whimsical magazine

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Adrianne and Joey's Fun and Creative Wedding!

Adrianne and Joey knew from the get-go that they wanted a unique wedding ceremony that reflected their personalities and their commitment to each other. They chose the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh for their wedding ceremony on February 15, 2014. It is a gorgeous sanctuary as you can see. The musicians from North Carolina Strings are setting up their ensemble down front. We had had a major snow and ice storm a few days prior to the wedding and everyone was happy that the weather had significantly improved so everyone could get to the wedding. Their reception was held at the University Club.

They included a sand ceremony and before the wedding, they had their mothers pour in sand to symbolize the coming together of their two families.

Nicole Conder with Premier Party Planners was on hand to get us all organized and down the aisle. She is good! I have worked with Nicole many times and highly recommend her. She goes above and beyond.

Our groomsmen are hanging out in the lobby ready to escort in the guests arriving. They had handsome white suits, white shoes, white hydrangeas for boutonnieres, and Joey got them all mirrored aviator sunglasses to wear.

First in was Joey's grandmother and grandfather. Adrianne's grandmother was pre-seated with the guests because she needed a walker and preferred not to be part of the processional.

Joey's mother, Marianne, was escorted in followed by Joey's father, Joe.

Mother of the Bride, LaMae, was escorted in followed by Adrianne's father, also named Joe!

Time for the bridesmaids and Nicole has them all lined up to go. Teal is such a pretty color for a wedding and the white hydrangea bouquets really pop the color. Adrianne's mother was our florist and she did a beautiful job.

Now time for the couple's "children," Wiley and Sweetie! They were really such well-behaved dogs and quite friendly because as they walked down the aisle they wanted to greet each person lining the aisle!

Sweetie's wreath of flowers did not bother her one bit. It was like she had done this all her life!

And now we all are in place waiting for the bride! Note that the groom and groomsmen hung their sunglasses on their pockets. That was the plan all along!

Adrianne, a strong, independent woman, chose to walk herself down the aisle.

Joey stepped down from the altar and together they ascended the steps to be married. Great symbolism.

A warm welcome to all followed by a prayer and remembrance of those who had passed on, then the couple honored their parents who then gave their blessing for the marriage.

Laura, a friend of the couple, regaled the guests with a reading of Taylor Mali's "Owning a Dog is Like Falling in Love."

The story of how Adrianne and Joey came next. Knowing these two, it was filled with humor and the guests (and Joey) really enjoyed it.

Adrianne made her vows to Joey. Then it was Joey's turn. It was a surprise for Adrianne.

He walked over behind the groomsmen and retrieved a stack of poster paper on which he had written his vows in very large letters with some illustrations too. They were funny.

While he was showing the posters, he had an Elvis Presley song playing too. Adrianne was moved to tears!

The rings came next...

They poured their sand together.........

Nice layers of pretty colors......

The very moment they legally become husband and wife!

Sealed with a kiss!

Looks like they are pretty happy to be married!

And off they go amidst the applause and cheering!

Adrianne and Joey, you did it! All your hard work and planning paid off and the wedding was beautiful and with a few surprises that make it YOU! I am honored to have been part of your special day and wish you all the best forever!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Melissa and Chris' Beautiful Wedding in the Jasmine Court at Brier Creek Country Club!

Melissa and Chris are a dynamic couple who have definite ideas about what they want in life--and in their wedding! They were a blast to work with and we had to be mindful of keeping their ceremony to under 30 minutes in anticipation of the hot weather of their wedding day of July 6, 2013 at Brier Creek Country Club. When all was said and done, all the very important elements were included.

So, here is the Jasmine Court awaiting the arrival of the musicians--Arioso Strings--and the guests.

Their reception was held in the Palmer room and all decked out with their color called "guava." The English Garden did the florals for the wedding.

Their lovely cake was by Ashley Cakes.

Our musicians from Arioso Strings arrived and got set up 30 minutes before start time and began warming up--the instruments that is! It was plenty warm for us humans already.

Their DJ and Videographer, Damien Maas, put the video microphone and body pack on me so that my voice would be clear in the video.

Nicole with Premier Party Planners was on hand to be in charge of the day. Nicole and I have worked together in the past and she is really good and I really appreciate her expertise. She had gotten the guests from the lobby where they were congregated staying cool down to the garden and seated. Then she rounded up the wedding party. Here comes the groom!

Everyone entered down the center aisle from the pergola where there was shade.

Chris' parents, George and Belva, were the first to process down the aisle and take their seats.

Melissa's mother, Rita, was next. She was escorted in by her son-in-law, Clarence.

Now our pretty bridesmaids in their guava dresses.

Before the bride entered, our two Ring Bearers, Bryson and Avery, made their way down the aisle.

The guests stood in honor of the bride as her father, Jim, escorted her in and placed her hand in Chris' hand.

Their photographer is Christian Del Rosario with Attreo Studio.

Before they were seated, each guest took a stone from a basket to hold during the ceremony and infuse their blessings for Melissa and Chris into it then return it to the basket after the ceremony. The stones will be displayed in their home as a reminder of all who were present at their ceremony.

The parents stood as we paid tribute to them for all their love and support of Chris and Melissa throughout their lives.

Melissa's friend, Kelly, presented a reading from Richard Bach's book, Bridge Across Forever about soulmates.

Then it was time for their love story. They first met when salsa dancing in 2010 but both were too shy to ask each other out. Later on they both happened to sign up on e-Harmony and were matched up! It was just the jumpstart they needed. Their first official date in July of 2011 for the non-committal one-hour coffee date lasted 6 hours! Chris was smitten with Melissa's vibrant beauty, her bright smile and pleasant demeanor. Melissa was relieved to finally meet a man who was both very intelligent and handsome! It did not take them long to become a couple and embark on their lives together which included planning this wedding.

They chose the contemporary "I do" style vows and then exchanged rings.

After the vows and rings, Nanette Geiger, sang "Come What May" while the couple poured their sand together.

They added a unique twist to the sand ceremony by having a third bottle of sand that represented their future children and pets.

Melissa and Chris, it was my pleasure to work with you to create your dream wedding and officially join you in matrimony. I know your marriage will be enduring and immensely happy because you are such a good match. I wish you all the fun in the world!