Long View Center Wedding for Kim and Ian!

Ian and Kimberly chose the elegant Long View Center sanctuary in downtown Raleigh for their wedding. Unity Church of the Triangle makes their home in Long View Center and happily provides this beautiful historic setting for weddings. It was built in the 1880s and was a baptist church until that congregation relocated and sold the building in 2002. The current owner restored and renovated the space preserving the historic elements of this spacious and impressive venue. 

Since the church took the stained glass windows with them when they moved, the owner replaced them with beautiful non-religious themed works of art.

Built before sound systems existed, the architecture is designed for acoustical excellence.

Dana Mallory provided lovely music for the prelude, processional and recessional. 

Our flower girls, Mary Parker and Perry, who did a great job scattering the petals before the bride entered.

 Ian's parents, Gillian and Eugene.

The bridesmaids and flower girls had entered and our director, Danielle (future sister-in-law of our bride), cued the entrance of our beautiful bride escorted by her father, Rob.

And so Rob placed Kimberly's hand into Ian's and we ascended to the top of the altar for the ceremony.

 Paying tribute to their parents.....

Nina, Kimberly's sister-in-law, shared the words of Robert Fulghum about marriage. 

 Telling their story.... 

Sharing what they are looking forward to in marriage...Ian looks forward to finally getting that dog he has been waiting for!

  Saying their vows....

 The ring exchange.....

 Unity Sand Ceremony

 The deed is done! Let's have some fun!  

After photos, I headed over to Cobblestone Hall where their guests had assembled for the reception. Their photographers were Jill and Dena with Thornton Photography. Videography was Whitewater from Island Sound.

 This beautiful cake was by Sugarland! 

One of my favorite DJs was there spinning the music! Hi, Lenny Fritts!

Looks like everyone was having a great time! Rocky Top Hospitality did the catering. Fleuressence provided the beautiful bouquets for the ceremony and Kimberly and her mother did the flower arrangements for the reception. 

Ian and Kimberly, what a great wedding! I loved working with you to create your one-of-a-kind ceremony and wish you all the happiness in the world!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Cobblestone Hall Wedding for Tracey and James!

I have been to several events at Cobblestone Hall in downtown Raleigh City Market but this was my first wedding ceremony there. The old historic building in City Market has been many things in the past including an upscale restaurant and brewery. It is a spacious facility that can accommodate both the ceremony and the reception and is surrounded by old cobblestone streets and quaint storefronts. This setting appealed to Tracey and James and so they booked their wedding there for August 25, 2012. The three of us met in January to plan the ceremony while they assembled an impressive team of wedding vendors: Steve Stowe with Joe Bunn DJ Company, Anna Paschal--wedding photographer from Greensboro, Bea Miller of Floral Dimensions, Simply Cakes, and Rocky Top Catering.

This cute wedding cake was baked by Simply Cakes and the adorable toppers are the UNC Ram and the Duke Blue Devil! Together on one cake--imagine that!

Anna Paschal, our photographer, center, and her second shooter, checking in with me about any rules I have about photography during the wedding ceremony. I really don't have any rules except I request she does not walk behind me and distract the guests. Otherwise, I am pretty oblivious to the photographer during the ceremony. I appreciate her asking! 

Rocky Top Catering has the appetizer table ready for the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony. Thanks to Kevin DeHimer with Rocky Top for referring the couple to me!

To the right separated by a row of palms, is the ceremony area. On the left side are the tables for the reception to which the chairs from the ceremony will be added afterwards and the ceremony area becomes a large dance floor!

Kaitlin  Briggs, Special Events Manager with Cobblestone Hall, and Steve Stowe, DJ with Joe Bunn DJ Company, pose for the picture. They are a dream to work with!

In the meantime, I am getting Michael, best man, to sign the license for me while the groomsmen are standing around waiting for the guests to arrive.

Into "vintage" suitcases the favors have been stowed for the guests to help themselves to. Avondale Sweet 'n Spicy Pecans with Fiery Sweet Tea Vodka.

Kaitlin stepped in to direct the processional when the friend of the couple's who was going to direct, suddenly had a family emergency and could not be there. Thanks, Kaitlin! You did a great job and everything went perfectly. At this point the groom's parents have entered and next up are the groom's grandfather and the groom's sister, Christina, who did a reading during the ceremony.

 

 

The couple's story went over so well and everyone had some good laughs. They gave me some good material to work with. Then the vows and rings followed.

Making their vows to each other....

 The pronouncement--the magic moment they became husband and wife. 

 
I can't remember what was so funny at that moment...just that they were so happy! 

 

"Friends and Family, it is my honor to present to you for the first time.....!"

Congratulations, Tracey and James! You are so well suitted to each other and I know you will have a happy and long-lasting marriage! I wish you all the best!