Sherry and Mark Marry on Mark’s Birthday, January 9, 2011, at Caffé Luna

Because of timing, it worked out that Sherry and Mark were planning to marry on Mark’s birthday. They gathered with their family and friends at Caffé Luna in Raleigh, a wonderful wedding location, full of bright, cheery light. And perfect for this happy wedding celebration.

Their daughters were their bridal party and held the rings for them during the vows. As the girls entered, they lit candles for their parents to combine later in a Family Unity Candle ceremony. This is always a nice touch to include in a wedding and even more so when there are children of any age. Families are about love and it was certainly in evidence here.

The wedding took place in the front portion of the Caffé Luna and the tables were set up in the next room, waiting for the guests. Sherry and Mark had chosen lovely silver and cobalt accents for the table centerpieces. I loved the “Bluebirds of Happiness.”

The favors at each place setting were porcelain bird salt and pepper shakers - a very unexpected and useful gift with a sweet message on the box.

The DJ for the event was Eric Hodgden of All Around Raleigh DJ Company. He was very nice to work with, had a great song repertoire and a winning smile. He also did extra duty on some last minute maintenance work for Mark’s suit. I’ll be looking forward to working with him again.

Before the wedding began, Mark was getting nervous because the cake had not arrived. Little did he know that the cake was there, just hidden in the back to be brought out during the reception. The reason? Instead of a wedding cake, Sherry wanted to surprise him with a birthday cake, made by her friend.  I was so sorry I wasn’t able to stay and see his face when he saw it. Before I left, I was able to get a quick shot of it - not yet fully decorated - as it sat in the box waiting for its presenation. 

Sherry and Mark, as I watched your faces while you said your vows, your feelings for each other were glowing in your eyes and your smiles. I hope those smiles remain in your lives forever. Thank you for including me at your very sweet and happy wedding.

Erica and Michael Celebrate their Wedding at The Arrowhead Inn in Durham, December 18, 2010

Erica and Michael met in a Spanish class at UNC many years ago and it was three months before she finally got up the courage to ask him out. They’ve been together ever since that first date and on a very cold and sunny day this December they married under a beautiful white gazebo at The Arrowhead Inn.

Originally, the wedding was to have been a surprise for all their guests, with them being invited to what they were to think was an engagement party, but Erica and Michael just couldn’t contain themselves and eventually spilled the beans. That didn’t stop their families from celebrating with high excitement and joy and despite our all standing outside in the cold for the wedding, Erica and Michael said their vows in the outdoor wedding that was very important to them. So important, in fact, that even though Erica was sleeveless in her lovely wedding dress while the rest of us were shivering in our coats, she says she never even felt the cold.

They chose as their wedding location the very special Arrowhead Inn, lovingly cared for by the innkeepers, Gloria and Phil Teber. Decorated up for Christmas, it lent an even more special ambiance to the house and grounds and it matched the festive mood of the wedding couple and their guests.

After the ceremony, everyone lingered outside a bit, waiting for the photographer to get a group shot. Their families had come in from all over the USA and it was very important to Erica and Michael that they get a shot of everyone together. While we waited, I was able to catch a couple candid moments with my camera while the happy couple greeted their guests. It was all very sweet.

And someone even got a shot of me with the handsome newlyweds.

Afterwards, they all went into the house to share a meal at a beautiful table set up beside the Christmas tree in the back parlor.  It looked so charming and inviting, like a Norman Rockwell painting.

The simple, elegant cake was provided by The Cake Lady, who always does lovely cakes.

It was a cold day, but all the emotions were so warm you would have almost never known it. Erica and Michael, I hope you are always surrounded by the warm, kind love that was so evident on your wedding day.

___

Others on had to make the day a success;

Flowers - Nancy Dawson of Special Event Florals

Photographer - David Gardner ( I only got his name, but I will add his information here once I get it)

___

Gloria - Thanks so much for sending me out with that warm and delicious apple cider. It was wonderful!

Heather and Derek Exchange Vows with a Beautiful Nature Backdrop, October 16, 2010

Heather and Derek are serious people with the hearts and souls of poets and artists. Everything about their wedding day was put together with such thoughtfulness and beauty that everywhere you turned there was a glorious example of who they are.

They love being out in Nature and chose as their wedding location the serenely beautiful Montague Lake. It was a perfect setting and provided a calming presence that was felt throughout the day.

