Surprise Wedding at Lake Lure

I arrived at Lake Lure Thursday morning full of anticipation. I just knew it was going to be a fun day!

Mark and Stacey, along with several friends had ridden their motorcycles from Florida. But... what their friends didn't know was that Mark and Stacey had slipped away and gotten their marriage license.

Mark's sister, Paula had contacted me a couple of weeks ago, wanting to help her brother plan a simple stress-free wedding. She was hopeful they would be able to keep their secret. Well, it worked perfectly!

As I pulled in the parking lot several motorcycles turned in behind me. I knew it was be the happy couple and their friends. I didn't want to spoil the surprise, so I wandered around a little taking a few pictures with my iPhone.

Paula, walked over and introduced herself and then she pretended to ask questions about a restaurant in the area. I walked to the edge of the lake while she gathered everyone for group pictures.

I began talking to the group, asking them where they were from and how long they would be in town. After a little more small talk, I said, 'you know, a lot of people come to Lake Lure to get married.' That started a little commotion and someone said  there was a single couple with them and maybe they should get married. To everyone's surprise, Mark stepped forward and handed me the marriage license. Then they realized Stacey had taken off her jacket to reveal a "Bride" t-shirt.

The look on everyone's face was priceless. After a good bit of laughter and stories of how they almost 'let it slip' Mark and Stacey were married in the waterfront gazebo.

Here's the whole group.

Knowing how people are today, photos were probably posted on Facebook before I left the parking lot!

Memories! Here's to the happy couple....

When you say to the other, “I love you,” what you are saying is, “Hold on tight, the ride is long”.

When your heart and the wide open roads call you, follow just to see what awaits you.

Hannah and Larry Married in North Carolina

Ahhh, spring in North Carolina. It's finally here!

Saturday was a beautiful day for Hannah and Larry to get married at Hannah's family farm. What a fun day, surrounded by family and friends who had traveled many miles to celebrate with this lucky couple.

Hannah and Larry did quite a bit of traveling themselves, coming from Texas.

I arrived early and had plenty of time to take a few photos with my wonderful iPhone 5. The area was so beautiful, few decorations were needed. Love the hay bales for seating.

Two and half year old Lilly was getting quite a bit of attention. And she loved posing for photos.

 

When I arrived Hannah and Larry told me there had been a slight change in their ceremony. Hannah's father, who had been taking violin lessons for about three years, wanted to play a song during the ceremony. What a special treat!

Family weddings are such fun and typically much more relaxed. This photo shows Hannah's beautiful vintage wedding gown. Not just vintage, but worn by her mother on her wedding day. 

 

And here's the happy couple, all smiles. And why not... a wonderful future ahead of them.

Love is wide, love is long

Love is deep and love is strong

Love is certain, love is kind

Love is yours and love is mine

But it isn't something that we find

It's something that we do

It's holding tight, letting go

It's flying high and laying low

Let your strongest feelings show

And your weakness, too

It's a little and a lot to ask

An endless but a welcome task

Love isn't something that we have

It's something that we do

We're on a road that has no end

And each day we begin again

Love's not just something that we're in

It's something that we do

There's no request too big or small

We give ourselves, we give our all

Love isn't someplace that we fall

It's something that we do

- From Something That We Do, by Clint Black and Skip Ewing

Stress Free Wedding in NC

 

Many couples are choosing to get married privately and celebrate later with family and friends. Brandi and Brian thought it was a wonderful idea... Getting married and a week away without obligations!

The weather was a little cool so we had their ceremony inside, in front of a nice warm fire. The weather certainly didn't bother these two. They were happy to be here.

 I ask couples to hold each others ring in the palm of their hands to acknowledge that the future of their marriage is in their hands and in their hearts.

 I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you. 

In all times, in all ways.

Forever.

Not so cold that we couldn't take a few photos outside.

Their wedding was short and sweet. Full of love and laughter.

