Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Raleigh Rose Garden Abloom for the Wedding of Cristina and Colby!

Cristina and Colby are such a wonderful couple. They have so much fun together and laugh a lot as you will see in these photos. You can tell!Cristina thoroughly enjoyed her wedding! It took place on Saturday morning, September 18, 2010 at the beautiful Raleigh Rose Garden.
 
They planned a simple wedding with no wedding party and one musician--Daniel Baucom who played the guitar, violin and sang.  When I gave him the signal, he began singing a chosen song. 

Then Colby and I walked out from behind the roses and took our places in front of the guests.
That was his cue to then switch to the violin for Cristina's entrance as I reached into my pocket to turn on my microphone..
She chose to be escorted in by her father and stepfather down the long walk from the entrance of the garden to the back of the chairs where the guests sat. In the meantime, Colby started walking up the aisle to the back of the chairs.
Then Colby shook hands with both fathers and they circled around to their seats while Cristina and Colby walked down the aisle together to be married. I had suggested they do it that way and they loved the symbolism of "walking into their marriage together."
We are standing in front of the small fish pond which you can hardly see for all the abundant foliage and flowers around and behind it. The sun was bright and it was getting quite warm as noon time approached.
We started off with a welcome to the guests then I asked:  "Do you give your blessing to this marriage and promise to keep them in your hearts?  If so, please respond by enthusiastically saying, 'We Do.”'" Of course they did and Cristina loved it.
Then I asked the parents of the couple to stand for the Parents' Blessing . It is always such a sweet moment as I express the couple's thanks to their parents.
The vows, the rings, the pronouncement and then Colby nailed Cristina with a kiss!!
It's a done deal!! We're married! 
What a fun wedding! Cristina and Colby, you were such a great couple to work with and thank you for choosing me to be your wedding officiant. I loved every minute of it! Congratulations and keep laughing!