Nick and Jess Mary Under the Sunflowers at The Angus Barn

 On Labor Day weekend I had the great pleasure of marrying Nick and Jess at The Angus Barn Pavilion.  I'm so blessed. The Universe only sends me the most wonderful couples.   Jess and Nick had known each other 4 years by the wedding day after meeting as graduate students at Duke.  They are close to their family and friends and have fun with all of them.  They wanted a fun, participative wedding honoring the people they love, acknowledging that they are joining their families and asking their family and friends for their support throughout their marriage. 

The Angus Barn site couldn't have been more lovely for their wedding.  A special Thank you to Cade Bowman of Cade Bowman Photography for these superb photographs.  They are as clear and bright as the couple and capture their exuberance so well.  And thanks to Ashley Whittington, the coordinator with Angus Barn.  I've worked with her many times and she always does her job with style, grace and professionalism.  In the picture below Morgan and Hannah, Jess's niece and nephew, do their part to make the ceremony special.  In addition to carrying down the rings, Morgan did something that was a first in my wedding experience; as he finished walking down the aisle he hand delivered a note to Nick from Jess for his eyes only.  Nick read it quickly and you could tell it touched his heart.  It was a lovely gesture.

The Angus Barn has the dilemma of being close to the airport with the noise of airplanes taking off and landing easily heard throughout a ceremony.  I always just pause and let the noise die down, but Nick and Jess had a wonderful idea to help shift this from an annoyance to a joy.  On the stand with their programs they put a sign that said, and I paraphrase, 'It is said that the number of planes taking off and landing during Jess and Nick's wedding will determine the number of curly headed children they will have.'

Nick and Jess chose one of my favorite quotes by Madelaine L'engle to include in their ceremony, 'Ultimately two people who love each other must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take.  ...  It is indeed a fearful gamble.'  The quote goes on to speak of love that is participation, not possession, ending with... 'When love is not possession but participation, then it is part of that co-creation which is our human calling.'

 Nick and Jess have lots of siblings so their wedding party was a family affair, too.  We included a special thank you to Jess and Nick's parents and siblings saying that without their love and support, this marriage would not, could not be possible.  In the ceremony Jess's Uncle and Godfather read with great tenderness the 'Blessing of the Hands.'  Then I ended the final blessing upon Jess and Nick's wedding with 'May you have happiness and may you find it making one another happy.  May you have love and may you find it loving one another.'  I have no doubts that this couple is well suited in heart and spirit to do just that.

Here is their wedding party after the ceremony.  It includes Jess's three sisters and Nick's three brothers.  

 I didn't stay for the reception, preferring always to come home to my own husband so I had to rely on the fabulous pictures that Cade took.

I'm always impressed how the pavilion can transform to this elegant space, filled with life.

 Kelly Odom Flowers was the florist who created Jessica's bouquet and all the other flowers at the wedding.  Arioso Strings provided beautiful classical selections for the ceremony.  They are both wonderful professionals.

I got this thank you from them after their wedding:  'Thank you so much Robin - we had a fantastic honeymoon that capped off just an amazing weekend with friends and family. It was everything we hoped it would be. Thank you for your part in making our day so special, Jess.'
Thank you Universe, and thank you Nick and Jess.  I couldn't ask for a better way to spend the holiday than at your wedding!

Will and Margot Wed With Great Joy at The Angus Barn Pavilions

 Will and Margot were a joy in my life.  I got to spend some time with them which made their wedding at The Angus Barn Pavilions in Raleigh even sweeter for me.  They're a great couple, considerate of each other, clear communicators, with a good perspective and joyful spirits.  We created a ceremony that focused on their love and their love for their families.  They've been together over 7 years and are both close to their siblings and their parents.   They chose Billy Joel's lyrics 'Just The Way You Are' as part of their ceremony and the Irish Wedding Blessing.  Both fit them perfectly.


Classical guitarist Scott Neibauer with Arioso Strings offered lovely renditions of Bach's 'Prelude from Suite 1,'  Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy,' and the Beatles' 'Here Comes The Sun' as their processional music.

