Alexandria and Chris Get Married at Brier Creek Country Club!

Alexandria and Chris contacted me in December for their June 1, 2013 wedding at Brier Creek Country Club. Alexandria described them as a mellow couple who are pretty much homebodies but they knew they wanted to get married. They have been together for about 5 years and originally met in New Jersey where she was working at a Starbucks and he just happened to stop by one day. Alexandria, who never met a stranger, had a way of bringing out Chris' normally shy personality and Chris was intrigued. So intrigued he felt bold and asked her out. He was living in New York City and going to school so their dates involved a 45 minute drive one way or the other until she finally convinced Chris to move in with her. Then when Chris graduated in 2011, he landed a job in Raleigh and within a 3 week time span they found an apartment, packed up, and hit the road. Chris proposed at the going away party their friends and family arranged so the move to Raleigh was really a new chapter in their lives in many ways. Then they started planning this wedding.

This glorious array of sweets (candy bar) was provided by Sugar Lumps out of Wilmington. Don't ask me how Alexandria found them--she is just amazing at what she pulled together and was totally driven by what they wanted, not by any prescribed protocol!

Arioso Strings provided beautiful music for the ceremony while Randy Bennett with Joe Bunn Company DJ set up for the reception in the Palmer Room.

A chair with photos of their departed loved ones. Especially missed was Alexandria's mother.

 At about 5 minutes before the ceremony start time, we got outside and lined up.

Alexandria was so funny! She was so ready and eager to get married she wanted to start the ceremony 15 minutes early--but, the guests had to be herded from the lobby to the Jasmine Court first!

Isn't he a cutie? Age two and he made it down the aisle--in a hurry--with Daddy not too far behind!

 Alexandria was escorted in by her Uncle John.  

Alexandria and Chris, great couple, great wedding! I wish you all the happiness in the world, and--lots of babies! Call me for the baby blessing ceremony!

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Festive Carolina Inn Destination Wedding for Marcy and Andrew!

I met Marcy and Andrew for the first time in person at their rehearsal the day before their wedding date of December 29, 2012. Marcy lives in Arlington VA and at the moment, Andrew lives in London. He was born and raised in the United Kingdom and his family moved to the United States when he was a young teenager. Marcy grew up in Ohio. Ironically they both attended the same university in Virginia but not at the same time. They met through a mutual friend and quickly discovered that they were meant to be together. Andrew proposed last Christmas and they began planning this wedding. His family lives in Illinois and hers in Ohio, so why did they choose Chapel Hill for their wedding city? Well, Marcy did some graduate work at UNC some years ago and loved North Carolina but primarily this area was chosen because of our international airport since they had people coming for their wedding from all over the world. They could not have made a better choice!

They found me on the internet and based on my many wedding website reviews and a recommendation from the Carolina Inn, they engaged my services sight unseen. Email and US mail worked just fine! They hired Rebecca Dunn with Events by La Fete to handle the details, Jeff Simpson with Simpsound DJ and Lighting to do the spectacular lighting and DJ the reception, Matt Kanon to provide music for the ceremony, GiGi's Cupcakes, Fresh Affairs Floral Designs and Nathan Clendenin, photographer with Cana Collective. And so the date arrived and we all came together for this super-fantastic wedding.

The Carolina Inn was still in Christmas mode including a whimsical Christmas tree in the lobby. It was a tree full of little elves! 

 This must be the supervising Elf on the column nearby. 

The ceremony was in the Chancellor's Ballroom and the reception in the Hill Ballroom. This matt ready for a future photo of the couple was their guest book for guests to sign as they entered for the ceremony.

Outside the reception room was a seating chart for the guests. Each table was named for a mass transit station found in either London or Washington DC.

In the Hill Ballroom was the tower of cupcakes by GiGi's with a description of the 12 flavors!

 The Bride and Groom were to be seated at Heathrow 1, 2, 3 for the Tube stops!

 London Bridge table!

This photo was taken after Jeff got all the up-lighting in place. It was gorgeous!

Jeff and I look rather blue! 

Outside the Hill Ballroom were a couple of "Turtle Doves" which I am sure were part of the Carolina Inn's Christmas decor. It was quite appropriate for a wedding though and the doves were cooing at each other while we were there! 

Back to the ceremony ballroom--Matt Kanon is all set up for the ceremony and my sound system is in place behind him. Love the bright happy color scheme in this ballroom!

Marcy and her father, David, entered after their large wedding party had made our entrances. She was wearing a very gorgeous lace wedding gown.

Their wedding party and guests assembled here from all over the world! 

The couple honored their parents with a sweet blessing and the mothers were moved to tears.

Marcy's friend, Cynthia, read "I Love You" by Roy Croft.

Andrew's Uncle Barry read "I carry your heart with me," a poem by ee cummings.

Marcy and Andrew made their declarations of intent then I stepped out to speak to the guests and request a community blessing.

They said their vows of marriage to each other then exchanged rings and it was time for the Unity Candle lighting.

While they were lighting the candle, Andrew's sister, Jenny, sang a beautiful song "Asleep at Last." She has such a lovely voice.

Jenny was having a difficult time making it through the song and kept tearing up and sniffling!

Finally she just gave up on finishing the song, threw up her hands and gave the bride and groom a big hug as we all laughed at her antics and applauded her. 

 The pronouncement of marriage...... 

What a wonderful wedding, Marcy and Andrew! I loved working with you to make your ceremony what you had always dreamed of. I know you both will go far in life and create a satisfying and loving marriage. I wish you all the best of everything!