NC Wedding Blog

Jessica and Bradley - Together, Forever.

2012-01-28T17:48:00.004-05:00

Doesn't this photo just make you want to see their smiling faces?

Although January 22^nd ended up being a typical winter day, cloudy and cool, hearts were melted as these two exchanged their wedding vows at our retreat center.

I had really been looking forward to meeting Jessica and Bradley. There was no doubt that they were very much in love and wanted to have a ceremony that reflected their personalities. I truly enjoyed helping them design a ceremony, that according to them, was perfect!

No traditional wedding march for this bride. When I asked Jessica about special music, she said that she always wanted to walk down the aisle to the song Hymn by all female string quartet, Bond. We don’t have an ‘aisle’ in our main cabin but she walked down the stairs from our upstairs bedroom, escorted by her father. To be honest, she was such a lovely bride, I’m not sure anyone heard the music.

Even though it was the middle of winter, this happy couple stayed outside for quite a while taking photos. Family and friends watched from inside as people were popping in and out to have their photos taken. I took these photos from inside with my iPhone.

These two have many wonderful photos of their wedding day.

One happy family!

That's right Bradley, this woman 'has your back'. And she's not about to let go!

Bride's Choice Award

2012-01-26T21:41:00.002-05:00

Once again, I have been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Award!

The esteemed annual award recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, my selection was based on its reviews from past newlywed clients.

This award is given to the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. "It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Rev. Victoria Hutchins for her continued professionalism and commitment.”

A BIG thank you to all the couples who have allowed me to be part of their wedding celebration!

"Penguins" Marry in North Carolina

2012-01-16T16:36:00.004-05:00

The weather might have been a little cold on Friday the 13^th but it was perfect for two ‘penguins’ who decided to get married at our retreat center. Some might consider this an unlucky day but it’s obviously a very lucky day for these two.

Jamie contacted me about a week ago. Chad, was coming home from Afghanistan and they had plans to marry as quickly as possible. I don’t know the details but their original venue cancelled at the last minute and she was looking for an alternate location. I was excited and couldn’t wait to meet the happy couple…

Once they arrived I offered several options for their ceremony. Although inside, by the fireplace, was appealing I just couldn’t keep these ‘penguins’ inside.

And here's THE kiss!

What a gentleman. Chad quickly gave Jamie his jacket. Later she told me that he insists on opening doors for her. His comment, 'Chilvery is not dead'.

And I just have to include this photo. There are Jamie's 'nine store shoes'. My husband didn't understand at first but I knew exactly what she meant. She had been in nine stores looking for the perfect shoes!

Penguins mate for life.
They stick together through sickness and adverse weather.

Of all the penguins, these two are now together for life.

New Year's Eve Wedding

2012-01-05T17:29:00.001-05:00

The last day of the year began a new life for Kristin and Xander as they exchanged their wedding vows at RiverMist.

It was very important to include Kristin's sons and they had the honor of escorting their mother.

And here's the eager groom, waiting to see his bride in her beautiful gown.

We included several special elements in Kristin an Xander's ceremony. The first was a unity candle ceremony. So often you hear that you can't do this for outside weddings. Well, as you can see, we had no problems.

Kristin was curious about including a handfasting as part of their ceremony. I emailed her several options and she and Xander had the opportunity to choose one that suited their personalities.

After vows were exchanged, they held each others rings while I offered a blessing.

To conclude their ceremony, they took their first communion as husband and wife.

Married!

And I must include this photo. Kristin's bouquet was sitting on our dining room table before the ceremony. In the excitement, it was left behind.

What a wonderful way to say goodbye to one year and hello to the rest of your life!

Handfasting Ceremony

2011-11-15T19:23:00.002-05:00

Jasmine wanted to get married on November 11^th. When she contacted me I told her the only time I had available would be 7:00 pm. Since she had family traveling, she decided to get married at noon the next day. It was a good decision because the weather was much nicer on Saturday.

Here's a photo with her father. It's finally time!

As part of the wedding ceremony, Jasmine and Brennan wanted to include a handfasting, which has Celtic origins. Handfasting is often associated with paganism but can easily be adapted for Christian and other religious traditions. I have many samples and am always open to other possibilities. For their ceremony, colored ribbons were tied as specific promises were made.

We can only accommodate a few guests but that will soon change when our wedding bridge is complete. (more on this later)

After the ceremony everyone went inside to enjoy cake and sparkling cider.

Jasmine order the cake topper from Etsy.

I wish you could see the detail. The doves are inserted in a small base and looked lovely on the cake. Jasmine plans to display the doves in a shadow box. What a nice wedding memento.

After the cake was cut it was time for the wedding toast. With smiles and a few tears, their families wished them much love and happiness!

11/11/11 Weddings

2011-11-11T20:00:00.002-05:00

What a day! I have no idea how many couples chose today as their wedding day but I’m sure it was staggering. On Monday I had several phone calls from frantic people trying to find a wedding officiant.

I had been booked for months and was surprised that so many couples waited until the last minute. Then I realized that the courthouse would be closed for Veteran’s Day. Many couples had been planning on a simple civil ceremony and were busy trying to find someone to marry them.

My day started out with a wonderful ceremony. Two people who had been in love for 25 years chose today as their wedding day. They did not tell anyone of their plans but before arriving they had already mailed announcements. What a nice surprise for their family and friends.

And then, another lovely couple came to our retreat center. I would not normally schedule several weddings on one day but this was a very special day and I tried to accommodate as many couples as possible.

Tricia and Rick traveled from across the state to get married at our retreat center. They arrived yesterday and had time to drive out to meet me and look around our center. It was a pleasure meeting them and made me even more excited to be part of their wedding day.

Don't they look happy!

In the afternoon I headed to Lake Wylie for a beautiful (windy) ceremony. For Priscilla and Rody, 11/11/11 held very special meaning and it was very important that they begin their married life on this day. Although it was a little chilly, their ceremony was beautiful and very love-filled. (And the weather wasn’t too chilly since they drove away in a convertible with the top down!) Hopefully, I will have more photos to post soon.

And what a wonderful way to end a special day, with Rosemary and Sytse tying the knot.

Yes, they really did tie the knot.

Tanya and George Marry at RiverMist

2011-11-08T09:17:00.005-05:00

It was going to take more than a flat tire to keep Tanya and George from getting married on November 4^th. And although their wedding day started out with a minor difficulty, it ended up being the wedding of their dreams.

When we started planning their wedding ceremony Tanya told me that she did not want a traditional wedding ceremony; she wanted something very individual and unique. (the wheels started turning…)

I offered some suggestions and she and George decided on several different elements. It was time to put the ceremony together…

George had difficulty with the cuff links and his dad was happy to give him a little help.

And here's the handsome groom, having his own 'photo shoot'.

We began with a Handwashing Ceremony to signify washing away the past and starting with a ‘clean slate’. After washing their hands, Tanya and George dried each other’s hands with tenderness.

When I mentioned ‘Tasting the Elements’ Tanya immediately said that she wanted to include this as part of the ceremony. Tanya and George dipped their fingers into the bowls containing salt water, lemon juice, tonic water and honey. They placed a small amount on the tip of the other's tongue as I explained the symbolism.

After personal vows to each other, Tanya and George made promises to their daughters. We concluded with a covenant of salt ceremony. Once blended, the covenant can only be broken when the individual grains of salt can be retrieved.

We never know what the future holds but looks like these two will hold on tight!

Here's a portion of an email I received from Tanya.

You have changed our lives, my life and I will be forever grateful to you for all you've done to make my wedding the best moment of my life. Thank you Victoria. I love you!

Does life get any better?

Mountain Wedding in North Carolina

2011-11-03T23:19:00.000-04:00

It's no wonder that Abby and Michael traveled from Ohio to get married in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

And what an unusual location, a dude ranch, Clear Creek Guest Ranch in Burnsville.

I was talking to Abby's father before the ceremony and he said that Abby had her heart set on this location. She had traveled here as a young teenager and had fallen in love with the place. He told here that places change and it might not be quite the way she remembered it. Just to be sure, he insisted that she and Michael visit before making a decision. Her memory was correct and she and Michael agreed this would be the perfect location.

There was a wonderful area for the ceremony with plenty of seating for the honored guests. Some guests decided to watch from the porch overlooking the ceremony site.

The area is very secluded with no outside noise or interference. Also, there are several cabins so everyone was able to stay on site. This is a good way for families to get to know each other since often they are meeting for the first time.

Abby was a very happy bride and her wedding gown was absolutely gorgeous.

And if you're getting married at a dude ranch, there has to be a photo with a horse.

Abby and Michael wrote a wonderful review on Wedding Wire, which I will share.

I had a destination wedding in Burnsville, NC. I live in Columbus, OH so the planning wasn't easy. I found Victoria online and read some great reviews. I e-mailed her and the very next day she called me. After speaking with her I knew she was the one! She had my day open and she even volunteered to drive 60 miles to my wedding site! She helped us plan our ceremony all by e-mail! It was customized perfectly just for us! She has all sorts of ceremony options or you can custom make your own! We had the whole ceremony finished and printed weeks before the wedding so I had one less thing to worry about! The day of the wedding she arrived on time and was everything I had hoped for! I would recommend her to any bride! I'm so lucky to have had her for my big day! Abby and Michael

Wedding at West Point Farms and Event Center

2011-11-03T22:38:00.000-04:00

Don’t you just love this fall weather? October was awonderful month and November is off to a good start. Thank goodness we didn’thave the “Halloween” snowfall like the northern states.

The past six weeks have been very busy. I was able tospend time at the coast for a little R & R and travel to the mountains toofficiate several weddings. With all the traveling it’s been hard to find timeto post some photos. Also, couples get busy and forget to send photos. I will at least post a couple of entries, just to give you some ideas.

If you’re planning a wedding in North Carolina you might want to consider West Point Farms and Event Center.I just can’t say enough about this place.

There are two cabins so the weddingparty has plenty of room to ‘chill’ before the wedding. Ceremonies take placein an outdoor chapel, only steps away from the reception site.

There's a lovely path that leads to the Grotto.

I had the honor of officiating a very special wedding at West Point Farms a few weeks ago. Cassie and Robert have known each other since middle school. They parted ways, learned life lessons and grew as individuals. When the time was right, they 'found' each other and now they will walk the path of life together. We had several meetings at our retreat center and I enjoyed hearing their stories and helping them design a ceremony that was personal and unique.

It's always a nice touch when couples honor their families and publicly thank them for their love and support. Cassie and Robert wanted to recognize their mothers so they included a Rose Presentation at the beginning of the ceremony. The smiles on their faces said it all.

I'm afraid my photo doesn't do this justice but I will post it anyway. Cassie and Robert also included a Bell of Truce at the end of their ceremony. A nice tradition with Celtic origins.

And so, do you want to see the happy couple!

And now they're busy making memories....

Holden Beach Wedding - Sarah and Allen

2011-09-26T09:48:00.000-04:00

Life is so interesting. I knew when I was getting ready formy fall beach trip that I would be officiating a wedding. (Other than the one Ihad scheduled in Ocean Isle last week.)

I was not disappointed.

Allen called our retreat center last week. He and Sarah hadbeen planning a wedding and life just kept getting in the way. They already hadone marriage license expire and there were not about to let that happen again.I asked where they wanted to get married and Allen said they really loved thebeach and would like to have a simple ceremony on the coast. Well, surprise,surprise that’s exactly where I was.

Even though we only had a few days, I prepared a personalceremony that not only married two people but joined a family together. It wasa wonderful day!

We stood in the center of a large heart that had been drawnon the sand. After everyone was in place, Madeline, scattered flowers, followingthe outline of the heart. No doubt, we were surrounded by love.

Sarah said that she would like to include Madelyn and Phoenix in the ceremony.After rings were exchanged, she and Allen made promises to their children. Thenthe family participated in a sand ceremony. Since I was convinced there wouldbe a short-notice wedding I was prepared and had my supplies ready. I brought aheart shaped vase from home and had purchased whelk shells earlier in the week.

Sarah and Allen scooped up sand from the very spot they madetheir vows and then the children added their sand. Love declared, heartsunited, lives joined.

The timing was perfect. My friends, Pat and Roger, werevisiting for the weekend and they were more than happy to serve as witnessesand photographers. Each one had a camera so there are many photos of thisspecial day.

After lots of photos, we headed to the house to sign thepaperwork. On the way in, I asked Sarah and Allen to wash each others feet tosymbolize they would always take care of each others needs. A nice finale fora wonderful wedding.

