Switzerland Inn Wedding - Ashley and Brad Married

 Ashley and Brad

September 14, 2013

The day could not have been more perfect for a fall wedding! Blue sky, warm weather, a beautiful bride and handsome groom!

 I have visited the Switzerland Inn several times and love the beautiful landscape. I knew that it would be a wonderful location for a wedding and was so happy that Ashley and Brad asked me to officiate their wedding.

The colors were vibrant.

Brad and his groomsmen were so relaxed.

So much in love.

I wanted to include this photo to show the back of Ashley's wedding gown.

And her beautiful train.

The planning and work was over. Time to enjoy their day!

Interfaith Minister in North Carolina

All authentic spiritual traditions, at their core, are committed to the common values of peace, tolerance, wisdom, and love for all creation.  Whatever our diversity, including those that are humanist and have no basis whatsoever in religion, we all share a common experience that is universal. 

As an Interfaith minister (sometime referred to as non-denominational), I have an understanding of the world’s major wisdom traditions, practices, and rituals. I serve others in informal encounters, as well as in formal ways, including my passion, as an officiant of life celebrations.

This past weekend I had the honor of co-officiating a Jewish Christian ceremony at the Peninsula Yacht Club at Lake Norman. Religious backgrounds were equally important so Emily and Jonathan wanted their ceremony to reflect both traditions

The ceremony contained all the elements of a Jewish wedding. Rabbi Ettin chanted the Hebrew blessings (I read the English translations.) The Ketubah was signed, the celebratory glass was broken at the end of the ceremony. However, it was much more. Bridesmaids, Anna and Katherine, shared readings during the ceremony, including a passage from Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Wedding vows were exchanged, which is not normally included in a Jewish wedding.

For me, the most touching part was when the mothers offered their blessing as part of a handfasting. After I tied the ribbon, the mothers read:

Blessing of the Hands   

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. 

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. 

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. 

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. 

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. 

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

What a wonderful way to start a marriage. And hopefully, after their exotic honeymoon I will have photos to post.

Lake Eden Wedding - Tracy and Joe

The weather was not looking good on August 17th. when I arrived at Lake Eden Events. There has been so much rain this summer and the tread was continuing.

Fortunately it's easy to track storms and predict the 'downpours'. Tracy was hoping the rain would hold off just a little longer.  That was not to be. The staff showed her the radar and the rain was supposed to start around the time of her ceremony. Time was running out and the chairs had to be set up. Tracy made a very wise decision and and moved the ceremony into the barn where the reception would be held. Just a reminder to have a backup plan for your outdoor wedding.

 

And who could be too sad with this!

The barn was absolutely lovely.

Guests were asked to add their thumbprint to the new family tree.

 You just have to love Etsy. What a clever ring box.

And Pinterest. The decorations were perfect.

'I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. 

I will love and honor you all the days of my life.'

 

 Tracy said the weather wasn't important, she was marrying the love of her life.

That was all that mattered.

 I don't really think there are two less fish. 

Now there are two fish swimming in the same direction!

Ashley and Rod - Just Married

It was a perfect summer day for Ashley and Rod's wedding. They choose

Wedding Day at Troldhaugen for their processional.

I have to show a couple photos of Ashley's jewelry and headpiece.

I just love bird cage veils.

Can you tell they were holding on tightly?

As part of their ceremony we included a handfasting.

When a couple joins hands, their destinies are tied into one future.

 

Once the ribbon was untied, it was time to exchange wedding rings.

I give you this ring as the symbol

that I have cast my lot with yours

That I am bound to you always

Through my love

With my soul,

and with all my heart.

Time for kissing. 

And more kissing. 

Love the new rings and the beautiful feather bridal bouquet.

One last photo from inside our cabin.
Off to begin their new life as husband and wife. 

