Carolina Inn Wedding for Blair and Greg!

Blair and Greg's wedding was Saturday December 28, 2013 at the wonderful Carolina Inn! 

The Inn was still aglow with their usual stunning Christmas decorations and so warm and welcoming. It is a joy to officiate weddings here. So I was quite happy when the couple's officiant found out she was not going to be able to officiate for them and sent them my way. They were a delight to work with and so very creative despite Blair's arduous medical school curriculum and Greg's demanding work schedule. But all in all, together we created a wonderful ceremony for this momentous occasion.

Cinda's Creative Cakes baked this beautiful cake and it was in place for the reception in the Old Well Room.

Tre Bella provided the beautiful floral arrangements and the wedding bouquets. 

The music for the reception was provided by the Groovetown Band. Their guitarist played for the ceremony. It was very pretty.

Our wonderful wedding coordinator and director, Tia with Erin McLean Events, is speaking to our reader, Emily. That is Jason, one of our photographers with Michael Moss Photography in Asheville. The couple asked me to announce when I entered for the guests to put away their cell phones and cameras so that they could truly be present with them as they made their vows to each other.

Greg and I entered first followed by the seating of the parents and the maid of honor. 

Blair and her father, Bob, made their grand entrance. Blair's elegant wedding gown was simply perfect for her! 

Bob transferred Blair's hand into Greg's and she gave Dad a little kiss. 

And so the ceremony began--a warm welcome to all, an opening blessing, a tribute to their parents, and remembrance of those loved ones no longer with us physically.

Their friend, Emily, shared the words of Roy Croft's poem "Love" and did a wonderful job of projecting her voice so all could hear.

And then it was time for their story. I loved the opening line and so did our guests: "Greg and Blair met the old fashioned way--she picked him up at a bar!" It got everyone to laughing and the rest of the story brought more chuckles too.

They met almost exactly 2 years ago in Chapel Hill at Top of the Hill and Greg wasted no time inviting Blair to a New Year's Eve party. Blair cancelled her other plans and went with him--probably one of the wisest decisions of her life!

The relationship was long distance between Chapel Hill and Arlington VA until Greg found an opportunity to relocate to Chapel Hill. They quickly adopted their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Wally.

Greg proposed in December of 2012 and Blair wasted no time saying "yes!" 

Being a very decisive woman, she just as quickly chose the Carolina Inn, the photographer, the florist and her beautiful dress. 

And now they hear for the first time what they each told me in confidence they loved about each other! 

They exchanged their vows and rings. 

We closed with a blessing and the pronouncement of marriage.

Of course then the kiss! 

The quick exit to go spend the first few minutes of their marriage in private until time for photos. 

Greg and Blair, what a pleasure to work with you and be a part of your big day! It was simply stunning. All your careful planning and originality paid off big time. I am so happy for you and wish you the best of everything!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Fantastic Wedding for Rachael and Victor at The Cotton Room!

It was such a delight to work with Victor and Rachael. We hit it off right away when they came to meet with me last May. They are mature and knew what they wanted--and laid back and easy going! At the rehearsal, one of their groomsmen told me they are the last of "their crowd" to marry and so everyone was pumped for this wedding. We had a good time constructing their story and ceremony and were really looking forward to this fabulous wedding day of November 2, 2013 at The Cotton Room in Durham--a really wonderful wedding venue. 

Their wedding planner/director was Amanda Scott with A Swanky Affair. Amanda and I have known each other for years but had not done a wedding together since she started her own wedding planning business. It was a pleasure to work with her on Victor and Rachael's wedding and every detail was handled with finesse and ease! Thanks, Amanda! let's do lots more!

These pretty tables were hidden behind the flowing draping for the ceremony then the drapes were pulled and the reception set up while the guests enjoyed cocktails after the ceremony.

Triangle Catering caters all the weddings at The Cotton Room. 

Eric Hodgden was our very fine DJ. We actually had just done a wedding together the weekend before at Caffe Luna. Love working with Eric. The sound was perfect!

This pretty cake was in place. It was baked by Cinda's Creative Cakes as was the groom's cake below.

Victor attended the University of Alabama and is a huge fan (now Rachael is too!) and so of course the groom's cake had to reflect his loyalty!

Tre Bella was the florist. This is the bride's bouquet! 

For the guest book, the couple asked them to sign the matt around photographs.

One of the tables flanking us for the ceremony. Simple elegance with their chosen color of purple.

So, this is how the ceremony set up looks on the side of the room with tall windows pouring in the daylight and the expansive length of the hardwood floors. This building has been re-purposed from being a cotton manufacturing plant and warehouse. 

Here is the view from the back of the room. 

