Jennifer and Ken Wed at The Umstead Hotel and Spa!

Jennifer and Ken wanted a small intimate ceremony surrounded by their families, including their kids. They chose the beautiful Umstead Hotel and Spa for the occasion and we all gathered together there the morning of June 7, 2014.

They chose two of their children to sign their marriage license as witnesses (there is no age restriction on the witnesses) and we got that done before we went outside for the ceremony. (The marriage license is signed by the officiant after the wedding--never before.)

Carrie, the catering manager hosting this wedding, led us down through the garden then out around the lake.

The waterspout is always on and looks so festive. It was a beautiful morning.

There are many secluded areas on the hotel property and Carrie took us to a spot where there were stairs so that we could stand on the steps and be easily seen by the guests standing on the boardwalk.

It was very private and we were surrounded by the lush foliage. Brittany Hines was on hand as their photographer.

It was a brief ceremony and customized to what Jennifer and Ken told me they wanted. We honored the parents and their children and remembered those that were not with us.