Nick and Lora - What a Joyful Wedding

 Lora and Nicholas married at the pergola at Duke Gardens on May 19th.  They planned it all way from Wilmington and created an amazing ceremony.  Then, after pictures, they are their families and guests celebrated at The Stockroom in downtown Raleigh.  

Thank you to Megan Gielow of Lime Green Photography for these wonderful photographs.  And thanks to harpist Marilyn Weinard of Carolina Harp for her wonderful renditions of the 'Hornpipe', 'Dreams of Spring,' and 'All You Need is Love'  on the harp.


While we'd only planned by phone, Lora and Nick let their personality shine in our conversations.  They'd known each other for 10 years, dating a little in high school and never forgetting.   But only finding each other later and really getting serious in 2005.  Still very much in love, now was the perfect time to marry.

Nick and Lora were so thoughtful of their guests and I so appreciated it.  It was a hot muggy NC summer day.  The hottest we have had so far this year, and this water was a gift to all.  I had to include a picture, it was so refreshing!

I also have to laud their common sense.  Notice how the attendants aren't wearing their suit jackets.  Much more comfortable.  And don't they look sharp.

Lora's father walked her up the steps from the direction of the fish pond with lots of bystanders just watching.  As I remember it was family day at the gardens besides being a pretty day so it was even more crowded.

Lora and Nick wrote their own vows and we all smiled at their playful, loving, and tender words.

She vowed to trust him, he vowed to be worthy of her trust, she vowed to always appreciate the little things, he vowed to leave her unexpected notes to make her smile.  She vowed to kiss him goodnight.  He vowed to kiss her each morning.  And there was more that I won't tell you now but that are equally endearing from a couple who know each other very well.

Please take a moment to look at all of Megan's photographs.  Not only does she capture this very loving couple in their element, but she shows how Duke Gardens is at it's best when embracing love.










Catering Works was Lora's florist with this fragrant rose bouquet.

And this picture really fits them.  I'm glad they have that one to remember to lavish love upon each other all their lives.

Here is the sweet note that I got from them after they returned from their honeymoon:  'Robin-

The wedding was so perfect, and you played such a wonderful role in that. You have such a sweet smile and disposition and it reflected throughout the ceremony.  Our guests had wonderful comments about you and the ceremony in general. The reception was gorgeous as well, and went so smoothly. We just got back from Disney and had a great time. ..... Will be in touch soon, but thank you once more.    -The Calos'

They were a delight in my life.  I feel so blessed in the couples I meet and marry.  What a joy!

Matt and Alli Light up the Day at the Horace Williams House

Alli and Matt wanted a small wedding and the Horace Williams House in Chapel Hill provided the perfect venue for the 50 plus guests of friends and family.  I've done lots of ceremonies there over the years and it adapts well to many needs.  ( I even did a ceremony years ago under the branches of the Magnolia tree on their yard.  We all climbed into the little cave created by the massive branches, about 9 of us, and felt that we were in a chapter from Tolkein's 'The Lord of The Ring' trilogy.)

Matt and Alli chose the front porch of the house in the sunshine, and it was a gorgeous day.  Almost everyone had traveled to NC to be with them.  They're both in, or have been in science programs at UNC so Chapel Hill is their home now.  They met in 2004 at a summer internship together.

Alli and Matt both have a dry easy low key wit.  They connected over cooking and their shared senses of humor so decided to have a quote from Julia Child's 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' because, as Julia says, 'Cooking is like love; it should be entered into with abandon or not at all.'

I also loved their music choices and their musician.  Local classical guitarist, Matthew Kanon was wonderful, and he played 'Grow Old With Me' by John Lennon for the processional and 'Here Comes The Sun' by The Beatles for the recessional.

They had their cocktail hour at the Horace Williams House ...

 

and then everyone walked downtown, or rode, to The Franklin Hotel for the reception with Greg Ramsey from Joe Bunn DJ Company and I'm sure a wonderful cake by Sugarland Bakery in Chapel Hill.  Alli's and her attendant's flowers were made by Charles House at University Florist.


  
Carisa Chee was their fabulous photographer. .Here's the link to the slideshow of 9 of her pictures for Matt and Alli's wedding on WeddingChannel.com:  Enjoy.  http://galleries.weddingchannel.com/Wedding-Details/87562/view.aspx?id=87562&type=18

I loved having Matt and Alli in my life for that short time.  They are easy low stress people.  They even had their photos taken before the ceremony so they could relax and enjoy their guests after the ceremony.  Their ceremony was a sweet moment on a lovely NC spring day.  I'm so glad I was there with them.  I wish them many many blessings!

Billy and Allison Marry at the Rand Bryan House in Garner

On March 19th, I had the privilege of marrying Billy and Allison at the Rand Bryan House in Garner. You never know what it will be like in March but they had a fabulous day as evident by all the phlox in bloom. And I only have my few pictures taken with my Droid but I wanted to celebrate them and help you celebrate their love, too. Katy Warner from Cary was their wonderful photographer and when we get her pictures I'll add some to this post.


As always, the Rand-Bryan House is a wonderful intimate venue. Our musicians, led by Gregory Ortiz were on the right side on the porch and we stood right at the top of the steps. Then Ken Holmes with Joe Bunn DJ provided the music for the reception to be held indoors. Thanks too to Catering Works for the catering, the flowers, and the wedding cookies.

Here's the side yard of Rand-Bryan. They could use all of it on this pretty day.

They're very different folk which is always fun to affirm. She's from Northern Jewish roots and he is from Southern Baptist roots. They describe themselves as polar opposites.and so their love has been rich in discovery. They've been dating six years and met through an acquaintance who kept saying to Allison, 'You have to meet my best friend's son.' I love it when this works. It always amazes me how often our friends are right.

Allison says that Bily has great passion for life and she sees the world differently now through his eyes. She's more accepting of others and she's a better person from knowing him. Billy said his choice was between a 'fast food life' and 'Allison's way' and he chose Allison's way and it taught him to care more about his future. With their border collie, Jonah, they are explorintg life together.

We called upon the divine, in all the ways it is known, to bless Allison and Billy's marriage. They chose the hand ceremony as part of their wedding ritual which I love, which ends...'and lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still b reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.'

I wish them many blessings and know that, many years from now, they'll still have the same twinkle in their eyes that they do today, inspired by their love for each other and the largeness of life they experience together. Hallelujah and Mazel Tov.