Beautiful Wedding at Dinwiddie Chapel at Peace College for Jen and Kevin!

Jen and Kevin are so well-matched! They met when they were both freshmen at UNC and their friendship gradually grew within a group of friends who often dined together in the dining hall. It took Kevin almost 4 years to realize there was an attraction there. During their senior year things changed as they both found themselves free of any other love interest and some subtle flirting began. After one such flirtatious episode that involved a cap, they shared their first kiss. Their first date was Valentine's Day of 2009 when they enjoyed pizza and sneaked a bottle of wine into the movie theater! Since then they have rarely gone a day without seen each other--especially after Kevin found out what a good cook Jen is! The proposal happened in December of 2013 following a candlelit dinner at the Carolina Club and the wedding planning began.

Jen's father, Larry, has worked at Peace College for 30 years and Jen and Kevin really love the Dinwiddie Chapel there so that is where they chose to have their ceremony on Sunday August 10 2014, followed by a fun reception at Caffe Luna.

The majestic pipe organ was played by Mr. Hermann and it was so grand! He is good! On the altar are flowers by Kelly Odom. To the left is the beautiful wooden wine box and their sealed love letters on each side of the flowers ready to be placed in the box and locked up not to be opened until their first wedding anniversary and enjoyed with a glass of the wine.

On an easel greeting the guests as they arrived was a clever old window with photos and mementos. 

While Jen and her maidens were hidden away, their photographer Meg Niemczyk was getting the groom and his men to pose for some "academic" photos!!

Pinning on the boutonnieres!

The groomsmen and I were first to enter followed by the parents. When Kevin escorted his mother in, he then joined us up front.

Kevin's boss, Elizabeth, was our honorary wedding director. She did a super job and everything went exactly as planned. Thanks, Elizabeth!

The last of the pretty bridesmaids to enter in their pretty apple red dresses. Red weddings are so gorgeous! 

Larry beamed the whole time as he proudly escorted his beautiful daughter down the aisle! 

After bidding Dad goodbye, the bride and groom stepped up to the higher level to join me for the ceremony. 

Telling their story! We had some good laughs here but......

Even better laughs with "Jen looks forward to being able to hang out with her best friend every day for the rest of her life and having someone around who will eat anything when her culinary experiments go wrong!"

They chose the "I do" type of vows where I ask the questions and they answer "I do." 

Then the rings....

After the rings they walked to the altar and put their love letters in the box with the wine and wine glasses and locked it.

A closing blessing, then the pronouncement of marriage, then......

KISS!

The new Mr. and Mrs.! 

What a great couple! 

Jen and Kevin, what can I say? I loved your wedding. It was perfect for you. I am honored to have had the privilege of joining you in marriage! I know you are so happy and I wish for you all the best!

***********************************************

To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

My Website

Pinterest

Facebook

Or leave a comment below!

************************************************

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!

Elegant Wedding for Elizabeth and Brandon at Prestonwood Country Club!

Elizabeth's mother, Susan, called me from Virginia about officiating Elizabeth and Brandon's wedding on June 17, 2011 at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. I was so glad that I was available that Friday evening. We set up a meeting for the couple and me on March 17th, got a contract signed, and got started on their ceremony. They are a delightful young couple, very much in love, and happy to be marrying.

This beautiful floral spray was the only decoration for the elegant ballroom which needed nothing else because it is such a wonderful room and perfect for weddings. The florist was Kelly Odom, always such beautiful arrangements.

Two early-bird guests had already claimed their seats! I enjoyed getting to know Christine who is the event coordinator with the club and look forward to doing more weddings at this great venue. With her help, I quickly plugged my mic into the house system and did a sound check then went to check out the reception area (right on the other side of the wall on the left) and the wedding cake.

Prestonwood is known for this very dramatic staircase and I have seen photos of weddings staged there. Today there was this huge dance floor as well.

The tables were so pretty and ready for guests to enjoy the lovely reception.

This gorgeous cake is by the baker at Prestonwood. He did a wonderful job, don't you think?

Save the Date musicians graced the ballroom with wonderful classical music.

Steve and Susan, parents of the bride, entered first then Steve returned to bring in the bride. Brandon's mother is unfortunately deceased and his father, Michael, was pre-seated.

Brandon and his men and I entered next. The color was "Glacier Blue," a light teal, and my prayer stole matched perfectly.

In come the ladies in their pretty dresses and very high heels! That is Julie Moghadam on the right who was our director for the wedding. She did a fine job. We had a slight delay due to some traffic issues and she handled it well.  She says that she would like to do more. Here is her email.

I asked the guests to stand as Elizabeth and her father floated in. Elizabeth is a beautiful young woman and her dress was simply gorgeous!

Michael and Marcy of Michael's Memories were on hand to photograph this lovely wedding. (All the photos on this blog are taken with my little Olympus digital though.)

 

 

After welcoming everyone, an opening prayer, remembering those unable to be with us, honoring the parents and words about Elizabeth and Brandon and their love and commitment to each other, the vows and rings, I pronounced them husband and wife and they sealed their vows with a kiss!

I think Elizabeth is probably saying "I can't believe we are finally married!" They are one happy couple!

Elizabeth and Brandon, thank you for choosing me to officiate your wedding. I was thrilled to be a part of your special day. I know you will be so happy and create a great marriage.