Allison and Andrew's Wonderful Wedding at the Matthews House!

Allison and Andrew have known each other for a long time! They met their junior year in high school in New Jersey when Andrew's family moved there from New York and he was the "new boy at school." They hit it off as friends right away but shortly after graduation, Allison's parents moved to Virginia. They both went off to separate colleges and pursued advanced degrees, all while just keeping in touch and seeing each other from time to time but not as a couple! The first spark of more than friendship occurred in January of 2011 when Allison visited Andrew, but nothing more than some glances and low key flirting. It was when Andrew traveled to Greensboro NC to visit Allison and take her to the law school prom (first I knew of law schools having proms!). They shared their first kiss that night and by the time the weekend ended, they decided that they were perfect for each other--something their friends had known all along! It was long-distance romancing until February of 2012 when Andrew landed a job in Raleigh and he moved here while Allison was madly studying for the bar exam which she passed, of course! He proposed 8 months later. They chose the date of October 12, 2013 and the lovely Matthews House for their venue. 

Doing a sound check before the ceremony and chatting with Kelley Kennedy who owns Teacup Floral. I met Kelley last year at several Professional Wedding Guild networking luncheons and was so impressed with her originality and fresh ideas. She was a fashion designer in New York for many years before she and her husband decided to move south and start a family. She told me that although she worked in fashion design, floral design was her real passion! I referred Allison and Andrew to Kelley and I was delighted that they hired her.  

Our DJ Lenny Fritts with Touch of Class DJs has his portable set up on the porch into which I plug my microphone. The weather that day was very overcast and threatening rain but his equipment was protected. But I have discovered through the years that when the air is full of moisture and even when slightly spitting rain, the colors are really saturated and brilliant. Great for wedding pictures!

Lenny and I work together a lot. In fact, he and the Matthews House had referred the couple to me!

Kelley became a mother last year and after we spoke earlier, she went to get her adorable little girl who was in the car and so I could meet her! I thought it was wonderful that this flower professional named her daughter Magnolia Rose! Maggie for short. Isn't she adorable? And such a happy baby!

The tables were so well color coordinated and I love the mason jars with flowers that looked like they had just been plucked from a flower garden.

Instead of a wedding cake, Allison and Andrew chose to have Wedding Pies! Looks scrumptious! These were made by the Matthews House baking staff.

The aisle was decorated with hanging blue mason jars full of flowers and a clump of dusty miller at the foot of each chair.

We actually started this ceremony early. The rain looked impending and since all the guests were there, having been bussed from their hotel, we said let's go! First in are the parents--these are the parents of the groom.

Preeti Waas, manager of the Matthews House, was our very capable wedding director. Here she cues in the entrance of the mother of the bride escorted by her son.

 Bridesmaids in the lovely cobalt blue were next in. 

Now for our beautiful bride and her proud father!

After the opening prayer, we gave tribute to the couple's parents who are standing to receive and give their blessings.

 Andrew's sister, Rebecca, shared words from Ecclesiastes. 

And now for their story! Many of the guests had not heard the complete story from beginning to now so it was a lot of fun and laughs.

They had written their own vows and they were printed in my book for them to read to each other. But, Andrew surprised us all and had memorized his. He did not look down once for a prompt!

Allison was blown away and mouthed to Andrew that she had not memorized hers! 

Andrew and Allison, you were a pleasure to work with and I am honored that you chose me to help you tie the knot after all these years! I wish you a lifetime of happiness and contentment!

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Such a Pretty Wedding for Jessica and Sean at The Matthews House!

Last May Sean contacted me about officiating his wedding to Jessica. He told me they wanted a "relaxed, fun, laid back wedding with a lot of friends and family!" They chose the date of September 22, 2012 at 5:30 PM at The Matthews House in Cary. This was a great choice for them for it is the perfect setting for what they had in mind. They really liked my style of doing weddings and the creative freedom I give my couples to create just what they want for the ceremony. We signed the contract and got started on the ceremony creation process. They were a delight to work with and soon had a first draft to me and the answers to my questions about how they met, fell in love, favorite stories and adventures and what they were looking forward to in marriage. Theirs is a sweet story too. They met in 2009 when Sean was on leave from military duty and came back to Raleigh to find a new girl had joined his social group--a beautiful red-head with an amazing personality that caught his attention right away. Sean did not go unnoticed by Jessica either. She loved his charming ways, his beaming smile and a quick wit similar to her own. They soon became a couple despite a looming tour of duty in Afghanistan staring Sean in the face that turned their relationship in to a very long-distance relationship. Halfway through his year in Afghanistan, they met in Europe to spend his R&R leave together and it was at the base of the Eiffel Tower that Sean sprung his proposal of marriage on Jessica. After exclaiming "What are you doing?" she of course said "Yes!" His duty was completed and he was back home by July of 2011 and they started planning this wedding. 

What a great shot of Jessica and Sean on display inside the Matthews House. Their photographer is Julie Livingston.

James Whitt from Anything Music DJs provided the music for the ceremony and the reception. He was really smart to set up the speaker and sound system in the back of the ceremony between the guests and the street so that the sound of the music and my voice were amplified to the best advantage.

 The wedding cake was provided by Not Just Cakes. 

The banquet hall was getting set up for the reception. 

When the guests were seated, we started right on the dot of 5:30 with the seating of Sean's grandmother then his mother and Jessica's mother.

Our capable wedding directors were Courtney Hopper (see her in the photo above directing in the wedding party) and Dana Kadwell who are the owners of C&D Events.

The bridesmaids take their turn to walk down the aisle.

Our pretty little flower girl, Charly, did a wonderful job sprinkling the petals and making it down the aisle with a big smile!

 Waiting for the bride! 

  Keith, her father, proudly escorts Jessica down the aisle.

Mel Day, owner of Dogwood Tree Floral Designs did a wonderful job with the floral decorations. There were short shepherd's hooks lining the aisle with hanging vases of flowers and thickly laid flower petals flanking the aisle. 

Sean's sister, Nancy, presented a poem by ee cummings, "The Love Declaration."

Congratulations, Sean and Jessica! I loved working with you and officiating your wedding. I wish you love, peace and happiness forever!