Cynthia and Michael's Wedding at All Saints Chapel in Raleigh!

Cynthia called me in January of this year about officiating hers and Michael's wedding on August 28, 2010 at All Saints Chapel. Cynthia and Michael live in Minnesota but were getting married in Raleigh because her parents live in NC and his parents are in the process of relocating to NC so it seemed to be the best location for their wedding. They loved All Saints Chapel for its church-like setting and old world charm. They had about 50 guests who came from all over the place to honor them.

Perry Smith, Michael's friend from Wilmington NC, provided beautiful music and vocals for the wedding.

Cynthia and Michael brought their family crests with them to display on the altar. We also included both a unity candle and a family unity sand ceremony.

Michael escorted his mother, Janine, down the aisle with his father, James, following close behind. To the right are Cynthia's parents, Michael and Phyllis, who will enter next. Father of the bride will circle back and bring in the bride. To the left is Sharon, sister-in-law of Cynthia, and Marci (behind James), wife of our best man, who directed the wedding processional.

After the bridesmaids and flower girl entered, Cynthia is escorted in by her father, who is Lebanese. In fact, Cynthia was born in Lebanon and told me that most of her family still lives there and regrettably could not be at the wedding.

Cynthia had a lovely wedding gown and train and a cathedral length veil. The guests are standing in her honor.

With everyone in place, we began the ceremony. Cynthia and Michael brought their friend, Kamil Dadashev, photographer, from Minnesota to document their special day.

Cynthia's bridesmaids are her two teenage daughters, Christina and Victoria, and her Goddaughter, Jenny. Laurie,her best friend and Jenny's mother, is her matron of honor and is from Georgia. The groomsmen are Michael's brother, Dave, his brother-in-law, Tom, and Cynthia's brother, J.P. His best man is his good friend Paul from Wilmington. The ring bearer is Cynthia's nephew, Michael (a lot of Michaels in this wedding!), and the sweet flower girl is Cindy's niece, Madison.

Following the Unity Candle ceremony, Christina and Victoria joined Cynthia and Michael for the pouring of sand for the family unity sand ceremony.

The pronouncement then the kiss!

Then I invited all the guests to stand and make a large circle in the chapel and sing the Peace Song. Cynthia and Michael attend a Unity Church and I suggested that they include this in their wedding and they loved the idea. When my husband, Dave, and I married in 1999, we had all our guests do the same so it was a sweet moment for me to do this all again at a wedding! I believe that one large factor in Cynthia and Michael choosing me to officiate for them was that I also am a member of a Unity Church--Unity Church of the Triangle, located in historic Long View Center, just two blocks away from All Saints Chapel.