The future is theirs…

I always love hearing back from couples and was so pleased to receive this email:

Victoria, I'm not sure a thank you, does justice to what you have done for me, Sarah, Madeline, and Phoenix. Sunday was more than we could have ever hoped for, everything turned out perfect, almost like it was meant to be. The pictures turned out beautiful, both the ones we have and the ones we have seen on your blog. Weddings are meant to be a day you will never forget, and because of you, ours will be a day we look back on with the fondest of memories. Once again thank you very much for everything you did for us. Allen and Sarah

NC Beach Wedding - Want to elope?

2011-09-19T09:37:00.001-04:00

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Mountains, beaches and everywhere in between. North Carolina has itall for your destination wedding. There are so many wonderful places, ….

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love traveling acrossour beautiful state, officiating celebrations of love. Most of my travel is in themountain area but I always love the opportunity to travel to the coast.

As youcan see, September is a beautiful month at the beach. Temperatures are cooler,rates are discounted and the beach is almost deserted. What a perfect time for awedding!

I was very excited in March when Jerome contacted me aboutofficiating his wedding at Ocean Isle. I was planning a fall trip to the beachso this worked perfectly with my schedule. I always said that when I retired Iwould spend a month at the coast. Well, I've been retired seven years nowand I haven’t spent the month yet but I’m coming close this year… three weeks!And, to be honest, I'm not ‘retired’ yet. Just have a really good boss!

Jerome is a professional wedding and event videographer soas you can imagine there were cameras in every direction.

There was even one onthe upper level of the beach house. These guys didn’t miss a single moment oftheir wedding day.

Although I did not get photos of the wedding, here are fewafter the I do’s.

Just received these great photos from Jerome. Many thanks to Rachel Anglen Photography – www.anglenphotography.com.

Wedding at Lake Lure - Taking the Plunge

2011-09-01T15:45:00.011-04:00

I've been looking forward to receiving some photos from a wedding I officiated in June. And now I can share..

Tonya and Kendall loved visiting Lake Lure and thought it would be the perfect spot for their wedding. And it was. The rental vacation house was very spacious, with several levels. There was a lovely covered balcony and the chairs were arranged to form an aisle. Someone had been hard a work decorating. There were bows and flowers everywhere..

It had been raining a little but stopped in time for us to have the ceremony at the end of the deck which was completely open.

Tonya and Kendall wanted a traditional religious ceremony. She was escorted by her father, who looked very proud.

Promises were made, rings were exchanged, prayers and blessings were offered. Sounds pretty traditional, doesn't it? Well.... this bride is anything but traditional.

Keep reading.

Tonya had a big surprise for her guests. As you can see, she was wearing a beautiful wedding gown. Before the ceremony she told me of her plans to jump into the lake. Yes, while wearing her lovely wedding gown.

It seems that she had been telling people that she was finally 'taking the plunge'. She said the idea hit her, 'why not'. So here it is...

Tonya and Kendall taking the plunge.

Best wishes to an adventurous couple!

Wedding at Balsam Mountain Inn

2011-08-16T00:27:00.001-04:00

I love traveling around our beautiful state. And travel I do! Saturday was no exception. I left home around 8:30 am for a noon wedding in Balsam. Even if you're familiar with North Carolina you've probably never heard of the town of Balsam.
Balsam was a tourist stop on the Murphy Branch of the Western North Carolina Railroad, later the Southern Railway. In the early 20th century, tourists would travel from Asheville to the train depot at Balsam and stay ‘just up the hill’ at the Balsam Mountain Inn.

Today, the depot no longer stands at the original site but was moved up the ridge, in the 1960s, to a private location. Balsam Mountain Inn was renovated in 1990 and refurbished in 2004 is still in operation, serves as a nostalgic reminder of a by-gone era with a great restaurant and wine list.

This sign was on display with some other memorabilia. Although there have been changes, one thing remains the same, 'air conditioned by nature'. Sounds crazy with the heat wave but the guests said the temperature had been perfect!

The inn, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, provides 50 rooms and suites, each with its own unique decor and vintage furniture just the way it was at the turn of the century and still phone and TV free. (Wouldn't it be nice to get away from TV, phones and internet for a few days?)

The wedding planning started many months ago. Darren and Kelley were traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway when they decided it was time to eat,. They happened upon the Balsam Mountain Inn and it was love at first sight. They knew this was 'the' place. And I must say, I agree.

To be honest, not everyone would appreciate the rich history contained within the walls of the Balsam Inn. I love the character of old buildings and was so happy to just sit and visit before the wedding began.

Let me ask you, when's the last time you saw something like this?

Now, I certainly don't want you to get the wrong idea. Balsam Inn has style. And the staff... well, they couldn't have been more accommodating. I couldn't help but overhear some conversations and they went out of their way to make this a wonderful wedding experience for Kelley and Darren, even preparing a special desert for Darren's daughter.

One thing that makes this inn so perfect is there's plenty of room for people to move around. There are several sitting areas in the lobby.

And a huge front porch, lined with rocking chairs.

But... the best is yet to come. There's a lovely site for the ceremony. And I have to say, someone was very thoughtful on Saturday.

Daytime temperatures were very warm and everyone was sitting in the sun. Except... the parents and other honored guests. Someone had planned ahead and there was a white tent over this section of chairs.

I was talking with Kelley and Darren before the ceremony. Yes, they saw each other before the ceremony. In fact, Kelley was out greeting the guests as they arrived. Some might find this a bit unusual but I think it speaks of their personalities. Kelley and Darren decided to have their 'first look' photos taken privately before the ceremony began.

Anyway, I mentioned that the Balsam Inn was a great choice. Kelley said the terrace was what 'did it'. This room was almost breath taking.

Simple, but oh so elegant!

I did manage to get a photo of the newlyweds. Hope more are coming.

Balsam Inn will always have a special place in the hearts of Kelley and Darren,.

Small Intimate Weddings in North Carolina

2011-08-13T08:14:00.004-04:00

Are you tired of everyone telling you ‘what you should do’ for YOUR wedding? You might be interested in reading about two couples who chose a stress-free wedding day.

I really do try to keep things easy and it seems that I am successful. Brook asked me last week if I had an Easy button, like Staples.

Small intimate weddings can be planned well in advance or ‘let’s get married’ spur of the moment. Unless it’s like this past Saturday night at 10:30 pm when someone called and wanted to elope. They changed their mind once I told them they needed a marriage license.

Sara and Jeremy planned their wedding well in advance. This is evident from her creative button bouquet. Many, many hours went into creating the lovely piece of art. She used antique buttons from various family members and crocheted circles made by her grandmother.

But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me go back to the beginning. Sara arrived wearing a 'Soon to be Mrs....t- shirt. I told you this couple planned ahead.

While Sara and Jeremy changed clothes we got the ceremony site ready. It had been really hot (103 degrees) and I wanted to make sure they were still planning on getting married outside.

The personalized dish, purchased at Etsy held their wedding rings.

Just a few more minutes

A short blessing and the rings were exchanged.

Nice cold water. A perfect wedding toast on an August day.

No more 'soon to be'. Sara looks pretty happy to be Mrs.

A few days later, I met Brook and Jason and became a part of their wedding memories.

Brook's bouquet was also very personal, decorated with ladybugs, which has special meaning, Lady bugs are a sign of good luck and also that your wish has been granted. What perfect symbolism for Brook and Jason's wedding day.

Brook dressed upstairs and didn't want Jason to see her ahead of time. As she walked to meet him one of their favorite songs was playing on my iPod. And look at his face. It says it all...

Brook had requested a unity sand ritual as part of their wedding ceremony. I keep supplies on hand but she found a personalized set on the internet. It used to take weeks to order something personalized. This set arrived in three days!

Promises had been made, rings exchanged. Now, time for the BIG kiss.

Another happy couple...

Blue Ridge Parkway Wedding

2011-08-02T18:36:00.007-04:00

Are you sweltering in the summer heat? Well, let me just make you jealous. I’m sitting by a KOA cabin in Boone under a shade tree with a nice cool breeze. No air conditioning, slept with the windows open last night. I talked to my husband and the temperature at our retreat center was 105 about an hour ago.

Although it is hotter than usual here, I’m lovin’ this mountain weather!

The wedding I officiated yesterday turned into a bit of an adventure. I knew the location was Lump Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and I expected a ‘lump’. I hadn’t given much thought to getting to the top of the ‘lump’.

It was not a bad walk at all. Luckily, I had walking shoes (actually sandals) and changed into my dress shoes after reaching the top. Definitely worth the walk. Beautiful views! I'm sure the photographer got some great shots and hope to have some to post soon.

Here's a photo from the top of the summit to the parking lot

When I arrived family and friends were busy carrying chairs and coolers to the top.

Rachel and Al were well prepared and I'm sure their guests appreciated their thoughtfulness.

There were hiking sticks, parasols and hand held fans. And best of all…. plenty of ice cold water.

Al and I discussed some last minute details and I took possession of the marriage license. (a must before the wedding). After meeting with Rachel I headed up the hill to check out the actual location.

A permit was required and the park limited the number of guests. However, additional guests were waiting at the reception site to welcome the newlyweds.

Here’s Rachel’s niece getting ready. Cutest flower girl! She and Eli (Rachel and Al’s son) were pulled in a wagon decorated with flowers.

It’s not everyday you see the groom and best man with hiking sticks!

Thanks to today's technology, we had lovely music playing while we waited for the bride to arrive.

The work and planning was over. It was their day, it was their time. Rachel and Al made promises to each other, promises to last a lifetime.

We passed their wedding rings among the guests so each person could offer their personal blessings and prayers.

And here's the happy family!

After some photos Rachel and Al headed to the La Quinta Inn for their reception. At the Inn they met a lovely couple celebrating their 41^st wedding anniversary. This happy couple offered some advice on marriage and challenged Rachel and Al to beat their record.

Since they did not have a first dance at their wedding forty-one years ago, Rachel and Al invited their new friends to join them on the dance floor. After which they shared wedding cake and toasted to many, many years of happiness. A chance meeting, now a wonderful wedding memory!

And from their wedding ceremony:

Marriage is a foundation…a seed of love that grows deeper each day. Because of your love, you will change most remarkably. Allow the changes to flower in you and know that they are leading you to a place where, separately and together, you are becoming more than you were before. For it is love, true love, that is the true gift of marriage.

Best wishes to the happy couple!

The Things We Do For Love - July Wedding at Chimney Rock State Park

2011-07-25T20:19:00.000-04:00

Sunday July 24th is certainly a day I will remember for a long time! Hopefully I will have photos to post soon. I took just a couple with my iPhone.

Like many areas, we have been experiencing a heat wave. Last Friday our thermometer reached 114 degrees. Now even if it's off a little, that is still hot. Last Friday was also the day I was stuck in traffic on I 85 for 3 1/2 hours with the car thermometer reading 103 degrees. Not fun.

Yesterday, with all the heat, I was a little concerned about the walk to Hickory Nut Falls at Chimney Rock State Park. It's been a dry summer as you can tell from the lack of water flowing.

Thank goodness, Josh and Whitney were smart and planned for a 10:30 ceremony. I arrived at the park around 9:30, wanting to get a head start and give my sweat time to dry before everyone arrived at the waterfall. The walk is not normally too bad and luckily there was a breeze.

I'm always concerned when a hike is involved and remind everyone to bring plenty of water. While walking the trail, I had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath. I was looking so forward to the cold water I had packed in my bag. It was my incentive to keep moving. When I arrived at the base of the falls, I placed my bag on the picnic table ready to reward myself. Imagine my surprise when I could not find my water. I was mumbling to a park guest that I couldn't believe that I had left my water behind. The kind hearted soul offered me some from his bottle. I declined his offer but it's always reassuring when strangers come to your rescue.

The area is so beautiful. The breeze quickly dried my perspiration and I was ready when the wedding guests started arriving. And lucky for me, they brought extra water. Josh and I chatted a bit while we waited for Whitney's parents to arrive. Once everyone was in place, it was time for the wedding.

"We have gathered here, surrounded by the beauty of nature, to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony."

Like many couples Josh and Whitney wanted a ceremony that focused on love. They chose several Bible passages to be included.

"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you: abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Whitney and Josh made promises, exchanged rings and celebrated with family and friends. Now they are enjoying their first days of married life.

