Lydia and MJ's Wonderful Wedding at the Fish Pond at Duke Gardens!

The fish pond at Duke Gardens was closed for weddings in 2009 due to needed drainage renovations and just opened again for the wedding season this year. Lydia and MJ fell in love with this location and wanted their wedding here. Lydia had visions of the wedding party processing in all the way from the top of the pergola down to the fish pond. And, we made her vision work. My thanks to photographer Craig Carpenter for referring this couple to me.

 

And speaking of Craig, immediately above is a photo of Craig Carpenter, Luster Studios, taking the amazing photo on top! The wide angle lens is magic and Craig is the magician! Lydia and MJ decided to see each other before the wedding so they could get some good photos, and they sure did. They are all assembled under the pergola from where we will process all the way down to the fish pond. 

 After Lydia's two grandmothers and her mother were escorted down the lengthy aisle, MJ and I began our "descent!" The musicians were down at the fish pond and we could not hear the music from here. 

Our wedding director and friend of the couple, Electra Westmoreland, was stationed halfway down the aisle hidden behind some bushes so she did not get in the picture. She was at a vantage point where she could see us and signal the musicians. It worked well. Great job, Electra!

As the last bridesmaid and groomsmen descended, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer, the music was changed for the entrance of the bride.

Here comes the bride escorted by her father, Danny.

You can see the guests and the wedding party standing for her. Craig is crossing the aisle to get some more good pictures.

 Our very talented musicians, Emi and Udo Hildebrandt, provided the beautiful music.

This is what the wedding looked like from the other side of the fish pond by Craig. Nice reflections in the water. Craig had to shoo onlookers away from this area so they would not be in all the wedding photos taken from the other direction although I noticed in one of my pictures that someone slipped in behind us later in the ceremony.

I don't know who this person in the yellow top is but she stood there practically the whole ceremony and is in most of my photos until Craig asked her to stand aside. I think she was videoing.

 

 

 Lydia looked like a beautiful princess in her wedding dress. It was perfect for her.

 

Craig must have used a telephoto lens to get this close!

 The rings and vows....

 The pronouncement of marriage...

 The KISS!

 The presentation of the newlyweds to their guests! (See the person up on the hill behind them?)

And, away they go! 

 

The customary "after the ceremony" photo with the minister! 

Lydia and MJ, you did an amazing job creating a wonderful wedding and I am honored to have been part of your special day. Go forth in Love, Peace and Joy!

At Home Wedding for Robin and Terry and their Families!

The first wedding of three this first weekend in May was a small intimate wedding at the couple's home. Robin and Terry and I made all the arrangements for me to officiate their ceremony via email and US Mail. We met for the first time when I arrived at their home in Raleigh on Saturday morning, May 7, 2011.

 

Robin and Terry were matched up by a popular on line dating service and when they met, it was love at first sight! They discovered that they were very compatible and became inseparable quickly. They had no doubts they were meant for each other and started planning their wedding less than a year later. They were also blending their families. Robin has two sons and Terry has three sons and two daughters--all ranging in age from 11 to 26, and most of them were with us for the wedding along with Robin's parents. Robin's little grandson was with us as well.

They chose a Unity Candlelighting ceremony to symbolize their union.

And now they are married and ready to begin their new journey together! Robin and Terry, congratulations and much happiness! 

Paula and Steve's Fabulous Wedding at Chateau Bellevie!

Paula and Steve are a laid-back and fun loving couple. It was such a pleasure to work with them to get their ceremony just right with lots of humor and then marry them! The Chateau Bellevie, a stunning wedding venue, is a beautifully appointed French mansion that is like nothing else in this part of the country and fit Paula and Steve's style perfectly.

Their wedding day of April 30, 2011 was about as perfect as you can get. Here is the back deck where our ceremony took place. I have done one wedding inside the Chateau which is gorgeous. There are many sites on the property where weddings can take place. You can see beyond the portico that there is a pretty gazebo on the other side which is a good place for a small wedding.

The arbor was so tastefully decorated and the fountain in the back added just the perfect sense of tranquility.

This is the Chateau as you drive down the driveway. It is so elegant and the gardens are perfectly manicured.

This beautiful cake in the pale lavender color of Victorian Lilac was baked by Ambrosia Cake Creations.

Paula and Steve love this sweet photo and had it on display. They are so happy they found each other.

Our photographer, Jennifer Kidd, was taking photos of our beautiful bride upstairs before the wedding ceremony. Paula looked stunning in her beautiful dress.

It was the day after the Royal Wedding, you know, and Jennifer decided she should wear a "fascinator." You know, one of those cute little hats that sit perched on the side of the top of you head that were SO popular at the Royal Wedding! Jennifer is so much fun and I love doing weddings with her. She was certainly a perfect fit for our couple.

Craig Hanemann and William Stewart with Arioso Strings were on hand to provide the heavenly ceremony music. Craig has played at more ceremonies with me than I can count. This is the first time William has played with him at a wedding.

Upstairs the dining room was ready for the dinner reception.

This is the Wishing Tree. You fill out a note on a string with your wish for the couple and hang it on the tree!

Roxana with the Chateau was our wedding director. Here she has us all lined up and ready to go after the mothers were seated. 

This is Lexi, our flower girl. She did a great job sprinkling the petals. She must be one of Paula's nieces because I can definitely see a family resemblance.

Paula was escorted in by her brother, Phillip.

 

There was some good laughing going on as I shared the couple's story of meeting on line and not thinking they had made good first impressions then finding out that they were absolutely perfect for each other and wishing they had met 20 years earlier. Then telling of some funny adventures they had together along the way. Love those stories. 

 

 I think Steve was saying "I do" at this point!

 Now he puts the ring on Paula's finger as he repeats the lines after me.

 Paula's turn.

Their mothers poured in sand representing their families as a foundation for their marriage.

The rest of the container is filled with the couple's sand.

 

 

 That's it! They are married and begin their new journey from this point in time!

Paula and Steve, thank you for finding each other and finding me. I was honored to join you in marriage. I wish you all the happiness in the world!

Christina and Joel's Wedding at Umstead Park!

Christina called me in March about officiating hers and Joel's wedding on April 29, 2011--a very auspicious date! I was available (since I did not plan to attend THE Royal wedding that day!) and so we made all arrangements via email and US Mail and began planning their ceremony. When the wedding day arrived, it was the perfect weather for a wedding surrounded by nature. They chose Shelter #1 in Umstead Park from the Glenwood Avenue entrance for their ceremony.

One of their friends brought many pots of gorgeous hydrangeas that were filling the stone fireplace for the backdrop for the ceremony.

Christina was escorted in by her father, John, who had come from Massachusetts for the wedding. Here Joel and I are watching them walk down the aisle toward us.

John answered my question for him and transferred Christina's hand into Joel's.

Joel and Christina wanted a small private wedding with their parents and close relatives and friends. Christina's mother came from Wake Forest and Joel's parents from Southport. Another couple came all the way from Pasadena, California!

The ceremony was simple but sweet. They made their vows to each other and exchanged rings then it was time for me to pronounce them husband and wife. Did not get a picture of the kiss though!

Joel and Christina, my congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy marriage!