Danielle and Adam - The Fairy Tale Love Comes True at Last

...and the Prince and Princess were married at last (after 18 years!) to live happily ever after. The Prince was so happy that he kissed his Bride for a long, long, long time.

But I am getting ahead of myself.

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a beautiful young girl named Danielle and a handsome young boy named Adam. Danielle and Adam met and fell in love in high school and Adam even told Danielle he would marry her someday. But, alas, it seemed that was not to be. A magic spell called Danielle and Adam to different quests in life and their paths took them away from each other. Occasionally over the years they would see each other again but they were each on their own path and were not to be deterred. Eventually Danielle had a bright and charming little son.

Then one day the spell was broken. A way to stay in contact was found and their old bond became a kind and helpful friendship - albeit in different kingdoms. As good friend do, they helped each other through tough times and one day Adam’s path was pointing to a move to Danielle’s kingdom. The ladylove that he had never stopped loving was now on his horizon at last.

As their friendship grew and deepened through the next year, they began to think of themselves as a little family and with delighted happiness their own families cheered when they one day told them they were planning to marry.

So here we are, back to where this post began - Danielle and Adam beginning their happily ever after.
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They chose for the setting of this magical celebration The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. Ami Wheeler, the Social Catering Manager, was on hand to make sure this wonderful fairy tale had a splendiferous castle for a backdrop. She is a real delight to work with - very caring, efficient and knowledgeable and one of the best in her field. Great job as always, Ami.

Because family is THE most important thing to this couple, Danielle was escorted down the aisle by both her father and her son.

Danielle and Adam wrote a letter to their mothers that was touching beyond words and then gave them each a book and roses. Adam’s father did a reading about love and Danielle’s father wrote his reading about bringing family together.

 Both were very touching.

After her father’s reading, Danielle, Adam and Joshua then braided a rope as a wonderful symbol of family unity and that rope will be proudly displayed in their home. This will be a very sweet memento.

Danielle and Adam each wrote something special to the other that they read during the ceremony. Eighteen years of life and emotion were encapsulated in those words and it was very moving.

At the end of the ceremony came the breaking of the glass - but with a twist. There were three glasses tied together (as you saw in one of the photos above) and Adam, Danielle and Joshua all stepped on them at the same time, breaking three individual glasses. This was followed by my introducing them as husband, wife and family and an immediate giant cheer from all the guests.

So the fairy tale had come true at last. Love triumphs over all. 

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Other wedding professionals on hand to celebrate this love story;

Music for the ceremony - an Arioso Strings duet with Ed on guitar and Craig on violin - superb as ever

Music for the reception - Joe Bunn - Joe Bunn DJ Company - first class style all the way

 

Photographer - Shane Snider and his assistant, Lindsey Wachter - Shane Snider Photography - I love his work and his happy smile! (Many thanks to Shane for the use of his photos in this post.)

Videographer - Joshua on his Flip video camera

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Danielle and Adam, since I was a little girl I have always loved fairy tales. Thank you for allowing me to participate in one as beautiful as yours.










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Virginia and Gary Exchange Vows at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, January 15, 2011

Virginia and Gary kept running into each other for years before their relationship blossomed. Obviously the timing just wasn’t right but once it was, theirs was a most interesting relationship that took place on both coasts. With Gary’s December 2010 retirement, they are now living here in Cary and get to be under the same roof at last. At some point in the process Virginia witnessed a double rainbow - a sure sign of double luck and hope - so great times are ahead for sure!

They wanted a small, elegant wedding with an intimate setting and chose The Umstead Hotel and Spa as their location. The ceremony and cocktail hour took place in the very private Cedar Room and was followed by a special dinner at Herons, the wonderful restaurant at the hotel. Everything was handled perfectly (as always) by Ami Wheeler, the hotel’s Social Catering Manager.

Most of their guests came in from out of town to help them celebrate and it was fun meeting and chatting with them all. One of the things I learned was that Virginia’s daughter loves ballroom dancing and I was able to tell her about a very nice ballroom in our area. Hope she gets a chance to go out and enjoy it.

Their musicians for the ceremony and cocktail hour were the incomparable Arioso Strings. The violin and cello music filled up that room and provided the perfect backdrop for the emotions of love and friendship shared between everyone. 

Their photographer was Kevin Milz and I could tell from watching him work that there are going to be some great photos. Can’t wait to see them when they are posted online! Here’s a photo of Kevin that I took. He’s a very nice man and a highly skilled photographer - always a great combination.

The lovely bouquets were provided by the talented Steven Taras of The Watered Garden. He does all the floral decorations at The Umstead and his artistry is always on display. I love his work. Unfortunately my photo of Virginia and her bouquet do not do either of them justice, but surely Kevin will have some nice photos with his pics.

Virginia and Gary, I want to thank you again for allowing me to be a part of such a beautiful time in your life. And Gary, I will always remember with fondness that charming little pat on the fanny that you gave Virginia right after your first kiss as husband and wife. It was so husbandly and human and it spoke volumes about the friendly, honest relationship you have together. It makes my heart smile every time I think of it.