I will admit I was happy to get home and change clothes. Often, my husband, Guy, just shakes his head at me. After a wedding that requires physical effort he usually tells me 'you know you don't have to do this'. Sometimes I think that means, 'you're getting too old to do this'. He is a wise man and chooses his words carefully! It's not that I have to do it but I can't not do it. I know, I know, terrible grammar. Double negative but it makes my point.

I was a little tired yesterday but did get to try out my new pedometer. And after a little nap in the air conditioning I was good as new! Now... waiting for the next adventure.

Cheryl and Brian Get Married in North Carolina

2011-07-19T12:54:00.002-04:00

Tonight is the night.
It's the creation of that land of eternity.
It's not an ordinary night,
it's a wedding of those who seek Love.

July 16 was not an ordinary night. For Cheryl and Brian it was a night of memories with promises made under the full moon.

Like so many couples, Cheryl and Brian have families living in other states. Planning a wedding that could include everyone was nearly impossible. So they decided on a private wedding ceremony and will celebrate later with family and friends.

Cheryl and Brian wanted to include a ring blessing, using a special heart shaped stone they found on a trip to Yellowstone. They also wanted a way to symbolize the love and support of their family. They chose two stones near the ceremony site which will be presented to their mothers at a later date.

It was a perfect night for a unity candle.

And here’s the happy couple with their best man and maid of honor.

And Cheryl just had to get in the water.

What a fun couple. Check out their champagne glasses!

Happily Married!

Best wishes to the new Mr. and Mrs.

Shirley and Mike Marry at RiverMist

2011-07-17T11:57:00.005-04:00

Dreams do come true! A few days ago I had the honor of blessing the marriage of two best friends.

Shirley and Mike contacted me about six months ago. They found my information over the internet and wanted to come visit our retreat center. They immediately decided that our river house was perfect for their family wedding. So perfect, in fact, they booked the house for four nights. (turns out that wasn’t enough and they added another night!) And they are already talking about returning next year for their anniversary.

The wedding took place on Friday evening and lucky for us there was a break in the heat wave we had been experiencing. There had been showers throughout the day but the rain held off long enough to get the dock beautifully decorated.

Everyone gathered around at the appointed time.

Here comes the bride!

And here’s Mike, watching his future wife walk toward him. It was finally time. The wait was over.

Shirley places the ring on Mike's finger as she makes her promises:

Mike, you are the love of my life and you are my very best friend. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and my commitment to you. Just as this ring has no ending, neither has my love for you. I pledge to share with you my heart, my life an my love, from this day forward.

Those who God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

After a few family photos, it was time to celebrate!

A nice candid shot. Yes, it's true we are finally married!

All I want is to love you

For the rest of my life....

To wake up every morning

With you by my side,

Knowing that no matter what happens

I’ll be able to come home

To your loving arms.

Shirley and Mike left a wonderful note in our guest book. I truly love what I do and it's an honor to be part of such a special time

Victoria and Guy, RiverMist is truly an amazing place. When Mike and I began to plan our wedding we wanted our wedding to be outside with family and friends. RiverMist provided us with a beautiful and peaceful place that we could get married and share our special day with our family and friends.

The moment Mike and I pulled up at the cabin we knew that we had found our place. Victoria was so helpful in helping us to plan and work through all the details. She kept close in touch through emails. She was very prompt to answer any questions we had. She provided us with many resources as she helped us to personalize our ceremony. She was very reassuring and was willing to share her wedding supplies with us.

As our wedding day got closer she stayed in touch to see if we needed anything. When we arrived at the cabin she had everything ready for us to decorate.

On the day of our wedding Victoria and Guy were very professional. The ceremony was absolutely perfect! Guy, you did an amazing job capturing our special day with pictures. Mike and I will cherish these pictures forever.

Victoria and Guy, you have a special place in our hearts. We look forward to coming back each year and spending our anniversary here. The five days we spent here, relaxing and fishing, were awesome.

The two of you are truly amazing and what you have created with RiverMist will be forever with us. We look forward to returning again soon to enjoy RiverMist and the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere it provides. Thanks for everything again. May God bless you both! Shirley and Mike

Waterfall wedding in NC - Pearsons Falls

2011-07-04T23:22:00.000-04:00

Well, my day started off with a smile. I received this wonderful email:

Hello Victoria! We are back in Florida and settling in. John and I want to thank you so much for everything! Our ceremony turned out wonderfully and just as we had imagined. We weren't familiar with the local waterfalls and you couldn't have suggested a more beautiful location. The weather was perfect (no rain) and much to our surprise we had the Falls all to ourselves. Thank you also for helping us create our own personal vows and for creating the ceremony as a whole.

It was so sweet of you to think about our 3 daughters by giving them the heart shaped stones to remind them of our stone toss and of our special day. They loved them- they added them to the gem collections that they obtained during a gem mining trip we took when we were there. Please, also give your husband a huge thank you for us as well. I know that he doesn't usually go out on location with you so it was an extra bonus to see him there and for him to be kind enough to bring his camera along!! We can't wait to see his photos!

June 29, 2011 was a day that neither of us will ever forget! Thank you for sharing it with us and for helping us make it so special! Sincerely, John & Rebecca

I will have to start off by saying June 29^th was a hot summer day. But the sweaty walk and the bug bites are now a thing of the past and what we have left are wonderful wedding memories.

When Rebecca first emailed me she had a vision of what she wanted for her wedding day. It took some effort and coordination but from her email I know she and John had their dream wedding.

Rebecca made her entrance, walking behind her daughters who were blowing bubbles for her arrival.

Because of the circumstances I was not able to meet Rebecca ahead of time. It was a pleasure to finally meet her face to face.

The wedding vows were very personal and kept as a surprise until the day of the wedding. Look at their faces.

Rebecca promised to ‘sit through the never ending episodes of House and to act as excited when you play Justin Bieber songs for me’.

And John concluded his vows by promising ‘to spend today and all of my tomorrows, with you. To infinity and beyond..’ Wedding vows don’t have to be totally serious and it’s always fun to add some personal touches

And what a wedding memory. The first married kiss in front of a beautiful waterfall.

Wedding at 1927 Lake Lure Inn

2011-06-26T23:40:00.001-04:00

When Melissa and Jake were considering the 1927 Lake Lure Inn for their wedding they asked my opinion. I love officiating weddings there and am always happy recommend the Inn. It is perfect for any size wedding and the staff is always very professional and attentive. There are rooms and cabins for the guests, several locations for the actual wedding ceremony and a wonderful restaurant for the reception. It couldn’t be any easier.

When I arrived on June 24^th everyone was busy getting ready. Melissa and Jake had chosen the private garden for their ceremony which was perfect.

We began with a prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow,
for the health, the work, the food,
and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen

During the ceremony Jake's sister, Shelley read scripture from Paul's letter to the Corinthians and Jake's brother, Matthew, read the Prayer of St. Francis. It is always a nice touch when family members participate in the ceremony.

And I have to post a photo of THE kiss!

Sarah Whitmeyer was the photographer and I highly recommend her. It was obvious she had a passion for her work. Here are just a few of her beautiful photographs.

As you can see, Lake Lure provides wonderful opportunities for photographs.

Here is a portion of an email I received from Melissa, 'I couldn't be happier. Friday was the BEST day of my life. I married my best friend. I still cannot believe how blessed I am to have found him'.

The looks on their faces say it all. Love is a wonderful thing!

Love is in the Air – June Weddings in NC

2011-06-09T23:25:00.000-04:00

Can you feel the love?? June has always been a popular month for weddings. 2011 is no exception. I’ve had the pleasure of officiating three weddings so far this month and have several more scheduled. Hopefully, I will have some photos to post soon.

If you’re reading this and planning a wedding I would like to offer a little advice. Choose your officiant wisely. I’ve heard quite a few horror stories lately. Mostly, ministers cancelling at the last minute. However, there was a couple who ended up leaving the minister’s office with the bride in tears.

Seems he didn’t approve of their lifestyle and emphatically stated that he saw no hope for their marriage. This was three days before their wedding. The groom’s father contacted me because the couple was distraught and wanted to find another minister. Not bragging, well maybe a little, I stepped in and it was a beautiful wedding full of joy and happiness.

Finding the right minister requires a little effort, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. It may not be possible to meet ahead of time but if you choose an experienced minister everything can be planned through email and phone calls.

Several websites offer the opportunity for couples to post reviews. Here is a recent review posted by a couple I married in May.

Victoria is absolutely amazing to work with. I felt as if I had been friends with her forever. She responded promptly anytime I had a question. We met in person over coffee to get better acquainted. She was definitely on top of it all. She sent me a note the week prior to our wedding to remind me of a few things. Our ceremony couldn't have been more perfect. Everyone commented on how wonderful she was and how did I find her. And after our ceremony I went back to her earlier email which had a wonderful list of how to change your name and which accounts to change that I hadn't even thought of.

Absolutely Wonderful.

I always appreciate hearing kinds words from couples I marry. Michael and Sharon chose Gideon Ridge Inn in Blowing Rock for the wedding. What a great location. The mountain laurel was in full bloom and the weather was perfect. And you can tell from their faces that is was a very special day.

And remember, whatever you do, have fun. It's your wedding day. Make it special.

Wedding at Max Patch on the Appalachian Trail

2011-05-20T23:43:00.002-04:00

I’m always up for an adventure. Well, yesterday was an adventure!

Like many couples, Susan and Scott were planning a wedding and looking for some suggestions. Susan mentioned that they love the outdoors and were hiking the Appalachian Trail. It takes a lot of dedication and time to hike the entire 2,175 mile trail that crosses through fourteen states from Georgia to Maine. Like most people who hike the AT, Susan and Scott were ‘segment’ hiking.

When she mentioned the Appalachian Trail, I knew the perfect spot. Max Patch, near Hot Springs. It is a wonderful bald with 360 degree views. She and Scott took a little trip to see for themselves. They agreed, it was perfect.

My husband, Guy, went with me yesterday. He doesn’t usually travel with me but he agreed to go and take a few photos. We left home in plenty of time because I always allow for the ‘unexpected’. Yesterday we got an ‘unexpected’. We were ahead of schedule and within three miles when we found the road blocked. We were told that a tractor was stuck. Actually it was an 18 wheeler that had attempted the one lane gravel road. Not sure why he chose this route but it probably had to do with a GPS. My Garmin has taken me on quite a few side roads.

One problem with remote weddings… spotty cell coverage. I had no way of notifying Scott and Susan of our dilemma. We were told the road should be cleared in about 25 minutes so we sat patiently, watching beautiful butterflies.

The road finally cleared and we were on our way…

Although we only live about 20 miles from each other, I met Susan and Scott for the first time in the parking lot. I made sure they had their marriage license with them before we started the hike.

There are several trails to the top of Max Patch. Scott and Susan chose the shortest one. Which, as you can imagine, is not the easiest trail. I had to rest several times during the climb. Once we reached the top, I took a few minutes to catch my breath.

Doesn't the bride look happy!

It was a beautiful ceremony, full of love.

Marriage is a journey. There are no maps. There is only a commitment to stay on the same path – to love, honor and cherish each other every day.

During the ceremony, I noticed that someone had joined us. A fellow hiker was passing by and decided to take a few photos of the wedding. We talked a bit and his trail name is ‘FireTower’.

The photos say it all. Almost. For their honeymoon, Susan, Scott and their two dogs are hiking to Hot Springs. A trip they will always remember.

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again my friend
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Small Private Weddings and Elopement Packages in North Carolina

2011-05-15T13:25:00.000-04:00

Are you planning a wedding and feeling stressed?

More and more couples are choosing to marry privately and celebrate later with family and friends. One couple recently told me they were eloping because, ‘we care more about our marriage and future together than just the one day'. To be honest, my husband and I eloped. We didn’t have a lot of options available but it was great fun! For us we wanted to ‘be’ married, not ‘get’ married.

Elopement packages are a great way for couples on a budget to plan their special day without accumulating excessive debt. Perhaps you are buying a new home, finishing your education or planning a fantastic honeymoon.

A small, private ceremony can be memorable and romantic without straining your budget. And, anything goes! You can be formal and wear a beautiful wedding gown and tuxedo or you can choose to wear shorts, t-shirts and sandals.

There are so many reasons that eloping is a perfect option.

To save money

To have the style of wedding that reflects your personalities

To avoid offending family that my live a long distance away

To reduce stress associated with large wedding

To eliminate the possibility of getting nervous/emotional

To stay in control

To save time

Years ago, eloping meant going to the courthouse (or jail, depending on the location of the magistrate) and getting married. Luckily that has changed and there are many options available.

