Kourosh and Lauren Marry at St. David's Chapel in Raleigh

It's been a long while since I've done a blog.  I traveled much of the summer then life picked up at a quick pace with many wonderful couples.  I wanted to make sure to take a special moment to honor Kourosh and Lauren in my life.  They were a delight, I loved getting to know them and to learn about their love for each other, their love for their families and friends, and their generosity to all who know them.

Some couples especially touch your life in a way that heartens your faith in the future.  Lauren and Kourosh were one such couple.

Thanks to Robyn of Robyn Van Dyke Photography for these wonderful pictures!  I so appreciate having them.

They both share a sense of humor and a deep sense of play, as you can tell by Kourosh's great smile as he's seeing Lauren in her dress for the first time.

Their wedding was held in gorgeous St. David's Chapel at St. David's School in Raleigh on May 10th of this year.  That ceremony was preceded by a Persian Ceremony on the same day.  They were very married by the end of the day!

I loved officiating their ceremony in this chapel because it felt spacious and wide open, like their love.   The chapel is so lovely.  You can see how unique it is with the seating to the side. 

They both come from closer families and both sets of their parents are still married.  Their parents are neighbors and their sisters are best friends, and excited to now be family.  Here is Kourosh shaking Lauren's father's hand.

 We had special words of appreciation for their parents and asked each family to affirm and support their choice of partners, which they did joyfully!  They are smiling at their parents at this moment.

 In their ceremony we offered these words: 'In the Persian and Christian traditions, marriage is a sign of God's intention for wholeness in all creation.  That creative purpose is still at work.  The joining together of two persons into one unique, intimate, and creative unity in marriage is therefor not only a symbol but also a demonstration of the well being, and the purpose of human society.  And so, marriage is truly a celebration of God's work in creation.'

 Thanks, too, to Michael McLamb at Fleurtations for these beautiful bouquets and floral arrangements.  It takes a unique skill to create flowers to enhance a large space.  These are wonderful.

In their vows they promised to continue to cherish their union, and I have no doubt that they will.

 We also had a salt covenant as a part of their ceremony to symbolize their binding themselves to one another in an unbreakable promise of friendship, honesty, loyalty and love.

 In our blessing we said that we all offer blessings that their love, joy, and friendship will be renewed daily.  May they play and love together for a lifetime!  I send them love!

Also making their wedding day special were Paul Harris, our organist at their wedding, the North Ridge Country Club where their reception was held, DJed by Mark McNally with Joe Bunn DJ, and Danielle Ettefagh created their cake.  You can find her at Pinterest and at Classy Kids Cooking.  I bet it was a labor of love.

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.