Blake and Colleen Married on Nov 20th at The Fearrington

It was one of those unseasonably warm and beautiful days. What a blessing. Blake and Colleen had planned their small intimate ceremony for 11 am in the morning and it was already warm enough to be outside comfortably.

Thanks to Gilda McDaniel at The Fearrington for her masterful, as always, support, to our photographer, Krystal Kast Photography for these wonderful pictures. Kirtsie Smith, the excellent harpist for the ceremony.

Blake and Colleen wanted a nonreligious but deeply spiritual ceremony that was simple and relaxed and in which everyone felt welcome and comfortable. They just wanted their loved ones to know their incredible happiness. They are both passionate about the care for the environment and wanted their ceremony to have as its center the planting of a tree as a symbol of their commitment to each other. I really respected that they knew what was important to them and loved being able to bring it to life with them.

There were only about 50 guests made up of family and close friends, and they had only one attendant each. This particular garden at The Fearrington was perfect for that size group and offered the benefit of shade for the couple during the ceremony and a worry free wedding with lots of the details taken care of. The Fearrington Inn Florist provided Colleen's beautiful bouquet.


Gilda also stopped the fountain for the ceremony. Located by the sculpture it was flowing and adding its music up to that point.

Here's a longer view of the ceremony site...


Their wedding would be followed by a jazz brunch (music provided by Kevin van Sant) on The Fearrington patio. But before this, there was a champagne toast in the Sun Room.

Before the ceremony the small potted tree that represented their marriage and family tree was sitting where the guests entered and they were asked to add a scoop of soil into the container.



Then Colleen's brother brought the tree down to this spot as part of the processional. The ritual that Colleen, Blake and I wrote said that by their act their guests were adding their own love into the mixture of soil and nutrients. This tree symbolized Blake and Colleen's family tree and their commitment to grow their love.


We spoke of how the tree would know all the seasons of their love in its beauty. And I said, 'Remember to nourish each other, with words of encouragement, trust, and love every day, so you can can grown and reach your fullest potential, just like this tree.' Then they added their own scoops of soil to the tree. It was a wonderful ritual.

I received this note from them shortly after their wedding day... 'Thank you so much for everything Robin. You truly made our ceremony sparkle with joy. Guests loved you and talked all day about what a fine job you did. .... We can not thank you enough. :)

Our best, Colleen and Blake.

Blake and Colleen are kind and gracious people. They have a delight in life that's contagious and a gentleness in their way of being in the world which was a delight to be around. I wish them all the happiness in the world. They're wonderful nurturers so I know their tree will thrive as will their love.