You don’t have to settle for a standard, one size fits all, ceremony. If you’re looking for a beautiful location for a personal, love-filled wedding day you might want to consider our retreat center, located between Charlotte and Asheville.

We are not a wedding venue with one wedding scheduled right after the other. There’s time to relax, breathe and enjoy this special time. There are several outdoor locations and when the weather becomes a problem weddings take place inside our main cabin. If you want to celebrate with family and friends we can accommodate a few guests.

We are available for short-notice weddings. However, you must have a valid NC marriage license.

Our packages include:

Services of a non-denominational minister

Individually prepared ceremony (religious, spiritual, or non-religious/civil)

Choice of special elements

Customized vows

Recorded music

Witnesses

Complimentary digital photo CD

Use of private dressing area

Keepsake marriage certificate

Filing of the marriage license

Optional items:

Champagne/sparkling juice toast with keepsake champagne flutes

Petite wedding cake

Bridal bouquet & boutonnière

Overnight accommodations at riverfront house

So… does this sound good? Call or email. I will be happy to answer any questions.

Leah and Derek, Together Forever

2011-05-09T19:00:00.000-04:00

What an honor to share in Leah and Derek’s special day at the Cottages of Spring House Farms. Family weddings are such fun and this was a perfect location.

Have you ever seen a cuter flower girl?

I noticed that everything was well coordinated and mentioned this to Leah. She told me that she had previously worked as a wedding planner. It all made sense! She had taken care of all the tiny details. Even the ribbon on her bridal bouquet was decorated with hearts that contained their initials.

As part of the ceremony Leah and Derek made personal promises to each other. Leah read hers, Derek spoke from his heart.

After their promises to each other, they made promises to their daughter, Isabella. She did not understand the significance of these words but her parents did. They were already united as a family. This was the day to acknowledge it publicly.

Zee had arranged for a small reception following the ceremony.

Isabella was allowed a little taste of the icing.

We left the happy family celebrating! Plans were already in place to return next year to celebrate their first anniversary.

Wedding at The Thistle House in Granite Falls

2011-05-08T21:40:00.001-04:00

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since that first email from Jackie and Ronnie. Jackie was a full time nursing student and since her graduation was a few days after their wedding, she wanted to plan everything well in advance. After a few emails, I was pleased when they asked me to officiate their ceremony. We immediately began working on their wedding ceremony.

Saturday May 7^th was the day they had been planning for. The weather was absolutely perfect. When I arrived their family was busy making preparations for the wedding and reception.

This was my first wedding at The Thistle House in Granite Falls. The Bed and Breakfast has a perfect spot on the lawn for outdoor weddings. I wandered around taking a few photos while I was waiting for everyone to arrive.

Lovely Koi pond.

Instead of a wedding cake, there were tiers of beautiful cupcakes. They were certainly tempting.

There was a small cake, on the top tier, to be shared on their first anniversary.

I loved the favors. What a clever idea. How fun to watch the flowers sprout and grow while thinking of the newlyweds.

While the photographer was hard at work, I was able to get a quick photo of the happy couple. Two hearts, One love. The beginning of Always!

A Touch of England - Jennifer and Keith Marry at RiverMist

2011-05-03T17:27:00.009-04:00

For the last few weeks all eyes have been on England and the Royal Wedding. It was a beautiful event witnessed (and critiqued) by millions. The wedding required a huge amount of preparation and coordination. I haven’t heard estimates on the actual cost of the wedding but I’m sure it’s staggering. With all the planning and expense, at the end of the day they were married and everything was a memory.

On May 2^nd, we made wedding memories at RiverMist. Jennifer, along with her parents and brother traveled from England to marry the love of her life, Keith, who is stationed at Fort Bragg.

Jennifer, like many brides, wanted a simple stress-free wedding. She gave me complete freedom to make the arrangements. I contacted a local florist to design her wedding bouquet, boutonniere, and of course a corsage for her mother, or as Jennifer referred to her, Mum. Everything was ready and waiting for their arrival.

After pining the groom's boutonniere we were ready to begin. Jennifer’s Mum had requested special music, Pachelbel's Canon. It was a wonderful way to begin the ceremony.

Our weather has been perfect and Monday was no exception. It was a little overcast which is optimal for outdoor photos.

Jennifer's father was happy to escort his daughter.

The family gathered around as Jennifer and Keith made their promises to ‘share life’s journey.’ Their first kiss was a short sweet kiss, (similar to the much talked about kiss shared by Kate and William)

Immediately after the kiss was THE hug, hearts beating together.

After taking a little time to be alone, the couple came inside for cake and champagne.

It was a touching moment, during the toast, when Jennifer's father told Keith to ‘take care of their little girl’.

Jennifer was a little worried about cutting the cake. Keith had told her that sometimes the bride or groom smear cake on each others face. She had nothing to fear, Keith is a gentleman.

Since we are not a wedding venue with one wedding scheduled right after the other, there’s plenty of time to sit and visit. The clouds had lifted and the deck was nice and sunny so everyone decided to have their refreshments outside.

Photos were downloaded and the cake and champagne flutes were packed for travel. The newlyweds headed to Asheville to enjoy a few days alone.

It’s always such a special time when couples drive away to ‘begin their new life together’…..

It's fun to elope.. Just ask Tracy and Eddie

2011-04-30T16:28:00.021-04:00

Tracy and Eddie wanted a simple uncomplicated wedding. They also wanted a quiet place to rest and enjoy the beauty of nature. The Cottages of Spring House Farm was a perfect choice for their destination wedding and honeymoon. In fact, they loved the area so much they did a little house shopping and actually made an offer on a house.

When I arrived at Spring House I was met by Arthur Campbell, the owner, and his canine family. We chatted a little while waiting for the anxious bride and groom. Although Tracy and Eddie were confident in their decision to marry they said they were feeling some pre-wedding jitters. It was obvious, they had forgotten to bring their marriage license with them. Arthur told Eddie to hop on his ATV and he would run him back to the cabin. At least it was nearby. One couple, a few years ago, had to drive home (two hours away) to retrieve the forgotten license.

At Spring House, there are several locations available for weddings. This covered pavilion, by the water lilies, was a lovely choice. It’s a little early for the lilies but some had started blooming along with the beautiful roses.

Tracy carried a bouquet of wildflowers that she picked before the ceremony began. The flowers were tied with ribbon and contained a cross (which belonged to Eddie’s grandmother) and a ring (which belonged to Tracy’s grandmother.) What nice way to honor the memory of special people.

Promises were made, hearts were joined.

I look forward to our future together

knowing we will walk it together

side by side,
hand in hand
and heart to heart.

The honeymoon is over but the marriage has just begun.

Erica and Rick Marry at The Biltmore Village Inn

2011-04-27T23:08:00.004-04:00

Erica and Rick wanted a beautiful and romantic location for their elopement. The Biltmore Village Inn was a perfect choice. I have officiated several weddings at the Inn and it’s always a pleasure to return.

Like many couples, they wanted a wonderful wedding memory without any stress. After a few emails, we had the ceremony finalized and it was just a matter of waiting for the date. Well, almost… Since they were from another state, they had to make a quick trip to North Carolina to obtain their marriage license. I understand it was quite an adventure and took a little longer than they expected. However, this was much better than arriving on Good Friday and finding the county offices closed.

Their original plan was to get married, with the Inn providing the witnesses. When good friends, Matt, Shannon, and their daughter Karlee, found out about the wedding they decided to drive to Asheville to join the celebration. This worked out perfectly. They served as the witnesses and Matt was a great photographer.

About a week before the wedding Erica emailed to see if it was possible to have a Dove Release. I told her it was no problem for me and gave her the phone number of Asheville White Dove Releases. Arrangements were quickly made. We had a plan.

We began the ceremony with ‘surprise’ reading of ‘You are My Everything’ from Erica to Rick. This set the tone for the rest of the ceremony, which was personally prepared. At Erica’s request we ended the ceremony with a reading from the book of Ruth, "Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

After the pronouncement it was time for the Dove Release. Julia read a lovely poem before the newlyweds released the white doves from the wicker basket.

Everyone smiled as we watched the doves flying home together. White doves mate for life, the perfect symbolism.

Bob, the owner of the Inn had a special surprise for Erica and Rick. Chocolate covered strawberries are always a treat. What a great way to start a marriage!

Wishing Erica and Rick much happiness as they travel through life together.

Family Wedding - Angela and Mark Together Forever

2011-04-26T15:10:00.000-04:00

My first contact with Mark and Angela was through their good friend, Jamie. After several emails we arranged a meeting to get acquainted and discuss the details of their wedding. It was a stormy night with strong winds. In fact some areas received large quantities of hail. This was the very reason Mark and Angela decided to marry inside, where the weather would not be a problem. Angela said she didn’t want the stress of worrying about the weather forecast. The Ramada Inn in Statesville was a great choice.

The altar area was decorated beautifully. Don’t you love the candle holders?

This marriage was a combining of families. Mark and Angela wanted to include their sons in the wedding ceremony and the unity sand ceremony was a beautiful addition.

Now, I just have to mention… These two baked and decorated their own wedding cake! This seemed like an overwhelming task to me. However, they were confident and their cake says it all. It was beautiful!

Their cake topper was carefully selected and was perfect.

The happy couple! After celebrating with their friends and family they headed out for a week in Gatlinburg. A nice quiet week, just the two of them.
Now Mr and Mrs...

Wedding at Rocky River Vineyard

2011-04-24T17:55:00.000-04:00

Often I have the opportunity to officiate the wedding of a close friend or family member. I was very excited when my ‘sister friend’, Sharon, asked if I would officiate her daughter’s wedding. I have known Anna for many years and was honored to be part of the celebration.

Anna, Sharon and I met to talk about the details of the wedding ceremony. Anna and Albert decided to get married on Earth Day, April 22^nd and wanted to include a tree planting as part of the ceremony. I immediately began to offer suggestions on how this could be incorporated in their ceremony. After talking with Anna I had a good idea of what she would like included in the ceremony. Once I received her vows, I knew exactly what to do. I sent her a ceremony draft and asked that she make desired changes. No changes needed, the ceremony was perfect!

Anna and Albert’s wedding took place at Rocky River Vineyard in Midland, NC. This was my first visit and I was very impressed with the facility and staff. I would highly recommend this site for a wedding or wine tasting. (My favorite was Scarlett, a blend of several red grapes) I understand the vineyard schedules other events too, bridal showers, bridesmaid luncheons and family events

This wedding required a little more effort than most. Since I am a family friend, I helped with setup and cleanup as well as officiate the ceremony. The wedding was scheduled for 6:00 pm but we could not start setting up until 4:00. If you’ve been involved with wedding preparations, you know that this is not much time at all. We had tables to decorate and flowers to arrange. Everyone worked hard and everything was ready as the guests began to arrive. I excused myself and went to the main house to change clothes and collect my thoughts.

Anna really wanted to have the wedding outside but the weather did not cooperate. It had rained considerably during the day and the ground was saturated. Ken discussed options for getting as many photos as possible.

The drizzle also prevented the tree planting but we symbolically added our love as we poured small containers of soil around the tree, which was planted at a later date.

Once again, I didn’t get many photos. Hopefully, Ken Myers, her photographer will send me some photos to post.

I did get a nice shot of Anna and her mother.

And it wasn't too hard to get Anna to kiss her husband.

Congratulations to a happy couple!

Family Wedding in North Carolina

2011-04-18T09:18:00.002-04:00

Michelle and Bob contacted me several months ago. They were getting married and looking for an outdoor location that could accommodate a small number of guests. While searching the internet they found our website and wanted to visit. They were pleased and immediately confirmed the date and booked our riverfront house.

During the planning process, they decided that it would be nice to have a small reception immediately following their ceremony. I arranged for a local restaurant, which caters for the public, to provide everything needed for a southern BBQ, including plates, cups, ice and, of course, sweet tea. I also arranged for a two-tiered wedding cake and non-alcoholic sparkling apple juice. It doesn’t get any easier..

The weather was a little crazy on April 16^th. Although the rain had stopped, it was windy and chilly. This did not seem to affect the bride and groom. They were ready to get married and it was their day.

Early in the ceremony Bob had a surprise for his soon to be mother-in-law. He presented her with a dozen red roses and a big thank you for welcoming him into the family. She was obviously touched by the gesture and immediately began to share with the other women present.

Like many parents, Bob wanted to include his sons in the ceremony. He and Michelle decided to present family medallions to both sons and to each other. This was a nice way of publicly acknowledging their new family.