I loved the words we chose to say about their marriage:  "For Margot and Will, marriage is a commitment to life - to be the best that two people can find and bring out in each other.  It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a joining that is promised for a lifetime.'

Will proposed in Pittsburgh at the top on the incline overlooking the city.  It was a rainy day and both families were in the covered shelter in the know about why he and Margot were outside alone in the gusting wind, even though the proposal was a surprise to Margot.  Will planned it well and it was just right for them.  You can see their faces light up when they talk about it.

Jason Dail was their excellent photographer, their florist was Cornelia Vick, the band was White Chocolate from East Coast Entertainment and their videographer was Philip McInnis from Twenty-One Films, LLC.  I loved crediting good professionals.  They make it all come together smoothly.  Special thanks goes to Ashley Whittington with Angus Barn for her fabulous coordination.  I've worked with Ashley before and she is gracious, professional and thorough.  


They have a Basset Hound named Buddy and a couple of nutty cats.  They know how to create a home and a life full of love.  

They brought love into my life and I send it right back to them.  May their life be blessed.  They're the kind of folks who pass it on to others.


When they got back from their honeymoon I got the following pictures that friends had taken and this sweet note: 

'Will and I could not be more pleased with how everything went on Saturday. You were amazing (and everybody else thinks so as well), and everything went so well. The sound problem was only a minor glitch and I think we all handled it very well. I cannot believe we didn't have any planes fly over! How amazing is that?!

 

I have attached a few pictures from the reception. It was a blast and I want to do it all again! I will be sure to send you Jason's pictures once they are available.

 

I am glad you enjoyed our video of pictures; it was really important to us to have as much of a personal feel to the wedding as possible. I think we did a great job of it :)

 

Thank you again for EVERYTHING. You have been amazing to us and are surely someone we will never forget.'

Their first dance...

Their wedding party...

 Margot playing the guitar.  Will's nickname for her is Big Red.

 Margot beaming at the reception.  Of couse they were beaming all day.

 Margot and her mother.

 

They both have dear families.  There was lots of love and caring at their wedding.  It was a joy to be a part of!  Blessed Be!

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.

Chad and Jill Marry at The Angus Barn Pavillons

In late April Chad and Jill married at the Angus Barn. We were so lucky. A storm front was moving in so we started the wedding a little early and were grateful to have the reception well in hand before it arrived. Thank you to the wonderful staff at The Angus Barn for helping us start a little early to ensure good weather. Luckily Chad and Jill had arranged that guests have cocktails at the pavilion before the ceremony to be followed by a sunset ceremony. So everyone was already there.

Kevin Milz, their wonderful photographer, captured these amazing pictures of the ceremony. See his blog for more pictures. I thank him for sending these to me.

I love this venue first because it's so spacious. The vista over the water is lovely, yet it's quieter than a public venue on a lake. There's room for a large wedding party without it feeling cramped (Chad and Jill had eight attendants on each side) and room for lots of guests. Then the reception site has two open walls for a full outdoor feeling, but a field stone fireplace and wood paneling for that cozy warm natural materials feeling.

I was delighted for Chad and Jill. They had a wonderful spark between them and were interested in growing together and making their marriage the best it could be. They had put tremendous thought and care into their planning. Our only disappointment was that Chad's parents could not come down to NC at the last minute because of complications in his mother's health.

They chose the wonderful classic poetry of Lord Byron (She Walks in Beauty) and Anne Bradstreet (To My Dear and Loving Husband) to be read by two dear friends of theirs who are themselves happily married. And I loved their vows which included: 'I take you with all of your faults and your strengths, as I offer myself to you with all of my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.'

They also chose wonderfully upbeat music for their ceremony: Chad, the best man, and I entered to Cream's 'Sunshine of Your Love,' the Bride's mother entered to James Taylor's 'How Sweet It Is', the wedding party entered to Peter Gabriel's 'In Your Eyes,' and Jill entered on Tom Petty's 'Here Comes My Girl.' We all loved it.

I wish them all the best and hope I run across them in the future. They both had a wonderful twinkle in their eyes every time I saw them and I bet it will still be there.