Raleigh Wedding Blog

Monday, March 17, 2014

Short, Sweet, and Beautiful Wedding for Amanda and Tim!

The Oaks at Salem in Apex is a wonderful place for a wedding--large or small! March 15, 2014 was a beautiful warm sunny day and the tent on the terrace had been taken down for the good weather--soon to be re-erected for the unfavorable forecast the next weekend, though--what crazy weather this year!

April Maness, owner of The Oaks, realizing the need for a Director of Event Coordination hired Joslin Rodely (above) almost a year ago and had her watch as I conducted a wedding rehearsal there so she could learn the ropes. She has done well and I see her often because I officiate a lot of weddings at this lovely spot!

Tim (groom) and his brother Pete (best man) and I assembled for the ceremony. There were 8 guests and our esteemed photographer Neil Boyd can be seen in the background.

Amanda's daughter and maid of honor, Abbey, made her entrance.

Then it was time for our bride, Amanda!

Standing with Abbey is her brother, Aiden, both serving as their mother's attendants.

We honored their parents for guiding them to this celebration of love.

Then Tim had some sweet words for Abbey and Aiden which he read from my book. This day they all officially became a family!

The vows and rings were exchanged.

"Tim and Amanda, by the love that has brought you here today, by the vows you have exchanged and by the integrity of your commitment, it is my distinct pleasure to now declare that you are husband and wife!"

Looks like Aiden is really happy to have Tim as his stepfather!

Mothers of the couple, Kathleen and Jean, are now officially related, but the English language has no word for their relationship. Maybe we should create one! Any suggestions?

Dave, my husband, was my photographer for the wedding. He and I both remarked how much Amanda looks like Sandra Bullock. She probably hears that all the time. Look at this beautiful mother daughter image. They are both so beautiful and personally, I think they look more like sisters!

Amanda and Tim, I am so happy that you found each other and that you found me to join you in marriage. It was indeed an honor and a pleasure! I wish you the best always!

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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Beth and Mike's Fabulous Wedding at The Stockroom!

WOW! What a great wedding! Beth and Mike married at The Stockroom in downtown Raleigh on March 8, 2014. They assembled a great team to pull it all together. Kailey with A Southern Soiree was their wedding planner and director. Her boss, Megan (a former bride of mine), came to the wedding as Kailey's assistant because she was friends with one of the bridesmaids and wanted to see this beautiful wedding.

Expressions of Love was the florist. The wispy silver branches dripping with bling and flowers made a wonderful backdrop for the ceremony. In the middle is the table holding their Wedding Wine Box.

The ceiling lights were hung in a starburst pattern with a lovely chandelier in the center. Get Lit Special Events Lighting created this along with some up-lighting along the walls for the reception.

The Stockroom@230 has become a very popular and special place for weddings. It is right downtown--230 Fayetteville Street. The art gallery next door serves as the holding area prior to the ceremony for the bridal party and after the ceremony it is where the guests go for cocktail hour while The Stockroom is being flipped for the reception.

Beth and Mike chose the Wooden Wedding Box Ceremony. This beautiful box holds a bottle of wine and during the ceremony they add sealed hand-written love letters about all the qualities they love in each other.

Flower petals and floating candles lined the aisle. (So much better than an aisle runner! If you read this blog you will know I have a thing about aisle runners and how dangerous and messy they can be!)

Elegant Ensembles provided the beautiful music for the ceremony.

Their photographers, Charo and Mike, provided photographs for their guest book where the guests could write notes to the couple. Belle's Catering and The Cupcake Shoppe provided the food and cake.

Andraya is our sweet little flower girl and she did her job perfectly!

This is the sign she is bringing down the aisle. I bet Beth got that idea from Pinterest. In fact, she told me that is how she found me! Pinterest!

Mike and I are laughing as Andraya comes down the aisle.

Our gorgeous bride and her father float down the aisle while the guests are standing in her honor.

Beth had the most exquisite dress that fit her to a tee.

Andraya is holding her mother's bouquet while her mother, Shannon, Matron of Honor, holds Beth's bouquet.

The ceremony begins. They each had 10 attendants. The guys were dressed in medium gray suits and navy blue ties. They were so handsome.

Beth and Mike worked hard getting their story worded just right. I loved it. And so did their guests.

There was quite a bit of laughter as you can see. Especially when I told of Mike's predetermined steps a relationship must go through before making a permanent commitment, being the orderly, detailed engineer that he is!

Then what they each told me in confidence they loved about each other was revealed for the first time.

They read their vows to each other from my book.

Beth shed quite a few tears during the ceremony and we passed the hankie back and forth. Here I am going to dab the tears that were running down her cheeks during her vows.

They exchanged rings and it was time for them to place their letters in the wooden box with the wine and lock it.

Phil and his associate with 21 Films was videoing the ceremony.

Their friends Heather and Erica presented the Irish Wedding Blessing.

The pronouncement!

KISS!

"We're really married!"

Yes! Throughout their courtship, Mike was a persistent and patient pursuer of Beth. Now, it's done! He got THE girl of his dreams! Of course Beth would tell you she got THE man of her dreams!

Taking the scene in!

The bride and groom and wedding party and parents disappeared into the stairwell to wait for the guests to clear the room. Then we came back in to take a few photos.

I wanted you to see how gorgeous Beth's wedding gown is. It is one of the prettiest I have ever seen and I see a lot! It was a soft champagne with just a touch of blush. So perfect for this beautiful bride!

Mike and Beth, you were a joy to work with and your love is so inspirational. You are just perfect for each other and I think you know it! My best wishes for your happiness forever!