We held the ceremony between two handsome oak trees whose acorns were strewn all over the ground. The trees reminded me of a famous passage about marriage, written long ago by Kahlil Gibran, and those acorns were a perfect omen of the strength of Heather and Derek’s relationship, even in this its early stage.

Their unique program was a chalk board leaned up against one of the trees where all the guests could see it when they entered.

A pine cone attached to a sign was used to reserve the chairs for the families.

The music was provided by students from UNC that Heather and Derek had contacted. 

Because of their love of Nature, Heather and Derek included a ceremony to honor the four directions, lead by her brother and completed with his using a singing bowl that sang longer than any I have ever heard before. It was beautiful and touching.

When the wedding was concluded, the guests walked along a path strewn with lumieres to a clear, sunshine-filled tent beside the pond. It was bright and cheery and what wonderful decorations awaited their arrival!

As you entered there were family wedding photos set up beside wooden place cards that had been cut and hand-burned with the guests’ names on one side and their table assignments on the back. This must have taken so much time to do but what a handsome presentation they made! 

At each place setting there were burlap-covered favors.

The table centerpieces were photos of Heather and Derek as children, set into square, clear frames that held the name of the table. The names were each an attribute they wanted to incorporate into their relationship - things like courage, laughter, honesty, passion, respect and many more. Many tables had flowers in pots that Heather and Derek had planted themselves. 

The photographers for the day were Jonathan McCardell and Judy Auger of McCardell Photography. They took some wonderful photos of this wedding. Many are posted on their blog and they have given their kind permission for me to use some here. Thanks, Jonathan and Judy.

Heather and Derek found a prayer they wanted to use to conclude their ceremony and it is so perfect for them that it is included here. I know they will create all these things in their lives and will go forward from their wedding day as a strong and vibrant partnership;

May the wings of angels uphold you through all of life.
May you live forever in love and happiness with one another.
May your hearts be full and may your lips stay sweet.
May your love grow stronger with each passing day.
May your home be a place of happiness for all who enter it.
And may you live long and happily in each other’s arms.

Erica and Paul Marry with the Splendor of Autumn Colors, October 16, 2010

Erica and Paul wanted an outdoor wedding that was fun, casual and laid-back. They started by choosing The Inn at Celebrity Dairy in Siler City as the location. A working goat farm, it is not a place one would think of for a wedding, but that is actually part of its charm. It is relaxed and rustic and you can even help them feed the goats if you like. (The goat cheese they make is delicious!)

Because it is October, they decided to use an autumn theme for the wedding decorations. Everything was absolutely beautiful and there are so many clever things to show you.

Here are their colorful aisle, arbor and sunflower bouquets.

They even came up with a creative way to camouflage a drainage pipe that was near where the Bridesmaids would stand!

The reception tent was aglow with beautiful autumn colors.

 And the place card holders were these cute little pine cones.

The great room of the Inn is a huge expanse of bright light. Along the walls are colorful paintings and a long table runs down the center. Complete with a stone fireplace on one side, it is easy to see why people like to be there so much.

These are their delicious-looking cookies, made by their friend who owns a bakery named Half Baked (what a great name). Erica made the hand-drawn labels and Paul wrapped and labeled the cookies.

They also had paper leaves laid out for the guests to write them notes upon and then hang the leaves on the branches in the pots. How wonderful that must have looked with all the leaf-notes hanging.

They had placed a photo of themselves between wedding photos of their parents. A heartfelt note to all the guests was another nice touch.

And what an unexpected way to set out their ceremony programs.

Erica and Paul read poems to each other during the ceremony and they were a big hit with the guests. It’s always nice to hear laughter at a wedding because you know the guests are enjoying what is going on. For this couple and their guests, the fun and laughter were going to continue into the wee hours of the morning.

The photographer for the day was Geoff Johnson of Geoff Johnson Films. He took some wonderful photos, a few of which are already posted on his blog and Facebook page. Here’s a link to the great slideshow he put together. I love his style and he captured the feel of the day perfectly. The aisle photo above is Geoff’s work and this photo of Paul twirling Erica is one of my favorites. 

Erica and Paul, I so enjoyed being a part of your beautiful wedding celebration. May your marriage and your lives continue to glow with many happy days of fun and laughter.