Jo Ann and Donald Marry in an Emotion-Filled Ceremony at the Hilton Durham Near Duke University

Meet Jo Ann and Donald, known to their friends as “The DonJo Show.” Being in each other’s lives is a direct result of prayer on both sides and you can tell when you are around them how important this deeper spiritual element is in their lives. It is evident in everything about them, from their kindnesses to each other and their friends to how they look at each other and instinctively reach out to hold hands. I love this photo of them; they look so regal and it fits them perfectly.

This photo and most of the ones used in this post were taken by Dajuan Jones of In His Image Photography. I had never worked with Dajuan before but hope to work with him again - and often. He is a huge photographic talent and a really nice guy and that makes for one heck of a good professional. You can easily see why they chose him when you look at his photos here and on his website. Thanks, Dajuan, for allowing me to use your wonderful photos for my blog.

When I arrived early for the wedding, Dajuan, Donald and all the groomsmen were still taking pictures while the ladies were getting ready elsewhere. This little alcove with all the chairs was a perfect photo op for the guys and Dajuan even added me into the mix.

Jo Ann and Donald chose as their wedding location the recently renovated Hilton Durham Near Duke University. What a perfect location and the staff, to a person, was very friendly and accommodating. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

During the ceremony, Dajuan was apparently all over the place, judging from his photos, but I was never aware of it. An invisible ninja style is a nice skill for a photographer to have.

Look at the happiness on Donald’s face as he watched Jo Ann enter with her dad .

What a tender look to each other once they were standing together in front of me.

 Donald wiping a tear from Jo Ann’s face during the ceremony.

The ballroom where the ceremony took place was elegant in its simplicity and was the perfect backdrop to the striking coral pink Bridesmaid dresses and other accents, like the rose petals strewn along the aisle.

They had ordered an aisle runner with their names and wedding date beautifully displayed on it. A very nice touch.

JoAnn and Donald wanted to include a Unity Cross, which they had found online. I had never seen this before and when they showed it to me, I was so impressed. The cross signifies the man and woman becoming one and God as the bond that holds them together. It is a beautiful symbolism with a beautiful sculpture they can keep in their home as a remembrance of their wedding and the true meaning of their marriage.

For the Unity Cross ceremony, as the minister speaks about the symbolism of each portion, the Groom inserts the empty cross into the stand, the Bride fills it with the scroll-worked cross, and the minister then pins it all together with three golden pegs, signifying that The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the true bond of the marriage.

In our planning for the ceremony, Jo Ann and Donald had asked if I included the traditional line in the ceremony about anyone objecting to this union and, assuming they would not want this included, I assured them I did not. However, to my surprise, they did want to include it. A bit skeptical, I said I would, and during the ceremony I was to learn why they wanted this. When I came to that part of the ceremony, I was to pause to allow anyone to speak and as I paused, they both turned from looking at each other to looking at all their guests with a funny, defiant look, that sent ripples of laughter through the room. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud myself. What a fun and unexpected moment!

Then came the pronouncement of marriage and the kiss - and another funny comment from them.

After the ceremony, they all left with Dajuan for the formal photographs and that gave me some time to take some photos of their decorations outside the reception ballroom. So much attention to detail - and in such a clever and elegant way; a poster of them designed like a movie poster, a photo of their hands holding, done as an oil portrait, pink lollipops by the guest book and CDs with pink labels of their favorite songs for all their guests, sealed with a monogram. It was all very nicely done.

While I was taking these photos, Lisa and Quentin came over to say, “Hi.” I had married them in 2006 and they are now neighbors of Jo Ann and Donald and were attending the wedding. They had very kindly recommended me to Jo Ann and Donald and I had a chance to thank them in person as well as catch up on their lives. Lisa and Quentin are still blissfully happy and it was great fun reconnecting. Here is a photo Quentin took of Lisa and me. Isn’t she just beautiful! 

Looking at the photos Dajuan took the rest of the evening, it appears there were wonderful things in store for the guests, like this first dance together as husband and wife. They were out there strutting their stuff in style and style is something they have plenty of!

Jo Ann and Donald, I know you will continue to go through life looking at the world in that special way you share. With your deep faith in God and each other, Life is sure to hold great things in store for you

Hilton, The King’s Daughters and caring staff - oh my!

As a wedding professional I often get invited to view new wedding venues and see new additions to our already incredible array of unique wedding locations in the area. Last week there were two such open houses and I was lucky enough to get to visit both.

The first was the Hilton Durham near Duke University and although the hotel has been there 22 years, I didn’t even know it existed. Sitting not far from the intersection of Hillsborough Rd. and Hwy 15-501, it is nestled in a wooded lot and has a quiet, unassuming facade.

But unexpected fun, sprawling size and helpful staff await you inside. The hotel has been completely renovated. The lobby contains a very large sports bar, BLUE Sports Bar and Grill, (most appropriate for a location near Duke University and UNC) with a great ambiance and a huge bar that surely can handle anything you might request of it. 

A Starbucks Lounge, serving real Starbucks coffees, sits next to their open-air restaurant, Tipton’s Chop House, serving good old American fare.

The rooms are standard rooms or suites.

  

For those with a sweet tooth, among many other delicious-sounding options, they also make a to-die-for crème brûlée with a Bananas-Fosteresque topping... yum!

With so many board rooms, executive meeting rooms and ballrooms, you are sure to find something that suits your fancy and your needs. Call or email the Senior Catering Sales Manager, Sarah Huggins, at 919-564-2908, to speak with her for your event. She will be sure to do everything she can to make your stay an enjoyable one.    

(All photos have been used from the hotel’s website with permission from Ms. Huggins.)

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Now for a total change of pace; 

I went three days later to the Open House of the wonderfully charming The King’s Daughters Inn, in the historic Trinity Park area of Durham. Open only 10 months, it is an exquisitely decorated, warmly inviting Bed and Breakfast.

From 1926 to 2006, this building was a Christian retirement home for single, elderly women. Coming under new management only a short while ago, this Historic Landmark has thankfully been restored and “reborn as a seventeen room luxury inn. Wherever possible the important historic elements have been restored and preserved,” with each distinctive room having its own unique decor. Each room I visited was more amazing than the last and photos of some of them are included here (used from their website with their permission). 

the Rigsbee Suite...

the Tyree Room...

and the Woodard Room...

There are so many incredible aspects to this building, which is far larger than it appears from the front. I especially liked the grand staircase when you entered, the wonderful sunroom...

and the charming old dining hall.

Although not set up for large weddings, it is an elegant setting for smaller, intimate weddings and events and can accommodate up to 150 guests for receptions. And did I mention the food?! Because they are a B and B, their fare is lighter and more suited for breakfasts and brunches, which is why they allow you to bring your own caterers if you prefer. For the Open House they had set out many a tasty treat and all of us in attendance were oohing and aahing over everything on display. They are experts at beer, wine and food pairings and in evidence of this they had wines and liqueurs on hand that blended perfectly with all the foods, especially the decadently delicious, handmade chocolates “in the European tradition,” created by Sandra Ackerman of Serious Chocolates. (My palate has now been awakened and I can never go back to Hershey’s chocolate again!) You can reach Sandra by email or phone, 919-358-3218.

The Proprieters, Deanna and Colin Crossman, have taken great pains to recreate the charm of an era gone by and blend it with the best of the new and modern elegance. Throughout, they have used the most current green technologies to keep the whole building as environmentally conscious as possible. Their Marketing and Events Specialist, Michelle Alarcon, is completely amenable to helping you create the dream event you have in mind. You won’t be disappointed.

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