whimsical magazine

Monday, August 11, 2014

Alyson and Tom's Wonderful Wedding at Hudson Manor!

Alyson and Tom's wedding was Sunday August 3, 2014 in Louisburg NC at the lovely Hudson Manor and Estate. It is a long drive but with the road improvements that continue to be made, it is getting closer and closer. I've been doing weddings there since it opened about 10 years ago. The owner, Melissa Cogliatti, has really developed the property into a dream wedding venue.

The interior of the reception hall is ready for the reception. This building was not even there 10 years ago. Melissa has her own catering and bar staff and the food is wonderful. Fallon's provided the florals.

Now there are three spots on the estate where the ceremony can be. The original outdoor Ceremony Garden in good weather, the Lake View Terrace which adjoins the reception hall and is covered, and the Chapel. Our wedding today was held on the Lake View Terrace because of the potential for rain.

This is the view of the terrace from the steps of the reception hall looking toward the lake and the chapel.

This is the view of the reception hall from the terrace. It is large and well covered. When we have weddings here, the processional is from the reception hall so the wedding party does not get drenched.

This pretty cake with the special characters on top was baked by Delicious Bakery.

Their photographer, Chris Florio, provided the couple with the "unplugged" message!

The bride and her parents and bridesmaids are on their way from the Manor House where they get dressed and hang out until it is time to start.

The footwear for the day is sneakers! (I did not get the memo!)

Following me are the groom carrying Tommy, their son, and his brother, Ken, carrying his son. They gave the kids to their grandparents to hold for the ceremony. They were very well behaved for 1-year olds!

The wedding party and parents are in place and it is time for the bride!

Reed brought in his beautiful daughter, Alyson, circled round and I stepped into to place to ask: "Who has the privilege of presenting this young woman, Alyson, to be married to this young man, Tom?" Of course he answered: "Her mother and I do."

A kiss for dad and then we begin.

The really fun part was telling their story. Not everyone had heard it.

Hearing for the first time what the other told me they loved in their partner.

The vows to each other.

Behind the groomsmen is Taylor Pittman, our DJ for the day. Always love working with Taylor. The sound was perfect!

The rings go on.....

In the closing blessing I ask the couple to look around at their loved ones who have come to honor them on their wedding day.

It was quite humid and Tom had a lot of perspiration that was just about ready to run down his face and so I mopped his face to get him ready for the kiss!

And there it is.....the KISS!

Alyson and Tom, congratulations on your marriage and I know your future together will be filled with happiness, Tommy, and more!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Friday, May 9, 2014

Kyrie and Andrew Marry at Hudson Manor!

What a glorious day for a wedding! Kyrie and Andrew were wed at Hudson Manor in Louisburg on May 3, 2014. I have been doing weddings at this lovely venue for 10 years now and have watched the owners Melissa and Glenn Cogliatti develop the property into quite an estate. Last year she added a sweet little chapel and this year a barn! Every time I go there I marvel at the little touches she has added and how beautifully the landscaping has matured.

Melissa renovated the lovely manor house where she and her family live and the front two stories are for the bride and groom and their attendants to dress and hang out in. It is gorgeous.

First Melissa had the reception hall built with a spacious terrace and had the property landscaped. The interior is spacious with nice restrooms. They also do their own catering and the food is wonderful.

A huge pergola covers the terrace behind the reception hall. We have had weddings here when the weather is not cooperating. This day it was the "holding area" for the guests out of the sun before the ceremony. You can see the chapel with the red door in the background but here is a better photo from another wedding:

The chapel is for extreme weather days and for couples that prefer a more church-like setting.

Taylor Pittman, our DJ, had his main system inside and brings his mobile unit outside the pergola overlooking the ceremony garden where the ceremony was to be. Taylor is always so kind and sweet and more than willing to plug my microphone into his system.

When Marty and I arrived, the bride was with her two photographers, Rachel and Seth, from Blue Barn Photography. What a gorgeous princess dress and absolutely perfect for Kyrie!

Set up in the reception area was this sweet photo of our couple.

These signs are new this year.

This lovely cake is by Swank Cake Designs.

Melissa, who directs the weddings, got us lined up and sent in the grandmothers first.

Then Father and Mother of the groom!

Mother of the Bride escorted in by brother of the groom and best man.

Andrew and I make our way in.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places.

Then our ring bearer and flower girl!

Eleanor did a perfect job sprinkling the petals.

Blair (Sister of the bride/Maid of Honor) is holding back tears of joy as her father lifts the blusher veil for Kyrie.

And so we begin--Welcome, Prayer, In Memoriam.

Then I got to tell their story and invoke some sweet laughter.

They had each told me what they loved about each other and what they are looking forward to in marriage and heard for the first time what the other had told me. A sweet moment.

They read their vows to each other from my book.

Then the rings.....

The legal moment!

Sealed with a kiss!

Tears of happiness!

Romantic moment captured!

And it is done! Kyrie and Andrew, what a pleasure working with you and being part of your special day. Thank you for choosing me to officiate for you. I wish you the best always!