fashion vogue: St. Mark's Chapel

Monday, March 3, 2014

Beautiful Sunny Wedding for Rebecca and Greer at St. Mark's Chapel!

Imagine, freezing temperatures one day then 70s the next. That is what has made the winter of 2014 in Raleigh memorable. Rebecca and Greer lucked out and had their wedding on March 1, 2014 which turned out to be a beautiful, warm, sunny day at St. Mark's Chapel.

It is the sweetest place in town to get married, I think.

Rebecca and Greer's wedding program was OUTSTANDING! Don't you love the peacock theme and the unique design?

Rebecca ordered these from Zazzle on line and it is an amazing website.

Instead of a guest book, they had a platter for guests to sign which will later be glazed to be made permanent. It came from amazon.com.

Checking the boutonniere for Greer. It was a bit wobbly. His dad had pinned it on and so I re-pinned it more securely.

Greer with his two soon to be stepsons, Michael and Daniel. Rebecca's son John could not be with us due to his military service obligations. We thank him for serving our country.

Rebecca and her friend make their way to the chapel from the building where she was hidden away.

Greer met Rebecca halfway down the aisle and escorted her up onto the altar area and we began. His father, William, was his best man. Ashley with Arioso Strings was our violinist! She was great!

Rebecca's beautiful daughter, Emily, was her maid of honor. Rebecca's parents and sons are seated on the first row. Greer's children, Savannah and Jackson, sat on the other side of the aisle with their grandmother.

We had a blessing of the children in which I spoke to them on behalf of Rebecca and Greer. It was quite touching.

And then came the story! Rebecca is a real estate agent and Greer was looking for a new home to start his life over. Rebecca was the listing agent of the house he bought. It was instant attraction from the beginning which blossomed into true love. The guests enjoyed hearing all about it!

Greer spoke his vows to Rebecca. They had written vows secret from each other heard for the first time on their wedding day.

Rebecca says her vows to Greer. They were written out in my book in large bold font printed facing them but Rebecca almost had hers memorized.

Then they exchanged their rings......

A closing blessing then the pronouncement of marriage--I could feel the happiness!

The first kiss was too quick so I had them kiss again so we could get a picture!

Here they are, folks! Greer and Rebecca, husband and wife!

Married at last!

We asked all their guests to move forward to the altar area so that their photographer (and mine) could get a group shot from the balcony where only photographers are allowed. Liz Johnson was their photographer and a delight to work with!

Congratulations, you two! What a wonderful wedding you had. I enjoyed every minute and I could tell you did too! My best wishes for you both for a fabulous marriage and happy life together!

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Monday, December 9, 2013

Dana and Todd Marry at St. Mark's Chapel!

Dana and Todd vacillated back and forth about eloping to the mountains of North Carolina or having a large formal wedding with family and friends here in Raleigh. At one point several months ago they met with me and we talked about a wedding here in Raleigh. It went back and forth until early November when they decided they wanted to marry sooner rather than later and called me to find out when I was available. Then all the pieces miraculously fell into place and the synchronicity of it all was a clear sign that this was the way it was supposed to be. They had loved historic St. Mark's Chapel on the Mordecai Campus in downtown Raleigh from the get-go but it was booked on the day they wanted to marry--December 7, 2013. But a few days later, they got a call that the couple that had booked it cancelled and Dana and Todd grabbed it and called me. Okay, on with the plans for the reception. One of the places they wanted was Flights, the restaurant at the Renaissance Hotel where they had their anniversary dinner and where Todd had proposed. It was available. Perfect!

Saturday December 7th was a bit on the chilly side but the air was crisp and clean and the overcast sky made the colors and clarity of the photographs amazing. Before the ceremony their photographer, Michelle Strickland of It Speaks to Me Fine Art Photography was taking some pictures of Dana out in front of the chapel. Above Dana is with her best friend and maid of honor, Andrea, who is also a good friend of Todd's and was instrumental in bringing the two together.

Dana and her mother, Alexandra, are so happy about this wedding!

Susan was our director for the wedding. She got everyone together and made sure the bride made a grand entrance!

This altar chest is decorated not only with pretty flowers by Kelley Kennedy with Teacup Floral, but also with sock monkeys--a sentimental part of Dana and Todd's story--and with a ring warming dish that Todd himself made. I wish I had gotten a good picture of it to show you. He did an amazing job and it was a surprise for Dana.

Jonathan and Joshua are Todd's sons. They are part of the ceremony and ready to get started!

Todd's mother, Karin, and his stepfather, Bruce, are waiting outside the chapel for the cue to get lined up.

Jonathan and Joshua entered first and took their seats.

Then I entered followed by Todd and his best man, Alex.

Andrea takes her walk down the aisle.

Susan opened the double doors and here comes the bride!

Todd met her halfway and they came together to the altar to be joined in marriage.

They requested that I begin with a quote from the movie, The Princess Bride: "Mawiage. Mawiage is wot beings us togeder twoday. Mawiage, that blessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam...." Those that know Princess Bride think it is hilarious. Those who don't I am sure are worried that they are going to have to listen to an entire ceremony spoken by an officiant with a severe speech impediment!

After explanation of the ring warming ceremony, Alex started the rings on the bride's side to be passed row by row to each guest for their blessings.

Dana and Todd were so ready to be married!

There was a tribute to their parents and their friends.

Dana had some sweet words to say to Todd's sons which brought forth some tears.

She also presented each of them with a special ring to commemorate this special occasion.

Hug for Joshua.....

Hug for Jonathan...then a family hug and the boys resumed their seats.

And then it was time for their story. Neither Todd nor Dana lack the ability to put their memories and their feelings in words. The story was rather lengthy having gone through several revisions but it was all so special and we could not leave anything out.

They both have a great sense of humor so we laughed a lot as I enjoyed delivering the funny lines!

And more laughter!

Then the part where they hear what each of them has told me they love about each other for the first time.

Both Todd and Dana share an Irish heritage so they wanted the handfasting ritual where their hands are bound by a cord that symbolically represents their love.

Then they join their right hands making the symbol of infinity, blessing their marriage in the eternal ebb and flow of the universe.

They read their vows to each other from my book.

After the vows, the cord was removed and replaced symbolically with their rings.

Before the pronouncement of marriage they received the Irish blessing and then officially became husband and wife.

They processed out to have a wee bit of alone time while the guests were assembled for a group shot. Then we brought them back in to get into the picture.

The whole gang......

Todd and Dana, it was a pleasure to join you together. Thank you for the honor! You know what a good match you are. Tried and true for sure! I wish you all the best life can bring your way! I know you will be soooo happy!