Isn’t Michelle lucky, she has three men to love!

We ended the ceremony by tossing blessing stones into the river.

It was a little too cool to eat outside so we moved inside for the reception. After a few toasts the cake was cut and everyone was ready to enjoy some good southern cooking.

After the food was set up it was time for me to leave the celebration. I later returned with the photo CD. I also took my laptop so we could view the wedding photos. Before leaving I gathered up the champagne glasses and serving utensils. Who wants to wash dishes on their wedding day…

It was wonderful day full of love and laughter.

Married, One to the Other - Ashley and Russell

2011-04-17T20:03:00.007-04:00

I didn’t realize it at the time but I had been emailing Ashley about wedding plans while talking to her fiancé over the phone. After the second phone call, I asked Russell if he was Ashley’s fiancé. It all began to make sense and much easier when I realized I was talking about the same wedding.

Ashley and Russell were getting ready to graduate from the university where I worked many years. Not only was Russell getting ready to graduate, he already had a job waiting for him. What a blessing with today’s job market.

After the date was decided we began working on their ceremony. I emailed samples and they made their selections which included a ring blessing and unity sand ceremony. Since there wasn’t time to shop, I provided the needed supplies.

The ring blessing incorporated the four elements, earth, wind, fire and water.

Bless these rings,

the symbol of your promises,

with happiness, wholeness, and love.

Air for hopes and dreams;

Fire for the spark of love;

Water for harmony and healing;

Earth for strength.

May these rings be forever Blessed.

It always makes my heart smile when I receive a thank you note. I just have to share this one..

Russell and I just wanted to send our gratitude for the wonderful ceremony you gave us last Friday, April 15. It was more than perfect! The experience was better than we even imagined, and we couldn’t have asked for more. We spent the rest of the weekend at Chimney Rock State Park! The mountains were an amazing new adventure for us, and the waterfall was absolutely breath-taking. Thank you for making our dream wedding happen, and in such short notice! We will never forget you two, and the perfect little get-away down at RiverMist. Forever grateful, Ashley and Russell

Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Getting Married in North Carolina - Stress Free

2011-04-01T12:46:00.004-04:00

March 31^st, 2011, just another day for most of us. But for Heather and Rob, it is a day they will always remember. Not only the anniversary of their first date but now…. the anniversary of the day they married. How fortunate that I was able to be part of such a special occasion.

Heather and I exchanged quite a few emails as we made plans for their special day. She told me ‘their’ story and a connection was made. We were not strangers, I was welcoming friends when she and Rob arrived at our retreat center, RiverMist.

Many couples are stressed and cannot fully enjoy their wedding day. Not so for these two…

It was obvious they were very much in love and ready to be husband and wife!

Together we created a ceremony that was a true reflection of their personalities and special love.

Speaking of personalities, check out these socks and shoes.

We used a ring blessing that included the four elements, earth, wind, air and fire. Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; and Earth for strength.

We concluded the ceremony with the couple tossing blessings stones into the creek as they recited the following blessing:

From this day forward,

Let us laugh together

And plan together.

Let us find our favorite places

And go together.

Let us enjoy the sunshine and the rain

Being alone together and in crowds together.

From this day forward, together.. Let us love!

It can be difficult planning a destination wedding. To be honest, sometimes it takes a leap of faith.. I received this email from Heather and Rob and have to share it.

Hey Victoria!!!

We are doing FABULOUS! Literally on Cloud 9, both of us. We are most graciously thankful for you and Guy. It felt like family there and that was perfect for us. I'm just so ecstatic about how everything turned out. I couldn't be happier, that is one day, one memory, that will always be a great and happy one for us to relive. We look forward to coming back and have talked about it for summer and even as an anniversary next year. So, we will definitely see you again!!

We put the picture that "we knew was the one" with our hands up and mouths open as a Facebook profile picture and put ‘surprise’ as the caption. We have had over 74 responses. It's been crazy, but it's perfect. Exactly what we wanted there too.

Thanks too for the quick mailing of the license, that was awesome!

Thanks again you two!! Heather & Rob

And now….. the ‘surprise’ photo.

It’s no surprise these two are together…

Married at Looking Glass Falls - Valentine's Day Wedding

2011-02-14T18:00:00.008-05:00

February 14^th, Valentine’s Day, the day of love… Also, the day that Greg and Phoenix will now celebrate as their wedding anniversary.

Looking Glass falls is a very popular place for small, intimate weddings. There is a platform at the base of the falls and can accommodate a few guests. It is a public area but I find most guests are respectful and often happy to be part of a celebration.

The waterfall is easily accessible, if you can manage ‘a few’ steps. I’m not sure how many but I did need to stop and catch my breath when walking up to the parking area.

Who would believe it 66 degrees in the middle of February! Although the temperature was warm there was still a good bit of ice surrounding the falls. There was one ‘macho’ visitor who had to take a plunge in the water, possibly to impress the young woman with him. He was drenched from head to toe as he walked back to the car. Hopefully, he planned in advance and had dry clothes waiting.

As I waited for Greg and Phoenix I watched several couples walking, hand in hand, to the waterfall. You could just feel love in the air. There were a few visitors around when Greg and Phoenix arrived. It was now obvious that something very special was getting ready to happen.

Phoenix and Greg graciously welcomed the other visitors to witness their wedding. At the appropriate time, there was a nice 'round of applause' for the newlyweds! Everyone loves love....

Here's the new Mr. and Mrs. showing off their rings for the photographer.

Isn't her dress perfect?

Greg and Phoenix had taken great care in writing personal vows to each other, stating many times, ‘you are my reflection’. How appropriate that they marry in front of Looking Glass Falls.

Loki was not happy that he had to watch from a distance. He was ready to have his photo taken with the bride.

Wishing the new family much happiness always!

Winter Wedding Warms the Heart

2011-01-20T19:29:00.006-05:00

Today was wonderful! I had the pleasure of being part of a very special wedding.

When April and Paul arrived I asked a few questions about the ceremony. April said she ‘just wanted to leave married’. I told her that I could certainly take care of that.

April and Paul had hoped to get married outside but it was a chilly, windy day. They decided it was much more comfortable inside, by the fire. They did step out on the deck long enough for a few photos.

The ceremony began with the lighting of candles. During the ceremony, it was evident that they were listening to each and every word I said. Later April told me that the wording was perfect.

The ‘Prayer of Love’ was used as the benediction

My marriage prayer for you is this:
That you will always remember the qualities that attracted you to each other when you first met and how you felt as your feelings of attraction turned into respect, admiration and finally love. That you will work hard to turn your feelings of love into acts of love so that nothing and no one can divide you. That you will always have kind and loving hearts, that are quick to ask for forgiveness when you are wrong as well as to forgive when your partner is wrong. That your love might grow to hear all things, believe all things, and hope for all things, endure all things. I pray you place your marriage in God's hands, and that your love increases and overflows, beyond anything you can yet imagine.

Those who God has joined together let no one put asunder.

Wedding Planning - Feeling Stressed?

2011-01-19T10:25:00.004-05:00

Are you tired of answering questions and making decisions? Do you need a break from wedding planning?

You may want to consider a day or so (or even a few hours) alone. And of course, you may want to spend some time with the one you love, remembering why you’re getting married in the first place…..Our retreat center, RiverMist, might be exactly what you need.

Maybe you just need to take a deep breath. What better place, than in the beauty of nature. I will teach you a few breathing techniques and then provide a private area so you can practice. Many people find solace, sitting by a large body of water or a simple flowing stream. Nothing is more calming than the sound of flowing water. It’s no accident that we have placed hammocks along the creek. Sometimes breathing exercises turn into a nice long nap!

Time in nature can do wonders for your spirit. Or you may just want to curl up and watch a movie and forget about ‘everything’ for a while. Think about it for a minute. Doesn’t it sound wonderful… to have time to do exactly what you want to do… even if it is nothing. Wedding planning can become very stressful. So many details to take care of but you must remember that taking care of yourself is THE most important detail.

And then, there is another option… do you feel overwhelmed with the whole process and have no idea where to start? I will be happy to arrange a retreat designed especially for your needs. After you have time to ‘catch your breath’, (breathing exercises) I’ll sit down with you and help you get started with the planning. I have professional and personal experience and will gladly share my resources. I emphasize that I am a minister, not a wedding planner. However, with my experience I can certainly point you in the right direction, helping you get your thoughts organized. There are often very important details that are forgotten until the last minute. It is best to address these issues early in the process. This will prevent many headaches later.

This is a special time in your life and you want to enjoy every minute of it. Take care of yourself!

Winter Weddings

2011-01-16T22:51:00.003-05:00

The last few weeks have flown by.. Where does time go? One day you're celebrating Thanksgiving and the next thing you know it's January!

It has been busy, with the holidays and winter weddings. However, this wasn't enough... I decided it would be a good time to take a week long class at John Campbell Folk School, located near Murphy, NC. Not sure what I was thinking but back in June it seemed like a good idea. The weather was extremely cold but it was a wonderful experience.

Even with the all the holiday activity there was time for some winter weddings. Some were private so there are no photos to display. There was a New Year's Eve wedding that I can share some photos.

Kathy and Alex traveled quite a distance to marry at our Retreat Center. And it was wonderful that there parents were able to travel as well.

They each have children from a previous marriage. Unfortunately, it was not possible for all of the children to attend the wedding. Kathy had mentioned that she wanted to light a candle in memory of family members who have passed on and also as a way of remembering family and friends who could not be with them on their wedding day.

As an added touch I asked Kathy and Alex to each select a gemstone heart. Then they selected individual hearts for each of their children . These were placed around the candle. And now they are displayed in their home, representing their new family. I love including elements that truly make a ceremony special.

As you can see from the short sleeves, the weather cooperated. To be honest, we've only had a few weddings that had to be moved inside.

Another happy couple.....

Lake Lure Wedding - Sarah and Shane

2010-11-24T09:36:00.000-05:00

I just received these photos from a wedding I officiated at Lake Lure in October. As you can see, this is an absolutely beautiful location. And the best part... it's very affordable. Which means it is very popular.

The waterfront gazebo is located in the town park. There are several restaurants nearby so you could have a nice reception dinner without driving very far. And if you want more options for dining, Asheville in a short drive.

One couple from out of state planned an entire weekend for their guests, arranging for everyone to visit Chimney Rock State Park and take a boat tour of Lake Lure. (By the way, if you don’t know, Dirty Dancing was filmed at Lake Lure. Their guests were very happy to receive such special ‘treatment’. And this is really important when family and friends travel a great distance to be with you on your wedding day. Their comfort should be an important consideration.

I met with Sarah and Shane before their wedding and they were able to give me a clear idea of what they envisioned for their ceremony. Shane had one main request, which I was able to honor...

The weather was perfect on the BIG day. I started watching the forecast about a week ahead of the date and felt like everything would be ok. But with the weather, you never really know. And... the gazebo at Lake Lure is large enough to move everything inside if necessary.

And here they are... all the planning.. all the work.. Finally married! Ready to celebrate with family and friends before heading to the Carribean.

Planning a wedding – Where to start

2010-11-18T10:52:00.010-05:00

As you probably already know there are a ton of resources on the internet to help with wedding planning. Checklists of all descriptions, some basic, some very detailed. Every wedding and bride magazine has one. There are wedding planning books and journals to make sure every detail is addressed. It can be quite overwhelming… Even small weddings and simple elopements require planning and preparation.

Through the years I have received numerous inquiries from couples who want to marry but ‘have no idea where to start’. Many are coming from out of state or even out of the country. Wedding planning from a distance requires quite a bit of coordination. I gently remind them that I am a minister, not a wedding planner. However, having said that I am happy to point couples in the right direction.

If you are planning a wedding and don’t know where to start…here are some things to consider (in no particular order)

Type of wedding
Formal, semi-formal, casual, themed… traditional, contemporary, religious, inter-faith, multi-culture, spiritual, non-religious, civil… there are so many labels…

Oh yes...one more... a surprise wedding.. I have officiated several of these. Sometimes family and friends think they are attending a birthday party, cookout or some other event, only to find out they have been invited to a wedding! And once even the groom was surprised to learn his 'vacation' to North Carolina was his wedding. The bride made all of the arrangements and even had their wedding clothes (formal attire) shipped ahead of time. She told him on the morning of their wedding that they needed to get their marriage license. (he was thrilled!)

