I met Renee and Dan for the first time when I arrived for their wedding on April 16, 2011 at
The Umstead Hotel and Spa. They had arranged to have their small private family wedding in the hotel's elegant restaurant, Heron's, one of the most prestigious restaurants in the whole state. Above is the entrance to the restaurant with the elegant floral arrangements which abound in the hotel.
While we were waiting for 5:30 to arrive to go inside Heron's, their photographer,
Viji Sathy, was taking pictures of the children and we are watching her. Both Renee and Dan have been married before and between them they have 5 children, all between the ages of 5 and 11. The children are all great buddies and I could feel their excitement about their mom and dad getting married!
The sand ceremony was ready! Lots of pretty colors of sand to layer together signifying the unity of this newly joined family.
This is the private room for the wedding. We are getting ready to take our places and begin.
The children were their only attendants. The boys were in blue, the girls in pink with beautiful bouquets.
I got to hold the girls' bouquets while they poured their sand. And this is what it all looked like when they finished pouring. It almost overflowed and the lid did not fit anymore. They will have to pour off a little of the sand at the top!
The children had a good laugh when Dan had trouble getting the ring on Renee's finger but he finally succeeded.
Cheering going on for the newlywed couple, mom and dad!
It had finally stopped raining and it was time to go out on the upper terrace for some photos of the whole family including Dan's mother, Maureen, and Renee's parents, Mary and Glenn. What a happy family! The children are officially brothers and sisters!
Renee and Dan, you have a lovely and busy life ahead of you! Enjoy your children and each other. I wish you all the happiness in the world.
