A Beautiful Family Wedding for Amy and Chuck at St. Mark's Chapel!

Amy and Chuck wanted a small family wedding that included their parents and children without a lot of fanfare so they wisely chose the sweet historical St. Mark's Chapel. The date was Saturday September 2nd, 2017. The guests enjoyed a champagne toast after the wedding then headed for Second Empire for a dinner reception.

Fresh Affairs was their florist and did a beautiful job decorating the chapel. The greenery garlands are spectacular.

Those gorgeous orchids were amazing! I love the plaque above the flowers and the lighted wire balls flanking the altar chest. On top are the bottles of colored sand and the unity container for the ceremony.

 Their musicians were these very talented ladies with Arioso Strings! Always beautiful music!

 Discussing the order of the processional and recessional cues. 

St. Mark's Chapel was moved here from Chatham County many years ago. It is a historical landmark on the Mordecai Campus owned by the City of Raleigh.

 Brandi Leigh, their photographer, was doing pre-ceremony shots of the couple on the campus. 

 I invited the guests to take their seats inside the chapel and enjoy the beautiful music.

Devon, Amy's 14 year old son, Sebastian, their 5 year old son together, and Gabrielle, Chuck's 11 year old daughter, are excited to be part of the ceremony.

This is the sweet ring dish engraved with their names and date with the rings attached. Sebastian will hold this for us.

 Gabrielle (she prefers "Elle") is holding her "bouquet" of stunning orchids!

 Look at the beautiful pearl necklace Amy is wearing that goes in the front AND the back! 

 I pinned on the boutonnieres. 

 Sebastian inspecting the ring dish! 

 Amy is ready! 

She entered the chapel as the guests stood in her honor and Chuck met her in the aisle and escorted her up onto the platform.

 And so we began with words of welcome, a prayer, a tribute to their parents. 

 On Chuck's behalf I spoke to Devon telling him how happy Chuck is to have him as his son. 

 Then words from Amy to Gabrielle telling her how happy she is to have her as her daughter!

 A few words about how they met and fell in love. 

 Then it was time for them to make their vows to each other. 

 The exchange of rings was next. 

 Amy had to help Chuck get the rings all the way on her finger!

 Time for the Family Unity Sand Ceremony. Chuck and Amy each pour in ½ of their sand as individuals. 

 Devon pours all his sand in the container.

 Then it is Elle's turn.

 And now Sebastian does a good job getting his sand in the container!

 Amy and Chuck poured their remaining sand on top signifying the unity of this family.

This is the resulting sand sculpture!

As part of the closing blessing, I asked Amy and Chuck to turn around and feel the love of their families surrounding them. 

 The pronouncement of marriage that legally joins them in marriage!

 Sealed with their first kiss as husband and wife!

 Amy's dress caught on the pew but thankfully it did not tear. I loved her dress, jewelry, and shoes! 

 A new family is officially born! 

Amy and Chuck--great wedding! The details were so well thought out--just as I expected they would be! You are a great couple and have a wonderful blended family. Congratulations!

CASEY AND MATT WED AT HIGHGROVE ESTATES!

The day was overcast and quite muggy but typical for an August wedding. Casey and Matt choose the beautiful historic Highgrove Estates for their venue. They are not much for fanfare and fussy details and so Highgrove appealed to them because they offer a nice all inclusive package to make wedding planning easier. 

Casey made this lovely wreath for the front door. 

The decor inside Highgrove is elegant and soothing. This room is where the wedding party gathers before and after the ceremony.

In the dining room are all the awards and badges Highgrove has received. I love doing weddings there and appreciate being on the preferred vendor list of officiants. I've been officiating weddings there since they opened in 2003.

Receptions are held in the garden ballroom off the terrace.   The sweetheart table is quite reflective of Casey and Matt who are both book nerds! How clever that they collected books for the centerpieces of each table. 

Sweet Memories baked this simple elegant wedding cake.

Our florist was Flowers on Broad. 

 Angela, our wedding director with the venue gets the wedding party and parents all lined up to enter. 

Matt's grandfather, was not going to miss this wedding! Behind him is Matt's stepmother, Matt's mother, Casey's mother, and Matt's father on the right.

 Angela Wright is our director for this wedding at Highgrove and also one of the owners. 

Our professional photographer was Rebecca Ames. She and her second shooter in the black dress are ready for the processional as the guests are taking their seats.

 His grandfather was escorted in by his son, Matt's dad, and Matt's stepmother. 

 Then the mothers of the couple entered together. 

 My turn was next.

 Now Matt enters! He was followed by the groomsmen, groomswomen and bridesmaids. 

 Casey and her father make their walk down the aisle to join us. 

And so we began with a warm welcome to everyone then remembered Casey's sister who had recently died and was truly missed. It was a sad moment that brought tears to everyone's eyes.

 A tribute to the parents to lift the mood and stir in a little laughter! 

I had so much fun telling the story of how Casey and Matt met and fell in love. Matt was a server in a restaurant that Casey frequented and they flirted with each other whenever Matt was her server. Matt made a bold move one night and Casey took the bait and invited him to join her and her friends after work. And that was all it took to get them together.

They are both quick witted and super sharp and have a way of playing off each other that is fun. (Matt has such a way with words I told him he should be a writer and Casey agreed.) They eventually decided they liked being together more than being apart. Although Matt was ready to marry long before Casey made up her mind, he waited patiently and it paid off!

 The guests were on the edge of their seats enjoying every moment and the wedding party too! 

Wrapping up the story now. 

 Now to reveal what they had each told me in confidence about what they love about each other. 

 Taking a moment to mop the sweat dripping off Matt's face!

 I consider this part the funniest moment in the wedding. Matt has a habit of making up pet names for Casey and through the years she has written them down and so we surprised him by including them in her paragraph to Matt and, that as of this day, she was adding "wife" to the list!

 It was a long list! 

 Still laughing! 

 Now to the more serious business--their vows to each other.  

 Then the ring exchange.

 Now they become husband and wife!

 Sealed with a kiss! 

 The newlyweds!

 And out they go!

 Yay! We did it! 

 Matt's sister, Katie, is so happy for him! 

Matt and Casey, you planned a great wedding and despite the unexpected events that intervened, you made it happen. I enjoyed getting to know you, working with you to create your very special ceremony, and getting you two married. Congratulations!