Lindsey and Zachary Marry in the Old Stone Shelter at Umstead Park!

Lindsey and Zachary were looking for a simple wedding in a natural setting so they chose Shelter #1 at the Harrison Avenue entrance to Umstead Park. This was an example of a beautiful DIY wedding. They and their families did a wonderful job of putting this wedding together. They decorated the lodge with an arch and arranged the picnic tables to make an aisle. Another friend videoed the ceremony. Someone made a beautiful wooden wedding box for their love letters to each other. Someone else created wedding programs and put together the music selections which were played on a CD player. Their friend Jill acted as the wedding director. They did hire Maureen Norcross of In Focus Photography to capture their day in photographs and she has posted some of them on her website.

When it was time to begin, we shooed everyone inside to be seated then started the music. Zach and I were first in. No, that is not a cane or a ski pole Zach appears to have in his hand. It is simply one leg of the tripod behind him!

Leah and Keygan entered after the Maid of Honor.

Noah, age 2, really had a grand time running down the aisle! He was so cute!

Everyone stands for our beautiful bride in her beautiful dress!

After the bride and groom were in place, their siblings came forward and sprinkled flower petals in a circle around them. "This Circle of Love will form the altar, the sacred space where Lindsey and Zachary will make their vows and promises to each other, as they are joined together in marriage.These flowers not only represent this new beginning for our bride and groom, marking this spot and this moment in their lives - but also the love of each person who placed it. Each flower is an individual, beautifully unique in its own way - just as the love and support of the person who placed it. Each flower is a show of support for our bride and groom as they become husband and wife, and as they begin this new, amazing, and wonderful journey together, as partners in life. Lindsey and Zachary are surrounded by these flowers, this Circle of Love, just as they are surrounded by their cherished family’s love today - and everyday!"