Raleigh Heart2Heart Wedding Blog: The 11-28-14 Lake Gaston Wedding of Jami Stewart and Joe Novak

Jami called me in September to inquire if I would be willing to perform her wedding the day after Thanksgiving. She also asked if I could create the ceremony via emails and over the phone because her job at Cisco had her flying all over.

I was immediately charmed with Jami and her love story and excited to create a ceremony that was just what she and her beloved Joe wanted.

The wedding was being planned so that all their family members could attend. This was not an easy task for the couple because their family came from Vancouver & Seattle, Washington, the Caribbean & West Virginia.

The family gathered together to share Thanksgiving and then celebrate the marriage of Jami and Joe the following day at the family home on Lake Gaston in Henrico, NC.

View of the lake and ceremony area

View of the grand home with the reception tent in front

After a scenic ride I arrived to meet Frankie & Ryan the wedding planners and Djs.

Frankie Hagan

Ryan Pflumm

I was directed around the gorgeous home to meet the family.

I found the groom Joe who was proudly smiling as he posed for a photo with his son JB and daughter Grace.

Then I met the lucky man who would walk his mother down the aisle, Chris.

Jami was radiant in her wedding gown with a white stole over her arms. She was every bit as sweet as I knew she would be.

Her sister Christine on the left was playing with her veil and her brother Kevin Stewart on the right looked on.

Joe told me that Jami was a fainter so here Jami and I discuss a backup plan just in case as well as the jokes that would be said to keep everything lighthearted.

Jami putting on her veil under the watchful eye of Chris.

Mother and son ready to walk down the aisle

Ryan pins Joe’s Boutonniere on with great care

After Frankie Hagan fitted me with a microphone we were ready to begin.

Joe and I walked to the ceremony area that faced the lake where the sun shimmered off the rippling waves.

Joe, the guests and I await the first sight of the bride

And then like a vision from heaven Jami on the arm of her son Chris appeared.

Jami’s sister Christine didn’t just honour the couple with a reading, she memorized Shakespeare Sonnet 116.

Many moments of the ceremony were filled with happy tears for Jami. Here she wipes her eyes as Joe lovingly looks on.

Joe slides the ring on Jami's finger

With this ring I thee Wed

Joe was so happy when it came time to kiss his beautiful bride!

Their cake was elegant yet down to earth, just as they are.

The refreshment table offered drinks to cover everyone’s taste. One of the specialties was prepared with hot coffee, Godiva chocolate and whipped cream.