Christmas Eve Wedding for Allison and Joe!

I believe it was in October that Joe called me about officiating his wedding to Allison. They really wanted to get married on Christmas Eve when their friends could be present and so that is what we did! I sent them a proposed ceremony based on what Joe told me they wanted and included remembering their loved ones who could not be with us and the blessing of their children. Allison told me that she cried when she read the ceremony and she showed it to a co-worker who remarked it was the sweetest ceremony she had ever heard. They only wanted to add one line to it: "Today you marry your soulmate, the one you laugh with, cry with, and the one who is your best friend."

So, on December 24, 2013, Marty and I traveled to northwest Raleigh to their home. Their "short fat" tree was up lit up with all the gifts under it flanked by poinsettias. (That was one of their kid's description of the tree when she first saw it!)

Joe and I took our places in front of the fireplace and Allison's son, Sean, escorted his mother in. That is Joe's daughter, Ellaina, on the right. She was holding the rings. Samantha, Allison's daughter, was holding down the couch along with their other guests. 

They loved their vows and ring exchange. 

The  moment their marriage legally begins! 

Great kiss!

What a happy couple! Elvis, Allison's chihuahua, was pretty happy too. 

"We did it!"

Congratulations to you, Joe and Allison! It was my pleasure and delight to join you in matrimony! 

Had to have a photo of this sweet dog and sweet little girl! 

Elvis is probably thinking, what's the fuss all about?? He was precious but you know I am such a dog lover and grew up with chihuahuas and they are special little beings!

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mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Fall Wedding for Virginia and Kevin in Kayelily's Wedding Garden!

Kevin and Virginia wanted a small intimate wedding ceremony surrounded by their family and closest friends prior to their reception on November 10, 2013 so they chose to be married in my wedding garden. With all the rain and dipping temperatures that had been abound in our area, they lucked out with a beautiful fall day. 

Virginia is quite the detailer and had the timeline all mapped out. She arrived with her entourage of 4 bridesmaids and shortly thereafter, Kevin and his 4 groomsmen arrived.  Pink and black was the color scheme and coordinated with the black and white sneakers!  When family members arrived, we actually started earlier than planned. Our photographers, Kate and Mike Marchetto, were right there capturing this wedding for our couple in photographs while my husband Dave snapped the ones here for this blog. 

One of the groomsmen played music on Kevin's iPhone as Virginia and her brother Jonathan entered.

Hugs before the "hand-off".......

Their parents got the front row seats.

View from my upper deck.

Virginia and Kevin had written love notes to each other, sent them to me then they heard them for the first time during the ceremony.

They made their vows to each other.

Exchanged rings......

The pronouncement of marriage1

Ringing the bell for the kiss!

Congratulations, you two! Your love for each other was radiating to everyone! I wish you all the best!

Desiree and Joel's Sweet Nuptials at Caffe Luna!

Joel and Desiree met quite by chance in January of 2010 when they both went out with friends on Tuesday Taco night at Los Lobos Mexican restaurant when tacos are only a dollar! They spoke only briefly but definitely noticed each other. When Desiree left the restaurant, she made a point of shaking Joel's hand and telling him that it was nice to have met him and that she was sorry they had not had a chance to talk. Well, that was all the encouragement Joel needed and before long they began dating and have been inseparable ever since. They met with me in April to begin planning their ceremony set for October 26, 2013 at Caffe Luna.

The processional began with the parents, then the wedding party and right before the bride, their flower girl, Roxie, entered and sprinkled a few petals.

Desiree and her father, Gregory, make their way in through the guests who are standing in their honor.

Joel and Desiree elected to orient their wedding centered in front of the beautiful arched doorway at Caffe Luna. The seating arrangement is non-traditional but the lighting is better because when the guests face Hargett Street, the bride and groom and attendants are backlit, making photographs a bit challenging. Their photographers Tres Brafford and Elisa Henry of InContrastImages recommended this angle.

We included a tribute to their parents who have blessed them with unconditional love, acceptance and wise guidance throughout their lives. Then they included a favorite reading from the book A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway about being alone together. Then I had the fun of presenting their story to their guests.

The vows and rings were next.

Desiree and Joel, what a great wedding! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day and the privilege of joining you in marriage! You are so blessed having each other in your lives!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Beautiful Raleigh Rose Garden Wedding for Erin and Jeff!

Erin and Jeff are madly in love and it really showed at their wedding! Erin is the founder of Master Dater Speedating and is an expert in helping couples find each other but up until a little more than a year ago, she had not yet found her soulmate. When she and Jeff's paths crossed on September 7, 2012 after a long and complicated journey to find love, they knew they were a perfect match and it did not take them long to decide to marry and set a wedding date. They love the Raleigh Rose Garden and chose the date of October 25, 2013. The celebration included just family and close friends, a gathering of about thirty for the ceremony, followed by a much larger party afterwards at Solas on Glenwood.

So, why the photo of my boot, you may ask? Well, the wedding day dawned on the chilly side and so I donned my favorite pair of boots--old but fairly dressy in black patent. As I was walking across the grassy area of the garden, the sole of my right boot separated from the shoe and I could  not walk without goose-stepping--a little like wearing flippers on dry land. Our honorary wedding director, Tiffany saved the day!! She ran to her car and got two black rubber hair bands and they fit perfectly around my shoe to hold the sole on. A temporary fix but when I went to the shoe repair shop after the wedding to see if they could glue the boot back together, we discovered it really would not be a permanent fix so, I tossed them!

With my shoe held together, Dave and I got my sound system set up and did a sound check. The gardens were beautiful in the crisp fall air and all the guests had arrived.

Meantime, we were all wondering where the bride and limo were! Then we found out they were running late because upon entering the limo, Erin's dress rubbed up against something and she had a black mark on her dress. Not to worry though because Jenny, costume designer with Raleigh Little Theater, was on hand and had just the right tools to rid the dress of that spot. So Erin was whisked inside the lobby where Jenny went to work and the spot was OUT! Ironically, I married Jenny and her husband, Steve, on 10/10/10 at Caffe Luna. Here is the link to their wedding!

Mother of the groom, Christine, Tiffany (wedding director) and I are having fun talking about wedding adventures before we started.

So, once the limo was in place, it was time to get started.

Our bridesmaids in the prettiest shade of red followed by the bride, took their places in the line-up for the processional.

Tiffany got the parents ready to go once I started the music up front.

Erin and her father, Dale, made the long walk down the "aisle" for the ceremony.

This photo courtesy of the couple. I presume that their friend Victoria took it. Thanks!

Erin and Jeff, congratulations on finding each other to share your love and your lives! I wish you all the happiness in the world.

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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