Great Wedding for Marissa and Aaron at North Hills Club!

Marissa and Aaron are both elementary school teachers and they met when they were both first time teachersl in Cary. It did not take long for them to gravitate toward each other and soon they were spending their lunch times together. They discovered conversations were easy and comfortable and their relationship soon developed into love. Aaron proposed while they were on a trip in Savannah--another good story. I met these two in Augst of 2010 to begin planning their wedding scheduled for July 9, 2011 at the lovely North Hills Club. They wanted their ceremony to focus on their love and commitment to each other, be warm and welcoming to their guests and honoring of their parents whose role-model marriages are securely intact. It was a delight to work with them and they gave me some great material to write their story. In fact, their DJ, Jill, with All the Right Grooves, commented after the ceremony that she had been listening from the reception area adjacent to the ceremony area and that all the laughing sounded more like a fun evening at the comedy club rather than a wedding ceremony! There was some crying too, I can assure you. Both the bride and the groom choked up as they said their vows to each other.

 

Marty and I arrived and set up my sound system and did a sound check. All was good. The club has two very spacious rooms for weddings and receptions. Last wedding I did here we used the other room for the ceremony but I really liked the one Marissa and Aaron chose because of the natural light from the windows. Lauren, the events/catering manager was on hand to help. She is always so thoughtful and accommodating. Thanks, Lauren! Then I was off to find the witnesses to sign the license. Signing above is Aaron's father, William, who also served as his best man.

Playing for the ceremony are Anne and Nate Leyland. They were contracted by Mark Snow of Elegant Ensembles out of Winston-Salem. I have done weddings many times with Nate but had not met Anne. They provided really wonderful ceremony music!

On the table with the guest book there were photos of Marissa and Aaron's parents' wedding photos. Aaron's parents, William and Mary, were married in 1977. John and Kathy, on the right, were married in 1978. Their photos were really fun to look at and see them 33 and 34 years later at their children's wedding!

In a room nearby, Marissa and her bridesmaids were hidden away. Jenn Smith from Winston-Salem was their photographer. She was snapping some good photos. Marissa's dress was absolutely stunning!

Come on, guys! It is time to make our entrance! A friend of the couple, Katy, did a wonderful job directing for them.

 

The bridesmaids were ready to go. John was standing by to bring in Marissa after he escorted in his wife, Kathy. She told him not to be so nervous because he did the same job for their daughter Rachel a couple of years earlier! Rachel was our Matron of Honor.

  

I believe at this point I am talking to Rachel. "Rachel, the oldest sister, you have always given Marissa an example to look up to. From you she learned to never spill nail polish on new carpet and to never venture into the basement alone." Marissa and Aaron had endearing humorous things for me to say to all their siblings and we laughed a lot!

 

Marissa's aunt, Kris, read the Taylor Mali poem, "Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog." Then it was time for the couple's wonderful and entertaining story which was followed by the vows and rings.

I made the pronouncement of marriage and as you can see, the kiss is one big blur, literally!!

Marissa and Aaron, I know you will go far in life together and be very happy. Thank you for your professions and taking care of our children's education. I wish you all the best!

Krystal and Soumitra's Wonderful Wedding at Brier Creek Country Club!

Krystal and Soumitra came to see me in June to officiate their wedding on August 7, 2010 at Brier Creek County Club. Krystal grew up in Massachusetts and Soumitra (AKA "Meech") grew up in North Carolina. They met in a on line forum in 2002 while Krystal was in college in Boston. They actually did  not meet in person until almost a year later when Meech traveled to Boston and when they did, the attraction and compatibility was Magic! So, now they both live in Apex and wanted to make their commitment to each other official. Their wedding day was a very pleasant temperature, more like the traditional June rather than the hot August weather we are accustomed to.

Kristie Taylor, catering and events manager for Brier Creek, was on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly. Jill with All the Right Grooves was our DJ for the ceremony and reception and did a fine job.  I thank Amy Turner of Your Still Life Photography for sending me these fabulous photos. My camera had an unfortunate technical malfunction and she bailed me out here for the blog. Both Amy and her husband, David, were shooting this wedding. North Raleigh Florists provided the beautiful flowers.

Krystal's parents, Silvano and Judith, escorted their lovely daughter down the aisle.

Here I believe I am sharing the story of their first kiss. Or maybe how Soumitra secretly conspired with Krystal's mother to get family heirloom diamonds and design a special engagement ring for Krystal.

This must be the part in the ceremony about Soumitra's carefully planned proposal at Duke Gardens and the duck that "helped" him stage the event!  

Then they said their vows to each other and exchanged rings and it was time for the sand ceremony.

They poured their individual colors of sand together into one container symbolizing their connection to each other.

I made the pronouncement of marriage and they shared their first kiss as husband and wife. I managed to step out of the way and was so happy to see that Amy got this photo of the couple kissing without me in it.

And, here they are, husband and wife at last! 

This photo is one of only a few taken with my camera after the wedding when I was able to delete some photos filling up the media card. Krystal and Meech, what a great couple you are! I know you are so happy and I wish you much joy!