I met Becky and John in June of 2011. They are a delightful couple and were planning their wedding for Sunday May 6, 2012 at
Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina where I have been doing weddings since the gorgeous venue first opened many years ago. John and Becky loved hearing one of my ceremonies and wanted to be involved in creating their own one-of-a-kind ceremony that included their story, what they loved about each other, why they wanted to marry and what they were looking forward to in the next chapter in their lives together--their marriage. We signed a contract and reserved their dates on my calendar and got started on it right away.
In contrast to the wedding I did the day before which was forced indoors due to stormy weather, Becky and John's wedding day could not have been prettier. The temperature was pleasant, the humidity low, and the sun shining.
The garden ballroom was all set with the pretty table linens and our DJ had set up the nice up-lighting.
Patrick Cooke of
PC Productions was our reliable DJ. We have worked together at many weddings and it is always a pleasure to work with Patrick. I know I can count on him!
This beautiful wedding cake was baked by
Sweet Memories Bakery and has the monogram of the couple's last name.
The lovely floral arrangements and bouquets were provided by
Expressions of Love Florists.
Paul of
Wake Forest Portrait Shoppe, and his assistant Melissa, were on hand to document this wedding. Here on the side of the estate, Robert and his groomsmen and groomslady were posing for some incredible shots.
Here they are! Don't you love the way that beautiful pewter dress and the bright colors of the flowers pop?
John's mother, Nan, and I discovered we had a common link. We both belong to Unity Churches and she used to live in Raleigh and attended a Unity Church. We know many people in common. She moved to Texas to be near grandchildren about 7 years ago and wanted to catch up on all the news.
Look at these gorgeous bridesmaids dresses in rose. The maid of honor wore a dress in watermelon.
Ann Eberle with
Highgrove was our wedding director. She is great. We love working together at the rehearsal and the wedding. Part of the wedding package at Highgrove is that you get your own director who is in charge of the day so the bride and groom can relax and enjoy their day.
Becky's father, Sam, brought Becky down the steps and down the aisle to John.
After he answered the question,
"Who presents this woman to be married?" Becky gave him a little kiss and he was seated.
Between 5:00 and 6:00, if it is a sunny day, the sun spotlights the wedding party at the pergola. Lake Laurel is in the background.
The parents are standing here as I deliver the sweet parents' blessing, moving the mothers to tears!
John's sister Amber did the first reading which was the Indian Wedding Prayer.
John's sister, Lynn, gave a delightful reading from the children's book, "Guess How Much I Love You" by Sam McBratney. She was good!
Now the story of how they met--John clearly remembers it was at a pool hall but Becky thought it was later at the Longbranch! A key player in this romance is Christine, Robert's groomslady, who thought they should meet and pushed them together.
Time for the rings and vows.....
And now the pronouncement of marriage...
Followed by the kiss.....
And some laughter.....
The deed is done, it is time to get out of the sun and have some fun!
Let's go..........
Becky and John, what a great wedding! Your careful planning paid off. I know you will be so happy together! I loved working with you and wish you health, happiness and prosperity!
