Shady Wagon Farm in New Hill NC is such a tranquil, laid back, pastoral setting for weddings. It has a lovely lake with a fountain, a spacious barn for the reception and a pretty gazebo out on the lake for the ceremony. The owners, Cindy and Doug Carroll, built her dream home (also a B&B) and that is where the wedding party gets ready before the wedding ceremony. Cindy is always thinking of ways to make the estate more and more beautiful. Marty and I love seeing the resident cat there too--Mr. Puddy. We did not see him this time though. Cindy said he was preoccupied checking out the food situation in the barn!
Brad is in law enforcement so they chose to have their wedding on a Thursday so his buddies could come. The wedding was October 7, 2010 at 6:30. It was a beautiful day and the temperature was very pleasant. When we were ready to begin, Brad and I took our places in the gazebo and then the bride and her parents came down the aisle preceded by Cathy, Brad's 10 year old daughter, who was our flower girl. She did such a great job!
Brad met Alicia and her parents at the ramp to the gazebo where they placed her hand in his and were seated. And the ceremony began.
Cathy is a very important part of Alicia and Brad's relationship and they wanted to include her in the ceremony.
Alicia wrote some very sweet words to Cathy which I printed on a card and handed to her to read to Cathy as she knelt down. I took off my ear microphone and held it near Alicia so all the guests could hear those sweet words.
Then it was hugs all around!
The ceremony continued with the story of how they met and fell in love and included Brad's proposal: he put the diamond ring into a plastic bag and had an ice cream shop bury it in Alicia's ice cream cone. Her reaction was funny! A great story.
After the vows and ring exchange, it was time for the family unity sand ceremony where they all poured their sand together.
This is what it looked like when the sand was all in the container.
And now they are married with a very happy Cathy following behind. I could tell that she and Alicia are really bonded.
Alicia and Brad, you are so well matched and I am so happy you found each other. Your love just glows! Congratulations and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!
This is our DJ, Troy Coghill with
Blue Light Entertainment, who provided the music for the ceremony and graciously plugged my mic into his system.
Dawn McNally of
Middle Gray Photography was our photographer. Donna Parkinson of
9 Lyvz Catering provided the food.
Sweet Memories Bakery made the cupcakes and small wedding cake.
