Last May Sean contacted me about officiating his wedding to Jessica. He told me they wanted a "relaxed, fun, laid back wedding with a lot of friends and family!" They chose the date of September 22, 2012 at 5:30 PM at
The Matthews House in Cary. This was a great choice for them for it is the perfect setting for what they had in mind. They really liked my style of doing weddings and the creative freedom I give my couples to create just what they want for the ceremony. We signed the contract and got started on the ceremony creation process. They were a delight to work with and soon had a first draft to me and the answers to my questions about how they met, fell in love, favorite stories and adventures and what they were looking forward to in marriage. Theirs is a sweet story too. They met in 2009 when Sean was on leave from military duty and came back to Raleigh to find a new girl had joined his social group--a beautiful red-head with an amazing personality that caught his attention right away. Sean did not go unnoticed by Jessica either. She loved his charming ways, his beaming smile and a quick wit similar to her own. They soon became a couple despite a looming tour of duty in Afghanistan staring Sean in the face that turned their relationship in to a very long-distance relationship. Halfway through his year in Afghanistan, they met in Europe to spend his R&R leave together and it was at the base of the Eiffel Tower that Sean sprung his proposal of marriage on Jessica. After exclaiming "What are you doing?" she of course said "Yes!" His duty was completed and he was back home by July of 2011 and they started planning this wedding.
What a great shot of Jessica and Sean on display inside the Matthews House. Their photographer is
Julie Livingston.
James Whitt from
Anything Music DJs provided the music for the ceremony and the reception. He was really smart to set up the speaker and sound system in the back of the ceremony between the guests and the street so that the sound of the music and my voice were amplified to the best advantage.
The banquet hall was getting set up for the reception.
When the guests were seated, we started right on the dot of 5:30 with the seating of Sean's grandmother then his mother and Jessica's mother.
Our capable wedding directors were Courtney Hopper (see her in the photo above directing in the wedding party) and Dana Kadwell who are the owners of
C&D Events.
The bridesmaids take their turn to walk down the aisle.
Our pretty little flower girl, Charly, did a wonderful job sprinkling the petals and making it down the aisle with a big smile!
Waiting for the bride!
Keith, her father, proudly escorts Jessica down the aisle.
Mel Day, owner of
Dogwood Tree Floral Designs did a wonderful job with the floral decorations. There were short shepherd's hooks lining the aisle with hanging vases of flowers and thickly laid flower petals flanking the aisle.
Sean's sister, Nancy, presented a poem by ee cummings, "The Love Declaration."
Congratulations, Sean and Jessica! I loved working with you and officiating your wedding. I wish you love, peace and happiness forever!
