What do you think about this Wedding Colour?

While searching here and there we happen to see these pictures in Ted Chen photographers

Bride hair and accessories very classy… Pearls Pearls Pearls distinct yourself from other.

Bride dress lovely and Stylish

We love the colour and think is lovely and calm

We Are So Honored!

Late last summer, Craig Carpenter, a very fine photographer who owns Luster Studios, approached me about doing a photo shoot and article for his blog about local wedding officiants. He and I have worked many weddings together and I am always blown away by his ability to capture unique moments in weddings. Besides, his photos of me are my favorites, and I admit that I am a bit picky about that. I have used them on my blog and website for years. He has also worked with Rev. Robin Renteria and Rev. Barbara Lodge and thought it would be fun to get the three of us together, especially since we are very good friends and colleagues rather than competitors. I immediately jumped on this great opportunity to be photographed by Craig and contacted Barbara and Robin who immediately agreed.

Barbara, Robin and I frequently get together for lunch at P.F. Chang's at Southpoint Mall to share experiences, discuss policies and services, and brainstorm any problems. So, after lunch on November 3rd we met Craig at this picturesque spot nearby behind Doubletree Suites where I have seen other photographers take couples for wedding photos. I just love the waterfall and the backdrop of the trees and the lake. It was a chilly day and the rain was just barely holding back. However, that also makes a wonderful setting for photos as there are no shadows or squinting and the colors are much more saturated. He told us to wear our favorite wedding outfits and bring our ceremony books. Craig is such a wizard in his field. No wonder he is internationally known and travels to photograph weddings all over the world. We were so honored to be his subjects for a couple of hours!

    

There was this beautiful graphic sunburst design on the patio which Craig took advantage of by posing each of us in the middle. I love purple so for my signature officiant dress, I donned my purple dress and put over it the beautiful purple velvet beaded robe and my matching purple shoes. 

 

Craig wrote: I’ve had a unique opportunity to work with some fabulous wedding ministers in North Carolina and the three officiants that I encounter most often are Kayelily Middleton, Robin Renteria, and Barbara Lodge. While each wedding officiant takes a slightly different approach to wedding ceremonies, there are a few key similarities that make them some of the best in the area.

Firstly, they are organized and quite thorough with their preparation in the days leading up to the wedding. I’ve often noticed how smoothly everything seems to happen, even during last minute changes. Having a reliable officiant is a no-brainer, but working with someone that is flexible, can think on their feet and has a ton of experience makes all the difference in the world.

Secondly, I’m always amazed at how well they actually know each couple. They don’t simply learn a few facts and fill in the blanks with their own agenda, but rather take the time to create truly unique ceremonies that reflect the couple’s beliefs and feelings about one another. I can tell that they enjoy incorporating a lot of personal details into the ceremony to create a wonderful story about the couple with a perfect blend of traditional or non-traditional elements.

And finally (and I feel most importantly) they simply bring with them a positive energy that is quite palpable throughout the entire ceremony. Honestly, it’s the little things that matter… They speak with a loud crisp voice so wedding guests can hear. They back their words up with powerful emotion and are often caught carrying a light-hearted smile. I can often see the affection, laughter and sentiment that they help create on the faces of wedding guests.

As a wedding photographer, I can’t express enough how important these components are for your wedding ceremony photos. I sometimes find it hard to capture the true emotions that couples, their family and friends have toward each other if they aren’t truly engaged with the moment. Time and time again, I’ve found that these wedding officiants help create the perfect environment to create expressive memories that will last a lifetime.

 

I am the "elder" of the three of us. I started my wedding ministry back in 1997 after being ordained and put up a website in 1999--www.aweddingminister.com--which has grown to 8 ministers who do weddings in 8 different areas of North Carolina. In 2003, I married Barbara's daughter, Becca, and her husband, Ben, at Coker Arboretum in Chapel Hill. When Barbara and her husband, Bill, moved to Chapel Hill a few years later, at Becca's encouragement, she contacted me about the wedding business and we have been good friends ever since. Becca said that she just knew we would click together! She was right. Barbara was no novice in officiating weddings as she had previously done weddings in Hawaii.  Robin, who was ordained in 1994, geared up her wedding ministry business in 2008. I was introduced to her by a mutual friend, Anita Vick--a former wedding planner, who felt that we would really like each other. Right again! Barbara and I quickly assimilated Robin into our circle and we have been friends ever since, even having regular potluck dinners or dinners out including our sweethearts who have also bonded. This month we all celebrated my husband's birthday together and had a blast.

 
These two wonderful women have graced my life in so many ways. We all work in very similar ways. We send our overflow to each other knowing that the couples will be in good hands! What a treasure to have such great friends and colleagues!

I tell you, getting out on those concrete pallets is fairly precarious! The rushing water was so loud we had a hard time hearing Craig giving us directions on which pallet to stand, which way to face, what to do with our hands, etc. but it was great fun too.

 

 

In the fall of 2009, I did what I call a Cinderella wedding at Doubletree Suites. The bride was brought to the ceremony by a white horse and white carriage that started at the waterfall and came around on that path we are walking above, went all around the lake circling to where the guests and wedding party were awaiting her. It was so visually and emotionally stunning and sooooo romantic!

Here we are at the Doubletree Suites terrace that overlooks the lake. You can see the waterfall in the background.

 

Barbara is also a photographer and has a really good eye for a shot. She suggested this one when she noticed that the sides of the arbor made a perfect picture frame!