Number of Guests
Although the budget is important, the number of guests you plan on inviting will often determine the budget. Will your wedding be ‘couple only’, family and friends, or will it be a large affair, including several hundred guests? I suggest making of rough list, divided into three categories of guests, absolute, should, and maybe. (just an example) This will help you choose your venue and possibly affect or determine your budget.

Date of wedding
Many wedding venues book up quickly, particularly during spring and fall. You may want to have a couple of dates in mind. Weather, holidays, school calendars, work schedules may be a consideration. After you have a date in mind, check with the ‘key’ people (family and wedding party) to make sure there are no conflicts

Some venues will give a discount for off season, Friday or Sunday weddings. Even the time is a factor at the larger venues. Morning or afternoon weddings are sometimes less expensive that evening weddings.

Location
Indoor or Outdoor: church, chapel, wedding venue, bed & breakfast, inn, estate, villa, winery, park or other public area, historical site, private home or rented cabin. (And yes, you can have a religious wedding at any of these locations.)

Many couples ask about waterfall weddings… After all there are thousands in North Carolina…I always remind couples to consider the physical ability of their guests. Most waterfalls require some effort. Hiking or a large number of steps (Looking Glass Falls) may be required. And there are no rest rooms. I have officiated weddings where the bride has walked a mile (or farther) dressed in a wedding gown and high heel shoes… in the summer… If this is your dream wedding, be sure to allow plenty of time… and make sure your guests are aware of what will be required.

And there was an instance last summer at Hickory Nut Falls (this did not happen to me) where there was a downpour when the wedding was taking place. Needless to say, everyone was drenched! I saw the bride and groom (after the ceremony and the rain had stopped) posing for photographs. They did not look happy!

Which brings me to another very important point…. have a backup rain site. This is not as important if you’re planning a small family wedding and everyone is ok with a little rain. But trust me; if you’re planning a large wedding your guests will very much appreciate the fact that you have a ‘back up’ plan. And it doesn’t have to be rain. In the spring or fall, the weather could be quite cold. It’s not unusual for us to have a ‘cold snap’ at the end of April or the first of May. And who knows what the fall will be like. This year the weather has been great. Here it is almost Thanksgiving and we’re near 70 degrees, for days now.

Have a plan… you can always wait until you see the weather forecast and make the call, even on the day of your wedding. Just be sure you have a way of notifying your guests…

Who will officiate
In North Carolina you have two choices: a magistrate or ordained minister. Some magistrates will travel but most are only available for weddings performed at the courthouse. If you are a church member, your pastor may not be available to travel to your location. Here’s where I come in… I am a non-denominational ordained minister (Hospice chaplain) and can officiate any type of ceremony at any location. I will need to know the date, time and location before I can verify my availability. Once my service is secured, I will work with you to create the perfect wedding ceremony, each and every detail… This will allow you time and energy to attend to the other areas that require attention.

Budget
This is a biggie. When our daughters were married (within six weeks of each other) we started with a budget. I soon realized I did not have a clear idea of exactly how much a wedding would cost! (or should I say two weddings…) And… to be honest, our budget kept increasing…For us, the budget was important, not so much as a limit but to keep the weddings equitable. Neither of their weddings were large but as I’m sure you will quickly find out, if not already, the cost keeps increasing… venue, cake (and topper), food, flowers, photographer, DJ, chairs and tablecloth rental, invitations/postage, overnight accommodations for guests… not counting the dress, veil (and jeweled headband…), shoes, jewelry,… and don’t forget the expensive ‘gotta have’ undergarments that make the wedding dress fit perfectly… And the day of ….hair, makeup, nails etc…. the list and the budget keeps escalating…

Once you have an idea of the venue and the number of guests your expecting you’ll be able to calculate a budget. If you’re started with a fixed amount for your budget, chose the three most important things and allow for those expenses first. These should be the three things that will make your wedding perfect!

Reception
Buffet, sit down, or appetizers? Alcohol, full bar, wine and beer only, or perhaps ‘cash’ bar? If you include alcohol, this could increase your budget significantly, depending on what you choose. Some venues, charge a ‘corkage fee’ if you provide your own wine.

Some venues prepare the food on site or they may require that you chose from one of their ‘approved caterers’. I have officiated several small family weddings where the couple hired ‘personal chefs’. This was a great idea and I’ll be happy to give you more details if it interests you.

And there have been couples who, with the help of their families, prepared the food for the reception. This is a great way to save money but does add a lot of stress if the couple is actually doing the work themselves… If you’re looking at this option. ..Delegate.. Allow your family and friends to help. This is your wedding day and you don’t want to be running around like a crazy person…

Other things to think about..
Flowers, wedding cake and table decorations? What about music, live, DJ or recorded? Photographer? Wedding favors? Honeymoon?

So…… after reading through this, you’ve started to re-think the whole big wedding plan, ready to throw your hands up and elope…. Many couples become overwhelmed by the planning (and cost) and decide to have a personal private wedding. (hint... RiverMist) In many cases, there is a reception at a later date to celebrate with family and friends. This works perfectly for many couples and they’re relaxed, stress-free and can enjoy the celebration..

Whatever you decide, make your wedding about the two of you and what you want.

I’m writing this while looking at the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, taking a little vacation from fall weddings…

The temperature is perfect, rates are low and the beach is deserted. At night I fall asleep listening to the waves, with the sliding door open, and wake up each morning to a beautiful sunrise over the ocean.

Just me and the gulls on the beach. This one was taking a little siesta beside me and looked so funny with his head turned completely around and tucked under his wings.

North Carolina is wonderful… from the mountains to the coast......nothing could be finer….

Fall Wedding at Chetola in Blowing Rock

2010-11-13T19:03:00.000-05:00

Fall is a wonderful time to get married in North Carolina. Just ask Chris and Sandra who traveled from Florida to marry at the beautiful Chetola Resort.

Chetola has many options for wedding ceremonies. There are several outside locations and small intimate weddings can take place inside, in front of a beautiful stone fireplace.
We included an oathing stone as part of the vows. Chris and Sandra each held rose quartz (the stone of love) as they made their promises, thus ‘setting them in stone’. This stone was later used in the ceremony as part of the ring blessing. After the ceremony, the stone will be placed in a prominent place in their home ‘to keep love alive’.

Looks like that won't be a problem for these two.

The area by the lake is a great spot for photos and I wanted to share a few with you.

Many thanks to Jeremy Gouge the photographer who took these lovely photos!

Kindred Spirits, Rayne and Lake, Re-United

2010-11-11T20:14:00.005-05:00

Goodness, where to start… I guess at 5:30 am. Well, the alarm clock was set for 5:30. I was actually awake at 5:15, excited and ready to start my day.

Amanda, now known as Rayne, and I have been communicating by email and phone for several months. She had a good idea of what she wanted and by using some of my resources we planned the perfect ceremony.

Rayne and Lake have a very special love which was just 'meant to be'.. Life kept moving these two toward each other and now they will travel side by side…

There’s a funny story about their wedding attire, which was hand made using hemp. Evidently airport officials were alarmed with a package containing the word ‘hemp’ so the package had been opened by airport security. (They were kind enough to repackage it once they discovered it contained clothing.)

We had originally planned for a noon ceremony but after giving it some thought, they decided to start their new life together at the beginning of a new day.

This morning was a perfect fall morning, chilly but not too cold. (it was 32 degrees… I guess that counts as cold, at least my fingers and toes thought so..Luckily we had lots of hot coffee..)

Symbolism was an important element in Rayne and Lake’s ceremony. We began with a hand washing ceremony. We used natural spring water and they combined a mixture of herbs representing the attributes they wanted to bring into their marriage:

Sweet marjoram – joy and happiness

Lavender – devotion

Chamomile – patience in adverse times

Sage – long life, good health

Rosemary – remembrance

Ivy – friendship and loyalty

First Rayne washed her hands and then Lake washed his, not to wash away the past but to begin their marriage anew. Then they washed and dried each other’s hands signifying that they will always express loving kindness toward each other.

After personal vows, their wedding rings were blessed using the four elements, air, fire, earth and water. It was a touching moment as they repeated ‘ I take a piece of my heart and place it into yours…..’

But here’s the coolest thing… They wanted to get married just as the sun was coming up, which is a little later for us since we’re in a valley.. I had been paying close attention to the sunrises so I was hoping the timing would be perfect.

and…. Voilà

A new day and a new life!

It was obvious that Rayne and Lake have a deep love of nature. They were like two young children exploring the creek. We left them there while we downloaded the photos.

Kelly and Shaun - Happily Married

2010-11-03T22:40:00.008-04:00

Kelly and I have been communicating for several months. She and Shaun chose our retreat center for their small family wedding. Originally, they planned on getting married with only their two sons present. However, after giving this some thought, Kelly and Shaun realized they could not get married without having their immediate families present.

Their wedding took place on the deck overlooking the Broad River. Guy and I were laughing before they arrived. I worked hard, sweeping the leaves off the deck and then decorated the railing with artificial leaves. Go figure!

I really wanted to include this picture. It's amazing how the expression changes once a couple is pronounced husband and wife.

Their boys were paying close attention.

A Family Unity Sand Ceremony was included. They chose fall colors and they blended beautifully.
Isn't this a lovely vase?

Lots of bubbles... You just never get too old to have fun blowing bubbles.

See how the expression has change. Whew...

And then off for their honeynmoon!

When planning a wedding there are a lot of decisions to make. Even simple elopements require some planning. Spend time talking with each other about what you truly want. Large wedding, simple elopement or something in between. There are many options.... Don't settle.. Make your dreams a reality...

Christian Unity Candle and Unity Sand Set

2010-11-02T19:07:00.001-04:00

I love sharing information and am very excited to learn of a local craftsman who is making beautiful Christian Unity Sets. If you are planning to incorporate a unity candle or sand ceremony I highly recommend, Michael Sharp of RazorSharp Woodworking.

The original idea was to create a personalized Unity Candle and Cross Set but after receiving numerous requests, the design has been modified to create a Unity Sand and Cross Set as well.

Rather than purchasing a 'off the shelf’ set why not consider something of lasting quality. You may want to start a tradition in your family as your children and grandchildren get married using the same candle cross set. The base of the set is made of three scalloped pieces of wood representing the trinity. The cross has a new tree of life growing out of the base, two entwined rings representing the union and a descending dove to bless the union. The set comes with plain white candles to encourage you to use it each year on your anniversary to renew your vows. Sets are made from Ambrosia Maple which has striking wood grain and character.

You may want to include a personalized ‘children’s board’. This is a wonderful way to bring children into a blended family.

Michael, who lives near Winston Salem, was born in Southern Arkansas and began his love affair with wood in Potlatch’s pine forests while visiting his grandparents as a young boy. After many years of crafting furniture for his, now college age children, he has decided to offer his creations to the wider community.

When speaking with Michael, it becomes evident that he takes great pride in his creations and is honored to have his crafts lovingly displayed.

Here's another one of his creations. Wouldn't this make a wonderful wedding gift?

There are also many unique holiday pieces on his website and well as beautiful carved crosses.

If you have questions or would like more information please contact Michael 336-473-5218 or email mailto:MRazorSharp@triad.rr.com .

Fall Weddings in North Carolina

2010-11-01T22:12:00.000-04:00

October has become very popular for weddings in the mountains of North Carolina.. And that should come as no surprise. Warms days and cool nights…What could be more perfect than an outdoor ceremony surrounded by the beauty of nature.

It was my honor to officiate several ceremonies during the past month. There were a few couples who hired photographers so I’m hoping to have those photos to post soon. For now here are a few that we took.

Many couples are choosing non-traditional wedding ceremonies. Jennifer and Steve wanted a ceremony that reflected their personalities. Steve, an enviromental scientist, and Jennifer love the outdoors, particularly hiking in the mountains. On the day before their wedding at the Inn at Mill Creek they hiked the area, gathering flowers and berries for the bridal bouquet.

Don't they look happy... Relaxed and stress-free...

And we had a couple of weddings at our Retreat Center. Karen and Mike were such a fun couple and were looking forward to spending their honeymoon hiking around the Asheville area.

They included a 'Celtic Bell of Truce' in their ceremony. Whenever a disagreement occurs, either one of them can ring the bell and call a 'truce', without fault or blame. I don't think they will be using this bell very often!

We concluded the ceremony with the 'breaking of glass'. May their bond of love be as difficult to break as it would be to put together the pieces of the broken glass.