Dale Surprises Sharon with a 15th Anniversary Vow Renewal at The Umstead Hotel and Spa - June 18, 2010

Dale loves Sharon. There is no doubt. 

Dale contacted me about being a part of a surprise for his wife for their 15th wedding anniversary. Every year they like to go to The Umstead Hotel and Spa for some R and R at the spa and this year he wanted to do something different and unexpected as well. We set it up where after a day at the spa, when she thought they were heading to dinner, he would suggest a stroll by the lake where I would be waiting for them with their twin daughters and their very best friend. Nobody would know about it except for Dale, myself, their best friend, Kathleen, and Ami Wheeler, the Social Catering Manager at The Umstead Hotel. Ami put it all together for him and even set it up for some champagne to be delivered by the lake for a toast after the ceremony. (Nice touch, Ami.)

Everything went off as he had planned. He and Kathleen were even able to find the weddings rings Sharon and Dale had used when they were first married and we used them for the ceremony. (what a romantic guy!) 

Needless to say, Sharon was blown away and their twin daughters, who had just learned of the ceremony moments before I arrived to meet them at the hotel, were beaming with excitement. 

Most of the photos here were taken by Kathleen’s young son, Anthony. Looks like they’ve got a budding photographer in their midst!

The ceremony...

And after the ceremony, hugs all around.

And here is the handsome, happy family.

Thanks, Dale, for contacting me so I could be a part of such a special anniversary gift. I will always smile when I remember the sweet love you all have for each other.

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Emily and Jay marry at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, February 4, 2010

Emily and Jay have been together since high school. Through the 12 years of their relationship, some of that time has been spent apart during their extensive educations but they have always remained together since their first date on February 4 - which they have now commemorated with their wedding date. This is a couple who know each other very well, have stood by each other through thick and thin and to whom commitment means everything.

The wedding and celebrations were not only planned to be eco-friendly but they also served vegan food. Reflective of Emily and Jay’s lifestyle, these were thoughtful and caring touches and I thoroughly enjoyed the interesting and unexpected food choices they provided.

Emily’s dress was made by a seamstress, Marie Cordella, based on a photo of a dress that Emily had found in a magazine. It was simple, lovely and fit like it was made for her - which of course it was.

The ceremony was held at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary and coordinated by Angie Wright of Chic Details. Angie is a consummate professional and had everything running smoothly. Held in the ballroom with soft lighting and minimalist decorations of tree branches strung with hanging candle globes, it was beautiful in its simplicity and matched Emily and Jay’s sense of style perfectly. The decorations and florals were provided by Steve Taras of The Watered Garden, who also does the floral arrangements for The Umstead. Magnificent work always. You can see the branches here, used as the ceremony backdrop.

And later they were moved to the reception tables for the centerpieces.

Birds are special to Emily and Jay. The bridal party entered the ceremony to a song about birds as a metaphor of love and commitment entitled, Shake Our Tree. Written and performed by a local band they admire, The Rosebuds, it was a fun way for a wedding to begin.

You could see other birds on display throughout the reception area. Each of the tables were named for different birds and Emily and her mother had used Audubon bird prints for table cards and place cards.

There was even a blue bird of happiness on the top of their wedding cake. Provided by Donna Ford of Sweet Memories Bakery, it was an exquisitely decorated cake.

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Others on hand to make the event a success were;

Photographer - Heather Swanner of Heather Swanner Photography

DJ - Steven Penny of Southeastern Entertainment

Events Coordinator, The Umstead Hotel and Spa - Ami Wheeler

Poet - Brad Pulley, Emily’s brother

Reader - Natalie Stewart, Jay’s sister

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Emily’s brother wrote a beautiful poem about Emily and Jay’s long-standing love and commitment and Jay’s sister read it beautifully during the ceremony. Emily and Jay exited the ceremony to The Turtles’, Happy Together, and that, too, fit them perfectly. I can see them forever more, hand-in-hand, walking through life together - just as they have always done. Fly free and happy, little birds.

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Sam and Tesh marry on October 23, 2009 at The Umstead in Cary

It was a beautiful October day, the sun was shining, the weather was perfect and their family and friends had come in from all over to celebrate this beautiful couple and their multi-cultural family. The whole celebration has been designed to honor all the cultures involved.

Sam and Tesh are both from Great Britain and have been living and working here in the RTP for quite some time. Hitesh is Indian descent and their infant son, Alfie, was wearing a traditional white Indian wedding suit with burgundy and gold brocade around the neck and wrists. Unfortunately none of the photos I took of him came out, but he was just adorable. His big sister, Lola, was one of the Flower Girls and looked beautiful in her Western-style white dress.

Their friends and family, most of whom came in from Britain, were a fun bunch. Here are all the guys in the hall, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

And here is Sam, waiting in her room. She had the traditional henna on her hands and feet and it was just beautiful. Henna is quite an intricate art form and an ancient Indian tradition. Her dress was most unusual in that it had something akin to flat pompoms all over it and every time she moved it moved with her. It was a lovely effect.

