blesses and supports Valerie as she comes to join in marriage with Matthew?" Then they were seated and we began with a welcome to all and a big tribute to their parents which led into the sand pouring ceremony. Matthew and Valerie included their parents in the ceremony in which their parents poured their sand into the central container first symbolizing the heritage and history of their individual lives and relationships. Then the couple poured in their layer of sand representing their union with each other as well as with their families. Following the sand ceremony we had a handfasting ceremony in which their their hands were bound with a cord representing their love. They then joined their right hands together to form the symbol of infinity "blessing their marriage in the eternal ebb and flow of the universe." So fitting for this magical day with the figure 8, also the symbol of infinity. With their hands bound and crossed, they spoke their vows to each other then symbolically replaced the cord with their rings. The pronouncement followed with the kiss and presentation of the newlywed couple to their guests. See what I mean by a not so simple basic ceremony!

Jason, brother of the groom and best man, and Alison, sister of the bride and maid of honor, then signed the marriage license and the picture taking began! Matthew and Valerie, you made sure your individuality and your love for each other was a part of this wonderful occasion. Many blessings to you both!

Lara and David's Marriage Blends Two Families into One!

I took a couple of weekends off for R&R and to attend a family reunion so my first wedding back "on the job" was for Lara and David. They contacted me in June about officiating their wedding in July 2009. Well, as time went by, they decided not to wait so long and rescheduled for August 7th of 2008 @ 10 AM.

I arrived for their wedding to find that David had partial knee replacement surgery a week before the wedding and was on crutches although he used a cane during the wedding for support. It was hot and muggy but we had a lovely wedding anyway.

David's three children, Jordan, Justus, and Jalon, and Lara's two children, Jenna and Sydney were all part of the wedding in front of the gazebo. They all looked like siblings and I had a hard time telling them apart! Lara's and David's parents were in attendance having traveled from Nevada and Massachusetts respectively to be with us on this very special day. Two violinists played lovely music as David, the children and I walked down the aisle followed by the entrance of our beautiful bride. We included the sand pouring ceremony which is a wonderful way for children to participate in the wedding and feel part of the ceremony. What a wonderful family!

Wedding at Second Empire for Alexandra and Chad!

Alexandra and Chad met with me on June 28th to officiate their wedding on July 19th at the Second Empire. Turns out that Alexandra and I both used to work at the same place but never knew each other. Also turns out that Chad, a professor at Wake Forest University, knows Rabbi Andrew Ettin with whom I co-officiate many weddings. A small world!

I do many weddings at the Second Empire, an elegant restaurant in a beautiful historic home. There are several settings within the restaurant for wedding ceremonies including the front steps. Their lovely wedding was in the Capitol Room downstairs which adjoins the Raleigh Room for the reception. Their beautiful cake was by Swank Cake Design. The photographer was Martin with Gina McLean Photography. The Capitol room has one wall of mirrors so the guests actually saw themselves watching the ceremony! The couple and I stood in front of a brick edged niche filled with beautiful etched green glass. I stepped into position when we were ready to begin and the couple processed in down the aisle and gave roses to their mothers then joined me. We had a warm welcome, a prayer, and a tribute to their parents. The bride's sister, Christy, presented a poem titled "Mater Speed" by Robert Frost who wrote the poem for his daughter's wedding. After a few words on love and marriage, they exchanged vows and rings. I made the pronouncement, they kissed, then we closed with a blessing for the couple. Then it was time to celebrate!

This fall Chad will be teaching in at Bridgewater College near Harrisonburg VA where they will live. Alexandra told me she will probably go to graduate school nearby. All the best to you in your new life together, Alexandra and Chad!