Pretty Wedding for Kristy and Danny at St. Mary's Chapel!

Danny contacted me in September to see if I could officiate his and Kristy's wedding at Angus Barn Wine Cellar on November 3rd or 17th. I was available both dates.

In the meantime, before we could meet, they fell in love with the historic chapel on the campus of St. Mary's School campus. It was built in 1842 and is in pristine condition today. They were able to book the chapel for Saturday November 24th. The three of us met on September 18th and started planning their ceremony. November 24th dawned a crisp clear and breezy fall day with temperature of about 50 degrees and full sun shining through the beautiful stained glass windows.

The altar area was decorated with flowers and candles. The sun was streaming through the stained glass window and the image did not show up on this shot. 

Marty got up close and beneath the window and got this nice picture of the pretty angel looking over the chapel.

Over the front door at the opposite end of the chapel was this beautiful stained glass window.

Our musicians were warming up when we arrived. Erin Peters on violin and Emilly Olsen on piano are friends of the bride. Enjoyed their music and thank them for hanging in there despite the ceremony starting late. Look at that wonderful organ behind them!

After the seating of the parents and Danny's grandfather who traveled from Michigan for the wedding and the processing in of honorary maid of honor, two flower girls and the adorable son of the bride, Kristy and her father, Bill entered.

After the welcome, prayer, remembering those not with us, a reading and blessing of Benjamin, the bride and groom exchanged vows and rings.

I invited Benjamin up to join us for the Family Unity Sand ceremony. He was adorable and so well behaved.

 Then I made the pronouncement of marriage. 

This is not the first kiss! The first kiss was so brief, I made them kiss again so we could get a picture!

 Stepping into their new life together! 

Danny and Kristy, congratulations on your marriage. I wish you all the best life has to offer!

Beautiful Wedding for Tatiana and Roger at The Umstead!

Tatiana and Roger have the sweetest love story! Tatiana grew up in Russia and Roger in Sweden but they met here in the U.S. When I met them October 14th, I found them so delightful and I knew I would enjoy working with them to put their story into words for their ceremony. And I certainly did. They both gave me great examples of their love and what they love about each other. Really, theirs is a match made in heaven and since they have each been married before, they knew when they met they had finally found "the one." They first met last January on line and met in person a few weeks later in February. Both were charmed by the other and it did not take them long to become a couple and decide to marry. So they set the date for November 17, 2012 at The Umstead Hotel and Spa. They knew that the weather could be iffy in November but they really wanted to have the ceremony outside in the lovely garden there. When I first arrived, Roger, Tatiana and many of their guests were outside making the decision. The temperature was 57 degrees and there was only a little breeze. The guests were warmly dressed and were fine with being outside. The Unity Candle set-up was protected by hurricane glass as well as the candelabras, so it was a go!

Although some of the foliage has fallen for the season, the colorful trees in the background brighten up the dark green of the pines and the ever blooming knock-out roses give the sparkle of red. 

Carrie Cassidy, Director of Catering with The Umstead, and I go over the logistics for lighting the Unity Candle while Kelley Ann Ward, the new Social Catering Manager in training with The Umstead, listens in. Kelley Ann is filling the position formerly held by Ami Wheeler which involves handling weddings at this elegant venue. Welcome, Kelley Ann!  I look forward to doing many weddings with you!

Marty went to the Sycamore Room where the reception would take place to get a shot of the cake by Sweet Memories Bakery. Kelly Odom Florist provided the beautiful flowers. The bride's bouquet was simply stunning! 

 

Roger and Tatiana are very fond of Spanish guitar and Flamenco dancing (one of the many things they have in common) and so they hired Alex Gorodezky from the Ukraine and Vadim Kolpakov from Russia, a guitar duo, to provide the music for the ceremony. Although they are both accomplished classical guitarists and instructors, they too have a fondness for jazz and Spanish guitar music. They played all the way through the ceremony too which is very unusual. But, since The Umstead provides a sound system for all outdoor ceremonies, everyone could hear me.  

When all the guests had arrived, we began. Roger and I walked in first.

Then Tatiana's daughter, Maria, entered down the aisle.

Tatiana was escorted in by long-time friend, David. That is Jess Levin, photographing them as they go. I have worked with Jess for many years. Today he brought a second shooter, Cindy.

We began with a warm welcome for their guests--about 25 people--their closest friends and family that could come. Roger's parents are in Sweden and Tatiana's in Russia and they could not make the trip.

 They included a lovely passage for Maria.

Then I read a poem they both loved--"To my Friend" by Roy Croft--followed by their story which their guests got a big kick out of. They leaned in toward each other once or twice prompting me to say "no kissing yet!" There was lots of sweet humor and everyone there really appreciated it. Their paragraphs to each other were so loving and romantic.

They said their ring vows to each other as they exchanged rings. Then we began the Unity Candle ceremony.

Since neither of their mothers could be with us, Roger and Tatiana chose the version of the Unity Candle ceremony where they lit their own flames from the candelabra candle. Then they brought their flames together to form one flame to light the central Unity Candle.

We were so happy that none of the flames were blown out by the breeze that was blowing.

 Finally the pronouncement of marriage.......

It's okay to kiss now! 

I am retrieving Tatiana's bouquet from Maria for Tatiana so I can announce them as husband and wife to everyone:

 I know it is a blurry picture, but you get the gist! 

 Beautiful, beautiful wedding! 

The couple and their guests headed inside for the reception and a group shot. Marty snapped this one right before and we departed for home. Congratulations, Tatiana and Roger. I know you are so happy and soaking in the wedded bliss! I wish you all the best!

Sweet Wedding for Patricia and Jason!

Jason and Patricia's wedding started off as a very small elopement style ceremony in my wedding garden on November 3, 2012 but as more and more friends wanted to be present for the ceremony, the venue changed to the Green Road Community Center. They chose one of the shelters on the property between the baseball fields for the ceremony and the reception following was in the Community Center gymnasium. Jason's parents came from New York for the wedding festivities. Unfortunately Patricia's parents in Mexico were unable to be with us.  When Marty and I arrived at 5:30 for the 6:30 ceremony, the sun was beginning to set.

The lighted arch was set in place along with the sand ceremony vases on my little table and the guests gathered around.

 It's getting pretty dark now! 

The bride was waiting in a car parked nearby and when we were ready, she and her 9 year old son, Lisandro, walked down the aisle lined by luminaries.

 And so we begin.....

 Patricia's wedding gown was gorgeous--and so is she!

Retrieving the rings from the pillow so responsibly held by our 4 year old ring bearer!

 Time to celebrate!  

Jason and Patricia, congratulations! Your wedding was lovely and so special. I wish you all the best!