Raleigh Wedding Blog

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Another Wonderful Wedding at the Majestic Duke Chapel!

Sally Oakley of Sally Oakley Weddings & Events contacted me in January to see if I was qualified to officiate weddings at Duke Chapel. Well, yes, I am! So she referred Liz and Chris to me for their wedding March 14, 2015 at Duke Chapel. They live in Michigan but were in town on the 20th of January and we were able to meet and plan their ceremony.

Weddings at Duke Chapel are rather spectacular! But rarely do we fill it up.

Most weddings only have enough guests to fill the rows of chairs in front of the pews and Liz and Chris' wedding was like that. Both of them went to Duke and in fact, Liz's parents and her Maid of Honor were married in the chapel as well.

This is the huge wonderful organ that graces the back of the chapel. We are milling around before the guests arrived.

Sarah and Chris on the right are with the chapel and together orchestrate weddings there. They were saying that the chapel will be closed from May 11, 2015 for a year for restoration of the stone walls, ceilings, etc. and the first wedding after that will be July 2016. It really is necessary to do the required maintenance to preserve these historic buildings. I noticed that the buildings on the sides of the chapels are having work done on them as well.

Sally is tying the photo charms on Liz's bouquet. Tre Bella did the flowers. Then the groomsmen came in, got their boutonnieres pinned on and Sarah led us down into the basement to what I would call the "man cave" where we waited until Chris came to get us lined up to enter for the ceremony.

Liz's grandmother, Chris' parents Patricia and Steve, then Liz's parents Diane and John entered. Then Chris and his groomsmen and I processed in from the side and took our places on the chancel.

The bridesmaids made the long walk down the aisle and took their places and then it was time for Chris' nephew Henry (age 2).

Henry is almost a blur because he ran all the way down that long aisle! Then he ran up to Chris and gave him the ring pillow. He did not know where to go from there but his dad retrieved him!

The guests were invited to stand in honor of our beautiful bride.

She was proudly escorted in by her father, John.

The parents gave their blessings and our couple stepped up onto the chancel.

The pretty green theme was chosen because of the proximity to St. Patrick's Day and looks really pretty in the chapel.

The guests were welcomed and then we paid tribute to their loved ones who were not able to be with us in person but were surely with us in spirit.

I stepped out to address their parents and pay tribute to their love and support of Liz and Chris throughout their lives.

Then it was time for their story. It was a fun one to tell. They met in DC at a party of a mutual friend. Liz was living back home in SC at the time, having just graduated from Duke. She decided to move to DC to work and they had some fun times with Chris being in awe of Liz's beauty and her accomplishments and Liz getting used to Chris' love of surprising her! Chris was accepted into Duke's Business School and they spend the next 2 years in a long distance relationship traveling back and forth between Durham and DC and lots of Skyping. Chris planned a surprise proposal in 2013 at his grandparents' place on Priest Lake Idaho, one of his favorite places on the planet. Of course Liz said yes! When Chris graduated in 2014 and went to work in Michigan, Liz made the big move to be with him there and the wedding planning commenced!

For the first time they are hearing what the other told me secretly that they loved about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage. Such a sweet moment. Then they said their vows as they exchanged rings.

As part of the closing blessing, I invited Liz and Chris to gaze around them and feel the love of their family and dearest friends surrounding them as they honored them on their wedding day.

Then it was time to pronounce them married!

Sealed with a kiss!

We did it!!

After the guests departed to the reception at The Cookery, we gathered up front for photos. Here we are standing around with Dara Blakely, one of my favorite photographers.

Dara, with her second shooter Kathy, looking on is getting a photo of Liz's pink nail polish with glitter on her toes, significant for the time she painted Chris' nails with the same polish for a Halloween costume very early on in the relationship.

Chatting with the parents.....

Liz is stunningly beautiful and Chris is not too bad looking either! Handsome couple and a good match. Liz and Chris, congratulations, best wishes and may all your dreams come true!!

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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Erin and Warren Wed at Top of the Hill in Chapel Hill!

Erin and Warren came to see me last June to plan their wedding at the Top of the Hill Great Room, a venue that is gaining popularity as a wedding venue. Their events manager, Danielle Olcott, is a big reason why! Danielle is one of those people who jump right in to do whatever is needed. She is very organized and knows what she is doing. I love it that she and I see eye-to-eye in how a wedding is done! She also arranged for the ceremony music to be on the house sound system.

Danielle has the bridal party sequestered in the "back bar" area, out of sight of the groom and his guys. She and Erin are admiring the pretty silver roses that the flower girl and ring bearer will carry. Very unique.

Our pretty flower girl, Ashleigh, and Erin in her lovely bridal gown. They are ready to go and so are all the bridesmaids hanging out.

You can see me in the background getting the microphone attached to my collar.

University Florist provided the bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. Danielle is pinning the corsage on Yvonne, mother of the groom.

Chatting about the wedding, I'm sure!

The sand ceremony was ready in the Great Room.

The guests are beginning to arrive and take their seats.

I have never seen this before. Apparently one "menu" will go on each table after the ceremony.

Warren is taking a deep breath and is all set to get married. We are waiting in the side room for the grandmother and parents to be escorted in.

"Warren, are you going to behave yourself during the ceremony?" He had threatened to tap his foot or something like that if he got nervous or needed to take a break! He is a naturally funny guy and I love his sense of humor. I know Erin does too!

Their photographer, James Richardson, was all set to get the processional. He is from the DC/MD area. The guys and I are behind that glass door that looks like a mirror.

First in was Virginia, Warren's grandmother. Then the parents of the bride and groom followed.

The bridesmaids are on their way!

So now they are all here and I invited the guests to stand for the bride.

Preceding the bride were Ashleigh and Ian, our flower girl and ring bearer.

Vicki and Steve proudly escort their daughter down the aisle to be married.

"Who blesses and supports Erin as she comes to join in marriage to Warren?"

The hand-off of bouquets and fluffing of the bride's train takes place.

Retrieving the bouquets now and we begin with a warm welcome to every one.

A sweet prayer.

Tribute to their parents......

And now for their story! They met in DC at a hockey game although neither were hockey fans. Warren was smitten by Erin's beauty and convinced her to throw popcorn at him. Erin was intrigued by Warren's toothpaste commercial smile and that he was so gregarious and does not hesitate to talk to anyone. Their first date was two days later but Erin would not let Warren kiss her until he baked cupcakes with her. He passed the test then he took her to NC to meet his family. She grew up in W. VA. Then Erin had to pass Warren's roller coaster test. She did but was terrified and drew the line after 4 rides! They've been together ever since.

The big reveal of what they each told me in confidence about what they loved about each other.

Saying their vows to each other.....Warren got a bit choked up but I had my hankie ready!

The rings......

Blending their sand together!

The big moment that makes their marriage official!

Warren, you did good! Nice kiss!

Now he can cut up a little......so happy!!

Out in a blur.........of wedding bliss, I'm sure!

Everyone headed for the back bar for cocktails while the great room was flipped for the reception.

The blended sand with room for more when they have children.

Congratulations to the new Mrs.!

Erin and Warren, thank you for allowing me to be part of your day and for working so hard with me to create the perfect wedding ceremony for you! I wish you all the best forever!!