Festive Orange Wedding for Liz and Lucas!

Liz and Lucas met when they were both students at the University of Miami. It was a chance meeting through friends of friends and their attraction to each other was there from the beginning. Lucas was intrigued not only that Liz is knockout gorgeous, but also her way of being--free and full of energy. She smiled and laughed and danced the night away. Liz thought Lucas was quite arrogant and, as she put it: "typically Argentinian" with long hair and a cocky smile she just wanted to kiss right off his face! And so the sparks flew. They both graduated and moved to different cities for their careers but after long distance relating for 13 months, Liz caved and moved to Raleigh from Cincinnati in 2010. They bought a house, adopted their 2 four-legged children, Jack and Peanut, and Lucas proposed on Valentine's Day of 2012. Wedding planning was stalled until Liz's mom took the reigns and hired Sally Oakley to pull it all together which Sally is so capable of doing! They needed an officiant so Sally sent them to see me. We had fun co-creating their wonderful ceremony with their story and secret vows and the wedding came off beautifully on October 6, 2013 at Haywood Hall. 

They painted the name of each guest on a stone which served as place cards. Obviously their color scheme was orange--and some white!

This fabulous cake was by Cinda's Creative Cakes with the action figures of Batman and--oh, I was told but have now forgotten the female's moniker. Someone comment on this post and tell me!

Haywood Hall is the oldest house in Raleigh! The grounds are gorgeous and unless you know about it, you would never guess it is smack-dab downtown Raleigh.

 Going over the cues for the processional with Kevin, violinist from Arioso Strings.

Beautiful! Mel Day with Dogwood Tree Florals hung the orange ribbons on the porch.

Unforgettable Food Affairs was the caterer and the reception was being readied in the garden under the tent.

Lucas struck this handsome pose for Cara with F8 Studios and her assistant, Adrian, before the ceremony.

Lucas' parents, Carlos and Susana, are ready to process in when Sally gives them the signal.

Then Liz's parents, Ana and Marcus, entered together and Marcus circled back around to bring in Liz.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen came in coupled up. 

This is Kate, Sally's daughter, making her debut as the flower girl! 

Getting the big dress up those steps from the sidewalk is always a challenge! 

Their parents stood as they received a glowing tribute from their children. 

 Telling their story was so much fun! Lucas hit a shy spot here!

They wrote their own vows secretly and read them from my book to each other.

 The ring exchange.....

 I now pronounce you......

Liz and Lucas....Great Wedding! Loved the creativity and festiveness of your vision. Congratulations and may all the happiness in the world grace you both!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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A Gorgeous Wedding at Long View Center for Lindsay and Kyle!

It is a small world! On June 22, 2013, I officiated the wedding of Lindsay and Kyle at the lovely Long View Center leased by Unity Church of the Triangle--my church. The day before, at a retirement party of a former co-worker, I discovered that Lindsay's mother and I worked at the same agency many years ago but not at the same time. You just never know who will cross paths with you and I think it was meant to be that I officiate Ann's daughter's wedding. Lindsay and Kyle met with me last August and they loved the opportunity to write the ceremony of their dreams with my guidance and tons of material I gave them to go through. Their photographer was Elizabeth Myers with Sweet Life Studios, another great person to work with again! Scott McKenzie, Music Director at Unity Church of the Triangle and classical pianist and conductor, provided the beautiful music. Mel Day with Dogwood Tree Florals provided the pretty flowers  and Make-up For Your Day had all the women looking gorgeous. 

 Lindsay's father, Rolland, helped her float down the aisle!

Everyone is standing in honor of the bride's entrance and as her father places her hand into Kyle's hand.

Tia Jones with Erin McLean Events was their wedding planner and so I knew I did not have to worry about the processional and the little behind the scenes details. It also meant I did not have to train a "friend" how to do the processional.  Thanks for a great job, Tia! 

Almost 5 years ago, Kyle and Lindsay met at a party in Durham. Kyle lived in Virginia at the time and was in the area visiting with his friends here for the 4th of July weekend. The more they talked, the more they found they had in common but since he lived so far away, neither of them expected anything to come of it.

But, they could not stop thinking of each other and the next time Kyle came to Raleigh he called her and they saw each other again. From that point on they were a couple and eventually Kyle moved back to NC again. He proposed in December of 2011 via an elaborate scheme to elude Lindsay's suspicions of getting the ring. It worked and of course she was thrilled to say yes!

They each told me in confidence what they loved about the other and got to hear what they told me for the first time during the ceremony. A sweet moment.

Sorry this photo is blurry but it is the only one I have of the kiss!

 And off they go, married! 

