Cindy and Bob's Long Awaited Wedding/Renewal of Vows!

Cindy and Bob are such an inspiring and "persistent" couple! They have both had many life challenges in common raising their families so when they met, their compatibility was almost overwhelming and it was obvious they belonged together.  They met with me in September of 2009 to plan their wedding scheduled for March 27, 2010 at the Page Walker Arts and History Center in Cary. We began working on their ceremony that would include their children from previous marriages but then they had to cancel the wedding due to employment fluctuations and other things that cropped up. Cindy and Bob told me that they planned to reschedule and would let me know when they came up with a plan. Cindy kept in contact with me and later in 2010, she told me that they had just gone to the courthouse and gotten married in March of 2010 for legal purposes to make their lives easier. (I only wish they had told me that they were going to do that because I would have loved to have done a private elopement style ceremony for them but they did not know that at the time.) So, almost a year went by before they contacted me again to find out if I was available for a date in March of 2012. We ended up settling on March 17, 2012 for their wedding celebration, technically now a renewal of vows ceremony. Cindy and Bob re-wrote the original ceremony and included secret vows to each other that they did not hear until the ceremony. All 6 of their combined children were present for the celebration and we included the Family Unity Sand Ceremony. The venue remained the Page Walker Arts and History Center pictured above. I have done a lot of weddings there both inside, in the courtyard and in the adjacent garden. Theirs was in the Gallery.

The sand ceremony was ready to go with a container for each member of the new family.

Amy Kortus got her harp all set up and was warming up. 

Michael Williams of Michael's Memories Photography and Design and his wife, Marcy, were on hand getting lots of photos. They had been on board for this occasion since 2009 too! Cateringworks was doing the catering and the cake from Blue Moon Bakery did not arrive before I left, hence no photo.

Bob and I were ready to begin the processional. Bob's son, Jeffrey, served as his best man and followed just behind us.

After all their children had processed in, it was time for Cindy. You can see her friend, Tamara, who was directing the wedding for them.

Bob met Cindy half way down the aisle and together they came forward for the ceremony.

 

You might be wondering what that white drape above the fireplace behind us is. There is an art exhibition currently at the gallery and the piece of art hanging over the fireplace was just not appealing as a backdrop for a wedding so they cleverly rigged a tension rod between the beams and hung the curtain to cover it up without damaging it!

After we remembered their loved ones who have passed on by lighting a memory candle, talked about love and marriage and Cindy and Bob and their special relationship and they exchanged their secret vows, it was time for the family sand ceremony. First Bob and Cindy each poured in 1/2 of their sand individually making two layers.

Then I poured a little of each of theirs to sanctify their union. 

Jeffrey and his wife, Michelle, and their son, Griffin, then poured in a container of sand representing the three of them. Griffin is 18 months old and their first grandchild and he has just learned to walk.

Kira, Cindy's daughter and maid of honor, then poured her sand into the container.

Then it was Bob's daughter, Callie's, turn to add her sand. 

Next to pour was Kenny, Cindy's son, with his caretaker and Cindy's help.

Jennie, Bob's daughter, added the next layer. 

 Then Callie and Jennie brought their younger sister, Megan, forward for her part.

The three siblings of Megan then poured her sand in on her behalf. It was such a sweet ritual for these two families who are now joined together.

Bob and Cindy then joined their sand together to make the tenth layer of sand in the family container.

This container now symbolizes all the layers of this family blended together into one container. 

The pronouncement of the recommitment........"By affirming your love and exchanging your vows, you, Cindy and Bob, have recommitted to your marriage and to each other. Please celebrate with a kiss!"

 And they did! 

 

 

Bob and Cindy, preparing for your long awaited "wedding" has been the longest one I have ever had! I am so happy you found each other and that you finally had the ceremony of your dreams surrounded by your families and friends. Thanks for being so persistent! (BTW, little did I know when I first met Cindy whose email is "persistentcindy" that would be so identifying of her character. I know she had to be very persistent as the mother of a handicapped child and her persistence sure paid off!) Congratulations to you all!

