What a Sweet Wedding for Natalia and Rett and their Families!

I'm back! Some of you may have been wondering where I have been the past few weeks. This is my first wedding since undergoing surgery on June 30th and I am feeling almost 100%. Natalia and Rett's wedding was a great one for me to do to test myself since it was a small intimate ceremony in their home with 13 guests. Marty and I arrived there on Sunday July 27th at 5:45 for the 6 PM wedding. It took place out on their small deck but they had measured carefully and got 13 chairs out there!

They wanted to include the Family Unity Sand Ceremony so a small table with the containers and sand was positioned in the corner of the deck.

Rett's boutonniere was not quite in the right place so I moved it up a bit for him. 

And so it was time to begin. Rett and his son Ryan joined me on the deck, then Rett's daughters Lauren and Lila joined us. Lila sprinkled lots of pretty petals.

 Then it was time for Natalia and her mother, Elena, to enter. 

 There was not enough room for all of us to stand up front so the kids took seats.

 And we began the ceremony. 

 I liked that there was room for me to stand beside the couple instead of behind them the whole time! 

They hired Iron Glass Jack with Bridal Spectrum Photography to photograph their wedding and you can see that there is a small aisle created just for him to get around. Because of the space limitations, Marty, my assistant, was just inside the sliding glass doors. She got some amazing photos from there--many more than I thought she would be able to get. And, all these photos were taken with my iPhone!

 There was the sweetest blessing for the children and Natalia had written special words for them. 

We also recognized Natalia's mother who had traveled all the way from Mexico to be with us. Rett's dad and his wife were there as well. Sitting behind Elena is Amelia, Natalia's chosen sister and best friend, and her husband Daniel who traveled to be here today too.

 Lauren's turn to pour her sand into the container.

 Then after everyone had added their sand, Natalia and Rett topped it off by blending theirs together. 

 A closing blessing....

 The pronouncement of marriage......

 Finally, the KISS! 

 And here they are--husband and wife! 

 So happy! 

Their beloved Charlie wisely hid out inside the house during the ceremony but we coaxed him out afterwards for a photo!

What a good looking couple, so much in love! Congratulations, Natalia and Rett! I am so happy you found each other and I wish you the best of everything forever!

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Stephanie and Jay Wed at Angus Barn Pavilions!

When Marty and I arrived at The Pavilions at Angus Barn on Saturday April 19, 2014 for Stephanie and Jay's wedding, it was threatening rain, chilly and windy. The call was made to move the ceremony indoors. No problem at this venue! It is gorgeous outside and inside.

So, Kelly Joslin and her staff at Angus Barn had transformed the interior of The Pavilion into a beautiful ceremony space. Nearly 200 chairs curved around the huge stone fireplace.

 The tables were pushed to the sides and after the ceremony were pulled back into the room and the chairs placed around them. 

 The ceiling was filled with white lights and the chandeliers hung with sparkling cascades of beading.

The stone hearth was decorated with candles and beautiful white lilies. In the middle was a bench with the sand ceremony set up. Florals were by A Watered Garden. 

The cake by Sugarland was ready! 

Andrea Blanchfield, our harpist, was set up and warming up.

Great food! 

They displayed photos of their loved ones who had passed on. 

Behind the chairs was the stage and the band was being set up.

Our beautiful bride was escorted in by her son, Josh. 

They made their way down the aisle to a beaming Jay! 

We opened with a warm welcome to all and a prayer.

Stephanie took Josh's hand right before the children's blessing.

Telling Josh how loved and important he is!

Then it was time to tell their story of how they met, fell in love and decided to marry.

Yes, Stephanie and Jay's fun loving natures really came out during the ceremony as it was peppered with lots of laughter. The guests had a great time!

Jay's father, Jim, was his best man. Looks like he is enjoying the ceremony as well. 

Then it was time for the vows and the rings..

Then the pouring of the sand.......

Before the pronouncement I asked the couple to look around at all their loved ones who had gathered in their honor. 

The pronouncement......

Ha ha! Look at Josh covering his face for that "mushy stuff!" The KISS! 

After the ceremony we went outside for some photos. Josh quickly found this big rock to climb onto! He is such a cutie! Our photographers were Laura Simson and her second shooter Rebecca of Captured Moments Photography.

Stephanie, Jay and Josh, what a fabulous family you all are! It was my honor to join you together in marriage. I wish for you only the best life can offer!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@gmail.com

919-345-4608

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Sweet Wedding for Carolina and Kevin Skyped to Costa Rica!

Back in 2003, I officiated the wedding for Debbie and Randy at The Matthews House. Gosh, it has been over 10 years ago! Here we are on the front porch posing for photos after their ceremony.

Out of the blue I got an email from Debbie this past week hoping that I was available sometime on Saturday January 18th to officiate the wedding of her son, Kevin, and his fiancee, Carolina (pronounced "Caroleena"). The couple had planned to go down to the courthouse and get married but Debbie and Randy wanted to do something a bit nicer for them with more guests at their home in Raleigh. I was tickled to do it! So, we set the time and I wrote a ceremony for Kevin and Carolina that would also include Kevin's two year old daughter, Caroline, and a family unity sand ceremony in which she could participate. 

Dave and I arrived and I set up the sand ceremony while Randy and Carolina were working on getting her family on Skype so they could watch and hear the ceremony.

Isn't this the sweetest little wedding cake? 

As you can see, the laptop was on the chair and we positioned ourselves so that they could see us.

 Debbie brought Caroline forward for the children's blessing. 

Caroline was not still for very long and soon was on the run around the house! She was so cute. She has Down's Syndrome but is very high functioning and very active too, as her family can attest to!

 They exchanged vows and then rings. 

We had to "borrow" a ring from one of our guests because Kevin's ring had been ordered but did not arrive in time for the wedding.

 Carolina and Kevin created their two separate layers of sand first. 

 Then Debbie helped Caroline pour her pretty pink sand into the container. 

 Kevin and Carolina then added the rest of their sand on top. 

 Almost time for the kiss! 

 And there it is! 

 Hugs all around with Caroline trying to get herself into the middle of the hug. 

Here is the newlywed couple, their daughter Caroline, Randy, Debbie and me. It was so good to see them again and be part of this family tradition!

Carolina and Kevin, I am so happy that Debbie thought of me and set this up for you! It was much more personal and meaningful than a courthouse wedding would have been. I wish you all the best always and have a great time at your reception in Costa Rica!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Or leave a comment below!

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