Nelson and Wendy Light Up All Saint's Chapel

Wendy and Nelson had a wonderful wedding at All Saints Chapel this spring as you can tell by these clear and vibrant pictures by Carolyn Scott and her partner Geoff of Carolyn Scott Photography.


I have often officiated at All Saints but have never before seen a reception in the sanctuary and it was lovely.  The catering staff turned the space over quickly and efficiently.  It was amazing to watch.  Sarah, the All Saints Coordinator was calm and efficient as always.  And Nelson and Wendy's florist was Mel Ray from Dogwood Tree Floral Designs, 

their cake was by  Melinda from Edible Art Bakery, 

and their catering was done by April of Unforgettable Food Affairs,

Wendy and Nelson and I planned their wedding ceremony totally by phone and email so it was a treat to meet them at their rehearsal.  Wendy is as bubbly as her voice and Nelson is a calm and steady a presence as she described him.


Wendy's son Ashton, nicknamed Ash, was a particular joy.  He is eleven years old and he walked his mother down the aisle and lit their unity candle all very formally with great decorum.  He was not quite tall enough to reach the candelabra so we removed the unity candle for him to light it and then placed it back in the stand.


When I entered I lit 9 remembrance votive candles and the individual unity candles.  Each remembrance candle was for a specific person.  The altar was radiant in their light under that gorgeous stained glass window.

The Ringbearers, Sam and James, carried the rings into the ceremony in beautiful ceramic eggs.  They then handed one to the Best Man and one to the Maid of Honor.  

Then Evee, their Flower Girl entered.  I bet Carolyn's blog has a shot of her.  She was a cutie.


We closed their ceremony with this blessing:  'So may this day be an open door through which Nelson and Wendy will go forth to build the dearest of all relationship - a happy, harmonious marriage.  May the years deal gently with them; walking together, may they find far more in life than either would have found alone.'  And there was no better an more lovely door could they have walked through than All Saints Chapel.

I got a Thank You phone call from them on the Monday right after their wedding.  What a thoughtful gesture.  I imagined them off celebrating and relaxing and they were giving thanks to all those who had made their wedding special for them.  They are a kind and considerate couple.  It was a privilege to have had them grace my life.  I wish them many many blessings!

Joseph and Kara on April 9th at All Saints Chapel in Raleigh

Kara sits with her grandmother while pictures are being taken after their wedding ceremony.

Joseph and Kara wanted to emphasize their love for their families in their wedding ceremony, and their love for the larger family they create together. They have been together five years, appreciating how each other is down to earth, solid, and their best friend.

They loved All Saints Chapel in Raleigh not only because it's so lovely, but also because they could have their reception downstairs , catered by the wonderful Unforgettable Food Affairs, and DJ'ed by Timothy of Diamond Entertainment.

Here are Joseph and his groomsmen in front of All Saints Chapel.

The altar looked beautiful with their unity candle on it and votive candles surrounding it.

Their pictures were taken by Robert Filcsik Photography and I hope to have some of these instead of my meager DROID pictures soon. Their florist was Petals Florist out of Garner with Diane, their friend, decorating the chapel. And while I'm at it, Maureen Mashburn (The Cake Lady, 919-772-8084) provided their cake.

Ava and Blake, their Flower Girl and Ring Bearer, were so wonderful and just as the right age to be delighted to be a part of the ceremony.

This is our photographer Robert taking my picture with Kara and Joseph after the ceremony.

They went on their honeymoon is a cabin in Gatlinburg, TN and I hope had a wonderful time. I wish them all the best for a love that blesses all the lives they touch!

Talitha and JC Wed on Nov 4th at All Saints

Talitha and JC married on November 4th on a Thursday evening at 5:45pm at All Saints Chapel in Raleigh. This was a special date since Nov 6th would be their 5th anniversary of being together. They had their dinner reception in the reception room there at All Saints, catered by The Pit. Their cake was supplied by Simply Cakes. That way all of their 80 guests would be in one place, wouldn't have to find another location in the dark, and JC and Talitha could maximize enjoying everyone there. And everything went wonderfully.

