Anna and Jason Get Married at Wakefield Plantation!

Anna and Jason met in college (ECU) and became friends, then roommates and good friends. It was after Jason went home for the summer that they realized that they really cared for each other. And, so when he returned to school in the fall, they became a couple. They finished their degrees, adopted their dog, and moved to Raleigh for better jobs. Their relationship even survived buying and remodeling a house so they are pretty sure their marriage has stood the test! This past February Jason proposed after Anna dropped a few hints (or a few hundred) over the past few years. And then the wedding planning began in earnest.

They chose the date of July 20, 2013 and the lovely Wakefield Plantation for their venue. The day arrived with sunshine and plenty of heat and humidity with a slight breeze everyone was thankful for. This is the view from the ceremony site.

Their ceremony music was provided by this trio with The Music House. Paula is the vocalist and Johnny plays the dulcimer among many other instruments. Don't know the name of our violinist. They created some very pretty music for the prelude, processional and recessional. 

It is time to begin and so after the parents and grandparents were seated, Jason and I, followed by the groomsmen, marched in to take our places.

Then the bridesmaids entered one by one. Friend of the bride, Michelle, was our director.

Our sweet flower girl, Zoey, made her entrance sprinkling the petals. The ring bearer, Riley, was supposed to enter before her but no sign of him. I figured he chickened out at the last minute!

But, can you see that Jason and I are looking off to the left above? We spotted Riley on the sideline trying to decide to come in or not. We gestured him to come on and he scampered up front and got into his place before I invited the guests to stand for the bride! 

Kimberly Miller, the catering manager with the club, fluffed the train right before Anna and her dad, Hudson, began their walk in.

 Anna is such a beautiful young woman and a gorgeous bride! 

Their story was a lot of fun and we made sure it had plenty of humor. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially our Maid of Honor, Jamie, who is the groom's sister. I must have been telling something on her brother at the moment this photo was snapped.

Anna and Jason decided to include the Celtic tradition of handfasting where I bound their joined hands with a cord which represents their love.

I think here I am pointing out that their joined hands and arms form the symbol of infinity, blessing their marriage in the ebb and flow of the Universe.

 They made their promises to each other while their hands were joined.

Then I removed the cord and they placed their rings which symbolically took the place of the cord. Riley at this moment decided to check out what was going on!

 "You may kiss the bride!"

At our rehearsal, Jason had been a little shy about the kiss. But he got through it just fine. 

In all the excitement, Anna forgot her bouquet! Oh well, no big deal! 

 

They had the cutest wedding programs that were fans for which all the guests were grateful!

Our photographer, Elizabeth Burchette, was snapping photos of the bridal party.

Then it was time for me to get a shot with the bride and groom! Anna and Jason, it was a pleasure working with you. I thank you for choosing me to be a part of your special day. May all the happiness in the world be yours!

***********************************************

To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

My Website

Pinterest

Facebook

Or leave a comment below!

************************************************

Destiny and Joey's Warm and Wonderful Wedding at Wakefield Plantation!

Little did Destiny and Joey know that June 30, 2012, their wedding day, would be the record-breaking hottest day (so far...) of the year with a high of 107 degrees! Thankfully Jaclyn Parks, the events manager for the club, found a nice shady spot for the ceremony at the Wakefield Plantation Golf Club and there was a little breeze. The couple and I met back in March and began creating their special ceremony. They both answered a few questions for me from which I crafted the story of how they met, fell in love and decided to marry. I also found out what they love about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage that I included in the ceremony. We had the rehearsal in the same degree of heat the day before. Their wedding party was huge and amazingly, everyone was able to get to the rehearsal and learn what their role was. I told them that I would be very "ministerial" on the wedding day but at the rehearsal my role was "drill sergeant" so we could get it done efficiently and they could get out of the heat and enjoy themselves at the rehearsal dinner. They were all in agreement with that and I thank them all for their focus and attention! 

This is the view of the Wakefield Plantation clubhouse from the rear overlooking the golf course and the ceremony site to the side. The bride entered from the second floor door on the right where the reception was to be held and walked down to the second landing where her father was waiting to take her the rest of the way. 

So thankful that the ceremony area was in the shade. I set up my sound system and their keyboardist plugged into it so that she could have more volume. Her name is Pam Myhill and her husband Larry was there to help her. Pam and Destiny know each other from the school where Destiny teaches. 

 Too hot for golfers today!  

After the mothers were escorted in and lit the candles representing the couple, it was time for the guys and me.

First of the girls in down the aisle were Ashley and Macy, daughters of the groom. In the distance is our little ring bearer, Kye, who was being consoled by his dad and never made it down the aisle--but that's okay.

The rest of the bridesmaids entered the Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor with her daughter, Reece bringing up the last of them. The flowers were by Melodie at City Florist.  Our photographer was Keith with Keith Tew Photography. 

 A very large wedding party! 

All our pretty maids in a row waiting for the bride! 

 I love this sweet photo! 

I asked Dad the question then he placed Destiny's hand into Joey's hand and gave her a little kiss and everyone was seated. 

Look at all those handsome men. The best man, Larry, is Joey's father. I think it is such an honor and  a tribute for a man to ask his father to be his best man.

After the welcome, prayer and parents' blessing, it was time for Ashley and Macy to step forth and receive the couple's blessings. I think Destiny choked up a little there. The girls call her their "bonus mom!"

Yep, it was hot all right and hankies were in order to mop up the perspiration. I even had to pause to wipe my own brow later on!  

Their story went over very well with the guests and everyone enjoyed hearing it. They said their vows to each other then exchanged rings.  

 

I held the glass hurricane cover up while they transferred the flames from their individual candles to the Unity Candle then placed it over the candle to protect the breeze from blowing it out. .

 I now pronounce you husband and wife! 

 

And off they go! Into the cool locker area to begin with while the guests departed to the reception room. For a change, there was no lingering around outside!

Destiny and Joey, you are a beautiful couple and I wish you the very best!