Scott and I have known each other for several years, ever since he became the Music Director and Choir Director for my church, Unity Church of the Triangle. I sing in the choir so I see him at least twice a week. He is an accomplished pianist (and maestro) and for this wedding he had the arrangement by Jonathan Cain of the Bridal March--my very favorite music for the bride's entrance. It is simply magical and evokes such emotion. I had never heard it played live! And, Scott had never heard me do a wedding. After the ceremony I went over and asked him what he thought. He told me he had heard hundreds of wedding ceremonies and that I was the "queen" of wedding ceremonies. He said he laughed and cried through the whole ceremony!

Lindsay and Kyle, thank you for choosing me to be your officiant. I truly enjoyed officiating and working with you to put it all together for your special day. I wish you all the happiness and love in the universe!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

My Website

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Or leave a comment below!

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Emily and Andy Wed at Barclay Villa!

On November 18, 2011, I met Emily and Andy. They had set their wedding date for November 3, 2012 and chosen the fabulous Barclay Villa for their venue. They had been friends since freshman year in college but did not discover that they were perfect for each other until they had both transferred to other colleges. It took a while before they reconnected but this time the spark of love was ignited and for the past 6 years they have been a couple buying a house together and traveling the world together. In May of 2011 Andy proposed while they were on an amazing vacation in Mexico, although according to Emily, she would have said yes a couple of years earlier! 

Barclay Villa in Angier is so beautiful--and an unexpected sight. It looks like a castle and is in striking contrast to the acres of farmland surrounding it. The beautiful grounds and the gazebo indeed make a beautiful place for a wedding.

The family of Cathy Honeycutt, co-owner of Barclay Catering and Event Planning, owns the property and Cathy and Cindy Ebersbach run the events there including catering as well as the directing for the couple. This is the doorway where the wedding party will process down the aisle.

 In the garden next to the area for the ceremony is this wonderful gazing pool!

I went upstairs to the elegantly appointed rooms where the bride and bridesmaids were getting ready and to get Emily's sister, Julie's, signature on the marriage license. On the way I ran into the bride with our photographer, Megan Kime, Megan Kime Photography, making their way to a spot by the pool for photographs. Emily whispered to me that she was feeling really nervous and to please speak slowly at the ceremony! I assured her that, unlike the rehearsal, I do speak very slowly and deliberately for the ceremony!

Next it was a visit to the Billiards room where the groom and his guys (and gals) hang out. Got the signature of Andy's brother, Rick, on the license here. Andy was cool as a cucumber.

 The Ballroom was all decked out for the reception. 

 This is the bride and groom's table in front of the huge fireplace. 

This is the view of the ballroom from the fireplace showing the stairs which lead up to the loft and balcony area.

Cinda's Creative Cakes provided this gorgeous cake! 

Dogwood Tree Floral Design provided the beautiful floral decor, the bouquets and the boutonnieres.

My good friend and colleague, Randy Bennett with Joe Bunn DJ Company, was there to run the music for the ceremony and the reception. He is always prepared and I never worry about the sound or music when he is on the scene!

First to be escorted in is Andy's mother, Peggy, by his father, Robert. Andy and his parents hail from Taiwan.

Emily's mother, Susan, was escorted in by her brother, Michael.

Peeking around the corner to see when it is time for me to start walking.

 It's time! 

 Followed by Andy and his brother Rick, best man. 

Brigid and Terrence 

Tina and Timothy

Leisa and Peter

Amy and Sean

 Julie, Maid of Honor, enters solo before the bride. 

Cathy readies the train as Emily and her father, Richard, begin the walk down the aisle.

I think Daddy was probably reassuring Emily here but once she got down the aisle and we got started, she relaxed and was fine! Believe me, it is normal to be nervous on your wedding day!

After welcoming all the guests, we had a prayer and remembered those loved ones who could not be with us. Then we had a tribute to the parents and got their blessings for this union. A reading of First Corinthians, Chapter 13, followed which teaches us about love which flowed into the love story of Emily and Andy.

I stepped out from behind the couple to speak to the guests. This is where the sweetness and the humor are all stirred together in to a moving story.

I believe this is where I was telling Andy why Emily loves him. "Emily loves both your maturity and your sense of humor and that sometimes when you are driving, she gets to see her life flash before her eyes!

....Because of you, she gets to watch ESPN every single night before going to bed." 

After the sweet funny stuff come the more serious words about love and marriage, the vows and the exchange of rings, a closing blessing wishing the couple well, then the pronouncement of marriage. 

 Sealed with a kiss! 

 Julie moves the train around to the back as I introduce our newlyweds!

The really special thing about Barclay Villa is that Juliet balcony. The bride and groom recess, go inside the ballroom, up the stairs and out onto the balcony and watch the recessional. Of course they get a big round of applause too!

Andy and Emily, what a great wedding! I hope your are still celebrating as I write this!  I think you are a wonderful couple and I wish you all the happiness and adventure in the world!