I think that a good part of it must have been their wonderful nature - as well as good planning on their part, of course.

Thanks to J and J Photography from Chapel Hill for providing these wonderful pictures of their ceremony.

I love All Souls Chapel for the warm and stunning architecture, the great lighting, the beautiful camera angles and their great staff.

Coming from different faith backgrounds, Catholic and Baptist, Talitha and JC were sure they wanted a non-denominational ceremony but weren't sure of the options possible for their ceremony. It was fun planning their ceremony with them. They're fun people who are sure to be successful in their marriage because they are so easy going and generous of spirit.

From my resources they chose a beautiful poem by an anonymous author:

True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And non can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love hold with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.

We pronounced them wed with the words, 'And so, JC and Talitha, having chosen one another from among all those in this world, having declared and witnessed your love before us, and having bound your pledge with the exchange of rings, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.'

Then we allowed time for everyone to get in place so they could be thoroughly bubbled on the way out of the chapel.

Then before almost anyone had a chance to go anywhere, we got a group photo. This is another great asset to this venue - the balcony where musicians can play and photographers and video-graphers can get great shots.

I got this sweet email from Talitha after their ceremony. 'I just wanted to send a quick email thanking you for the wonderful job you did for our ceremony. We both really liked the way that it turned out and you were so easy to work with and follow throughout the ceremony. We really appreciate the energy and time you put into making our ceremony the best that it could be.
Thanks again for everything!
Talitha and JC'

I so appreciate it when a couple sends a thank you. For all the wedding professionals I know, including myself, it's a labor of love to be a part of their wedding. And it's so thoughtful of the bride and groom to be aware of that. I wish them all the best. And I'm sure their next 50 years will be like their last 5 - full of love!

Jeff and Margart Celebrate their Wedding on July 17th

I'm very grateful when wonderful couples I've married introduce me to other wonderful couples to marry. And that is how I met Jeff and Margaret. They're a couple with busy professional lives. Jeff is in graduate school at NC state in school counseling and Margaret works for a pharmaceutical company, yet they had time to meet in July of 2007 in downtown Raleigh where Margaret had arrived in a rickshaw. Now that's entering in style.

After they began dating, they always had a lot to talk about and their affection just kept growing. They found out that their parents both live in Georgia about thirty minutes drive from each other, where Margaret grew up. Then they discovered that they both love football and love traveling to the games. They found out they traveled well together (a real sign as far as I'm concerned) and that their friends meshed.

They're both easy going low stress people who don't take themselves too seriously. And I can tell you that they're also very generous of spirit and considerate - to each other, and to others.

I can't tell you how many people have commented to Ruben and I how they notice that we are very considerate of each other. And I'm amazed that they find it unusual. I love being grateful for Ruben and showing it. And I could tell and was delighted to see that Margaret and Jeff are also very considerate people. It bodes well for their marriage. I believe that consideration comes from cherishing the other and being grateful for them in your life. It in itself is an act of love.


All Saints Chapel, a lovely restored 19th century chapel, in downtown Raleigh was a wonderful spot for them to marry. It exudes a simple gentle spirituality. The stained glass windows add a special light to the setting, too. We opened Jeff and Margaret's ceremony was a request that people silently, from the depths of their hearts, offer up their own blessings and prayers for Jeff and Margaret and their new life together. This moment of silence filled the hall with joyful reverence.

Sarah at All Saints coordinated our efforts there and was a big help, especially given the size of their wedding party. We also must thank Rusty Worden who took their photographs, although the ones you see here were taken by me or by their friends. (It's just taking a little time for Jeff and Margaret to decide on the official shots they'd like.) Rusty is a very skilled photographer who I've worked with before. You see him here setting up a shot after the ceremony in this picture I took from the balcony.

All Saints has this wonderful balcony that you can fill with guests or just take pictures from. It offers such a unique vantage point. Especially if you're a more skilled photographer than I am. It's also where they have their sound system located.

