Denise and Keith Tie The Knot at The Matthews House!

Denise and Keith found themselves sitting at the same kitchen table at a mutual friends' engagement party in March of 2011. Keith was attracted to Denise's gorgeousness and Denise to Keith's personality and easy going nature. Their conversation flowed easily and it felt like they had known each other forever. After many attempts to get together they officially became a couple whereupon Keith promptly asked Denise to come with him to a friend's wedding. She asked where the wedding would be. He told her Poland. She asked "Poland, the country?" He replied yes and she eagerly accepted the invitation. That's when Keith new Denise was The One! They both love to travel. Keith is good at planning adventures and Denise is good at coming along with him! Keith proposed in August of 2013 while on a trip out West and they chose the wedding date of August 16, 2014 at The Matthews House in Cary. 

I've been doing weddings at the lovely historic Matthews House for at least 12 to 14 years and the property has undergone many changes and developments over time. This view above is of the side of the house. At one time a huge old tree stood between the house and the chairs but it was lost to decay a couple of years ago. In the early days of weddings here the chairs were placed to face the house and porch creating an L-shaped aisle from the front door. 

The beautiful fence was added and an arch was created so that the guests face toward the back of the property where there now stand a beautiful reception hall. It used to be just grass and an unsightly view of the backyards of the neighbors on the street over. Adding the reception hall not only added wonderful space for the reception and Plan B if the weather was not cooperative but also gave more privacy!

Inside the reception hall is this lovely cake by Patisserie which is the in-house bakery for the Matthews House. 

 The beautiful floral designs are by Gregg Kennedy of Brides and Bouquets.  Gorgeous as usual! 

Our DJ, Cody Ross with Touch of Class DJs, is set up in the reception hall and a mobile unit is out on the side porch for the ceremony. Ross had an ear mic ready for me and the sound was perfect!

Warren McCormack is our very capable photographer and brought along a second shooter to cover the festivities. Warren and I have worked many weddings together and he is always so easy going and fun to work with.

The guests are seated and we are ready to begin the processional. You can see the reception hall in the background.

The parents and wedding party get all lined up in the front of the house.

Preeti Waas is the manager of The Matthews House and usually directs the weddings there. She has recently begun her own event planning and directing business called Mehar Events. She specializes in Indian weddings and the blended Indian/American weddings! Go check out her website! I know she will be a grand success.

 Entering is the groom's parents, Ruth and Glenn. 

Then Daniel escorts his mother and Mother of the Bride, Christine. Daniel then circled around to escort in the bride with his father, Paul.

 Ready, girls? 

 Preeti stands watch to cue Cody for the entrance of the wedding party.

 So pretty in their mint dresses! 

 So now for the bride! 

 Please stand for our beautiful bride!

 Presentation of the Bride....

 Here we go! Preeti straightens the bride's train.

 Welcome, prayer, then their love story......

 Some good laughs all around......

 Vows and rings....

Feel the happiness of this day. Feel the love of your family and dearest friends surrounding you as they honor you on your wedding day!

 The official pronouncement of marriage.....

 Kiss!

 Stepping joyfully into their future! 

Denise and Keith--a wonderful wedding! I know you two are so happy together and off on more adventures! I wish you all the best.

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To contact me:

revk@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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Tina and Travis' Fun Wedding at Highgrove!

Tina and Travis both graduated from Apex High School but their paths never crossed. Apparently the timing was not right. It was not until they were in college in Charlotte did they meet through a mutual friend. And so they became friends hanging out in the same crowd. It was Travis who asked for Tina's phone number one day. She had not an inkling that he was interested in her as more than a friend and it was a good thing because it took him over a month to text her. But, once they started dating, it was a sure thing that they were meant for each other. Eventually, after finishing school, getting jobs and moving to Chapel Hill, they decided it was time to get married. So, on June 7, 2014, they did!

The setting was the lovely Highgrove Estates. The spacious garden ballroom was ready! 

Greg Kennedy of Brides and Bouquets did the lovely florals including the hydrangea balls hanging in the pergola and the mason jars stuffed with flowers lining the aisle. 

This pretty cake creation was furnished by Sweet Memories Bakery. 

One of our bridesmaids was a former bride of mine! Courtney and Nik's wedding at The Matthews House on March 12, 2011 and referred Tina and Travis to me. Thanks, Courtney and Nik!

Eric Mills with Stylus was our DJ. I wore the lavaliere mic he had for me since I had to dash out quickly after this wedding to sing in a concert. The sound was perfect.

More of Greg's pretty touches for the ceremony. 

This brooch bouquet was on display in the house. I don't know what the meaning for it was because the bride carried live flowers, but it was stunning! (Addendum 6/15/14: Mystery solved--just received a note from Melissa, friend and former co-worker of the bride, who made this lovely brooch bouquet as a surprise gift for Tina. It has a couple of pins that belonged to Tina's grandmother and was on display on the Memorial table. Thanks for the explanation, Melissa! And what a beautiful job you did. I know from some other brides that putting this together can be a real challenge!)

Let's go, Travis! 

Come on, Tina! Mike proudly escorted his pretty daughter down the aisle!

A little goodbye kiss for Dad and we began......

The parents' blessing brought tears to the mothers' eyes! Most of the time it does! 

Aren't those hydrangea balls spectacular? At one point during the ceremony I could stand in the shadow of one of them and keep the sun from shining directly into my eyes. Most of the time I could not and so in these photos where I look like I am grimacing, I am really only squinting!

Everyone loved hearing their story. At first Tina and Travis were not going to include it until they realized most of their guests really did not know how they they happened to meet and fall in love. I am happy they changed their mind. The story is where we get to throw in some sweet humor and get folks laughing. Makes the ceremony just that more memorable.

After they heard what the other had told me about why they loved each other, they read their vows to each other from my book.

Travis's knuckles were a bit swollen on this rather warm day and his finger was coated with lotion to make it easier for Tina to get it on his finger---and she did!

Travis slips the ring easily onto Tina's finger. 

It was my honor to pronounce them husband and wife!

They had practiced! 

That is Tara Parker in the background snapping the photos as the couple made their getaway!

A quick snapshot of the three of us before I changed clothes and got to my concert! Tina and Travis, congratulations! What a great wedding! You did it! I wish you all the best in life!

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To contact me:

mailto:kayelily@aweddingminister.com

919-345-4608

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