Eric and Heidi Have a Fabulous NC Wedding at Rock Quarry Farm

 This summer I had the delight to marry Heidi and Eric at Rock Quarry Farm B and B in Chapel Hill.  We had done all our planning from out of town but I got to meet them a year earlier when we decided that I would officiate their ceremony.  This venue was just right for them, and of course Camille, is a terrific hostess who makes everyone feel at home.

The processional was the title song from Juno, 'All I Want is You' by Barry Louis Polisar, that I just couldn't help but post on my Facebook page.  It makes me smile everytime I hear it, which is good on a stressful day. It was played to perfection by Miles, a great musician and Camille's son.   Here  is a youtube link for it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXau3zAe7E

In the ceremony we told a little about how they met:  'We have a professor in their graduate school program to thank for their blossoming love; a professor that was so boring that Heidi and Eric sat in the back of the room and looked over cookbooks, planning the meals that they would enjoy together, that gave them the unexpected room to grow their friendship that before too long kindled into love.'

During their ceremony two of their friends sang a song they wrote about marriage called 'Marriage is Good.'  That's what we're all smiling about in the top picture above.  We all loved the song and I asked them to publish the words.  These friends, a married couple, have two small children, one in her arms, and one by his knees, so you got the clear impression that they knew what they were talking about.

Thanks so much to Melissa Tuck, of Melissa Tuck Photography, who was our fabulous photographer for the day.  She was very generous, a joy to work with, and got wonderful pictures.  Check out her blog of the wedding, too, because it shows so many more of the charming and personal touches that Eric and Heidi had.  Here it is:   http://melissatuckblog.com/?p=13951

They had other wonderful wedding professionals you'll want to hear about:

Their Florist was Periwinkle Farms, Cathy Jones and Mike Perry 1061 White Cross Rd.in Chapel Hill.  Since I couldn't find a link, here is their phone number:  919.933.6189.   Their cupcakes were by Daisy Cakes.  Their catering was by Crooks CornerCatering, Paul Covington, in Chapel Hill, and their musicians were BigFat Gap. 

They seemed to find the best of NC for all their vendors and to show NC off to their families and friends.

They are both very conscious, intelligent loving people who are much loved by their family and friends.  They also are concerned about the planet which is always lovely to see in a wedding.

Heidi wore her mother's wedding dress, refitted just a little to modernize it.  It was perfect.  Here is Eric telling her how beautiful she is.  

They had a Celtic Handfasting Ritual as part of their wedding using a cord they wove themselves.  In this ritual we bound their hands in marriage and literally 'tied the knot.'

What a great kiss.  I often have to tell couples not to kiss too fast.  No worries here.  Then they recessed to 'Celebration' by Kool and The Gang.

 Heidi's thank you hug was all I needed to make my day.  Their wedding was a joy.  And they went on their honeymoon to Iceland.  Since they now live in Phoenix, I wondered if they were missing the cold and so getting a really good dose.

 Their wedding party was in full array, the men natty each in their own way, the women charming in all these spring colors.  

When they got back from their honeymoon I got this lovely note:  'Hi Robin!

I just wanted to thank you again so much for such a perfect wedding ceremony! We thoroughly enjoyed the entire creative process and just loved having you officiate our wedding. We have gotten so many comments about how personal and meaningful the ceremony was, and how great you were. I really appreciate how you were able to slow everything down so we could soak in every second.... What an amazing memory.'

I feel better knowing that the stewardship of the planet passes on to people like them.  They add to the sum of goodness in the world.  It was a blessing to marry them.

Senthil and Lorelei Joyfully Marry on April 23rd at Rock Quarry Farm in Chapel Hill

 
I loved marrying Senthil and Lorelei.  When I met with them before their wedding they were both serious and a little shy.  They came with Senthil's mother, Mangai, and I fell in love with her.  There was just this sweetness and generosity of spirit about her that was so gracious.  I knew that Lorelei and Senthil were much warmer than their shy exteriors by the twinkles in their eyes, but for some couples, meeting with the minister feels a little daunting.

So at their wedding I was delighted to see that  their smiles were glorious and their playfulness and joy apparent.  I loved witnessing that side of their love.  They sought me out because they wanted to honor both their traditions and I was pleased to do just that.  And they blended them masterfully with my resources and their ideas.  

We even Skyped to India hoping that Senthil's family there would be able to see the ceremony.  I hope so!

Thanks to Amy Rager at Serenity Photography for these great photos.  She captured their wonderful joy, too.  The amateur photos are mine from my Droid.  Boy you can sure see the difference.