Amanda has gotten us all lined up for the processional. It was a long processional. 

A quick shot of Amanda holding Rachael's train waiting for the time for her father to escort her in!

And there they go! 

And so we began! 

There was a warm welcome, an opening prayer, remembrance of those who have passed on and a sweet tribute to their parents.

Then we had fun with their story! Here is a brief excerpt: "They met for the first time at Coquette’s, a French restaurant in North Hills, in February of 2012. They had so much fun talking and getting to know each other at dinner that they ended up spending most of the weekend hanging out together. They were both very comfortable and relaxed and the conversation flowed so naturally. Rachael was intrigued by Victor’s calm, easy going presence. Victor loved Rachael’s smile and laughter. 
For their second date, they decided to go hear one of Victor’s favorite bands, “Alabama Shakes.” Although Rachael was not a big fan of concerts, she wanted to go just to be with Victor. They met at a local shopping center to carpool to the concert. Rachael is directionally challenged and assumed Victor was good at directions because he was so confident about it. On the way to the concert he asked her to look at the map on his phone and see if they were going in the right direction. He had no clue then that maps are useless to Rachael. He wanted her to look and see if they were headed for the red dot on the map. She was taken aback because she thought he knew how to get there. His style was simply to drive in the direction of the red dot on the map instead of following street by street directions. Thankfully they didn’t really get lost at all, just one wrong turn. Since then, Victor has been in charge of getting them where they want to go."  

They exchanged their vows and sealed them with their rings. 

We closed with a blessing then I made the pronouncement of marriage!

Great kiss! 

They were so thrilled to finally be husband and wife! (In the aisle is Randall Hill their photographer. He is based in Myrtle Beach so I had not met him before.  I liked him a lot. He was at the rehearsal and asked me then if I had any restrictions about photography during the ceremony. I told him that I only ask that photographers not get behind me during the ceremony and distract the couple and the guests. He said he would never even consider doing that!) 

Rachael and Victor, congratulations! You are a great couple, very well matched and it was wonderful to get to know you and have the honor of joining you in marriage!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Festive Orange Wedding for Liz and Lucas!

Liz and Lucas met when they were both students at the University of Miami. It was a chance meeting through friends of friends and their attraction to each other was there from the beginning. Lucas was intrigued not only that Liz is knockout gorgeous, but also her way of being--free and full of energy. She smiled and laughed and danced the night away. Liz thought Lucas was quite arrogant and, as she put it: "typically Argentinian" with long hair and a cocky smile she just wanted to kiss right off his face! And so the sparks flew. They both graduated and moved to different cities for their careers but after long distance relating for 13 months, Liz caved and moved to Raleigh from Cincinnati in 2010. They bought a house, adopted their 2 four-legged children, Jack and Peanut, and Lucas proposed on Valentine's Day of 2012. Wedding planning was stalled until Liz's mom took the reigns and hired Sally Oakley to pull it all together which Sally is so capable of doing! They needed an officiant so Sally sent them to see me. We had fun co-creating their wonderful ceremony with their story and secret vows and the wedding came off beautifully on October 6, 2013 at Haywood Hall. 

They painted the name of each guest on a stone which served as place cards. Obviously their color scheme was orange--and some white!

This fabulous cake was by Cinda's Creative Cakes with the action figures of Batman and--oh, I was told but have now forgotten the female's moniker. Someone comment on this post and tell me!

Haywood Hall is the oldest house in Raleigh! The grounds are gorgeous and unless you know about it, you would never guess it is smack-dab downtown Raleigh.

 Going over the cues for the processional with Kevin, violinist from Arioso Strings.

Beautiful! Mel Day with Dogwood Tree Florals hung the orange ribbons on the porch.

Unforgettable Food Affairs was the caterer and the reception was being readied in the garden under the tent.

Lucas struck this handsome pose for Cara with F8 Studios and her assistant, Adrian, before the ceremony.

Lucas' parents, Carlos and Susana, are ready to process in when Sally gives them the signal.

Then Liz's parents, Ana and Marcus, entered together and Marcus circled back around to bring in Liz.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen came in coupled up. 

This is Kate, Sally's daughter, making her debut as the flower girl! 

Getting the big dress up those steps from the sidewalk is always a challenge! 

Their parents stood as they received a glowing tribute from their children. 

 Telling their story was so much fun! Lucas hit a shy spot here!

They wrote their own vows secretly and read them from my book to each other.

 The ring exchange.....

 I now pronounce you......

Liz and Lucas....Great Wedding! Loved the creativity and festiveness of your vision. Congratulations and may all the happiness in the world grace you both!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

My Website

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Or leave a comment below!

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