One August evening in 2010 when they were both out with friends in downtown Raleigh on the Glenwood South strip, Tom and Colleen met each other. Tom loved the way Colleen could joke around with him. Colleen was intrigued not only by Tom's mischievous smile and his sense of humor but that he would get up on stage and sing "Ice Ice Baby" with her! They were friends for a couple of months until Tom got up the nerve to ask her out. For that first date he arranged for them to go see a particular musician that evening who sang "Here With You" and during that song, they both knew in their hearts that they were going to end up together. And so, less than two years later, they married on June 10, 2012 at the
All Saints Chapel in downtown Raleigh. I was thrilled to officiate for them and we had a lot of fun creating their special wedding ceremony.
Colleen 's sweet mother, Donna, escorted her down the aisle and gave her a little kiss as she placed Colleen's hand into Tom's hand, blessing their marriage.
The bride and groom stepped up onto the altar and the Maid of Honor, Brianne, sister of the bride, fluffed the train. What a gorgeous wedding gown!
We began with a warm welcome and a prayer and remembered those passed on who could not be with us today.
I stepped out from behind the couple to deliver the tribute they wrote for their parents, thanking them for all their love and support.
Colleen's good friend, Laura, very eloquently delivered a contemporary reading of First Corinthians. This version is like a beautiful poem:
"Love never hurries, it is always kind.
It is not jealous, and never boasts of its greatness.
Love is not rude or selfish.
It is always ready to forgive and forget mistakes we make.
Love is no friend of wickedness, but delights in honesty and truth.
Love is strong and never gives up.
It never loses its trust in God or its hope for the future.
Love will survive all things because it is everlasting."
They were so quiet that I was unaware of these two little boys who entertained themselves during the ceremony with the flower petals in the aisle!
Everyone is having a good laugh at their story!
At one point I said to Tom:
"Colleen treasures all the ways you are different from each other, but with the exception of your unprofitable bargaining skills at your recent yard sale!" They do have a great sense of humor!
They read the vows they wrote for each other from my book then exchanged rings.
Their excellent photographer,
Neil Boyd, sent me this wonderful photo of the KISS! Thanks, Neil. Thanks to his second shooter, Rebecca too. I believe the last wedding we all did together was here at All Saints Chapel
this past January--Daniel and Emily. It is my great pleasure to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs., Tom and Colleen!
And they danced down the aisle! Thanks again for the photo, Neil!
And the wedding party danced down the aisle too!
Before the guests headed to
Caffe Luna for the reception, we got a group shot!
Colleen was telling me how thrilled she was with the ceremony and that it exceeded her expectations. I am
always so happy to hear that! Congratulations and best wishes, Colleen and Tom! You are a great couple and I wish you the very best life can bring your way!