Wedding at Crooked Oak Mountain Inn - Asheville

2010-10-13T08:41:00.021-04:00

It's been a while since I officiated a wedding at Crooked Oak Mountain Inn and I was excited about seeing Bear and Patti, the innkeepers.

The location is perfect. One minute you're in downtown Asheville and then suddenly you're away from the traffic and hustle/bustle and enter a magical place. You can just tell from these photos that this place emits love.

When I arrived, after a hug and kiss on the cheek, Bear parked my car for me. Such a gentleman... he did remark about my Midnight Milky Way wrapper in the floorboard. (A girl's gotta do something while she's driving down the road.... ) He confessed that he 'approved' of my choice. I just can't tell you how nice Bear and Patti are! They are so friendly and happy. You feel like you are visiting family and it's always a joy to officiate a wedding at their inn.

I met Daniel, the groom, as soon as I arrived. He immediately commented on how happy he was to have his wedding at this location. He and Cindy wanted to get married at a Bed and Breakfast and had a list of several they visited. He said the Crooked Oak Mountain Inn, well Bear and Patti to be exact, was the only one that would even consider what they wanted. He said the other places were not even interested in talking with them about their plans. Too bad for them... they missed being part of a wonderful wedding celebration!

Cindy contacted me many months ago. And it was a good thing... she wanted to marry on October 10th. 10/10/10. I would love to know just how many couples were married on this day. I guess the next big one will be 11/11/11. If you considering this day, I suggest you start planning now!

Because of the ages of their sons, Cindy and Daniel (being wise parents) wanted a fairly short ceremony and they wanted something to include their sons. They decided a family unity sand ceremony would be perfect. They took each son, individually, to choose a container and color of sand. Wouldn't you know it! Both boys picked the same container and same color of sand.

Also, being wise parents, they had a 'practice' about a week before the wedding.

There is one other thing I want to say about their wedding. Smash cake! Have you heard of this? The cake is made of hardened chocolate. There is a small hammer and you 'smash' the cake. The inside is filled with wonderful chocolate truffles. Heaven for a chocoholic and what the boys were most excited about. This cake was prepared by The Chocolate Fetish in Asheville. My camera battery 'died' before the smashing but Cindy has assured me that she will send photos soon..

And she did...

And here's the 'smashed' cake.. yummy

There will never be a dull moment for this family!

Beautiful Fall Wedding in NC

2010-10-11T08:26:00.000-04:00

Couples have been asking me if the leaves have started ‘turning’. This may seem like a strange term, ‘turning’. But if you’ve ever been to the mountains in the fall you know exactly what I’m talking about. I guess the correct question would be, ‘Have the leaves started changing colors?’.

Anyway, the answer is yes… I was at Boone on Saturday and I can say first hand, ‘the leaves have started turning'.

By searching the internet Darby and David found a seven bedroom/seven bath estate that was the perfect location for their small family wedding. The estate was completely private and… beautiful. I’m sure on a clear night you could see a bazillion stars.

Hopefully, when they return from their honeymoon in Hawaii they will send me a few photos of their wedding. I snapped this photo while waiting for the witnesses to sign the marriage license.

Wedding at Belmont Estate - Promises Kept

2010-10-03T22:19:00.004-04:00

I am so very happy to be updating my blog with photos from the wedding I officiated yesterday.

In April 2009 there was a promise of engagement before the end of the year if North Carolina won the NCAA tournament. Well, I must say the man is good for his word. Kris proposed, Ally said yes... and the rest is history.

What a wonderful wedding celebration! I have known Allyson since she was in middle school and have known Kris for several years now. It was truly an honor to be part of their wedding celebration.

Officiating the wedding of a friend can be emotional. This was one such wedding. As soon as Kris saw Allyson, I heard him 'sniffle'. I was not about to look at him so I looked at her sister, the matron of honor. She was crying. As I looked down the line of bridesmaids, every one of them was crying... Now to look at the moms. Tears there as well... But such happy tears! I took a deep breath. I knew my voice could not crack! 'We are gathered here in the presence of God to celebrate the marriage of ......'

Their ceremony was very touching. Each had written their own wedding vows. And not something they found in a book or over the internet. Very special words written just for each other. I was told that even the DJ was crying!

Allyson wanted to recognize her Irish heritage so we incorporated a handfasting in their ceremony. She selected a plaid fabric and after rings were exchanged we 'tied the knot'. Then she and Kris repeated Irish wedding vows in unison.

We swear by peace and love to stand.

Heart to heart and hand in hand.

Mark, O God, and hear us now,

Confirming this our sacred vow;

Here is my hand to hold with you,

to bind us for life so that I’ll grow old with you.

Having fun taking photos!

And I have to include this one. They had a 'sweetheart' table for the reception. They actually thought they would be able to eat without interruptions. Needless to say that didn't work...

And yet another photo. When I officiate a wedding I don't normally stay until the end of the reception.

A few of the guys, (maybe my son-in-law - actually both of them...) slipped away to 'decorate' the car. There was an orange traffic cone sitting on top.. Well just look at the picture. What you can't see is that someone (CT) decided to decorate the car with CheezeWhiz. Now have you ever heard of that!

This car was decorated inside and out..I'm not sure it will ever be the same...

It took a lot of planning, and a few dollars. Photos like this say it all. It was their dream wedding. I wish many, many years of happiness for these two. I love you, Allyson and Kris! It was a wonderful wedding... What God has joined together, let no one put asunder..

Wedding at The Grand Bohemian - Asheville

2010-10-01T22:21:00.000-04:00

I’ve married several couples who spent their honeymoon at the Grand Bohemian in Asheville. When Dee contacted me about officiating her wedding, I was excited about having the opportunity to check it out for myself.

The Grand Bohemian is a lovely facility and truly ‘Grand’.. The Bohemian is actually two separate buildings on opposite sides of the street. I will admit I had a little difficulty finding the entrance to the parking garage…but that’s just me..

Dee and Eric traveled to Asheville for their destination wedding. Because of this we were not able to meet ahead of time, which is no problem, really. Everything can be planned with phone calls and email. I met Eric and his best man, Reginald, when I arrived at the Grand Bohemian. We discussed final details of the wedding and then I headed over to the ceremony site to get things ready.. Although the weather was not a problem, Dee and Eric chose to have their wedding ceremony on the covered terrace.

I was able to meet Dee while she was waiting for her ‘cue’. Some of the guests were running late so we delayed the ceremony a few minutes. Anyway, as I was walking away she asked if I would give Eric a message. I was expecting something sweet, perhaps a ‘secret’ message. Was I surprised… She told me to tell Eric, ‘Don’t lock your knees!’. Now this is good advice, just not what I imagined…

There are many unity ceremonies that can be included in your wedding, candles, sand, wine, water….. Dee and Eric chose to incorporate the Unity Cross. If you’re not familiar with this, there is a wooden base.

The man places an empty cross on the base and then the woman places a delicate cross inside, thus ‘completing’ the man. Dee and Eric inserted a peg on each side to hold the crosses in place. I placed the final peg, ‘Those whom God have joined together, let no one separate’. Several guests told me they were especially touched by this part of the ceremony.

I’m hoping to receive a few photos from Dee and Eric. Here are a few that I was able to capture.

Here’s the smiling groom… I don’t think he stopped smiling all night.

I was sitting near the door so I snapped this photo as they were introduced, once again, as ‘husband and wife’.

And here they are on the dance floor. I’m sure the photographer was tired at the end of the evening. She was everywhere and didn’t miss a thing!

Hopefully, I’ll have more photos to add at a later date.

Outdoor Family Wedding in North Carolina

2010-09-21T08:55:00.007-04:00

Like many couples today, Katie and Michael were planning their wedding when they realized everything was ‘snowballing’. (Wedding planning can get out of control very easily). Katie and Michael decided that it would be in their best interests to save their money and have a small family wedding. And here’s the best part… they decided to have their wedding at our retreat center…

Here comes the bride...
Just look at Michael’s face.

Katie’s mother escorted her and offered blessings on behalf of her family. It was a touching moment when she lifted the veil. It was time!

I can't help it... I'm a romantic and just have to include a photo of the kiss.

Married!

And Katie, the 'stress-free' bride

After some family photos, we headed inside to celebrate..

Michael's father made a wonderful toast!

And .....I received this in an email today..

'Our wedding day was perfect!!

We couldn't be happier with how well everything went.'

Life is Good!

Married at Max Patch, Hot Springs North Carolina

2010-09-20T08:54:00.000-04:00

I'm always up for an adventure! And what an adventure I had on September 13th.

Since Barbara and John wanted to get married at sunrise on Max Patch I spent the night in Hot Springs. I love visiting the area and always try to find time to visit the spa, soaking in the mineral springs hot tubs..

Even though Max Patch is not far from Hot Springs.. It is quite an interesting drive. Don't let the 5 miles fool you.. Remember, you're in NC mountains. I allowed 45 minutes for the trip and it took every minute of it. There are several miles of winding, gravel roads..

I met Barbara and John in the parking lot. I knew they would be easy to recognize because the would have their two canine children with them. After introductions, and grabbing their backpacks we headed to the top. Their dogs have visited here often and were ready to 'run free'. So after being unleashed, they vanished..

After reaching the top, I understood why they were in such a hurry... Photos do not begin to show the beauty of this place. Everytime I've been in Hot Springs I've wanted to hike to the top but never had time. Barbara came here many years ago, when she needed a little time alone. She brought a blanket and a book ready to spend a peaceful day alone in nature. She was so relaxed that she fell asleep and left with quite a sunburn..

If you're not familiar with the area, the Appalachian Trail runs right through the town of Hot Springs and passes across Max Patch. If you want to meet some interesting people, just spend some time 'hanging out' in Hot Springs.

When we made it to the top, a short walk really... we discovered that Sophie and Honey Bear had decided to take a short cut back to the parking lot.. Since they were the honored guests, we could not start without them. After some time, and a bit of 'calling' they made their way back up. Being good 'parents' John and Barbara had brought water for them. And... they were certainly well behaved during the ceremony.

Well.... now it's time to tell you about Barbara and John.... What a lovely couple and such an honor to be part of their wedding day. Like so many couples, I only met them a few minutes before their wedding but felt like we were old friends. We had communicated for months through emails so we had already developed a relationship.

Now... here's the interesting part about this couple.
They have been together for 33 years... Yes, 33 years and now they are husband and wife.

They were prepared... Not only did they bring water for Sophie and Honey Bear they had champagne tucked away in their backpack. On top of Max Patch we toasted to another 33 years together.

One of their witnesses, Lori, is a well known wildlife photographer so I'm sure they have some wonderful photos. Lori is also the owner of the lovely cabin, where they stayed for their honeymoon, Wiley's Place.

And here they are, walking down the mountain, hand in hand. No need to wish these two happiness. After 33 years they already have it!

First Love, Second Chance

2010-09-02T14:30:00.003-04:00

No doubt Vickie and Mike will remember their wedding day. Life gives us interesting stories and what a story these two have...

A long time ago these two people met and something special happened. What started as a casual meeting as teenagers has turned into a love story that books are written about.

She was 15 and he was 18... madly in love...but it was not yet their time. They had journeys to make and lessons to learn.

But one day a simple birthday card changed everything. It was their time... And life will never be the same.

Two rings... one love.

An announcement to the world of the feelings long held. Promises made long ago, in the sacred spaces of their hearts.

I usually like to include a photo of 'the' kiss. Not so, with this couple. This photo was after the kiss, when they looked at each other for the first time as husband and wife. The waiting was over, this was the beginning of always.

Outdoor Wedding at Leatherwood Mountain

2010-08-31T15:30:00.000-04:00

This will be another quick post.. That is until our happy couple returns from St. Lucia and sends me some photos. I hope by now they have made it to their destination. When I last heard from them they were stranded in Puerto Rico, waiting for hurricane Earl to pass.

When you get to weddings as early as I do you get to see all the preparation that goes into a wedding celebration. Everyone was busy when I arrived at Leatherwood. The reception tent was set up near the ceremony site. Guests only had to take a few steps to get something cool to drink.

And here's the ceremony site that they chose. There are many options at Leatherwood. Couples can get married on the deck of their private cabin or the facility can host large groups at various locations. Abie is the event coordinator and she makes wedding planning so easy.. I'm sure Jennifer and Chris appreciated this since they, and most of their guests, traveled from Pennsylvania.

Here's a close up of the decorations. The aisle was lined with beautiful rose petals.

There were two photographers, Ryan and Misty Case, http://www.pixelsonpaper.biz/, a husband and wife team. They were able to capture photos from every angle. Before the ceremony Ryan took photos of the guys while Misty concentrated on the bride.

