Great Joy Marrying Andy and Jean at Spruce Pine Lodge in Bahama

Thanks to John Elkins of John Elkins Photography in Durham for these wonderful shots.  It was a genuine joy marrying Andy and Jean.  They seemed to be having a great time, too.  They were also uniting their families into one.  They have an exuberant, chaotic, joyful bunch of kids that are also polite and respectful when needed, and who are all truly happy for them.  So getting everyone together with the special intention of celebrating Andy and Jean's love was a treat for everyone.  This sign they had at their reception seemed to fit them well.

They had their ceremony and Reception at Spruce Pine Lodge in Bahama.  It's owned by the City of Durham so is not too expensive, and it has lovely facilities for weddings less than 100 guests.  I've been marrying couples there for 20 years and highly recommend it.  

It was just right for Jean and Andy.

I first met with them and some of their children in January to plan their May wedding.  They were all already enjoying the process.  The only parent there would be Andy's mom.  She's special to Jean, too, and we included a special part in the ceremony to honor her.

As a part of their vows they said to each other, 'I give you my hand, my heart, and my love from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.  They had a family sand ceremony which I hope to have pictures of soon.  

Each child had his or her own color sand and Jean and Andy poured some sand before them and after them symbolizing that their love is the foundation for their family, and protects and shelters their family, too.  I loved it.

I need to advise some couples at how to kiss at their wedding but not Andy and Jean.

Andy's brothers were his attendants, everyone kidding him all during the rehearsal.  Jean's son, Tommy, walked her down the aisle.  And their daughters Ashley, Jasmine, and Heather were some of her attendants.  It was definitely a family affair.

Jean sent me this lovely note after their ceremony, 'Hi Robin,

Thanks for the beautiful ceremony!!! It felt so surreal like I was in a perfect dream. Everyone   spoke highly of you. ....Many blessings to you and your family. Jean'  And she signed it with her married surname.  Definitely sweet.  I love looking at their pictures.  They are all joyful loving people.  It was a treat to have them in my life at this special time.

Jonathan and Olivia Marry on a Gorgeous Day in Her Grandparents Back Yard

Thank you to John Elkins of John Elkins Photography in Hillsborough for the wonderful pictures.  I've worked with John several times and he is always so easy to work with and so prompt in getting the pictures back to the couple and to family and guests.  It makes it more fun not to have to wait too long.

And this couple was a treat to marry.  They found me because they like the spiritual ceremony that I have on my web site and we took it from there.  They wanted a memorable ceremony that honored her grandparents who had raised her and his parents.  His father was his best man.  They wanted it to be fun and they wanted those who love them to be proud of them.

They describe themselves as down home North Carolina people who wanted something simple, sweet and real.  They indeed are just a loving couple who had been together four years and now were ready to deepen their love in marriage.  Olivia says that she thanks God everyday for her life and the love she's found with Jonathan.  She's very bubbly and talkative and Jonathan is very quiet yet attentive to everything said.  They are growing their love intentionally and together.  I loved being a part of their wedding.

 Carmen, their Flower Girl, is in the tutu.  What a great outfit.  If only I were young enough to wear one of those.  I love the royal blue for this exceptional Spring day.  It was so vibrant.
Dylan, aged 3, was their Ring Bearer and also did a stellar job.  You can see him in the last picture with everyone in the wedding party.

 Olivia and Jonathan chose the poem 'Love' by Roy Croft to be read at their ceremony.  One line I especially love is the line 'you are helping me to make out of the works of my everyday not a reproach, but a song.'  For some couples this poem holds special meaning, the couples who are intentional in their commitment to grow their love through all that life brings their way.  Jonathan and Olivia are that kind of couple.  I admire that in them.

Olivia and Jonathan chose the vows, 'I take you to be my wife/husband, to love and to cherish, to honor and to comfort you, to stand by you in sorrow and in joy, to be both your lover and your closest friend.' Then they completed a sand ceremony honoring that their lives are now inextricably joined.

 After ending the ceremony with the Lord's Prayer, I invited them to share their first kiss as husband and wife.

Then joyfully presented them to their family and friends for the first time as a married couple.

 I loved the way they kept their ceremony simple and low key, yet also elegant and uniquely them.  Brandon, Olivia's brother was their DJ, and as I left the food was coming out from the kitchen and the barbecue so that everyone could dig in.

I loved marrying these two and wish them all the happiness in the world.