Nicole and Rob decided to travel from Texas to have their wedding in North Carolina. Rob's mother found a wonderful location. The home is located near Blowing Rock, just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are beautiful gardens, great mountain views and a very large kitchen, where the caterer was hard at work when I arrived.
The temperture was very 'warm' when I left my home. As soon as I stepped out of the car I was greated by a cool mountain breeze. This continued throughout the ceremony. So much so, the tablecloth we were using for the sand ceremony blew across my feet during the ceremony. I'm glad we decided to have family members hold the containers of sand! Otherwise, they might have been blended a little prematurely!
A family unity ceremony is a good way to include children in a wedding. Blending sand has become very popular. The container of combined sand can be displayed at home as a visual reminder of promises made on your wedding day.
It was obvious that Parker is and will be an important part of this marriage. He began the ceremony by reading a poem by Shel Silversteing:
Hug O' War
I will not play at tug o' war
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses
And everyone grins
And everyone cuddles
And everyone wins.
This set the tone for a love-filled wedding where several family members offered readings and blessings during the ceremony.
I didn't have my camera to take photos of the couple. Hopefully, they will send me some after they return home. I did grab my camera phone and took some photos on my way out.
