Dagny and Mike had been together for four years and told me that they didn't anticipate much of their day to day life changing after the wedding. They really wanted a 'celebration of us' with their family and friends. The chose The Stockroom in downtown Raleigh as their venue which gave them an intimate party feel but with more space, and it was perfect for them. I love the decorations of the three circles that they made to create a ceremony site. Catering Works did the flowers, the cake and the catering.
They were a treat to get to know. They wanted a casual, relaxed and personal ceremony and we had fun creating just that. Thanks to Michelle Gunton of Michelle Gunton Photography for these wonderful pictures. She's a joy to work with and seemed to capture their easy loving feeling so well. It's fun to showcase some of her pictures here.
I always love it when there is a spontaneous moment in the ceremony that lights everyone up with their natural smiles. I think this was a moment with the musicians.
Downtown Raleigh has such wonderful architectural features for the pictures, too. Mike and Dagny had their cocktail hour at the Mahler Art Gallery next door while they got the Stockroom . ready for the reception. I loved looking at the art and it also provided an excellent backdrop for photographs. I'm sure that you can see more on Michelle Gunton's blog post for Mike and Dagny's wedding.... here is a link to it.
I asked everyone to join me in welcoming them as a married couple. I call this the basking moment because they take a moment to receive the love and support of everyone there before the festivities begin. I'm glad to see Mike and Dagny drinking it in.
They were off to Aruba the next day leaving the rain behind. I sent much love with them. I know they'll have a wonderful life together.
Loren and Rebekah had come through lots of changes to arrive at this day. They had moved from California with her parents to North Carolina and had only grown closer in the transition. They've been together five years, after meeting through a mutual friend, and have been through other ups and downs that have seasoned their love. They moved into their own home, their first home on May 28th and life just keeps getting better. You can sure see it in their smiles.
Here on this day, at The River Ridge Golf Club, we could bring that all together in the wedding they'd waited and planned for so long. Thanks to photographer Michelle Gunton for these fabulous pictures. Elissa, the coordinator at the River Ridge was a huge blessing to the day, helping it all go smoothly. We were all really grateful!
Rebekah and Loren chose red, black and white as their colors which added a dramatic flair to all that green that surrounded them on the huge lawn before us. It focused the eye and looked lovely.
There were several people who couldn't be with us that day so we brought them into the gathering in spirit saying.... 'Today we all create a larger loving community of friends and family that transcends time and place, and which richly informs the timeless love that Loren and Rebekah share.'
They chose The Hands Ceremony which brought tears to many eyes, their own included, and seemed to fit them perfectly. Then they couldn't have been more delighted when all their family and friends yelled out together, 'We, your family and friends, now pronounce you husband and wife.'
After their reception with friends and family who'd come from all over the US and the UK, they were off to Paris for 10 days. They're delightful fun-loving people and I wish for them that the joie de vivre they have now lasts all their days. 
I love it when you can tell a couple is really having fun at their wedding. Not just after the ceremony but before and during the ceremony, too. Amanda and David were like that. They didn't let any nervousness dampen their delight. And it was a wonderful occasion.
Just look how David is beaming as he's watching Amanda enter.
Crenshaw Hall was lovely and set just the right tone for them.
Not only the ceremony site but this beautiful restored home gave them the classic feel they wanted.
Another thing that they did is to hire great people so that they didn't need to worry.
Gail Stephenson and Heather Irvin at Premiere Catering were a joy to work with. Gail had even guided the rehearsal, and on that Saturday, she and Heather were everywhere checking on details. Here they are as the couple are getting pictures taken after the ceremony, checking on final details for the reception.
Michelle Gunton took these marvelous photographs of their wedding and gave me some to show to you. She is always wonderful to work with, skilled and patient. Their DJ was from Joe Bunn DJ, Co. whose staff always does a great job. Their cake was from Ambrosia Cakes and their florist was Darryl Senter, who I think is related to Amanda's mother.
David and Amanda have known each other for ten years. They began dating in high school, and bought a house together in 2008. They're comfortable easy going, genuine people who didn't want anything stuffy or boring or drawn out. And I agreed! They wanted a comfortable fun ceremony that people would enjoy, especially their families, who they're both very close to. In fact Amanda's Matron of Honor was her mother.
They asked for classy but simple and this seemed to be their theme all throughout their ceremony.
Their personality really shone in their music and their words of commitment to each other, which they wrote themselves. These words, so like them, were loving and tender, and simply beautiful, and were the heart of their ceremony. I loved how they were fully present to each other and to the moment. You can see the strong foundation of love this couple has built together.
And the music! Everybody loved it. With their music they immediately brought smiles to everyone and they brought their unique and joyful personalities into the setting. From the first measure, you knew it was their wedding, their celebration of their love. Yay!
The first processional was 'Feeling Good,' I think the rendition was by Muse. It was fabulous. Their flower girl came in on the Darth Vader theme from Star Wars. Amanda came in on a song by a band called Morbid Angel called 'Desolate Ways.' The recessional music was from the band Unearth, the song was Big Bear and the Hour of Chaos. If you haven't heard 'Feeling Good' play it right now while you read this. Just Google it and you'll be feeling great, too.They were surrounded by close friends and family at their wedding and you could tell they were well loved. I'm not surprised. This couple exudes joy of life and of love. I wish them many many blessings for all their years.
