Weddings in North Carolina

Beautiful North Carolina! No need for expensive floral arrangements when you have this natural beauty.

Just a couple of photos from a wedding at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock. Saturday started off cool and rainy. The clouds lifted and it was a wonderful day to get married.

There are several wedding locations. Tina and Kevin choose the waterfront gazebo for their ceremony.

 

 Wish I had more photos. I grabbed my camera as the bridal party exited.

Isn't she precious?

These girls were taking their job seriously, as they held the wedding gown.

 

Jennifer told me that she did not have a full length mirror available and wasn't even sure how she looked. I took a photo with my trusty iPhone so the bride could make sure everything was ok.

 I love shoe photos.

 

Wedding at Taylor Ranch

If you're looking for a wedding venue that can accommodate a large number of guests I strongly suggest you consider the Taylor Ranch. I just can't tell you how nice these folks are. Since I couldn't take photos, the wedding coordinator snapped a few with my iPhone.

Here I am with Steven, waiting patiently for his bride, Danielle.

Here comes the bride.

It was a chilly day. 

I'm sure Danielle and Steven had thoughts of the cruise ship waiting for them in Charleston!

This fingerprint family tree was a clever way to recognize everyone who attended their wedding.

Private Wedding in North Carolina

It's been a fun wedding weekend which began on Friday with a secret elopement. And for the record, just like Vegas: what happens at RiverMist, stays at RiverMist. Well, kinda sorta. I'll write a little about the wonderful couple who allowed me to be part of a very special time.

Take a look! This was our first wedding on our new covered bridge. We're still working on the 'cosmetics' and landscaping but I couldn't wait. This was the day, this was the time.

I'm still working out the logistics but I loved this symbolism. As the bride and groom made their promises they were facing upstream, looking to their future, full of hopes and dreams.

But back to the couple who traveled quite a distance to marry here. The short-notice wedding was planned quickly. I receive a lot of request from couples planning an elopement that will take place in the future, sometimes as far as a year in advance. Now, this was a true elopement. There was a new dress, a marriage license and two people very much in love. Nothing else mattered!

Well, there may have been some new shoes, for the bride anyway.

How I wish I could show you the smiling faces.

For now, you'll have to use your imagination. But I will always remember these two and the look on the groom's face when he saw his bride for the first time.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Small wedding - BIG love

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...  

But wait.... I'm getting ahead of myself.

You know, sometimes you wake up and you just know it's going to be a good day. Today was one of those days. Full of adventures and surprises!

Just a few weeks ago I was at the NC coast enjoying the wonderful salt air. And today, I was enjoying the beautiful scenery in our mountains.

If you're not familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway, you don't know what you're missing. I made a quick stop at an overlook to snap this photo on my way to the Boone area.

Also, have you ever wondered where  Christmas trees come from? Our mountains are famous for their beautiful trees.

What a lovely morning. I had plenty of time and truly enjoyed the ride. Until..... I came upon a one lane bridge. I travel all over the state and officiate a lot of weddings in the mountains and I remembered this bridge.

 

Hum.... bridges are not my favorite thing. And especially one lane bridges without side rails. I took a deep breath. At least it wasn't a long bridge. But then.... there was another one.

 

Things were getting a little weird. I remembered this bridge. A strange déjà vu experience. I couldn't remember when but felt like I had been here before. Oh well, I didn't have time to think about this, I had to find the location for a wonderful small family wedding. Kristen had contacted me recently and was planning a short-notice wedding. I was looking forward to meeting her and Jordan, her childhood sweetheart.

I was happy and on the right 'trail'. I still couldn't shake the feeling that I had been here before. Imagine my surprise when I walked up to the door and was met by Randy. I had been here before! July 2010 when I officiated Randy and Kristina's wedding. It all started to make sense. Kristen was their daughter. I was so excited to be part of a second wedding for this great family.

And now here's a photo to go with those gorgeous blue shoes. And doesn't Jordan look handsome in his uniform!

This was truly a special day that all of us will remember. From their ceremony:

The vows that you have spoken now become your guide and your bond to each other, giving you strength to weather even the most challenging times and an inward serenity that comes with the knowledge that for the rest of your lives, your love, friend and partner will always be at your side.

After spending a little time with their family, these lovebirds hit the road to Camp Lejeune, where they will make their home. What adventures these two will have.

Wedding at Spring House Farm

What caption do you use for a photo like this? "Brian and the catch of his life" or "The one that didn't get away". There are so many possibilities.

Whatever the wording you can just tell Karen and Brian have fun together.

It was a wonderful solemn ceremony but afterward Brian had to enhance his wedding attire for a few photos. His love of fishing was evident and everyone was laughing after the ceremony. A large bass jumped during the ceremony and Brian was proud that he did not turn to look at the 'splash'.

No doubt he was happy to marry Karen. However, he was a 'tad' excited to do a little fishing during their honeymoon at Spring House Farm. 

The Cottages of Spring House Farm is a wonderful location for a private wedding and 'The Promise' by Tracy Chapman was a perfect song for Karen to make her entrance.

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
Please say you'll be waiting

Together again
It would feel so good to be
In your arms
Where all my journeys end
If you can make a promise
If it's one that you can keep
I vow to come for you
If you wait for me 

And what a beautiful bride! No wonder Brian kept smiling.

And here's the happy family. Karen, Brian and Conan.

And here's Conan getting a kiss from the bride!

Conan was so handsome and well-behaved.

He deserves his own picture. He was certainly dressed for the occasion.


This song was played during the unity candle ceremony and I'm sure will always have special meaning.

"When Soul Meets Body"  by Death Cab by Cutie.
And I do believe it’s true
That there are roads left in both of our shoes
But if the silence takes you
Then I hope it takes me too
So brown eyes I hold you near
Cause you’re the only song I want to hear
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere

Where soul meets body.
  
No doubt, Karen and Brian will have a love-filled future together. Soul met body.