Kristen and Chris Marry Surrounded by Mother Nature!

Kristen and Chris' wedding was my first one at Rock Quarry Farm in Chapel Hill. I had heard about this lovely venue and gotten requests to do weddings there but the dates and times never worked. So happy that it worked out for me to officiate Kristen and Chris' wedding there on April 26, 2014. It is a gorgeous site. I met Camille, the owner, at our rehearsal in the rain the day before. But the wedding day dawned sunny and beautiful.

When Marty and I arrived, their photographer Jessica Crawford and her second shooter had our beautiful bride and her maidens out in the front yard taking photos. Marty snapped a few and here is one. I must admit there were so many great photos from this wedding that it was hard to choose which ones to put on this post. So, there are more than usual!

We made our way past the farmhouse, the carport area and the barn to the ceremony site and set up my sound system.

Dana Cadwell with C&D Events was their wedding planner and her staff had set up the arbor and decorated it with pretty flowers.

 They also hung mason jars with assorted flowers on the aisle chairs. 

The musicians were warming up--a string quartet put together by Catherine Hueston. 

 The guests began arriving and were invited to get refreshments at the bar area under the carport. 

The groom and his groomsmen were playing corn hole in front of the barn. I snagged Eric, the best man, to sign the marriage license for me. We also decided that he should hold the real rings and not our little ring bearer, Nathan--a wise decision.

The barn is apparently new construction and the boards have been left with gaps to allow light and air to stream in. It was quite unique and airy. It had been set up for the reception. The caterer was Unforgettable Food Affairs and instead of a wedding cake, they had Wedding Desserts by Sweet Traditions by LeAne.

 The guests of honor! 

Patrick Cooke with PC Productions was the DJ for the reception. I know everyone had a great time with Patrick as MC! 

 The guest table with programs (I forgot to get one!) and the Tree of Life style guest sign in. 

The guests had all been ushered to the ceremony site and Dana was getting the processional lined up.  Dana is the tall young lady in the orange dress on the right.  Great job, Dana!

The bride's grandmother, Caroline, was escorted in first, then Chris' parents, Marilyn and Bob (above), made their way down the aisle.

 Mother of the Bride, Kim, is escorted by Allen, Father of the Bride, who returned to bring in Kristen.

Then it is time for the guys and me. You will note that I am dressed in a light blue, close to Carolina Blue, at their request.

 It was a long processional!! 

 Waiting for the ring bearer and the bride. 

Nathan started off headed for the aisle but veered off track to the right. Someone intercepted him and got him back on track and he made it down the aisle. He was so cute!

 Here comes our gorgeous bride and her proud father!

 Everyone stands in her honor. 

 Welcome to everyone!

 The Wedding Prayer by Robert Louis Stephenson.

 Beautiful setting in the arms of Mother Nature!  

The parents stood for a special blessing the couple prepared for them. Tears spilled! 

Then I asked everyone to stand and asked for their blessing and support of this marriage. Everyone answered "We will" very enthusiastically.

 Kristen's friend, Crystal, shared words by George Eliot.

 Chris' friend, Mike, shared the words of William Shakespeare from King John.  

And now for the story of how Kristen and Chris met and fell in love and decided to marry followed by a special paragraph from each about what they love about each other.

 The vows along with a few tears and sniffles! 

 Exchange of rings.....

I believe this is where Chris turned his back to the guests to wipe his nose and I said "give it a good blow!" (I always check to see that noses are wiped before the kiss which was coming up soon!) It was also a "two hankie" wedding--one for the bride and one for the groom!

 The pronouncement followed by.......

 Wow, we're married! 

Time for some post-ceremony photos!  

Jessica set up some great compositions. But, I am not sure Kristen is very confident that Chris will not lose his grip on her!

 Chris and Kristen, you were a joy to work with and a very well matched couple. I know you will have a very happy and prosperous marriage! Best always!

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Beautiful Sunny Wedding of Becky and John at Highgrove!

I met Becky and John in June of 2011. They are a delightful couple and were planning their wedding for Sunday May 6, 2012 at Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina where I have been doing weddings since the gorgeous venue first opened many years ago. John and Becky loved hearing one of my ceremonies and wanted to be involved in creating their own one-of-a-kind ceremony that included their story, what they loved about each other, why they wanted to marry and what they were looking forward to in the next chapter in their lives together--their marriage. We signed a contract and reserved their dates on my calendar and got started on it right away.

In contrast to the wedding I did the day before which was forced indoors due to stormy weather, Becky and John's wedding day could not have been prettier. The temperature was pleasant, the humidity low, and the sun shining. 

The garden ballroom was all set with the pretty table linens and our DJ had set up the nice up-lighting.

Patrick Cooke of PC Productions was our reliable DJ. We have worked together at many weddings and it is always a pleasure to work with Patrick. I know I can count on him!

This beautiful wedding cake was baked by Sweet Memories Bakery and has the monogram of the couple's last name.

The lovely floral arrangements and bouquets were provided by Expressions of Love Florists.

 

Paul of Wake Forest Portrait Shoppe, and his assistant Melissa, were on hand to document this wedding. Here on the side of the estate, Robert and his groomsmen and groomslady were posing for some incredible shots.

Here they are! Don't you love the way that beautiful pewter dress and the bright colors of the flowers pop?

John's mother, Nan, and I discovered we had a common link. We both belong to Unity Churches and she used to live in Raleigh and attended a Unity Church. We know many people in common. She moved to Texas to be near grandchildren about 7 years ago and wanted to catch up on all the news.

Look at these gorgeous bridesmaids dresses in rose. The maid of honor wore a dress in watermelon.

Ann Eberle with Highgrove was our wedding director. She is great. We love working together at the rehearsal and the wedding. Part of the wedding package at Highgrove is that you get your own director who is in charge of the day so the bride and groom can relax and enjoy their day.

Becky's father, Sam, brought Becky down the steps and down the aisle to John.

After he answered the question, "Who presents this woman to be married?" Becky gave him a little kiss and he was seated.

Between 5:00 and 6:00, if it is a sunny day, the sun spotlights the wedding party at the pergola. Lake Laurel is in the background.

 

 

The parents are standing here as I deliver the sweet parents' blessing, moving the mothers to tears!

 

John's sister Amber did the first reading which was the Indian Wedding Prayer.

 

John's sister, Lynn, gave a delightful reading from the children's book, "Guess How Much I Love You" by Sam McBratney. She was good!

 

Now the story of how they met--John clearly remembers it was at a pool hall but Becky thought it was later at the Longbranch! A key player in this romance is Christine, Robert's groomslady, who thought they should meet and pushed them together.

 

 

 Time for the rings and vows.....

 And now the pronouncement of marriage...

 Followed by the kiss.....

 And some laughter.....

 The deed is done, it is time to get out of the sun and have some fun! 

 Let's go..........

Becky and John, what a great wedding! Your careful planning paid off. I know you will be so happy together! I loved working with you and wish you health, happiness and prosperity!