Maggie and Kevin Light Up The Doubletree

Kevin and Maggie met in college when they lived across from each other in their sophomore year and began dating in their senior year. That was almost four years ago. During all this time their love has grown. They came to see me because they wanted a relaxing, 'not too serious' wedding that was family oriented and joyful since they're both very close to their families, and love that about each other. They're the first two to be married in either family so everyone was delighted to be invited to help them celebrate.

They thanked their friends and family on their wedding ceremony program and added these words just for their parents: 'We both admire and aspire to have the marriage that you have and hope that we can live up to all that you have taught us to be. We love you!'

Amy Acosta at The Doubletree Inn in Durham was masterful in making the adjustments needed to move the wedding indoors. She's always great to work with.
And Thanks to florist Lyn Graves from Fresh Affairs for his beautiful offerings.

Mitch Woodard of joe bunn dj company was great, attending to the careful timing and volume needed for this enclosed room Maggie and Kevin chose the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin for their Bridal Processional and the Wedding March by The O'Neill Brothers for their Recessional. Couples have been asking me lately for suggestions of music so I'm paying more attention to make a note of what is played. I love how I'm surprised by the really lovely choices that I would never have thought of.

Kevin entered with his father, Gary, and with two brothers and a good friend standing up with him, there were hugs happening all through the ceremony, which was wonderful to see. Here Kevin is hugging Maggie's father after he escorted her down the aisle.

We'd planned for their wedding to be outside, but with the rain on October 24th it had to be moved indoors. But even inside, their smiles and joy lit up the room. We have Stacy Borelli from Swank Photo Studio to thank for these great pictures. She had a difficult job in this room, filled with guests, to get just the right pictures. These wonderful photos show that she skillfully accomplished it!


Kevin and Maggie chose the poem 'Love' by Roy Croft, read by Maggie's brother Andrew as part of the ceremony, which begins: 'I love you, not only for what you are but for what I am when I am with you.'

Right after they exchanged rings, they shared in the wonderful custom of Celtic Handfasting. They even invited their guests to participate in this custom with them in their own way. "If you're here today with your beloved or a dear friend or family member, please hold their hand now and know that these timeless words are also true for you. If those most special to you are not here today, please bring in to your mind and heart the love you share with them. They they too will be with us in spirit."

The power of the moment brought tears to many eyes.

Maggie and Kevin really savored their first kiss as husband and wife. I'm glad. Sometimes a couple kisses so briefly that the photographer doesn't have time to get a picture. I know that it's unusual to kiss in front of family and friends, but the day is celebrating your wonderful affection.



I very rarely go to a reception, preferring to come home and be with my own Sweetie, but I decided to investigate a little further about Maggie and Kevin's cake since it was made by Cinda Putnam, of Cinda's Creative Cakes, and she also did the fabulous cake for another couple I married this fall.

Sure enough, it was beautiful and topped, symbolically of course, by Maggie and Kevin's puppy Jacey. I know they wanted her to be a part of the wedding and here she is.









After Kevin and Maggie got back from their honeymoon, I received a wonderful note from her with these words, 'I am sure you noticed - but everything really "hit" me as I walked down the isle. I hadn't cried once all day but when the ceremony actually started - I was overwhelmed to say the least. I will never forget how calm and warm your smile was and it was you that let me know it was okay. I really can't thank you enough for that - and for the tissues :)

Many of our guests stopped me during our reception and commented on what a wonderful ceremony it was and how wonderful you were. it seemed to me that the ceremony was short but even then you definitely made a lasting impression on our guests and our families and I am so thankful to you for that.

Thank you so much for all of your help and guidance over the last many months in putting our ceremony together. I think it is truly amazing how you can guide a couple through the process and the result is something they put their hearts in to - which makes everything that much more meaningful and special on your wedding day.

Thank you again Robin for all of your help and support. You were a huge part in making our wedding day so special and we cannot thank you enough for that. Please keep in touch and if there is anything I can ever do for you - please just let me know."

It was a joy to be a part of Kevin and Maggie's wedding. They have a generosity of spirit that shines brightly, even on the rainiest of days.