Kelly and Casey Get Married at the Raleigh Sheraton!

Dave and I arrived at the Raleigh Sheraton for Kelly and Casey's wedding on November 5th 2016 after another wedding downtown. It was quite convenient. 

The wedding ceremony was in the ballroom on the mezzanine overlooking the lobby downstairs. 

The ballroom had been divided into two spaces temporarily. One side was for the ceremony and the other side has all the tables ready to be spread out into the ceremony space after the ceremony. 

The cake and cupcakes by GiGi are ready!

The cake topper! 

You would assume these are all groomsmen with the groom (Casey is the guy on the right end of the couch) but some of them are bridesmen. In fact there were no bridesmaids at all in this wedding!

The bride and groom had done a First Look so we were all in the same room waiting for the guests to arrive and take their seats for the ceremony.

The parents were relaxing together too. 

I've not seen such a laid back wedding party. Everyone was ready and relaxing. 

Finally it is time to get lined up. Maite Vigil was our director with the Sheraton filling in for Lauren who had a last minute family emergency. Thank you, Maite!

The guests were all seated and every chair was taken. It was a big wedding! 

Casey is talking with Eric Hodgden, our DJ with All Around Raleigh DJs--one of my very favorite DJs. When I first arrived, Eric hooked my microphone into his sound system and we did a sound check. It is so important that the guests be able to hear what I say because the bride and groom and I have worked very hard on the ceremony script.

Heading up the line to enter. The parents were not formally escorted in. 

After all the groomsmen and bridesmaids and I were in position, Eric changed the music to the Bridal March and Kelly and her father, Randy, entered while the guests were standing in their honor. After the presentation of the bride, we began with a welcome to all and a prayer and a blessing of the parents.

Their story was quite funny and the guests enjoyed laughing a lot. There were parts of their story that got a lot more laughter than I expected. Fit these two perfectly too!

One of their adventures that I shared with the guests was Kelly's first experience going goose hunting with Casey. It was hilarious and she was such a good sport. Casey knew that day that he had found The One for him!

Then there was the story of the proposal!

Then they heard what each other had told me in confidence about what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage. More laughter!

They said their vows to each other and exchanged rings.

I loved pronouncing them husband and wife! 

There is quite a height discrepancy here but they managed to share their first kiss as husband and wife.

A group hug after recessing with their wedding party! 

I invited the guests out onto the mezzanine for cocktails while this room was being flipped for the reception.

Casey and Kelly, you did a fabulous job creating your wedding day. It fit you perfectly. I am so happy you found each other and that you found me to officiate for you. It was my honor! I wish you all the best ever!

Circle of Trust Wedding for Chirita and Leo at All Saints Chapel!

Oh my, where do I start describing this wedding---and this amazing couple! Chirita and Leo and I met back in March of 2016. They had booked All Saints Chapel for their wedding on November 4th 2016. There was no question that this wedding was going to have their personal stamp on it. Both of them are quick to admit they have been around the block a few times and have discovered who they are and know what they want! I love working with couples like this who have a vision for their wedding ceremony.

When I first heard Chirita's vision of having her guests arranged in a circle within All Saint's Chapel, I admit that I had my questions about logistics. But then with a diagram of the seating design, I could see it all coming together. Their wedding planner, Kathy Swope with Sally Oakley Weddings and Events, helped her bring it all together. And so in the photo above, you can see it is all ready to go!

The guests have arrived and the processional begins.

Leo and I took our places along with his son, Lance. The ushers bring in the mothers. This is Cordel, Leo's mother being ushered in by Travis.

Chirita's mother, Cordelia, is being escorted in by Omar.

Then the wedding party processes in and take their places at the altar.

Chirita's beautiful daughter Alexus makes her way onto the altar. 

The music ended and I invited the guests to stand and for the attendants to step down to the floor level and close that end of the circle of guests for the entrance of the bride.

Leo walked to the other end of the circle to await Chirita.

Chirita proceeds down the aisle to "Feels like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk. It was an amazing entrance! Mark Tony with Bunn DJ Company provided the music for the ceremony.

She took Leo's hand. 

And they walked to the center of the circle as the guests closed the circle around them. Some late arriving guests then slipped inside and joined them just in time.  Dogwood Tree Floral Designs furnished the flowers.

I asked the guests to join hands and close the circle around Leo and Chirita. Then I spoke about the significance of a circle and how important it was historically and personally to our couple. I asked the guests: "As Leo and Chirita's closest family and friends, their tribe, do you promise to support their love and their marriage?" They all said "We do." As they took their seats, the wedding party returned to the altar.

After words of welcome, we began with a prayer then paid tribute to those no longer with us on earth.

Then the really fun part of the ceremony began--their wonderful and very humorous story of how they met and fell in love! I so loved telling their story. It was definitely the law of attraction that brought their paths together. They both had been married then single and were living their lives as completely whole human beings who did not "need" anyone to complete them.

They were introduced by a friend of Chirita's who was a co-worker of Leo's. A very funny story of nearly missed opportunities! Once they met, they knew almost immediately that they were compatible and meant for each other. After a few roadblocks and bumps in the road, they came together forever and are simply delighted to be together.

They each told me in confidence what they love about each other, why they want to marry and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Telling them what they told me was such a sweet surprise for each of them during the wedding ceremony.

They made their vows to each other and exchanged rings. 

Chirita reads her vows from my book to Leo as she places the ring on his finger. 

Leo reads his vows to Chirita and puts the ring on her finger. 

A closing blessing......

I invited them to gaze around them at their guests who were there to honor them on their wedding day.

It was my great delight to pronounce these two husband and wife and invite them to kiss!

And so they did! 

Then it was time to Jump the Broom. 

I explained the significance of this ritual then invited them to step down the steps then jump over the broom!

Done!

And away they go!

Kathy congratulates them as they recess.

Leo, Chirita! Amazing wedding! I just loved it! And I loved working with you to make the ceremony exactly what you envisioned. You are so great together and I know you are enjoying wedded bliss! I wish you all the best and thank you for choosing me to officiate for you!

And thanks so much for leaving this review for me:

WOW! WOW! WOW! We loved Kayelily. My husband and I were new to Raleigh, NC and we reached out to our wedding planner who suggested a few ministers to perform the wedding. I left the decision up to my husband to decide. He did his research but there was something he liked about Kayelily's bio. So we made an appointment and met with her. I knew exactly why he liked her. She was so warm and inviting. She offered everything that we wanted in a ceremony-SOMETHING DIFFERENT. We had a "Circle Of Trust" ceremony and she helped us pull it all together. It is 3 weeks after the wedding and everyone is still talking, texting, and posting about our ceremony. It was unique and different. It truly brought both or families together. My husband and I will be doing a recommencement ceremony every anniversary and we will continue to ask Kayelily to perform the ceremony. Whether it be a party of 2 or a party of 200 she will be the one performing the ceremony. She truly puts her heart and soul into what the bride and groom want for their special day. WE LOVE YOU KAYELILY!! So glad we chose you.