Beautiful Wedding for Tatiana and Roger at The Umstead!

Tatiana and Roger have the sweetest love story! Tatiana grew up in Russia and Roger in Sweden but they met here in the U.S. When I met them October 14th, I found them so delightful and I knew I would enjoy working with them to put their story into words for their ceremony. And I certainly did. They both gave me great examples of their love and what they love about each other. Really, theirs is a match made in heaven and since they have each been married before, they knew when they met they had finally found "the one." They first met last January on line and met in person a few weeks later in February. Both were charmed by the other and it did not take them long to become a couple and decide to marry. So they set the date for November 17, 2012 at The Umstead Hotel and Spa. They knew that the weather could be iffy in November but they really wanted to have the ceremony outside in the lovely garden there. When I first arrived, Roger, Tatiana and many of their guests were outside making the decision. The temperature was 57 degrees and there was only a little breeze. The guests were warmly dressed and were fine with being outside. The Unity Candle set-up was protected by hurricane glass as well as the candelabras, so it was a go!

Although some of the foliage has fallen for the season, the colorful trees in the background brighten up the dark green of the pines and the ever blooming knock-out roses give the sparkle of red. 

Carrie Cassidy, Director of Catering with The Umstead, and I go over the logistics for lighting the Unity Candle while Kelley Ann Ward, the new Social Catering Manager in training with The Umstead, listens in. Kelley Ann is filling the position formerly held by Ami Wheeler which involves handling weddings at this elegant venue. Welcome, Kelley Ann!  I look forward to doing many weddings with you!

Marty went to the Sycamore Room where the reception would take place to get a shot of the cake by Sweet Memories Bakery. Kelly Odom Florist provided the beautiful flowers. The bride's bouquet was simply stunning! 

 

Roger and Tatiana are very fond of Spanish guitar and Flamenco dancing (one of the many things they have in common) and so they hired Alex Gorodezky from the Ukraine and Vadim Kolpakov from Russia, a guitar duo, to provide the music for the ceremony. Although they are both accomplished classical guitarists and instructors, they too have a fondness for jazz and Spanish guitar music. They played all the way through the ceremony too which is very unusual. But, since The Umstead provides a sound system for all outdoor ceremonies, everyone could hear me.  

When all the guests had arrived, we began. Roger and I walked in first.

Then Tatiana's daughter, Maria, entered down the aisle.

Tatiana was escorted in by long-time friend, David. That is Jess Levin, photographing them as they go. I have worked with Jess for many years. Today he brought a second shooter, Cindy.

We began with a warm welcome for their guests--about 25 people--their closest friends and family that could come. Roger's parents are in Sweden and Tatiana's in Russia and they could not make the trip.

 They included a lovely passage for Maria.

Then I read a poem they both loved--"To my Friend" by Roy Croft--followed by their story which their guests got a big kick out of. They leaned in toward each other once or twice prompting me to say "no kissing yet!" There was lots of sweet humor and everyone there really appreciated it. Their paragraphs to each other were so loving and romantic.

They said their ring vows to each other as they exchanged rings. Then we began the Unity Candle ceremony.

Since neither of their mothers could be with us, Roger and Tatiana chose the version of the Unity Candle ceremony where they lit their own flames from the candelabra candle. Then they brought their flames together to form one flame to light the central Unity Candle.

We were so happy that none of the flames were blown out by the breeze that was blowing.

 Finally the pronouncement of marriage.......

It's okay to kiss now! 

I am retrieving Tatiana's bouquet from Maria for Tatiana so I can announce them as husband and wife to everyone:

 I know it is a blurry picture, but you get the gist! 

 Beautiful, beautiful wedding! 

The couple and their guests headed inside for the reception and a group shot. Marty snapped this one right before and we departed for home. Congratulations, Tatiana and Roger. I know you are so happy and soaking in the wedded bliss! I wish you all the best!

Gayle and Mark Wed at Umstead Park!

