life-and-living-under-coulds: Swank Cake Design

Friday, May 9, 2014

Kyrie and Andrew Marry at Hudson Manor!

What a glorious day for a wedding! Kyrie and Andrew were wed at Hudson Manor in Louisburg on May 3, 2014. I have been doing weddings at this lovely venue for 10 years now and have watched the owners Melissa and Glenn Cogliatti develop the property into quite an estate. Last year she added a sweet little chapel and this year a barn! Every time I go there I marvel at the little touches she has added and how beautifully the landscaping has matured.

Melissa renovated the lovely manor house where she and her family live and the front two stories are for the bride and groom and their attendants to dress and hang out in. It is gorgeous.

First Melissa had the reception hall built with a spacious terrace and had the property landscaped. The interior is spacious with nice restrooms. They also do their own catering and the food is wonderful.

A huge pergola covers the terrace behind the reception hall. We have had weddings here when the weather is not cooperating. This day it was the "holding area" for the guests out of the sun before the ceremony. You can see the chapel with the red door in the background but here is a better photo from another wedding:

The chapel is for extreme weather days and for couples that prefer a more church-like setting.

Taylor Pittman, our DJ, had his main system inside and brings his mobile unit outside the pergola overlooking the ceremony garden where the ceremony was to be. Taylor is always so kind and sweet and more than willing to plug my microphone into his system.

When Marty and I arrived, the bride was with her two photographers, Rachel and Seth, from Blue Barn Photography. What a gorgeous princess dress and absolutely perfect for Kyrie!

Set up in the reception area was this sweet photo of our couple.

These signs are new this year.

This lovely cake is by Swank Cake Designs.

Melissa, who directs the weddings, got us lined up and sent in the grandmothers first.

Then Father and Mother of the groom!

Mother of the Bride escorted in by brother of the groom and best man.

Andrew and I make our way in.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places.

Then our ring bearer and flower girl!

Eleanor did a perfect job sprinkling the petals.

Blair (Sister of the bride/Maid of Honor) is holding back tears of joy as her father lifts the blusher veil for Kyrie.

And so we begin--Welcome, Prayer, In Memoriam.

Then I got to tell their story and invoke some sweet laughter.

They had each told me what they loved about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage and heard for the first time what the other had told me. A sweet moment.

They read their vows to each other from my book.

Then the rings.....

The legal moment!

Sealed with a kiss!

Tears of happiness!

Romantic moment captured!

And it is done! Kyrie and Andrew, what a pleasure working with you and being part of your special day. Thank you for choosing me to officiate for you. I wish you the best always!

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

A Beautiful Wedding for Aaron and Chelsea at The Carolina Inn!

Chelsea and Aaron fell in love when they were students at UNC. They met during a Friday night tradition where the boys in the adjacent dorm would run through the women's halls shirtless--to celebrate the weekend! All the girls were standing outside their rooms expecting this weekly ritual when Aaron innocently stumbled upon this happening, glanced over at a pretty girl with a big smile who said "Come on, it's Friday" whereupon he whipped off his shirt and ran around a bit, shortly to return to check out this intriguing girl with the big smile, none other than Chelsea. He was intrigued by her sense of humor and kindness. She was impressed that he was such a good listener and she could talk his ears off. It did not hurt that he was tall and good looking with the nicest blue eyes she had ever seen. Five years and many adventures later, they were planning their wedding for June 1, 2013 at the Carolina Inn. The wedding day was gorgeous with a slight breeze. The Bryan Courtyard with the big tree was immaculately groomed and ready for the guests. Sally Oakley was on duty as their wedding director.

This beautiful cake by Swank Cake Design was in its place in the Old Well room where the reception would take place.

The courtyard was filled to capacity with the white chairs and white flower petals down the aisle.

Arioso Strings had arrived, set up and were tuning up. Always heavenly music and I love working with them all.

When all the guests were seated and it was time to begin, the guys and I walked in down the side ramp and took our places up front.

Chelsea's mother, Lori, was escorted in by her son, Billy. She reminded me of a young Julia Child!

Unlike the day before at the rehearsal, our sweet little ring bearer, William, walked straight down the aisle and presented the rings to the best man then was seated. I don't know the bribe they used but it sure worked like a charm!

The guests stood in honor of our stunning bride as her father, Geoff, escorted her down the aisle.

She gave Dad a little kiss and he was seated.

Aaron's dad, Jeff, was his best man.

Chelsea and Aaron were soooo ready for this day! They were both beaming at each other! Because we had collaborated on the creation of their ceremony, they knew what I was going to say and could relax, be in the moment, and really enjoy the ceremony which included personal and endearing tributes to their parents.

Brian Mullins, photographer, was getting shots from the back of the guests while his second shooter, Jen Aun, was roaming, like my assistant, Marty, getting this shot.

I loved telling their story and what they loved about each other which was secret to each of them not revealed until the ceremony.

There was lots of good humor.

Then we had the "hands ceremony."

"This ring is a symbol of my love. With it I take a piece of my heart and place it into yours. May it encircle our spirits and bind us together forever."