Mike and Jen at The Caffé Luna in Raleigh

On Sunday afternoon, October 18th, I had a wonderful time celebrating the marriage of Michael and Jennifer at the Caffé Luna in downtown Raleigh. Jim Colman of Jim Colman Photography provided me with all the wonderful pictures you see here.

Caffé Luna set up their front room for the ceremony, then guests gathered in the back room for the reception. The café's golden walls and Tuscan flair was the room a warm elegant tone on the gray day. Jen and Mike's only disappointment was that their puppy, Callie, couldn't be with them. At the same time, we all shuddered to think of the trouble he could have gotten into had he been there.

They had wisely asked a friend Laura to be their unofficial wedding coordinator for the day and it was a blessing to have her there for all the last minute coordination that was needed even with a small wedding party.

And with the room set up the way it was, with the chairs out to each side, Jim Colman had a perfect place from which to get great pictures throughout the ceremony. Notice the wonderful picture later in the blog of their first kiss as a married couple.

Randy Bennett of joe bunn dj company was also great and a joy to work with. I appreciated that he managed the sound just right for this intimate setting, including my microphone, so that the couple had some privacy while guests could hear the ceremony clearly.

Jen's sister was her Bride's Maid, and Mike's brother was his Best Man.

They had been together three and a half years and this next step into marriage felt natural and organic.
They had such an easiness about them that day. It was easy to see how they team together well, support each other and find such enjoyment in being together.

They had a great story of Mike's search to get the perfect engagement ring and 'the stars' aligning to make that happen. So we included the Engagement Ring Ceremony as part of their wedding.

The Caffé Luna, not only provides wonderful service and great food, but is also a great photo backdrop. If you have less than one hundred guests, and want to keep everything in one location, this is a wonderful place to consider.


I was delighted to be a part of their wedding and to get to meet their families and friends.



At the end of the ceremony, we all stood and welcomed them into marriage with the words 'May their love remind us of the importance of love in our own lives. May it inspire our hearts to continually appreciate each other as family and as friends.'

I wish them much happiness.