Briana and Jason met and live in the DC area where they work. Since Briana grew up in Cary they decided to have their wedding here in the Triangle at the elegant
Cardinal Club atop the Wells Fargo building in downtown Raleigh. They contacted me last December and we arranged a teleconference call to get to know each other and see if we were a good fit. And indeed we decided we were.
They knew they wanted a simple, no-frills non-religious wedding ceremony that was a reflection of the two of them and since I encourage my couples to put together what they want so that it is exactly what they envision, they were pleased and eager to get started creating their special ceremony.
The Cardinal Club is a wonderful location for a wedding. We were all so happy that Jason and Briana chose an indoor venue for this very hot time of year! Rebecca Naderman, the events manager there, was a pleasure to work with and had all the details handled to perfection. The ceremony room was on the lower level of the penthouse and the cocktail area and reception room were on the very upper level of the 28th floor with a commanding view of downtown Raleigh. These intricately folded wedding programs were very unique. Jason told me that the bride and her bridesmaids made them.
Our DJ,
Joe Bunn, attaches a microphone to Jason's lapel.
Our Wedding Director, Lynn Scott of
Happily Ever After, goes over the cues for the music with Joe.
Hey, Bob, look this way!
Bob Taylor of TaylorMade Video videoed the wedding for the couple.
Outside the ceremony room, the couple had a poster as a guest book. The guests were asked to sign or initial a balloon on the poster.
The impressive stairway connecting the upper and lower levels of the top space together.
This chandelier is so gorgeous, especially when the sky is dark and it is all lit up.
The bartenders are ready for cocktail hour after the ceremony.
This is the reception room. You can see how
expansive the view is from here. In front of the window is the cake stand but the cake was still in the cooler. It was made by Sweet Memories but we did not get a photo of it because it still was not out by the time we left. The flowers for the ceremony and the reception were by Gregg Kennedy of
Brides and Bouquets.
Down on the first level, the girls were getting ready in the Sir Walter Room. Our photographer Craig Carpenter of
Luster Studios is busy getting some shots of our beautiful bride.
While Briana's father was seeing the bride for the first time all dressed and ready to walk down the aisle, some of the bridesmaids gathered outside the room. Pretty purple dresses and shoes!
The grandparents, parents, wedding party and the bride were escorted into separate rooms off the ceremony room to wait for the guests to be seated and the ceremony to begin.
Time to begin!
The mirror behind us did funny things to the focus of the camera!
Their story went over really well and everyone had fun hearing it, especially the groomsmen! Then it was time for their vows which they read from my book to each other. They had almost memorized them.
The ring exchange...
The pronouncement of marriage!
Jason and Briana, it was my pleasure and my delight to work with you and to officially join you in marriage. You are an impressive young couple with lots of determination and ability. I know you are both going to be successful and happy in marriage! My best wishes to you!
