This wedding was definitely a family affair and I felt as if I was a family member! Erin is the third daughter in her family that I have officiated the wedding of. First was
Megan who married Ben on October 30, 2010 at The Cotton Room. Then on September 14, 2012, I officiate the
wedding of Kate and Phil at The Pavilions at Angus Barn. I was delighted when Erin and Scott contacted me to officiate their wedding ceremony set for June 6, 2014 at
The Sutherland!
As a result of planning for three weddings, Diane, mother of the bride, and David, father of the bride, are experienced in all aspects of making a wedding happen! With the onset of Pinterest, Diane was really able to get creative with all the wonderful wedding decor ideas. This bureau is simply wonderful, filled with trinkets and treasures!
Cydney English with
The English Garden is putting the finishing touches on the florals and candles.
Simply fabulous!
The Sutherland is a wonderful venue which is conveniently located in Wake Forest. Ashlee Adams has so creatively restored the old plantation house and outbuildings and transformed the grounds into a real paradise. This wedding was held in the Walled Garden off the side porch of the big house.
On the brick terrace was one of "my babies!" This is Ella, 2 month old of Megan and Ben. So sweet!
Amy Turner, their photographer with
Your Still Life Photography, provided the guest book. Feast your eyes on the Memory Tree hung with photos of loved ones of the bride and groom who have passed on and could not be with us in person.
Cute little tea cart holding the gifts and cards. Everyone is using Instagram these days to get wedding photos. Gone are the days of disposable cameras on the tables!
Sweet little display table to put the programs in. And speaking of the programs...this was the order of the ceremony: Music Starts, We Get Married, Everyone Parties. Simple and straightforward instead of listing all the different sections of the ceremony.
These ornate signs were so pretty and artfully done!
Literally a board for the guests to leave a message and sign for the couple.
These are huge balloons filled with confetti used as pretty decorations and as props in photos. This is the Groom's Terrace on the opposite side of the house as the Walled Garden. The cocktail hour following the ceremony will be here.
This sign is outside the new pavilion that Ashlee recently completed. It is amazing and there is no longer any need for a tent if the weather turns rainy. Great idea!
It is two stories high, filled with light and plenty of room for a dance floor. Steve Stowe with
Joe Bunn DJ Company was there setting up.
Ashlee and I posing for the camera!
CateringWorks was the caterer. Delicious food and such pretty tables and chairs and place settings.
Look at the "chandelier" over the head table!
The pavilion from a distance so you can see how large it is. I remember when it was just an open field.
By the big old tree was this pretty bench and signs declaring it was a "kissing tree!"
View from the Groom's Terrace of the new pavilion.
NC Brass is a division of
NC Wedding Music, an organization founded by Dean and Molly Olah. Molly is a violinist and handles the stringed ensembles where as Dean Olah, trombonist, handles the NC Brass Band. I have done many weddings with Molly through the years but never with Dean. Brass Bands are not the traditional choice for weddings but I loved them and I believe this "big" sound is getting more popular. These musicians were fabulous and I was delighted to have the chance to do a wedding with Dean for a change!
The groomsmen and I gathered at the side entrance to the Walled Garden to make our entrance to the side of the guests.
Scott escorted his pretty mother down the aisle.
Scott's father, Kim, followed by Scott's nephew Logan!
Diane and David, parents of the bride, enter for their third (and final) wedding!
Jill, our bridesmaid, enters next.
Kate, sister and matron of honor of the bride, enters.
Megan, sister of the bride and matron of honor, enters.
Brody, son of the bridesmaid, Jill, enters with the sign "Here Comes The Bride."
David makes his last trek down the aisle with his beautiful daughter, Erin!
And so we begin.
Erin's cousin, Sarah, read the words of ee cummings poem "i carry your heart."
Erin and Scott met in college at Ohio State almost 10 years ago. Scott knew right away that Erin was the one. It was not much later that Erin felt the same way. Their romance withstood the typical college bumps and trials and really started to move forward when they relocated to North Carolina to be near Erin's family. Scott proposed at the Raleigh Rose Garden on June 22, 2013 and Erin barely let him finish the question before saying YES! It had been 7 long years. She and her mother and sisters began planning for this wedding and really did an amazing job! As I told David, he and Diane could hire themselves out as wedding planners and decorators!
Scott and Erin had written their own secret vows for each other and read them from my book.
Ring exchange....
For a unity ceremony they chose the Hands Ceremony followed by a closing blessing and the pronouncement of marriage.
So happy!
I told Amy that I had to get a photo with all three of my couples! And of course Ella! Ben was so good with her. He had to assume all baby duties since Megan was part of the wedding party and he seemed to manage it with ease! Congratulations all of you!
Erin and Scott, what a beautiful and dedicated couple you are. I am thrilled to have joined you in marriage. I know you will be very happy and contented together. Please keep in touch and remember when you have babies we can do a baby blessing ceremony for her or him.
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To contact me:
919-345-4608
Or leave a comment below!
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