Does it get any better?

Spring Wedding in North Carolina

Although our weather didn't feel very spring-like it didn't seem to bother Jen and Eric, who traveled from Indiana to marry at our retreat center. And I do have to brag a little here. They told me their first thought had been to get married at the Grand Canyon. I don't mind telling you, they chose our retreat center over the Grand Canyon!

It is a short walk from our main cabin to the covered bridge. Some brides want to walk alone, others like Jen and Eric, walk together.

The trees are just starting to get their leaves so I made sure we had bright flowers on our altar for the unity candle ceremony.

You are the love of my life.

And you are my very best friend.
This ring I give you

is a symbol of my love.

I pledge to share with you my heart,
my life and my love,

from this day forward.

Eric and Jen spent the night in our guest house and were kind enough to leave this entry in our Guest Book:

The decision to come here for our wedding was the best one we could have made. Between the cabin, bridge, and scenery – everything was perfect. Being able to relax and not stress on our day hold a special place in our memories. Guy and Victoria, it was great to have met you! Thank you for sharing our special day with us. You made it shine for us. With many thanks, Eric and Jen

Spring Has Arrived

Vernal Equinox, the earth's axis is inclined neither away nor towards the Sun. Night and day are about equal length. Today there is balance.
This is typically expressed by the 'balancing' egg.

In pre-revolutionary China it was customary to stand eggs on their end on the first day of spring. This would guarantee good luck for the entire year. 

Now who doesn't want a year of good luck....

I'm at Topsail Island with two dear friends and we made sure we were up early to balance our eggs. This happened pretty easily and after four hours, our egg is still nicely balanced. And to be honest, I'm feeling pretty balanced myself....

But... with a sunrise like this, how can you help but feel balanced.

Now, scientifically you can balance an egg any day, any time but this is immaterial. The important thing to realize is that the Equinox is an observable reality. It points to the shift that we are making toward a time of new growth and new life. The outer world -- the thawing soil under our feet and the budding branches of the trees remind us that we are changing, too. We are renewed, refreshed and energetic... coming to life once again.

Teo Bishop offers this blessing  to you on the Spring Equinox:

May you be like the soil.
Become ready for turning,
And welcome new life.

May you be like the bud.
Recognize your potential,
And expand into color.

May you be like the river.
Receive the new waters,
And move forward with power.

May you be like the sun.
Go forth into spring
And bring light to the world.

Celebrate the Equinox with a full heart, and go into the world with confidence and clarity of purpose.

 Wishing you Harmony and Balance.

Winter Wedding in North Carolina

Winter is almost over.

And spring is just around the corner.

It has been another crazy winter in North Carolina. We've had some cold days but we've had wonderful weather for outdoor weddings. As you can see Becky was wearing a sleeveless dress when she and Dave got married in February.

Holding on tight.

From "Union by Robert Fulghum
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way.

All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.

All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.”

 

Two hands, two rings.

Dave's rings is carefully placed on his finger.

Happily married.

Happily, happily married. The smiles say it all.

Elopment in Valle Crucis, North Carolina

What a delight to travel to Lazy Bear Lodge, near Blowing Rock, to meet a wonderful couple so very much in love. It was going to take more than a little bit of snow to keep John and Wendy from getting married!

 

 You certainly can't predict the weather but how nice when it cooperates. 

February 16th could not have been more perfect for a mountain wedding. Just enough snow for a great atmosphere but not too much to keep the minister from arriving safely!

Wendy and John were so very excited that their wedding day had finally arrived.

Their ceremony took place in the parlor and then the happy couple moved to the dining area for a private reception.

Doesn't this cake look delicious?

Cutting the wedding cake

symbolizing a shared future. 

And did you know... feeding cake to each other (tender sharing of a sweet morsel) symbolize the couples commitment to provide for each other with loving care.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance unto you and give you peace.

Best wishes to a wonderful couple!