And I just have to share this review that Ashley posted on Wedding Wire:

Planning an out of state wedding can be stressful, but Victoria and her husband are the most gracious and wonderful people. My husband and I threw together a wedding at the last moment- we changed our minds on what we were doing, and at the end of the day, just wanted a private ceremony. 

I contacted several people, including Victoria. She was the first to respond, and offered the best service. Her prices are lower than ANY of her competition; we were looking at North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon, Connecticut, and California. Even though she had family in town, she still performed our ceremony. 

It was completely customized; I know couples with traditional weddings who didn't get to build a personalized ceremony the way we did. And the actual ceremony... it was perfect. Everything was flawless, and she and her husband are the most gracious and kind hosts! The property is beautiful, and the pictures are taken with a professional camera. Everything about them is 100% professional, with a low cost! 

I have told several of my friends who are looking at wedding venues to talk to Victoria. I was nervous and worried about setting up an out of state wedding, but this service was FLAWLESS. I'm in Tennessee, and we drove 5 hours to get to North Carolina. All we did was show up and enjoy our private moment.

Charli and Kevin Marry at Leatherwood

Leatherwood Mountain, near Boone, is a horse lovers paradise. It is also a very popular location for weddings. The beautiful grounds provide privacy, there is a lovely lodge for the wedding reception and there are many rental houses so everyone can stay on the property. Everything at one place!

  

Song of Solomon

My beloved speaks and says to me:

'Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away;

for now the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtle dove

is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

and the vines are in blossom;

they give forth fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away.'

And that's exactly what Charli and Kevin did. They traveled to North Carolina to have a memorable family wedding. 

There are several wedding locations to choose from and this is one of my favorites. There's a lovely rustic arch to decorate and plenty of room on the lawn for chairs.

Charli and Kevin included a letter, wine and box ceremony. A very touching addition.

And at the end of their ceremony guests tossed blessing stones into the stream.

Wishing the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness.

Brittany and John Married at RiverMist

Although I love traveling throughout North Carolina I am always happy when couples choose to marry at our retreat center.

It was a wonderful day for Brittany and John and one they will always remember.

We began the ceremony by honoring the memory of John's parents.

After a lovely ceremony that included a unity sand ceremony
Brittany and John were ready to start kissing.

Lovely Bride.

And her family.

All smiles after the 'I dos'

 And I thank Brittany for her review on Wedding Wire.

We wanted an easy and stress-free wedding, but still wanted the elements of a traditional ceremony. Victoria made our day very special and it was more than we ever expected. She worked with us to create a ceremony that was perfect for us. 

We got married at RiverMist, and the place was amazing and absolutely beautiful! The pictures her husband took were incredible, and it is wonderful having those pictures to look back on. Both Victoria and her husband were very kind and welcoming, and made us and our few guests feel very comfortable. We are so glad that we found Victoria to officiate our wedding, and we wouldn't have wanted our wedding day any different.

Ida and Brent: Married at Chestoa View in North Carolina

Chestoa View was not Ida and Brent's first choice but as it turned out it was the perfect choice.

From the beginning their ceremony was to take place at Wiseman's View. But... after many days of rain the four mile gravel road was not an option. Because of the ruts and incline a four-wheel drive is required during normal conditions. Brent and Ida called me once they arrived in North Carolina, concerned about the conditions and were ready to have their ceremony at their rental cabin. I suggested Chestoa View, which is very similar but located directly along the Blue Ridge Parkway. They drove to the location and was extremely pleased with their 'second' choice.

The overlook is absolutely breathtaking and photos do no justice to the beautiful landscape.

Brent was hard at work setting up the cameras.

And Ida was trying to wait patiently. Some family members were delayed, having relied on their GPS, never advisable for the mountain area.

Ida's mother helped with her veil.

And Brent got a little last minute adjustment.

While waiting for their guests, many photos were taken.

Ida, still waiting patiently.

Married, and all smiles.

Everyone happy and ready to celebrate.

Brent and Ida sent me this picture. Glad he's holding on tight!