A new court case in NC illustrates once again that NC does not recognize on line ordained minister as legitimate officiants for weddings in NC.  https://www.rhinotimes.com/ask-carolyn/ask-carolyn-dec-5-2022/ Ask Carolyn: Dec. 5, 2022 Carolyn J. Woodruff Dear Carolyn: As the holiday season approaches, one of my friends wants me to officiate at their wedding. The friend says this is done all the time. What do you think? Can I be the person to give the vows at my friend’s wedding? Carolyn Answers: This “my friend, my wedding officiant” is becoming a popular question and practice. App ..read more

To change your name after marriage, you will need to request and pay for a few Certificates of Marriage from the county Register of Deeds that issued your marriage license. They are $10 each. Some counties allow ordering online but others you must request by mail or go in person. I recommend you get 3 or 4.  To change your name on legal documents, you must start first with the Social Security name change and get a replacement card with your new name on it. Only after you have received your new card can you then go to DMV and get your name changed on your license because DMV and SSA share ..read more

All Social Security offices are now closed and services are being handled online and by mail. Below is a summary of the new process to change your name after marriage. If both spouses wish to change their names, they must each follow this process individually. Hyphenating last names requires that you go through this process.    To change your name after marriage, you will need to get a few Certificates of Marriage from the County Register of Deeds that issued your marriage license. They are $10 each. Some counties allow ordering online but others you must request by mail or go in per ..read more

Brooke and Jake are such a fun-loving couple and they made sure their wedding reflected that. I loved working with them to make their ceremony a reflection of their personalities, their beliefs, love and commitment. Their wedding date was February 29, 2020, that rare leap year date that only comes around every 4 years. They chose the Bridge Club in downtown Raleigh for their venue. When I arrived I went upstairs to find the bride and groom, parents and wedding party.  The long tables were all set and ready for the reception to follow cocktail hour.  Little framed notations about ..read more

Leigh and Jared were so fabulous to work with and so dedicated to each other. They knew exactly what they wanted for their wedding and together we made it happen. Their wedding was at the Doris Duke Visitor Center on December 28th, 2019. I met with them on June 28th to begin working on the ceremony. Jared came from New Jersey and Leigh from Winston-Salem to meet with me.  December 28th turned out to be a very nice day. Balmy and bright. When Dave and I arrived, the chairs were in position and the arbor by Bowerbird Flowers was ready. There was a tent with clear walls over the outer half ..read more

Today, April 30, 2020, I opened my email to find this heart-warming message:  Dear Kayelily: First of all, I hope that you and yours are doing well during this dreadful pandemic outbreak and that you are both safe and healthy. I am reaching out to you because yesterday, April 29, 2020, my husband, Jeff Eischen, and I celebrated our 20thwedding anniversary. Yes, twenty years ago, you officiated our wedding! This was the beginning of quite a journey for our blended family (both Jeff and I had 7 year old boys), filled with a great many highs and some inevitable lows. However, I am happy ..read more

This was my first wedding at Brick & Mortar Events in downtown Clayton. It was an amazing place too. The downstairs is open space then there is a loft that wraps around 3 sides of the room. Rebecca and Andy chose December 8, 2019 for their wedding date and invited a lot of guests. When I arrived the table with the Family Unity Sand Ceremony was set up in front of a drape with Christmas decorations. The cake table was also up front.  "Together we make a Family" is on the shadowbox container that the couple and their children will pour the sand into during the ceremony.  When I ..read more

The wedding day of December 7th 2019 was sparkling and clear. A little chilly but not bad for December! Happy to be back at Highgrove for another great wedding!  (The photos on this post were taken by my good friend Bob Andron who graciously volunteered to come with me because Dave was off at another gathering. The photos are taken with his iPhone 8+. Thanks so much, Bob! Great job!) The stunning pergola is ready for the ceremony. Flowers on Broad does such a beautiful job! Pretty hanging lanterns with candles inside flanked the table with the sand ceremony components.  That chan ..read more

Allie and Alex are a great couple. I loved working with them to create the perfect ceremony for them and because they wisely chose to take my Marriage 101 course, I got to know them quite well.  Their wedding was November 16, 2019 at the beautiful Highgrove Estates in Fuquay-Varina.  Before the guests arrived, their photographers Brett & Jessica out of Wrightsville Beach were busy getting early photos. Here are Allie and her bridesmaids. Brent with Live View Studios was their videographer also getting these great shots. Meanwhile I got hooked into the DJ's sound system and did ..read more

Lauren and David were married on November 15th, 2019 at the historic All Saints Chapel. A big thank you to their friend Colleen Winstead of Lily & Vine Photography for sharing these photos with me.  I walked down the aisle first and made the unplugged announcement for all guests to put away their cameras and phones and truly be with David and Lauren during the ceremony without the distraction of technology. That was David's cue to enter the altar area from the groom's room to the left.  Emma and Brian entered next. Alison and Garth Molly and Cameron Kristin, Maid of Honor ..read more