A Beautiful Wedding for Jessica and Bart at The Sutherland!

When Marty and I arrived on Saturday, April 9, 2011 for Jessica and Bart's wedding at The Sutherland, an elegant restored eighteenth century estate in Wake Forest, the tent for the reception was all set up. The Japanese type green lanterns look so festive!

Their wooden box with the bottle of wine, two wine glasses and their sealed love letters were in place for the ceremony.  During the ceremony they lock it and unlock it on their first anniversary. This has gotten to be quite a popular custom in weddings these days. This particular wooden box can be ordered on line and can be monogrammed too.

Sean Spollen is a friend of Bart's and he provided the music for the ceremony. I believe he and Bart play in the same band. We are going over the cues for music here before the ceremony. A couple I married on January 3, 2009 were guests at the ceremony--Kerry and Gerritt--and came up to greet me after the ceremony. Turns out that Gerritt and Bart are also in the same band and he was providing the reception music. I am often pleasantly surprised at weddings to see some of my wedding couples there and I always love it when they speak to me before or after the ceremony. I may not always remember their names on short notice but I sure recognize them!

The Walled Garden was all set up for the ceremony. The weather was overcast and it looked like rain although the forecast did not call for rain. On the other hand, this kind of weather makes the photographs spectacular--no shadows, no squinting in the sun, and the colors are super saturated. Our capable photographer was Jason Arthurs. I am looking forward to seeing his photos of this wedding because I love his photos on his website.

Waiting inside the house were the attendants including one of our sweet little flower girls, Grace, and her mother (Bart's sister), Jessica.

Ashley of Ashley Cakes was on hand putting the finishing touches on this gorgeous wedding cake!

 

After the rest of the wedding party processed in, it was time for the little ones. Grace was so adorable toddling down the aisle with the help of  our Junior Groomsman, Mason (Bart's nephew).

Then it was time for Kassidy and Kolby. Kassidy is a friend of Jessica's and Kolby is another nephew of Bart's. They did so well and I know their parents were so proud.

Now Jessica's dad, Bud, proudly escorts his beautiful daughter down the aisle. Ashlee Adams, one of the owners of The Sutherland and our wedding director, is straightening Jessica's train.

And here they come while the guests stand in the bride's honor! In the background you can see Jennifer Jones, Ashlee's assistant who helped her cue in the wedding party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It started sprinkling rain just as the wedding party was recessing out. It was barely raining so we took a few shots in the garden after the guests went to the reception. Jessica and Bart, what a wonderful wedding you had. I know you are so happy to finally be married after 12  years of knowing each other.  I wish you love, peace and joy always!