Happily Ever After

 

The very handsome wedding photographer, warming up his lens.

Our very good friends, Jim and Melissa, were married this past weekend at Pine Knoll Shores.  It was a wedding that borrowed its beauty from the surroundings:  the sparkling water, the crisp blue sky, a warm setting sun, and gentle sea breezes.  And that was all the decoration they needed to pull off what was probably the most breathtaking wedding we've ever been to.  It was such a simple affair, an absolutely perfect representation of the two of them, but far from lacking in warmth and festivity.  Their small gathering of family and close friends was exactly the way they wanted to blend their families and begin their lives together.

  

Before the ceremony...sipping some tea and enjoying the sea breeze.
Chi brought his camera along and became the unofficial beach wedding photographer.  He amassed over 300 photographs, which he then passed on to the happy couple.  The water was the perfect backdrop for a wedding, and the evening lighting provided the perfect illumination.  We relaxed a bit before the ceremony began, taking in the beautiful views from rocking chairs lined up on the patio behind the grassy area where the wedding took place. 

   

FINALLY!  A picture of us together!  This happens so rarely.

 Where were the Two Little Nguyens, you ask?  Well, they were on a beach adventure of their own with Aunt Susan and Uncle John.  Their weekend consisted of lots of fishing, crabbing, and even driving a boat!  Knowing how much little boys love weddings, and given that this one was specifically for adults only, I know they had a much better time staying at Duane and Nannette's new beach house in Ocean Isle than they would have had with us.  It was nice to get away, just the two of us, but after a day and a half without them, I was missing my Little Nguyens! 

 

Standing before family, friends and God.

 

Saying their vows and exchanging rings. 



At six o'clock, the sun was beginning to set behind the reeds, and the children of the bride and groom walked down the grassy walkway toward the water.  Melissa followed soon after, meeting Jim under a beautiful old tree where they exchanged their vows before friends and family.



 Jim, showin' us how it's done!   Now THAT'S a KISS!   I love the minister's face in the background.

  

Jim and his lovely bride, Melissa.  Finally....Mr. & Mrs. Toth.

  

Jim with his beautiful daughters, Emily and Kelly.



After the nuptials, the perfect sunset light coupled with the gorgeous background views made for some great photography.  While the bride, groom and their families posed for pics, guests made their way into the dining room of the country club for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.  Somehow, a gin and tonic tasted just right as we watched the sun setting over the water.  You will see me with that same gin and tonic in a lot of these pictures, but I can assure you it is the same cocktail in every one! 



Enjoying cocktails and a sunset as the photographer gets into his groove.



Good friends on their long-awaited special day.



Check out that sunset behind us!  Gorgeous!

   After cocktails and hors d'oeuvres (Mmmm....crab-stuffed mushrooms!), everyone headed inside for dinner and dancing.  We had to laugh as we listened to the style of music change through the last few hours from the likes of Billy Joel and the B52's and Bon Jovi to Kanye West and B.O.B. and the Black-Eyed Peas and other thumping tunes that I could not name for those few teenagers in the crowd.  It didn't stop us from dancing, though!  How often do we get to dance?! 

After the "I Do's" and waiting for dinner.  Sipping something other than sweet tea!

Chi and I loved having a weekend away with just the two of us, and celebrating our sweet friends beginning their life together was the perfect way to do it.  We love our Little Nguyens, but it's always fun to have a little grown-up time with friends!  Let's face it, I am sure the two of them were at the beach, driving Duane's boat, saying to each other, "Wow!  It's so quiet here without Mom and Dad telling us what to do all the time!"  Anyway, we are so happy for Jim & Melissa.  Congratulations, you two!  We wish you many happy years together!

And...he put his camera down to have some f un!