Margaret and Jeff's wedding party was large and close knit - made up of long term friends who came from all over the United States to celebrate their day with them. The couple I married last year were in the wedding and now live in Michigan. On this hot July day, I think they were grateful for at least the weather there.


Jim Unger from Joe Bunn DJ Company was our DJ for the music for the ceremony and Julie Carlson Liles, the owner of CDI Florals in Holly Springs provided the flowers.

The reception was held at Marbles, the kid's museum, walking distance from the chapel. I didn't attend. I always want to come home to Ruben. I imagine that it was wonderful. How could it not be? Here are some shots from there.




I got this note from Jeff about a week after their wedding: 'We are back from the honeymoon and have been busy moving the past three days! Makes us definitely long for a return to the Caribbean where just last week we were lounging in the sun! Thank you so much for all of your help and for leading a wonderful ceremony for us. We are so grateful for your help and guidance and for the support of all of our family and friends who were there with us. ...

Thanks again so much!

Jeff and Margaret

I want to thank them, too. My heart smiles whenever I think of them!

Joseph and AnnMarie Wed at All Saints Chapel in Downtown Raleigh

The first time I talked to AnnMarie on the phone I was charmed by the laugh in her voice. She told me that she and Joe wanted an intimate ceremony focused on their love and their love of their families. They wouldn't be having a traditional wedding party, she said, but wanted to involve families more directly than other ceremonies they'd been to. Almost everyone would be coming from out of town. And since everyone there was important to both them, they didn't want to leave anyone out. These were the people they loved, standing up with them, hearing their vows and supporting them in their love.

I also felt another connection with AnnMarie. She's a middle school language arts teacher. My Sweetheart, Ruben, is a middle school science teacher. I know how hard middle school teachers work. They have to educate both the parents and the kids who, at that age, have much of their being occupied trying to figure what their body is doing to them. Middle school teachers have a calling that I respect big time. Joe's an engineer who has been in the US Air Force. They both have an integrity that shines through them.

When I first met them, I was delighted to know that I'd be the one marrying them. They'd met each other three years before when they lived in different cities but by Spring of 2010 not only they, but both their families were all settled in North Carolina. What an affirmation of closeness.

This would be a family affair. Even the pianist, Erica, is a good friend, offering her gift of music to their wedding. And her friend Alissa, was their volunteer coordinator, ensuring that the day's events ran smoothly.

Joe and Ann Marie decided to have their ceremony at All Saints Chapel in downtown Raleigh, and it seemed to fit them perfectly. It's such an intimate setting and has simple timeless beauty in each polished beam. Plus the location was perfect. Everyone could walk to the Cafe Luna for the reception. I offer these pictures of the chapel so you can see too how lovely it is and how it suited them.

All these wonderful pictures were taken by Robert Filcsik of Filcsik Photography. Aren't they wonderful! I'm so glad that Joe and AnnMarie will have these moments captured forever.

Here is looking from the back to the front where I'm standing.









Here is a picture looking to the back of the chapel.

Here is a picture from the balcony. An added bonus for the photographer. At a different wedding I did at this chapel, the photographer took a group shot from the balcony right after the ceremony.




Joseph escorted his mother into the sanctuary followed by his father, and Ann Marie entered with both her parents. Then we offered a prayer of blessing for AnnMarie and Joe and their new life together asking God for a loving and bountiful blessing on their marriage.


Joe's mother read a beautiful translation of the portion of Paul's 1st Letter to the Corinthians that talks about love. If you decide to have this read at your wedding, I suggest that you compare the translations to find the one you like. They are all lovely but can vary a lot. And isn't this a wonderful hat moment for Joseph's mom. We women don't get near enough hat moments so we have to make them memorable. Hers was great.


The woman who made AnnMarie's wedding dress made the tie that we used for the handfasting from the same material as the dress, with the same appliques. It was perfect. I loved how they drank in each moment in their ceremony, fully present to each other and to the day. With their good friends and families close by, they were surrounded by love and you could feel it tangibly.