And they found a very clever way to entertain the Flower Girls while they waited - bubble wrap! What is it about that stuff?! It will turn you into a kid immediately. The little girls were having a great time popping the bubbles and were totally content with that. It was all I could do to not go over and join them on the floor doing the same thing! So if you ever need a way to entertain kids (and adults too, it seems) take along some bubble wrap.

The ceremony was held in the beautiful wedding garden of The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. The very capable and unflappable Social Catering Manager, Ami Wheeler, was on hand to make sure everything went off well for them and to keep them all on schedule.

The floral decorations for the ceremony were provided by Steven Taras of The Watered Garden. Steven oversees all the magnificent arrangements for the hotel itself and his work is very special. You can see his use of the unexpected in the placement of a bowl of magnificent flowers on the ground on one side and on a pillar on the other. I had never seen that done before and it gave a unique perspective to the already beautiful setting with the cascading water fountain in the distance.

At the end of the ceremony, the guests were to shower flower petals onto Sam and Tesh as they went back down the aisle and all the chairs had their bags of petals waiting.

It was a wonderful celebration with incredibly beautiful people everywhere you looked. As Chris Azul, of Azul Photography, was getting everyone set for a group photo, I took this happy shot. I just loved how happy they all were and how beautiful their colors looked in the setting.

My congratulations to you, Sam and Tesh. It was a joy to help you put together such a fun celebration to share with your family and friends. I hope you’ll stay in touch from time to time and let me know how you are doing - and so I can see your handsome children grow up over the years.

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Christina and Chad marry August 1, 2009 at The Umstead in Cary

It was another beautiful day at The Umstead Hotel and Spa and so perfect for Christina and Chad’s very special wedding. They are such a great couple and it is obvious they are going to have a happy life together. Everyone was talking about what a perfect fit they are for each other and I heartily agree. They have been living their lives in separate states for quite a while and it is going to be so nice for them to be together at last. After the honeymoon they plan to reside in Iowa, where Chad is part of his family’s business.

Ami Wheeler, the Social Catering Manager for the hotel, made sure all was perfect for them in the beautiful wedding garden where the ceremony took place and the elegant Salon Room where the reception was held.

Christina and Chad provided these engraved fans for their guests during the ceremony. This very thoughtful idea provided some much-needed respite against the summer heat and humidity and the engraving on the fans was an elegant touch.

The reception was held in the Salon Room where everything was exquisitely presented and the food was delicious.

All the flowers for the wedding and reception were provided by Steven Taras of The Watered Garden, who is one of the florists the hotel uses for its own floral displays. He is quite an artist and his handiwork was beautifully displayed everywhere. I wish my photo did them the justice they deserve.

Over by the cake was a beautiful, intriguing goblet that looked like a woman carrying a bucket above her head. It is called a Nuernberg Wedding Cup and was a wedding gift to Christina and Chad from a friend who had traveled in Germany. According to the German story (said to be true), in 1450 there was a young goldsmith who shared a love with a wealthy man’s daughter. The father, most disapproving of this affection, had the young man thrown into prison. After seeing his daughter wither away from her grief, he told her that if the young man could make a chalice from which two people could drink at the same time without spilling a drop, he would free him and allow them to marry. He was certain, of course, that this was an impossibility.

But true love is a marvelous motivator and the young man rose to the challenge, cleverly creating two goblets in one. The larger goblet is the woman’s skirt and the bucket she carries is the smaller one. The bucket is ingeniously designed to swivel at her hands, which then allows the bride and groom to drink at the same time. The father had no choice but to allow the couple to marry. (Ingenious young man!) You can find the full story of this charming legend here.

How can we ever resist the look of love on the faces of the bride and groom as they dance their first dance as husband and wife.

Or the gleam in their eyes as they decide if they should be nice as they feed the cake... or not.

Speaking of the cake, this beautiful creation was provided by Donna Ford of Sweet Memories. I have seen many of her cakes before and they are always exquisite. Her cakes are works of art and she has provided cakes for national and international celebrities. Obviously her talents are renowned.

Their photographer for the event was Chris Perez of Azul Photography. Chris’ work is amazing! He has won many photographic awards in his career and the photos on his website and blog show abundantly why this is so. To say they are excellent photos is an understatement so I can’t wait to see his photos from Christina and Chad’s wedding!

The DJ for the reception was Kevin Majoros of Joe Bunn DJ Company. Kevin was a great DJ with an amazing playlist and all of us at our table were constantly talking about how good all the songs were. He also had two slim, cylindrical speakers that put out some high quality sound. Very impressive technology.

And lest I forget, the woman whose job is a necessity and who did such a great job on all the hair and make-up (which was no small feat in the heat and humidity) was Page Berse of About Face Make-up Artistry.

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The legend of the Wedding Cup states that love, faithfulness and good luck await the couple who drink from this cup... I see a wonderful marriage ahead for Christina and Chad.