Beth and Mike's Fabulous Wedding at The Stockroom!

WOW! What a great wedding! Beth and Mike married at The Stockroom in downtown Raleigh on March 8, 2014. They assembled a great team to pull it all together. Kailey with A Southern Soiree was their wedding planner and director. Her boss, Megan (a former bride of mine), came to the wedding as Kailey's assistant because she was friends with one of the bridesmaids and wanted to see this beautiful wedding.

Expressions of Love was the florist. The wispy silver branches dripping with bling and flowers made a wonderful backdrop for the ceremony. In the middle is the table holding their Wedding Wine Box.

The ceiling lights were hung in a starburst pattern with a lovely chandelier in the center. Get Lit Special Events Lighting created this along with some up-lighting along the walls for the reception. 

The Stockroom@230 has become a very popular and special place for weddings. It is right downtown--230 Fayetteville Street. The art gallery next door serves as the holding area prior to the ceremony for the bridal party and after the ceremony it is where the guests go for cocktail hour while The Stockroom is being flipped for the reception.

Beth and Mike chose the Wooden Wedding Box Ceremony. This beautiful box holds a bottle of wine and during the ceremony they add sealed hand-written love letters about all the qualities they love in each other.

Flower petals and floating candles lined the aisle. (So much better than an aisle runner! If you read this blog you will know I have a thing about aisle runners and how dangerous and messy they can be!)

Elegant Ensembles provided the beautiful music for the ceremony.  

Their photographers, Charo and Mike, provided photographs for their guest book where the guests could write notes to the couple.  Belle's Catering and The Cupcake Shoppe provided the food and cake.

 Andraya is our sweet little flower girl and she did her job perfectly! 

This is the sign she is bringing down the aisle. I bet Beth got that idea from Pinterest. In fact, she told me that is how she found me! Pinterest! 

 Mike and I are laughing as Andraya comes down the aisle.

 Our gorgeous bride and her father float down the aisle while the guests are standing in her honor. 

 Beth had the most exquisite dress that fit her to a tee. 

Andraya is holding her mother's bouquet while her mother, Shannon, Matron of Honor, holds Beth's bouquet.  

The ceremony begins. They each had 10 attendants. The guys were dressed in medium gray suits and navy blue ties. They were so handsome.

 Beth and Mike worked hard getting their story worded just right. I loved it. And so did their guests. 

There was quite a bit of laughter as you can see. Especially when I told of Mike's predetermined steps a relationship must go through before making a permanent commitment, being the orderly, detailed engineer that he is!

 Then what they each told me in confidence they loved about each other was revealed for the first time. 

 They read their vows to each other from my book. 

Beth shed quite a few tears during the ceremony and we passed the hankie back and forth. Here I am going to dab the tears that were running down her cheeks during her vows.

They exchanged rings and it was time for them to place their letters in the wooden box with the wine and lock it.

 Phil and his associate with 21 Films was videoing the ceremony. 

 Their friends Heather and Erica presented the Irish Wedding Blessing. 

 The pronouncement! 

 KISS! 

 "We're really married!"

Yes! Throughout their courtship, Mike was a persistent and patient pursuer of Beth. Now, it's done! He got THE girl of his dreams! Of course Beth would tell you she got THE man of her dreams!

 Taking the scene in! 

The bride and groom and wedding party and parents disappeared into the stairwell to wait for the guests to clear the room. Then we came back in to take a few photos.

I wanted you to see how gorgeous Beth's wedding gown is. It is one of the prettiest I have ever seen and I see a lot! It was a soft champagne with just a touch of blush. So perfect for this beautiful bride!

Mike and Beth, you were a joy to work with and your love is so inspirational. You are just perfect for each other and I think you know it! My best wishes for your happiness forever! 

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Samantha and Shawn's Beautiful Wedding at The Pavilions at Angus Barn!

Samantha and Shawn met one day in February of 2006 when they were both students at UNC. They were instantly attracted to each other and have been together ever since for the almost 6 intervening years. They finished their undergraduate degrees, Shawn law school, and launched their careers--Samantha is a school teacher and Shawn an attorney. Shawn loves Samantha for her exceptional thoughtfulness and unconditional positive regard for people. He is also happy that she is willing to accompany him fishing on Jordan Lake or watching sports. Samantha loves that Shawn is so romantic, keeps her laughing, and often will surprise her with his "seize the moment" spontaneity although it sometimes drives her crazy because she is used to being organized and following a schedule!

Their wonderful wedding was at the prestigious and spacious Pavilions at Angus Barn which is set on a beautiful lake with lovely landscaping and amenities. I love doing weddings there. The date was October 8, 2011 at 5:00.

They wisely hired Megan Brewer Gillikin (center, above) who owns A Southern Soiree to help them plan their wedding and direct it. I know Megan well because I officiated her wedding in May of last year to Jason. She is really good at what she does, loves doing it, is so fun to work with, and I can count on her to have every detail handled. She had her summer intern, Michelle, with her at the rehearsal and wedding to assist her. Pictured above on the left is Kelly Joslin who is in charge of the weddings at The Pavilions and a joy to work with. Thanks, Kelly and Megan!

Mitch Woodard with Joe Bunn DJ Company was our very capable DJ for the ceremony music and the reception. Mitch and I have worked many weddings together and he has the routine of plugging my mic into his system down to a fine science. Thanks, Mitch, the sound was perfect!

Wayne, owner of Swank Cake Designs, a well known wedding cake bakery around here, was putting the finishing touches on this gorgeous cake!

A clever way for guests to commemorate their presence was to leave their fingerprints on this lovely drawing of a tree. There were different shades of green ink pads to choose from. This will make a very unique piece of art to grace the couple's home.

When the guests were seated, we started the processional. First the grandmothers and parents were seated by our groomsmen who returned to the line-up to come in with me. Then our cute little flower girl and ring bearer  who made it all the way with assistance! Then the Father of the Bride proudly escorted in our exceptionally beautiful bride -- quite a long walk which makes an elegant entrance!

Samira, Maid of Honor, presented a reading of "The Art of Marriage" by Wilferd Arlan Peterson.

 

Shawn and Samantha read their vows to each other. Their promises of marriage were very touching: 
“I choose you to be my partner and best friend for life.
You accept me for who I am, and I accept you just as you are.
I trust you and respect you, and cherish every moment we are together.
I promise to love you with all of my heart.
I am committed to you and will never take our love or friendship for granted.
I promise to bring out the best in you, as you do in me.
I promise to make you smile and to support your dreams, forever and always.”

"Please accept this ring as a symbol of my love and the promises I make to you today."

As Shawn and Samantha joyfully recess down the aisle they are closely followed by their fabulous photographer, Robin Lin! Robin and I have also done many weddings together and she is so good at what she does. She had a second shooter, Penny Noelle Fuller, and even a third shooter, Sara Jane, with her for this wedding so I know she got exceptional coverage of Samantha and Shawn's special day. Tre Bella did the beautiful floral arrangements for the arbor, the bouquets and boutonnieres, and the centerpieces.

Fabulous wedding, Samantha and Shawn! I feel so honored to have been a part of it. Your love for each other is so evident and I know you will have a very rich and full marriage. I wish you all the best!