Some times couples are so nervous that they aren't able to drink in the love and support that surrounds them. AnnMarie and Joseph could. They showed this too in 'the kiss.' I tell couples not to let it go too quickly or the photographer will miss it. Joe didn't lose his opportunity for a full on smooch with accompanying dip of AnnMarie in classic romantic grandeur. We all loved it, and AnnMarie loved it and was sure surprised.

I sense that this is a part of what they offer to the world in their callings and in the fullness of their love. I imagine that their lives will always have that same exuberance I saw on this day. I wish them much joy.

I never go to the reception, preferring to come home to my Sweetheart, Ruben, but I wanted to honor the other wedding professionals at the reception that helped to make AnnMarie and Joe's wedding just what they wanted it to be. Wedding professionals tend to love what they do. It makes them fun to work with and very good at what they do.

At the reception, the DJ was Patrick Cooke of PC productions, the cake was made by Sweet Memories Bakery in Apex, the florist was Renee Becker from The Flower Cupboard, and AnnMarie's makeup was by Make-up Art by Jenny.

When they got back from their honeymoon I got this great note from AnnMarie:

'Thank you so much for all that you have done for us! We feel blessed to have had you with us on our day. I am especially appreciative of your calming and guiding influence. I can't even put into words how reassuring the looks were that you gave us as we went through the ceremony. You really did transform the space into something sacred. It happened like magic. And that kiss! I tried to plan one out, but Joe told me, "No way!" He wanted to surprise me on that day! He sure did! LOL! '

May their lives be full of many such loving surprises. I have a hunch it will be.

First Posting - Spring Weddings

May and June have been busy months for me. May and October compete for the busiest wedding months in the year in the NC Triangle and Triad. These months are beautiful, but in this area that also means a little anxiety about weather. There are some glorious days, some wet days and some days where we need creative ways to plan for the heat.

In this first blog entry I'll describe the April and May weddings that I have photos for. I'm still figuring out how to get pictures more quickly. The pictures will tell most of the story. I'm also available for questions. Simply check out my web site at www.RobinRenteria.com or call me at 919-818-6362.

On April 18th, Bethany and Jesse were married at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. It was stunning. They were in the Bryan Courtyard which is serene and protected. Their staff is incredibly professional and goes out of its way to help their couples.

During the ceremony the couple participated in the sand ceremony. Two smaller dishes of colored sand and one larger empty vase were located on a small table behind them. We were careful to take our time and make sure that Bethany didn't trip on her train as she navigated turning in her dress.

They chose to have no attendants standing with them. This simple elegant ceremony was perfect for this couple who spoke of their love for exploring life together in travel, studying wines, and especially in the challenges of raising their new puppy. Rachel, the wedding planner, from Bliss by Sam was an incredible help in ensuring that all the details were handled so that the couple could relax and enjoy their ceremony.

These are the times I cherish. Jesse and Bethany had completed their ceremony and felt that it went just the way they wanted. Their marriage began with blessing and beauty. Their photographs were taken by a dear friend, Titus Heagins.


On April 25th I had the honor of performing a small ceremony for Corey and Kimberley at Clemmons Educational State Forest in Clayton, NC. They wanted to formalize the love they'd been sharing for many years with their children and their families. The forest has a small amphitheater tucked into the woods, just perfect for such an occasion. They had gotten one of the shelters for their reception. It was a beautiful day and still a little cool. They planned wisely to have the ceremony at 11 AM to provide some natural air conditioning. They chose the Celtic hand-fasting as part of their ceremony and their two children were their attendants. Their friends helped create the picnic which was a wonderful culmination to a day that celebrated their years of dedication and commitment to their relationship and their children.

I had never met this couple before their wedding day. Kimberley and I had several rich conversations in which I got to know them just a little bit and respect them a lot. Conversations and email make long distance planning not only possible but successful.


On April 25th, I also officiated at another small family ceremony in Hillsborough, NC for Julie and Sean. It was held at the home of a friend of Julie's, chosen for her generosity of spirit and her beautiful front yard. Julie and Sean, Julie's son Tristan, Sean's brother, their much loved dog, and two friends (one of whom was the photographer) were in attendance. Everyone was excited to have the day arrive.

