Angie and Chris Wed at Caffe Luna!

I met with Angie and Chris last September to plan their wedding ceremony slated for March 23, 2013 at Caffe Luna. She told me she had been following this blog for a while and was so happy that I was available. They wanted a non-religious, simple yet fun ceremony that reflected their personalities and their beliefs about love and marriage and one that their friends would enjoy as well. They did a lot of the wedding preparation themselves and called on friends for their help. Angie's niece, Lauren, operated the CD player for the processional and recessional. Since they had no attendants, it was quite simple. They did the florals themselves and a friend made cupcakes for the wedding cake and a sheet cake for the groom's cake. They hired Lauren Wicker with Lauren's Eternal Moments to photograph their wedding. It was pretty laid back and since it was uncomplicated, no rehearsal was needed. They had reserved Caffe Luna from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM that day and we all converged on the restaurant that morning at 10:30 to prepare for the 11:30 ceremony.

For their guest book, they had the guests write notes of advice to them. Love the peacock motif! The couple in the photo to the right are Chris' parents who are no longer with us on earth.  We also remembered Angie's father who has passed on as well. We know they were there in the hearts of everyone who knew them.

 Groom's cake! 

 Wedding Cupcake Cake! 

 Angie's mother, Samiha, is escorted in by Angie's stepfather, Lawrence.

Chris and I are next as Lauren peeps out the window to see if the bride is ready to enter.

 Here comes the Bride! 

Angie is so beautiful with her creamy soft cafe au lait complexion that reflects her Egyptian heritage. She was simply glowing and she and Chris could not take their eyes off each other during the ceremony.

They wrote secret words to say to each other before the vows and read them from my book. They are both in their early 40s and both said in so many words that they were so happy to have waited for  a long time, wondering if this time would ever happen, and would the right person ever come along. But, having found each other they cannot imagine life with anyone else. The tears were flowing by that time!

 Then they made their vows to each other. 

 The rings were exchanged.......

Angie reached over and squeezed her mother's hand right before the pronouncement!!

 "It is my pleasure and my honor to recognize you as husband and wife!"

Angie and Chris, what a wonderful wedding! You worked hard, made it what you wanted and it paid off! I wish you all the happiness in the world!