I can't wait to post some of the wedding photos. Jennifer had a 'surprise' entrance. I won't say what it was but remember Leatherwood is known as "horse country".

Wedding at Lake Eden Events, Black Mountain, NC

2010-08-29T14:50:00.001-04:00

Mike and Liz had contacted me months ago about officiating their wedding at Lake Eden Events. I have officiated several weddings there and it is always a treat to drive onto the property. The entrance is lined with large pine trees that completely cover the road. The photo does not do it justice.

Here are a couple more of the facility.

Couples are allowed to use the main building to prepare for the ceremony and then proceed across this bridge to the ceremony site.

But enough about the facility, let me tell you about this couple..... Mike and Liz were so calm on their wedding day. Everything most have gone according to their plans. Mike was busy carrying things back and forth to the 'barn' where they held their reception but he never appeared stressed.

And check out the shoes...

This couple was covering the state. The had traveled from Raleigh to the mountains. And then from the mountains to the outer banks for their honeymoon.

Big smiles from the happy couple...

Christina and Randy Marry in North Carolina

2010-08-25T13:16:00.048-04:00

I received this note from Christina and Randy, who married at their vacation home a few weeks ago.

Hi Victoria! I just wanted to share a couple of our favorite pictures of our wedding and thank you once again for making it so personal and such a wonderful religious and emotion experience! It was enlightening to us and we still get choked up about it all! Our family could not be happier!
Enjoy! Christina

Christina and Randy's families arrived the night before the wedding to begin the celebration.. and there was a dinner reception after the wedding. However, the wedding was 'their' time.

Although family traveled to spend the weekend celebrating their marriage, Randy and Christina wanted a private ceremony with only their children present. Randy finished this beautiful rock garden just in time for the wedding

As a memorial to to family and friends, balloons were released at the end of their ceremony

Now the family is looking forward to the day when North Carolina will be their permanent home..

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

(their family motto)

Outdoor Wedding in North Carolina

2010-08-20T08:25:00.008-04:00

Silk flowers were a smart choice for this August wedding. When Dana and Loyd arrived, the thermometer was at 107. After chatting a bit, and changing clothes it was up to 110. Now our thermometer may be off a degree or two but that's hot by anyone's standard..

Dana was paying attention to the weather and had chosen a beautiful sundress for her wedding.

As I've said before, you can use unity candles for outdoor ceremonies. It was a little challenge, but Dana and Loyd were able to light their candle.. and it stayed lit... (very important symbolism..)

Big KISS..

It's always funny how 'relaxed' a couple looks after the wedding. Could their smiles be any bigger??

Dana and Loyd wanted their photo taken on the porch of my 'little cabin'. Right now I use it to store my wedding supplies. Pretty soon it's going to turn into a playhouse for my grandchildren.

They begin their walk together...

husband and wife.

Private Family Wedding in North Carolina

2010-08-20T07:29:00.006-04:00

When I arrived at the villa located in Brights Creek, I was greated by a table full of beautiful bouquets. The bride ordered twelve dozen roses and had spent the morning making beautiful bouquets. Why so many? You will find out in a few minutes...

Jim told me that he and Diane did a lot of researching on the internet before deciding on a location for their family wedding. After looking at various locations, they decided they wanted to get married in the mountains. He said that once they decided that, he knew they would be coming to North Carolina. They have talked about retiring to this area so this would be a perfect time to 'check things out'. Jim is a golfer so he was impressed that the villa was located on the '18th hole'...

Since Jim and Dianne were planning their wedding from Pennsylvania everthing was arranged through the internet. They wanted a beautiful, fun wedding without the stress...so they hired personal chefs to prepare their reception dinner. There was even a pizza 'bar' for the children..Diane said that it was so easy, everything was taken care of: table, chairs, serving pieces, china, meal preparation and best of all... cleanup! What could be easier??

Want to know more... check out Erika's website:

http://www.thepersonalcook.com/

The five bedroom house was absolutely beautiful with plenty of room for everyone. I'm glad I had my camera with me. Wish I could have take a few more photos.

Here's Diane giving everyone last minute instructions.

And here's the wedding party..

And now.. the reason for all the bouquets... Five beautiful daughters.

I'm sure everyone left with wonderful memories and Jim and Dianne are now counting the days until retirement!

Wedding at Chimney Rock - Hickory Nut Falls

2010-08-19T08:31:00.010-04:00

As I said in my previous post, Chimney Rock State Park has three locations for weddings. Hickory Nut Falls requires the most effort but as you can see, it is worth it!

Although this is a beautiful location you must keep in mind there is a walk involved (1 1/2 miles round trip, with incline) and there are no restroom facilities. The most important consideration is the weather... I was watching the weather this past week. We were in the middle of a heat wave and Janet and Dave were scheduled to marry at noon at Hickory Nut Falls. I arrived around 10:30 so I would have plenty of time to make the walk and hopefully cool off a little before the ceremony. My husband was with me so he took my picture while I was 'catching my breath'.

As I mentioned, it's a bit of a walk and not everyone can walk at the same pace. (One reason I start early...) Janet and Dave decided to take a few photos while waiting for everyone to arrive.

As you can see the platform is large enough to accommodate many guests. I don't know the exact number but there is also space along the walkway.

Elopement in North Carolina

2010-08-08T22:17:00.006-04:00

Shhh… wanna know a secret… We had a beautiful elopement at RiverMist today and right now our newlyweds are snuggled in their mountain cabin. I wish I could show you their happy faces but… I think it would be best to wait until they have told their families the ‘news’…

I will tell you that they are a wonderful couple who have been together several years.. and soon they will be moving into their new house together. (I bet this groom remembers to carry his bride across the threshold…)

We included a unity candle as part of their ceremony. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t use unity candles for outdoor weddings. Candles work well… you just have to be creative… At first, I had picked some black-eyed susans from my garden and had them submerged in water. After seeing the bride’s bouquet, I had to make a quick switch. I told them the vase came with a memory… it was used at my daughter’s wedding last year.

We’re in the middle of a heat wave and today was no exception.. The new Mr. & Mrs. had to check out the cool water.

Hopefully, I will get the ‘ok’ soon and I’ll post their photos….

The newlyweds have returned home and the secret is out! Let me share the email I received today (8/15)...

Hi Mrs. Hutchins!

Ted and I just got home this evening from NC and we wanted to straight away email you our thanks. Thank you sooo much for such a easy elopement! Ted and I loved the fact that everything went so smoothly. It was perfect for us and we could not have asked for anything better. Many thanks to your husband for taking all those pics! We LOVE them. Since we have now told our families and friends about the "suprise" feel free to post whatever pictures you want on your blog. I love what you have already put up! I'll be continuing to read your blog :-) Thank you again! Cathy and Ted

So here's the happy couple....

Many years of happiness await these two...

North Carolina Family Wedding

2010-08-02T09:09:00.004-04:00

Rebecca and Matthew, along with their son Mikey came to our retreat center to marry. Their parents traveled from various locations to join in the celebration.

Most ceremonies begin with ‘the giving of the bride’. Actually, that term is a little dated. Since the bride is not property to be owned or ‘given away’ I use the term, ‘who gives their blessings… etc.. I began Rebecca and Matthew’s ceremony with a little ‘twist’. I asked for the blessings and support of all of their parents. I received a resounding ‘We Do’.

Mikey was only 2 1/2 but he was a great ring bearer...

Don’t you just love her ‘something blue’.

Although Mikey was a little young he managed to do 'his part' for the family unity sand ceremony.

The ceremony ended and Mikey gave his approval with a big 'thumbs up'.

Best wishes to a 'new' family...

Weddings at Chimney Rock

2010-07-31T23:23:00.003-04:00

Chimney Rock is one of my favorite locations for outdoor weddings. The park has several locations to choose from and can accommodate any size wedding.

The Meadows provides a lovely grassy, private area for the ceremony and a covered pavilion for the reception. And in case it happens to rain, the ceremony could be moved inside the pavilion.

I did not have my camera for Suzan and John’s wedding. I wish I could show you how beautifully they had the pavilion decorated. Their theme was ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ and their wedding cake was unbelievable..

I have asked if they will send me a few photos. In the meantime, Jeff, the Groups Sales Manager for the park brought his camera. He was kind enough to share these photos.

And of course, The Rock, is always a popular spot. Rose and Kevin, along with family and friends, traveled from Texas to have their wedding at ‘on top of the rock’. I ran into several showers on the way to the park and was afraid that the weather might be a problem. As you can see it was very foggy when I arrived. Luckily the fog lifted and the temperature was perfect for a normally hot July day.

Rose and Kevin are a fun couple and their wedding just proved this. I never did find out the ‘true’ story but here are the versions I heard.. Kevin and his groomsmen were dressed in sports coats and khaki dress pants. Well…. not exactly. Kevin was wearing jeans. It seems that his pants did not make the trip from Texas. And the ‘other’ story was that he ‘spilled something’ on his pants. Anyway… the groom was wearing jeans. Everyone kept waiting to see the expression on Rose’s face when she realized what he was wearing.

Rose, knowing Kevin, took it in stride and did not seem too surprised! She even improvised with her vows and promised to love him, even with the jeans.. And.. in the group photo you don't even see the jeans.

Again, I didn’t have my camera but did take a few photos with my Samsung Eternity. Not quite as good but after all it is a phone, not a camera…

As you can see, there are a few steps to the top. Something to keep in mind. If your guests have physical limitations there are other options. There's an overlook at the base of the rock. Problem solved.

The other location at Chimney Rock is Hickory Nut Falls.. No photos now, but I have a wedding there next weekend and will post some photos later.

I just received this note from Rose:
Victoria,
We loved the wedding so much, I perticually like telling people that the first thing you said to me was that I had my hands full. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of it. You really help to bring my vision to life. The honeymoon was fantastic, we hiked for about 35 miles and even were able to fit a horseback ride in. Here are some pictures we took, certainly no beauty contest, but that's us. Thanks again! Rose and Kevin

Weddingmoon - Wedding and Honeymoon at the Same Location

2010-07-25T20:00:00.000-04:00

Alisha had contacted me months ago, wanting information about our wedding packages. Like many couples, she was working with a limited budget. She wanted an outdoor location that could accommodate about 12 – 15 guests. The solution was to have her wedding, reception and honeymoon all at the same location.

Our riverfront cabin is the perfect location for small family weddings. The covered porch is a great place for guests to gather and enjoy visiting with each other.

Since their wedding took place during the afternoon, Alisha and Ken wanted to include a small reception. I arranged for a two tiered wedding cake, sparkling juice, and several trays of hors d'oeuvres in addition to a bridal bouquet and boutonniere.

We started their ceremony by lighting a memorial candle for Ken's father, whose photo was placed on our altar.

When it was time to light their unity candle, they used the flame from the memorial candle, bringing the past into the future. Again.. outside unity candle. And it stayed lit.

Don't they look happy??

Bubbles are always a nice touch..

Romantic Private Wedding in North Carolina

2010-07-24T15:34:00.010-04:00

I meet some of the best people in the world… and from around the world.. Flint traveled from NC and Caroline traveled from Virginia to have their private wedding at our retreat center. Although Caroline has been in the states over 10 years, she still has her wonderful British accent.

Flint and Caroline arrived Sunday afternoon. They settled in our rental cabin and made preparations for their wedding. At the appointed time, my husband, Guy, our neighbor Glenn and I arrived at the cabin. Flint was setting up his video camera using a mini-tripod.

As part of their ceremony, we include a sand unity ceremony, using black and white sand.. The dock overlooking the river is a perfect spot for a small wedding.

While we were making arrangements for their wedding Flint mentioned that he collected Dr. Pepper memorabilia and wondered if it was ok to have Dr. Pepper for their wedding toast. Well of course it was ok! It was their wedding and everything was planned around what they wanted. (one reason many couples choose a private ceremony, it’s always and only about them)

We did pour the Dr. Pepper into champagne flutes so they could have a 'traditional' toast.

As part of their pre-wedding preparations, two wedding bears appeared on the reception table. Aren’t they too cute??

On their way out, Flint and Caroline stopped by our cabin to pick up their photo CD. Caroline will be living in Virginia a while longer, unless she is released from her contract. But… soon they will be together permanently.

After chatting a little, they ‘hit the road’, traveling back to Flint’s home town for an ice cream social so the community could meet his beautiful bride… Hope they had lots of Dr. Pepper...