Their dog's collar was beaded and elastic and he left it alone. Mostly. He was a wonderful spirit during the ceremony, keeping it lighthearted and playful.


On May 2nd, I performed the marriage ceremony for Kate and John at Bass Lake in Holly Spring, NC. They were right on the water feeling the breeze and the sparkle. Robin Lin Photography created wonderful images of the day. There's one on my web site! Elissa Keno of Elissa Keno Weddings was the planner and decorator extraordinaire who transformed the Visitor's Center Conference Room at Bass Lake which looks over the water into an elegant reception site.

Jay and Kate did all their planning long distance from Arizona! But with so many able professionals it went off without a hitch.

As a part of their ceremony they chose the Unity Candle Ceremony. One note, the breeze off the lake was fairly intense so we had to modify the ceremony so that candles blowing out was not an issue. I recommend to all couples who choose this ceremony to make sure there is hurricane glass around the candles so that the symbolism isn't lost in the wind.

You can see below how just a little decoration really makes the setting spectacular.
They also had the benefit of shade, especially important for the men whose suits don't breathe. I have said for years that anyone who invents men's formal wear that breathes will make a fortune. As the old Yiddish saying goes, 'From my lips to God's ear.'

May was a flurry with multiple weddings every weekend. Gratefully, every single one went smoothly in every aspect. With this first, and catch-up, blog, I'll highlight just two more. Then do more over the weekend.

As I blog regularly, I'll provide more pictures, tips, and recommendations. Officiating at ceremonies is a real joy. I was a parish minister for twelve years and doing strictly weddings, premarital counseling, and other rites of passage allows me to concentrate on each couple or family, giving them all my experience and my blessings as we pass through each others lives.

On May 16th I performed the marriage ceremony for Kyle and Adrian at All Saint's Chapel in Raleigh.

It's a classic setting with incredible lighting just the right size for a mid-size wedding. Misty Ash, their staff member coordinating for the day was very helpful. The refurbished dressing rooms below were spacious and cool on this hot day. We could really have used a wedding planner to help everyone line up in the small foyer. But, with a little extra attention during the rehearsal we planned for the whole wedding party in this tight space. Just a note to remember if you choose this great setting.

Adrian and Kyle live in Charlotte and wanted a simple elegant ceremony. They held their reception at The North Carolina Museum of Art. I've provided a link below to their gallery of photos. For their photos after the ceremony, Kyle and Adrian used the picturesque cemetery across the street from the chapel. It is the oldest cemetery in Raleigh.

Here is a classic photo that maximizes the benefit of the great lighting at this location.

Adrian and Kyle had Craig take a picture from the balcony of this wonderful renovated chapel to get a picture of all their guests. I made an announcement right after the couple recessed to tell everyone to gather for a quick photo before they went to the reception and the wedding party and their families went across the street for other photos.









All these great photos were taken by Craig Carpenter at
LusterStudios.com. You can find more on the
photo gallery at their web site or on his blog.



Adrian and Kyle wanted to celebrate their closeness to their families and friends in this ceremony.

If there was a theme for this day it was sharing the amazing grace of Kyle and Adrian's love for each other





On May 23rd Mandy and Josh were married at the Haywood Hall in Raleigh at 5 PM in the evening. It's an historic house that is located on a cul de sac and has a large brick paved side patio that is perfect for the reception.

Mandy and Josh met at a student mixer at Western Lanes Bowling Alley between lanes 1 and 2 and their courtship began there. They've both since completed their MBAs and created new careers but the delight they share as best friends is still strong. Tom Edwards of New Image Studio took the following marvelous photos.

They had about 100 people at the ceremony which was in the downtown section of Raleigh with parks and restored homes. It was shady and cool. The DJ was Frank with Joe Bunn Co. which provided music for the ceremony by just pointing the speakers toward the front. They were simply turned around for the reception. There's more to show for this beautiful wedding, but I need to publish this right now. These photos are big and I believe I've maxed out of space!