Beautiful Wedding at Dinwiddie Chapel at Peace College for Jen and Kevin!

Jen and Kevin are so well-matched! They met when they were both freshmen at UNC and their friendship gradually grew within a group of friends who often dined together in the dining hall. It took Kevin almost 4 years to realize there was an attraction there. During their senior year things changed as they both found themselves free of any other love interest and some subtle flirting began. After one such flirtatious episode that involved a cap, they shared their first kiss. Their first date was Valentine's Day of 2009 when they enjoyed pizza and sneaked a bottle of wine into the movie theater! Since then they have rarely gone a day without seeing each other--especially after Kevin found out what a good cook Jen is! The proposal happened in December of 2013 following a candlelit dinner at the Carolina Club and the wedding planning began.

Jen's father, Larry, has worked at Peace College for 30 years and Jen and Kevin really love the Dinwiddie Chapel there so that is where they chose to have their ceremony on Sunday August 10 2014, followed by a fun reception at Caffe Luna.

The majestic pipe organ was played by Mr. Hermann and it was so grand! He is good! On the altar are flowers by Kelly Odom. To the left is the beautiful wooden wine box and their sealed love letters on each side of the flowers ready to be placed in the box and locked up not to be opened until their first wedding anniversary and enjoyed with a glass of the wine.

On an easel greeting the guests as they arrived was a clever old window with photos and mementos. 

While Jen and her maidens were hidden away, their photographer Meg Niemczyk was getting the groom and his men to pose for some "academic" photos!!

Pinning on the boutonnieres!

The groomsmen and I were first to enter followed by the parents. When Kevin escorted his mother in, he then joined us up front.

Kevin's boss, Elizabeth, was our honorary wedding director. She did a super job and everything went exactly as planned. Thanks, Elizabeth!

The last of the pretty bridesmaids to enter in their pretty apple red dresses. Red weddings are so gorgeous! 

Larry beamed the whole time as he proudly escorted his beautiful daughter down the aisle! 

After bidding Dad goodbye, the bride and groom stepped up to the higher level to join me for the ceremony. 

Telling their story! We had some good laughs here but......

Even better laughs with "Jen looks forward to being able to hang out with her best friend every day for the rest of her life and having someone around who will eat anything when her culinary experiments go wrong!"

They chose the "I do" type of vows where I ask the questions and they answer "I do." 

Then the rings....

After the rings they walked to the altar and put their love letters in the box with the wine and wine glasses and locked it.

A closing blessing, then the pronouncement of marriage, then......

KISS!

The new Mr. and Mrs.! 

What a great couple! 

Jen and Kevin, what can I say? I loved your wedding. It was perfect for you. I am honored to have had the privilege of joining you in marriage! I know you are so happy and I wish for you all the best!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Candace and Pesh's Fabulous Wedding at Prestonwood Country Club!

Sally Oakley of Sally Oakley Personalized Wedding Planning sent Candace and Pesh (full name Rupesh) my way back last September. We met and because I have done quite a number of Hindu/American blended ceremonies, they chose me to officiate. They were delighted that their ceremony could be very couple-specific which includes the story of how they met and fell in love, what they love about each other, and they could write their own secret vows. They have a great love story! See the story of their engagement at this post: Candace and Pesh.

Their gorgeous wedding was held at the prestigious Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. Sally and her staff had worked hard to make the couple's dream wedding a reality. Their photographer was the famous Dara Blakely and her crew. Their videographer, Rob, was with Twenty-One Films, and Udeshi Hargett, violinist, provided the lovely music for the ceremony.

 Fresh Affairs did the florals. 

This is the setting for the ceremony. An air wall at the back of the guests was opened up to flow into the adjoining ballroom after the ceremony and the ceremony area was flipped with tables and chairs.

After the entrance of Candace's grandmother and the parents, Pesh and his groomsmen and I entered and waited for the bridesmaids to make their entrance and take their places on the steps. Then it was time for Candace to enter. She was escorted in by her grandfather and her stepfather.

And so we began with a warm welcome, prayer, tribute to the parents, and remembrance of those who could not join us.

 Then I had the honor of telling their story which garnered some good laughter from their guests. 

At this point I am telling each of them what the other told me in confidence--what they love about their partner and what they are looking forward to in marriage.

 Again, we had some good laughs! 

For the vows we incorporated the Hindu tradition of Sapta Padi and I ascended the steps where the Maid of Honor and Best Man were waiting. Then the couple took a step for each of the seven vows.

They had written secret personalized vows with a touch of humor and they read them from my book as they exchanged rings.

 The pronouncement of marriage! 

 Ahh! The Kiss, Looks like a scene from a movie! 

 It is done! 

 The new Mr. and Mrs. step into their future! 

Candace and Pesh--what a romantic and meaningful ceremony! Thank you for giving me the honor of  joining you in marriage. May you always be happy and satisfied beyond your wildest imagination!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Kristin and Andrew Get Married at The Cookery!

My first wedding at this unique venue--The Cookery! It is smack dab in the middle of downtown Durham and a blank palette for couples to make what they want of it. Kristin and Andrew decided to go with it and it turned out fabulous. Their wedding was Friday August 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM.

 When you walk in the front door and turn to your left, you see this. 

Straight ahead is the bar and kitchen area. Sage and Swift was the caterer and also provided cupcakes in place of a wedding cake. There is a mezzanine up the steps and their Photo Booth from Anything Music was there. Their photographer was Amy Allen. 

From the bar area you can see the front door then the opening to the outside where there was a big tent erected and air conditioned! 

 Everyone is chipping in to get things ready. 

 Their wedding "logo."

Talking to JD Silverthorne with Anything Music DJs. He was great to work with. He is in his corner of operation below for the ceremony.

All the guests are seated and we are standing around getting ready to start. On the left are our attendants, Anna and Adam, then Pat (mother of the bride) with her escort, Casey (her son).

Tom is proud to escort his beautiful daughter, Kristin, into the ceremony area as the guests are standing in her honor. Jule, our wedding director and friend of the bride, did a wonderful job sending us all in on cue. 

And here we go! Kristin and Andrew did not like the white curtains for their "backdrop" so Andrew built that wall of recycled wooden boards for the occasion which will be used in their home. It was so heavy it had to be transported in two pieces. The florals were DIY and the simplicity of the baby's breath and green peace lilies was elegant and very organic!

Welcome to all! (You may notice that the bride and groom are on opposite sides than traditional. The parents wanted to see their child's face during the ceremony instead of their backs. I get this request from time to time and it makes sense to me!) 

Talking to the parents: Kristin and Andrew had written sweet words to each of their parents thanking them for all their love and support during their lives.

 There was lots of laughter and some tears too! 

 The guests taking it all in.

Now to tell their story! They were introduced on line and when they met in person for their first date which lasted 4 hours, they were both smitten and never looked back!

Revealing what each of them had told me about the other--what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Sweet moment.

 The vows..... 

 The rings......

 The closing blessing where they turn and gaze around at the loved ones there to honor them. 

 "It is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife!" 

 THE KISS!!

Outside in front of the wall mural on The Cookery......Andrew and Kristin, you had such a wonderful warm, laid back wedding and it is all because that is what you are! What a pleasure to work with you both. I wish you all the best forever!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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