Amy and Dwayne were referred to me by one of my very favorite photographers,
Craig Carpenter of Luster Studios (who took the magical photo above after the ceremony and many more you see on this blog), when he learned that they needed an officiant for their wedding March 24, 2012 at
Barclay Villa. After an initial meeting the couple and I set about creating a beautiful ceremony that was warm and welcoming to the guests, honoring of their parents, and included personalized vows and many of the reasons the couple were attracted to each other and why they wanted to marry.
If you have never been to Barclay Villa, it is Angier, NC out in the countryside and an amazing sight in contrast to the pastoral surroundings because it looks like a castle! It is a place where wonderful fairy tale weddings happen!
We rehearsed the wedding outdoors at the lovely gazebo above and also did a run through inside the ballroom just in case the weatherman's forecast for rain came to pass, and it did, if you recall that Saturday.
The fruit trees and ornamentals were putting out their colorful blossoms and the grass was really green from all the rain we had the week prior to the wedding.
This is a beautiful pool and fountain in the side yard next to the gazebo area.
The rain was so unpredictable on the wedding day that the wisest decision was to move it inside into the great ballroom. Jeffrey Surles, our florist/wedding director/go-to man for everything, was really on the ball and had the chairs set up and tastefully trimmed with wide ivory ribbons.
The "altar"was in front of the great fireplace filled with lit pillar candles to throw off a warm glow. The beautiful floral arrangements were on gorgeous glass pedestals. In the center is the vintage table with the box into which the couple placed love letters to each other during the ceremony. The box had extra special meaning because Amy's father had crafted it many years ago for her mother to put recipes in.
Some tables were on the perimeter of the chairs ready to be placed into position after the ceremony. The menu looked fabulous!
The centerpieces matched the two pedestal flowers at the altar making elegant decorations for each table.
I got Jeffrey to pose for a picture with me. We had never done a wedding together before this one. Jeffrey owns
Jeffrey's Florist in Dunn NC and has been doing weddings for 23 years. He directed the rehearsal and then directed the wedding smoothly. He was so funny during the ceremony! Of course the guests could not see him because he was behind them, but I could, and he kept making faces at the attendants to keep them smiling--a good thing! I have to remind the bridesmaids and groomsmen at the rehearsal that although all the guests may have their eyes on the bride and groom, the cameras there are taking everyone's photo so best not to get distracted, adjust your hair or dress, or look bored!
Dwayne's mother, Dawn, made this beautiful wedding cake. The blue hydrangeas on top and the blue ribbons match the sky blue color theme Amy chose.
This is Dwayne's mother being escorted by one of our groomsmen after the grandparents.
Carol, mother of the bride, was escorted in last by another groomsman.
After the rest of the wedding party entered, the bride and her father appeared at the top of the grand staircase and proceeded down the aisle while the guests stood in the bride's honor.
I asked both sets of parents for their blessing for this union and then everyone was seated.
You can tell that Amy and Dwayne were really enjoying their ceremony. They are a cool couple and well suited for each other.
After the pronouncement of marriage came the crowning moment....the KISS!
And Amy and Dwayne step into the next chapter in their lives together!
The weather cooperated nicely after the ceremony so we could get some outdoor photos with fantastic lighting. Amy and Dwayne, may you find happiness making each other happy; may you find love loving each other!