So, three women out standing in their waterfall! We felt like fashion models! Thanks so much, Craig.

Wedding Planning Opportunity for Brides, Especially DIY Brides!

Rachel Hamm, a wedding planner with Bliss by Sam, is offering a unique class. It is called:

RACHEL'S DO-IT-YOURSELF WEDDING PLANNING BOOTCAMP!!

Saturday, Mar 12 2011, 9:30a.m. - 4:00p.m.
The Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, NC

What a great idea! I have had many brides plan their own weddings and little do they know that it is like having another full time job when all is said and done. Many are absolutely frazzled by the time the wedding day arrives. This class is great for all brides because there are many potential unforeseen pitfalls that can come along if you don't have the experience of planning a wedding. It is a grand undertaking and best done with assistance or at least some good preparation! So, go for it!

Bibiana's Wedding

A spectacular wedding between Bibiana and Alex

…entering the church for ceremony

...they said their vows…

Bibiana wore one of our signature rafflled gown

Looking sweet gorgeous

the team... 

.....Entering reception

the cake

...the champagne

Cheeeeeeerz

Congratulations on your wedding

Wedding Bells loves you

Bibiana Kitchen Party

Beautiful bride Bibiana at her kitchen Party

With her mama

With her friends... lovely

The cake

and the champagne

Cheeers

Heartiest congratulations from Wedding Bells

Raleigh Bridal Fair Sponsored by Your Special Day at The Stockroom!

On Sunday January 23rd, the Raleigh Bridal Fair was held at a new venue in downtown Raleigh called The Stockroom. Shawn Schindler of Your Special Day invited me to come and I was so glad to finally see The Stockroom for myself. It is a wonderful space for ceremonies and receptions in a restored historic building at 230 Fayetteville Street. It has that popular urban industrial feel to it and is a nice open space that can be fashioned into many configurations. It was fun to visit with other vendors I knew and meet new ones.  I invited my friend Diane McDaniels to come with me. Diane is the Event Coordinator for Unity at Long View Center, an elegant church setting wedding venue in downtown Raleigh that has recently reopened. They are hosting an open house for wedding vendors on February 17th. 

After greeting Sarah Morris, the events coordinator for both The Stockroom and All Saint's Chapel, at the door, the first vendor was Priscilla of Boston displaying their gorgeous wedding gowns. Here are two of my favorites: 

This beautiful wedding gown is so soft and flowing and looks a bit retro with the gathered skirt and sash which can be many different colors, depending on what the bride wants.

This dress is covered with beading and is most elegant. Although it looks like it might be heavy, I was told that it was not. It is so pretty. 

Randy Pulley was the DJ for the event. Randy and I worked together at Highgrove this past summer.  I like him a lot and he was most helpful plugging my microphone into his system for the wedding. Good to see you again, Randy! 

Simpsound was also there although this is not Jeff Simpson, the owner. Simpsound is a DJ and Lighting service for weddings and other events. Believe me, he is great in both areas!  I have done many weddings and admire Jeff's abilities in both music and spectacular lighting. I remember one (it is on this blog) where the bride and groom's theme was 1001 Arabian Nights. With uplighting behind the sheer drapes, it really did look like the interior of a large tent.

This is a display for Alter Ego, a salon for hair and make-up. Dana Hunter, owner /stylist was there along with Belle Trachtenberg, make-up artist, and Alecks Blades, stylist and make-up artist.

Quintessentials was displaying their beautiful table setting. They have a retail store in North Hills that I love to peruse. 

 

Shawn Schindler, a wedding planner who owns Your Special Day, was our hostess. I have worked several weddings through the years with Shawn and she is really good at what she does. She had a wonderful display of her company complete with the video display which it seemed everyone at the show had. That is the state of the art these days.

I also met Shawn's daughter who has joined her mother and was on hand to learn the business.

This beautiful arrangement was by Greg Warren Flowers. It was spectacular! I don't believe I have met Greg before. He was fun to talk to and told me that I was "famous" and known by everyone in the wedding business in our area! What a compliment. Thanks, Greg!

Diane from Long View Center is speaking with Danny who is with Barbour & Hinton who provide music for wedding ceremonies and receptions. 

Ladyfingers Caterers were providing all the guests with delicious food! I had a heart of romaine inner leaf with a dollop of bleu cheese sprinkled with candied pecans. It was soooo good! Tudi Marin is their event coordinator. They are located on Whitaker Mill Road in Raleigh and cater for all occasions.

Amy Ruchte, the owner of Emory Lane Photography, actually organized this bridal show. I met her for the first time there. She had some great photos. The one in the upper right was from a wedding that was shot in Switzerland.

Ashley Cakes provided cupcakes for everyone. You can see that people were picking them off the tiered display and enjoying them.

Ashley does such beautiful cakes. Here are three she had on display. I am sorry that I did not think to get her to get into the picture!

Lindsay and Lisa from The Paper Company showed us their invitations and other paper treats. They are in Holly Springs and have quite a wonderful design talent for brides to have their own unique invitations, save the date cards, place tags, and wedding programs.

Yours truly posing in front of Greg Warren's pretty floral display. You can see The Stockroom from the other end of the room here looking toward the entrance.

 

Our final stop as we circled around the room was Red Light Chocolates. That was a popular booth as everyone loves chocolate!  Red Light Chocolates is a family owned business specializing in handmade artisan chocolates. They use only fresh, natural ingredients and no preservatives. They can provide their goodies for wedding favors, bridal party gifts, wine and chocolate parties, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and engagement parties.