Gayle and Mark live in Virginia but wanted to get married in Raleigh because it is a central location between their families and friends. They chose Umstead Park, Shelter 1, for their venue because they are nature lovers and wanted to get married surrounded by the majesty of nature in a casual setting where everyone could relax and have fun and where they could have their 3 beloved canine children in the wedding! The wedding date was May 27, 2012, Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend. We initially corresponded by email and then they traveled to the Triangle to view the park and I met them there one morning in February. All the other arrangements they made via email and phone. They chose some very high quality vendors like Irregardless Cafe to cater the reception, Jess Levin of Classical Photography to photograph the wedding, Edible Arts for the wedding cake and Pratie Heads to provide the music. Mark, Gayle and I worked together to create the perfect wedding ceremony for them and I loved their creativity and willingness to step out of the box and make their wedding ceremony uniquely theirs. We rehearsed the day before and then were all set for the wedding. The weather cooperated beautifully and everything came together. I was so impressed with the way their friends transformed the old stone shelter into a festive reception site so I am including some photos of it for you to see what is possible.

Normally rather dark under the shelter, the white table covers brightened the picnic tables up considerably then were set complete with runners, real silverware, wine glasses and flowers! I have never seen it so fancy!

For favors, they had little jars of honey that were labeled: "Life is the flower for which love is the honey," a saying by Victor Hugo!

They even thought to bring candles to put into the fireplace! 

 Irregardless was there setting up a buffet table of wonderful food. 

I was delighted to see Jess Levin at the rehearsal as well as at the wedding. It has been a while since I last saw him. Jess and I have done many weddings in the past 12 years and one of the first photographers I met when I started doing weddings. He is a musician at heart and plays violin with the NC Symphony, and being artistically creative, he is a great photographer too. His business is Classical Photography.

 Mark and Gayle brought this lovely framed photo for their guests to sign as a guest book.

The flowers arrived but I don't know who provided them. I have become quite experienced pinning boutonnieres on the guys.

The lovely wedding cake by Edible Arts.... 

Jane Peppler and Bob Vasile are the talented duo who call themselves the Pratie Heads who play Celtic and other eclectic music which was perfect for this wedding. They also have a website called Wedding Music in NC which includes more musicians. Jane arrived early and Bob later and for a while there we thought he might be lost in the woods! But Jane kept on walking around playing her violin so he could hear it and follow the music to where we were and he did!

The guys and I hid out behind the stone attachment to the patio while our director, Stephanie, shooed the guests into their seats so we could begin.

Mark and his best man, David, Groomsman, Greg, and ring bearer, John. 

Stephanie kept us all in order all while keeping an eye out for the bride who was being driven to the shelter. Their dogs, Nigel and Lance, wait with Margeaux and Nikka. Behind them are Hali and Ned that you can't see here.

 Here is Ned! He is an elder while the other two are rambunctious pups!  

 Debbie and Jeanne then enter followed by the flower girl, Hanna. 

 Gayle is escorted in by her father, Jim.

 What a beautiful setting! 

 Mark's brother, Jeff, read a tribute to those who have passed on before us. 

Of course Gayle and Mark, being dog lovers, chose to have the whimsical witty poem by Taylor Mali, "Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog," in their wedding and asked their friend Lisa to present it.

Their love story started out like this: "This love story we celebrate today began in early 2011 when Mark was ready to give up on ever finding someone with whom he wanted to share his life. Then he saw Gayle with her handsome pup, and his hope for a life-long partner was revived." They both waited a long time to find each other which makes their love even more precious to them.

 

 They read their beautiful vows to each other then sealed them with their rings. 

We had not planned on breaking the glass but since Mark is Jewish, I asked him about it. He said he would really like to do it and so we sacrificed a wine glass and napkin and made it happen. I had just done a Jewish wedding the day before so the words were fresh in my mind.

 They kissed....

 and kissed some more...! 

 

Mark and Gayle, it was so great working with you to make your vision of your wedding come true. You truly thought of every detail which is no small feat especially with your wedding out of town. I am so happy you finally found each other. Congratulations on your marriage. I feel very confident that you two, along with your menagerie of animal companions, will be very happy! May all your dreams come true!