Their wedding was at Rock Quarry Farm in Chapel Hill, and Camille, the owner, as always was a huge help in coordinating the ceremony and all the vendors and events.   It's a wonderful old (and remodeled) farm house that is warm and inviting with spacious grounds that adapt to the needs of any small to medium size wedding.

For Senthil's and Lorelei's ceremony there was one sitar player, Will Franke situated between the ceremony site and where the guests would have hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.  A perfect location.  Then the Bluegrass Band Down River played for their reception.

Lorelei's sister made her bouquet.  Isn't it gorgeous!

We incorporated a Hindu tradition of the 7 steps, Saptha Padhi, into their ceremony from Senthil's Hindu tradition

Here's a wonderful photo after their ceremony.

Lorelei's friend, Jacquie Powell made their cake and Vimala's Curryblossum Cafe (Yum!) provided their food. 

 One final fabulous Amy shot.  I just loved this one!




Here are some pictures I took of Rock Quarry Farm so that you can see that an ideal place it is on a pretty day.   Here is Camille.  You can tell that she loves what she does.



 Rock Quarry Farm would accommodate a tent if you wanted one.  Here's the tent they had set up for their reception meal.



Here are guests enjoying cocktails.

 This photo looks down on the the ceremony site in the background.  At the middle in the distance is the trellis that you see in the first picture.

 Here is Amy in front of the house taking a photo of the family.  I always love getting a picture of the photographer since they their style makes a big difference in the photos.  Amy was great!

Matthew and Jennifer at Rock Quarry B and B

It was a treat to celebrate with Jennifer and Matthew at the fabulous Rock Quarry Farm which is a B and B just west of Chapel Hill on Highway 54. Camille, the owner, is always so gracious and the setting lends itself so well to an intimate outdoor wedding. This time is was a special treat for her since Jennifer's mother is Camille's cousin.

There are so many ceremony sites to choose from at the Rock Quarry Farm. I've officiated at several weddings here and each time I learn more about its versatility. And Camille is always a great help in giving cues so that the processional flows smoothly. Isn't this trellis amazing!


The day was perfect and they had wonderful professionals to help make their day special.
Matthew and Jennifer had a guitarist for the ceremony music. They had intended to have a fiddle player, too, but unfortunately he was ill.

Jennifer and Matthew wanted a traditional ceremony with just a few touches to represent their own uniqueness. For example, we ended their ceremony with a Welsh blessing in honor of Matthew's parents who couldn't come to the wedding from Great Britain. It goes, 'Wishing you a house full of sunshine, Hearts full of cheer, Love that grows deeper, each day of the year.'


He was great, as was the DJ, Darren Hunicutt. Jennifer and Matthew's cake was provided by Sugarland, Victorian Seasons in Apex did her flowers, and Sisters Catering in Raleigh provided the food.

This is the front of Rock Quarry Farm, but other than using the porch for pictures, every ceremony I've done happens in the back. The house is set far from the street though so parking and street noise are not a problem.


Guests were enjoying cocktails here while we were having pictures taken. Other side of this barn is also a great site for a ceremony.

This wonderfully rustic cottage is used as a changing room for one of the couple. In the background you see the Sisters Catering truck and on the porch you see champagne set out on a white tablecloth for the toast. There is also a fire all ready to go in the fire pit for later.

Here are Jennifer's father, her Maid of Honor, Michelle and Matthew's Best Man, Ian after the ceremony by the swimming pool for pictures.

And I wonder where this classic truck came from. It's sure a great backdrop. All of the good shots above were taken my Jennifer's uncle Alex Webb who is a professional photographer but alas is from out of town. He captured the radiance of the couple and the day. I took the shots that are ordinary.

I just got this note from Jennifer with the wonderful pictures from Uncle Alex. She wrote, 'We love what you did for us and feel we had a perfect ceremony. We are loving married life and are ready for many years of love and bliss together!

I'm delighted for Jennifer and Matthew - especially for the love that grows deeper through all the years. Many blessing to them!

Derek and Nikki from Labor Day Weekend in 2008

It was great to hear from Nikki and Derek. Time goes so quickly that I'd forgotten all about their wonderful wedding and the pictures and thank you they sent to me brought it all back. Nikki told me that they'd had an online picture disaster when combining the nearly 2000 wedding pictures from various picture takers onto one online repository. Somehow the numbers and labels were lost and they had to redo every single picture's label. Yikes! Hence the posting to their wedding blog now.

I loved their wedding. Nikki and Derek are both really loving people and most of all I remember their peaceful and gentle energy. And I remember their beautiful ceremony.