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.

Rima and Jeff's Sweet Wedding at the new Hampton Inn at Brier Creek!

Jeff's mother, Carol, called me last December to plan Jeff and Rima's wedding at the new Hampton Inn at Brier Creek on May 28, 2011. It was Memorial Day weekend and luckily I had that evening open. So we got the date and time reserved on my calendar and she put me in touch with Jeff who was living in Myrtle Beach. Rima was in Jordan. Yes, 6000 miles away! Rima grew up in Jordan and attended the university there. Some years ago, Jeff's brother, Andrew, was working in Jordan and met his future wife, Suzan, who grew up in Jordan. They married and moved to the US. One Thanksgiving when Jeff was visiting his family, Suzan's dear friend, Rima, that she met at the university in Jordan came to visit. Rima was working for the US Embassy in Jordan and came to the US for some training then traveled down to Raleigh for the holidays. Although the romance between Rima and Jeff did not strike up immediately, they definitely noticed each other and started emailing. Their friendship grew and grew and Jeff proposed in February of 2010. In May of 2010, Jeff visited her in Jordan and met her extended family. Sadly Rima's parents died many years ago and she was raised by her older sister. A grand engagement party was held. They told me the story of having to traverse Jordan several times to get all the government paperwork necessary for Rima to immigrate to the US and marry. Now a year later, their wedding takes place in Raleigh, thanks to Jeff's parents who were so gracious to make all the arrangements as if Rima was their own daughter. They sure are a wonderful family and I loved being included in their special day. I did not meet Jeff and Rima until about a week prior to the wedding when they were both in Raleigh. We finished up the ceremony we had already started and had a rehearsal the night before the wedding.

When Dave and I arrived for the wedding, Courtney Scholl, their wedding planner, had gotten everything set up for the ceremony. Courtney and I have not worked together before and I was glad to be doing this wedding with her. Denise of Images by Denise did the women's hair and make-up. Ryan Pflumm with Island Sound was our DJ for the ceremony and the reception. Island Sound also provided the videographer whose name I did not get. Cydney with The English Garden did the lovely flowers. Michael with Michael's Memories was our photographer.

This spacious room at the Hampton Inn was set up with a beautiful arbor and the Unity Candle was on the half-table behind where I would stand. This is the first wedding I have done here. It has only recently opened.

In the reception room down the hall, this beautiful cake by Swank Cake Design was waiting!

Behind the ceremony room was the large beautiful hallway where they were invited for refreshments after the ceremony and before the reception. Before the ceremony, this area also served as the "holding area" for the father of the groom, Frank, on the left, his brother, Andrew,  then Jeff, and Patrick, the person who would escort Rima in. Patrick was Rima's employer at the US Embassy in Jordan and graciously offered to bring her down the aisle.

Mother and father of the groom, Carol and Frank, entered first when all the guests had arrived and been seated.

Jeff and I took our places at the front.

Then Andrew and Suzan entered together.

Next was our lovely ring bearer, Rachel, followed by our flower girl, Allison, walking down the aisle.

 

Rima and Patrick entered as I asked all the guests to stand. 

 

Patrick lifted the blusher veil and then placed Rima's hand into Jeff's hand and was seated.

Lighting of the Unity Candle. The air vents played havoc with Jeff's candle which kept blowing out but once they lit the Unity Candle, it stayed lit! 

I wish I had better photos of the ceremony but the light level was low and my little camera apparently had difficulty focusing but I had to put in this one of the pronouncement and below, the kiss!

 

 And out they go into their new life together.

Allison and Rachel exit as a pair of very happy girls!

Andrew and Suzan are so happy that Rima is now part of their family. Carol and Frank are too. Just think, both of their sons are married to wonderful young women from Jordan. Quite an international family!

The happy couple posed for some photos with me. Jeff and Rima, you two are made for each other and I am so glad that you found each other. I know you will be very happy together! I wish you all the happiness in the world!