Jabari and Janelle - A Wedding Filled with Laughter and Joy

Thank you to Cara of F8 Photo Studios for these wonderful pictures!
  
Jabari and Janelle were a delight to marry.  They seem to have fun together all the time.  They've been together 12 years and are still so in love they're a pleasure to be around.  They're very different people.  She loves to talk and comes from Long Island, and he is quiet, loving to hear her talk and from North Carolina.  But make no mistake, he talks whenever he has something to say.  They just really appreciate each other and it shows.  Their friends and families are also a treat, laughing, joking and creating a large loving crowd.  


I had the privilege of marrying them at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in downtown Raleigh in February. Thank you to their staff who did a fabulous job.  And to Ronnie, their DJ for the ceremony and reception from The Perfect Beat.

 In their ceremony we added these words which seem to really fit them. 

 'Janelle and Jabari, over the twelve years you’ve been together, you’ve grown and changed, but singly and together, to come to this day.  You have created a relationship that celebrates who each of you are – in your delightful differences, in your humor, in your shared valuing of home, family, and adventure, and in your love, which is truly a joy to those around you.'

Their sense of humor also came out in the beginning of the ceremony in which we wrote:  'If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together -  let them speak now and suffer the consequences or forever hold their peace.'  And after this light touch we got down to the serious part.  But being them, not too serious.

They moved their home right after the ceremony and went to Las Vegas for their honeymoon, and then promptly got busy with life again.  I wish them all the best.  I know that they will have a wonderful life together.  As they already do.

Jon and Jill Married at The Angus Barns

I married Jon and Jill last August at The Pavilions at Angus Barn but just happened to communicate with their wonderful photographer, Cara of F8 Photo Studios because we worked together on another wedding this January.  She graciously provided me with pictures of Jon and Jill's wedding when we'd both been too busy last year to have time to showcase their gorgeous wedding.  


It was a really hot day!  That said, it was a really wonderful day, too.  Jon and Jill seem meant for each other. It was one of those wonderful stories that we told a little about in their wedding ceremony:  'You both were surprised by love that conspired to find you in North Carolina when you’d unknowingly lived just a few blocks from each other in Chicago.  Love does truly manage to find us in unexpected places and ways. We share today in the amazing grace of your love for each other.'  The twinkle in their eyes when they talk about each other is the other real give away.


The pavilions at Angus Barns is a great place for an outdoor wedding.  And the staff is really great and responsive.  I had done another wedding there that we pushed up 1/2 hour because a rain front was moving in and I was amazed at how quickly the staff just got it all done.  Ashley, was the coordinator for Jon and Jill's wedding and was also amazing.  Their Maid of Honor got a little dizzy in the heat and the staff was right there with a golf cart to make sure she had the support she needed.


And the water always helps make everything feel a little bit cooler.

The fuzzy pictures are the ones I took.  Either it's the heat or my ability to focus my DROID. I wanted you to see the pavilions from the ceremony site.  Here everyone is walking out to be seated for the ceremony.  When it's hot, we let folks stay in the cool as long as possible.

Here's the inside of the pavilions, pristine before any of the guests arrived for the reception.

Jon entered the ceremony to the music of Colin Hay’s ‘Waiting for my Real Life to Begin.'  I love when couples find fun new music to offer.  Brian McGuire of McSound Productions was our illustrious DJ.  I was glad he had a tent over his equipment.  He's always great.

I loved their flowers and was amazed that they looked so glorious in the heat.  We have Michael McLamb of Fleurtations Weddings andEvents to thank for that.

Jon and Jill each read special words of thanks to their parents and then gave each mother a white rose.  I don't think they'd mind me sharing those words with you.

Jon said:      Mom and Dad, I don’t know if I’ve ever expressed to you how truly grateful I am for the job you did raising me.  Let’s face it – I doubt you knew what you were signing up for when I came into your lives.  But with warmth, with caring, and with great humor, you guided me, supported me, and helped me become the man that I am today.  Thank you.

Jill said:    Mom, Dad – I know I haven’t told you often enough how much you mean to me, and how proud I am to be your daughter. You have raised me from a tomboyish little girl to a mature woman with love, laughter, lots of firm discipline and the abiding belief that I could do anything I wanted to do. Thank you for your constant love and support, and I love you both very much.   

A beautiful part of the vows they shared were:  'I acknowledge my love for you and invite you to share my life as I share yours. I promise to walk by your side, to love, help and encourage you.

I will share your laughter and your tears as your partner, lover and friend.'

Thanks to Cinda Putnam of Cinda's Creative Cakes for another masterpiece!

They sent me a wonderful thank you note after they got home from their honeymoon.  'Jon and I are still on a "wedding high" - we really enjoyed our celebration and reception tremendously, and want to thank you again for being such an amazing and integral part of the whole occasion. We received many comments from guests about how much they like the ceremony and also you as the officiant, and Jon and I certainly feel the same way. It was a wonderful day, and we thank you for helping to make it all possible.'

I was delighted to be a part of their life at this special moment.  It still brings a smile to my heart.

I wish them many blessings and much love, and long life.