Chris and Schuyler Marry in an Intimate Family Ceremony at Umstead Park

 It was a chilly March day for Chris and Schuyler's ceremony, but it was at one of my favorite spots.  The balcony of the rough stone shelter near the Reedy Creek entrance of Umstead Park.  And they were a joy to brighten the day.  Schulyer sent me these photographs that their photographer Erin Rizza took.  I thank them both!  Chris and Schuyler met in San Diego, where Chris is from, and from where his family traveled to be with them.  They had at most 30 people for their ceremony, just immediate family and close friends with a chair only for Schulyer's grandmother to be seated.  

 They have been together seven years, meeting when seeing one another across a crowded room.  The stuff of song lyrics.

 Madelyn, Schuyler's niece, was their flower girls.  She is only two so was primarily in the role to look cute and did that very well!  Schulyer's attendants were casual yet so together in the light pastels they wore and their bouquets of babies breath.

And Chris's attendants looked sharp yet casual.  I was so impressed with what this couple did on a small budget and with close friends.

 I enjoyed every moment.  Especially during the ceremony.

And Madelyn enjoyed every minute, too.

 Here is Schuyler's mom signing the license.  She and Chris's step-mother were the witnesses and I asked them to sign the license before the ceremony so that I wouldn't have to interrupt the congratulations after.  Then I sign the license after the ceremony is over.  This is the view off the balcony in that corner of Umstead Park.  It really is lovely.

Chris and Schuyler chose classic vows to exchange and then a Celtic hand-fasting, honoring Schuyler's Irish background, which included the words:  'Above you are the stars and below you is the earth.  Like the stars, your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation form which to grow.'  This is a grounded loving couple.  I see only good in their future.

Everyone....

 then proceeded to a clubhouse to celebrate with Clyde Cooper's BBQ and cake, and much enjoyment. 

Schuyler and Chris went to the Bahamas for their honeymoon and while it rained on and off while they were there, they emailed me how much fun they had.  And they thanked me for everything.  I wish them much much joy and many happy years.

A Celtic Ceremony for Chris and Tim

On Sunday, April 11th at 1:30 pm, Chris and Tim got married! It was a quiet ceremony but I'm sure even the heavens noticed the great joy of it.

Most of these wonderful photographs are by Craig Carpenter of Luster Studios. He has a way of capturing fleeting moments that will never occur just the same again and that now will stay in your heart forever. You can see lots more great shots of Tim and Chris's wedding on his blog. There were lots of friends with cameras too, and Tim's uncle, J, Eric Morris, got one of the sweetest, (but then there were many sweet) photos of the day. I've attributed it to him below.

We also thank Tamara Davis of Cherished Moments for her fabulous planning, and Teri Freeland-Jones of Floral Alternatives (919- 395-9887, tfreela@bellsouth.net) for her beautiful floral arrangements and petals. John Schodtler, a very talented bagpiper, at abagpiperforhire@hotmail.com piped the guests into their seats and the bridal party into the ceremony. He lent just the right air of formality to the setting.

Tim and Chris reserved the shelter with a fireplace and a quiet sunny corner balcony overlooking the woods in this secluded corner of Umstead Park at the Reedy Creek entrance. It's a perfect place for a ceremony for perhaps 30 to 40 people. (This is my photo before the wedding. Not a stellar shot but I want you to see how perfect the site is.)Here's Craig taking a picture after the ceremony of Tim and our bagpiper, John. This is inside the shelter (A wonderful backup location and a great place for photographs.)

Tim and Chris chose a beautiful poem called 'A New Beginning' by Gwen Frostic to celebrate the spring of their love in this the most glorious weekend of the spring of the year.

They also chose a wonderful small poem by our prolific author, Anonymous, called 'True Love.' It goes: ' True love is a sacred flame that burns eternally, And none can dim its special glow or change its destiny. True love speaks in tender tones and hears with gentle ear, True love gives with open heart and true love conquers fear. True love makes no harsh demands, it neither rules nor binds, And true love holds with gentle hands the hearts that it entwines.' It was a pleasure to read.


When Chris called me to learn about my services we felt a kinship. Our life paths were similar in that we needed to find the self before we could know, and celebrate finding our true love. Not too long ago I ran across the quote on a bride's Facebook page that I had married: 'The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.' This applies to Tim and Chris, and it was a joy to celebrate their clear choice and clear hearts.


A special part of their ceremony was the Celtic Handfasting ceremony with a hand-fasting cord made by their good friend. They did the full ceremony with the knots made which bind them as they make their promises.

It's easier as the cord gets shorter. At first, I was trying not to whap them in the heads with my hands. Luckily I didn't.
This is the picture Tim's uncle took and it says 'Happily Bound' under the photo. You can see his blog of the event at, http://restedtraveler.blogspot.com

After the pronouncement, we blessed their marriage with both the Apache Wedding Prayer and the Irish Wedding Blessing, which goes: 'May you always have enough happiness to keep you sweet, Trials to keep you strong, Success to make you eager, Friends to give you comfort, Wealth to meet your needs, Enthusiasm to look for tomorrow, and a growing love to make each day better than the day before.' Their delight was contagious, and their laughter after the ceremony was full and rich.

The reception was, I'm sure, great fun. I wish them great happiness, more great fun, and the great adventure of a wonderful marriage.

I thank Craig for this wonderful picture of me at Chris and Tim's wedding in my Emerald green stole. I always glow a little from the privilege of celebrating a marriage such as this. The stole added to the glow and Craig added his magic with the camera. Thanks, Craig!