Their wedding took place at Rock Quarry Farm out I-54 just west of Chapel Hill. I've officiated at weddings there in both rain and shine and it shimmers in simple beauty in all occasions. They had their ceremony on the grassy area right next to the barn, and their reception in a tent next to the house. Camille is always there to help, with whatever logistics need support,
too.

Derek and Nikki had a sunny day, and not too hot day. We were all grateful.

They had an especially lovely welcome of their guests. I've written and adapted text so often over the last 15 years to reflect the couple as I know them that they each take on a little different nuance. For Nikki and Derek, we said: 'Each of you has accompanied them in some way on their journey and will continue to embrace and support them as they embark on this newest aspect of their lives. Their new relationship as husband and wife will continue to draw much of its beauty and meaning from their associations with all of you who join with them today. So we invite you to the joyful task and privilege of participating in their ceremony. We’ll pause for a moment for you to arrive, not only in body, but in spirit and love - to hold Derek and Nikki in the matrix of that love as they take this joyful step into their married life.

They also called upon the four directions in a blessing that I won't add here, but you can ask me for at any time.


They evoked the beautiful words of the Song of Songs from the Hebrew Bible, which says: "Bind me as a seal upon thine arm, As a seal upon thine heart; For love is as strong as death, Mightier than the grave. The darts of love are darts of fire, furious flames; Many waters cannot quench love, Nor floods devour it."

The littlest of our two flower girls wanted to be held by her mother. I always love it when that happens. It just shows the wonderful connections we have to each other, and how they trump formalities. Ritual is real and living and is made to honor the profound connections of love and caring we have with each other. Weddings with small children and grandparents and great grandparents apparent and loved show that with so eloquently.
We pronounced their marriage with the words of Shakespeare from “Twelfth Night”: Attested by the holy close of lips, Strength’ned by interchangement of your rings And all the ceremony of this compact Seal’d in my function, by my testimony... we rejoice to recognize you as husband and wife.
Their friend Toni Ruth then offered a prayer for for their marriage.


For a final benediction we all participated. The responses of the guests was written in their program and are the words in parentheses below:

May you, Derek and Nikki, be a blessing and comfort to each other, sharers of each others’ dreams, consoler to each others’ sorrows, helpers to each other in all of life’s vicissitudes. (We wish you blessing and comfort) May you encourage each other in what ever you set out to achieve. (We wish you encouragement) May you trust each other, trust life and be unafraid. (We wish you trust) May you love each other and offer love and support to those around you. (We wish you love) May your way be blessed, may wisdom’s light shine upon you, may your journey bring you peace. (We wish you wisdom and peace.)

Rock Quarry Farm had both the old farm house feel and the modern inn feel. This front of the house was perfect for a family picture. Here is the work in progress with the photographer. (I apologize for not remembering his name.)

And here's the finished product!

This weekend in June 2010 was a stressful one with both weddings needing to be moved inside at the last minute to avoid everyone getting drenched by rain.

It felt like a burst of sunshine to get Nikki and Derek's thanks from so long ago. They wrote: 'Thank you! The service was perfect and so many people from many walks all told us they felt like they took part in something holy. Bless you and thank you.'

I thank you both, too! Your pictures and words bring a smile to my heart!

Joe and Liz at Rock Quarry Farms

September 26th was a rainy day. There was no denying it. It would be a rainy day - all day.

But a tent for the reception, and the lovely overhang on a rustic barn for the ceremony was all that was needed to provide shelter for the sweet wedding of Joe and Liz.


The setting was Rock Quarry Farm off Highway 54 just west of Chapel Hill right across the American Gravel Company- hence the name. Rock Quarry Farm is a small and lovely B and B just tucked off the road enough to have that rural yet accessible feel. And the tent on the lawn was perfect for their 75 guests.

There was much that was delightful about Joe and Liz's wedding. Liz made her own beautiful dress. Lily, Joe's daughter, was one of the flower girls. They had a solo violinist to usher them in, and they introduced me to a beautiful quote that fit them perfectly and other couples have since come to love, too.

It is from 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' by Louis de Berniéres written in 1993.
"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness it is not excitement, it s not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. ... Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident."

They adapted the words of blessing from the rest of that particular quote - "May your roots always grow towards one another and when all the blossoms have fallen from your branches, may you find that you are one tree and not two."

I understand that this novel has more wonderful words to say about love. I have a feeling that Liz and Joe, in their love and the love of the family they have created with Lily, will be joyfully exploring those words for a long time. Many blessings to them!