Good Lord, how do I even begin to describe how much I love these two?!?

First, their engagement shoot and surprise proposal on UNC Chapel Hill’s Campus last year was amazing! I plotted with Eddie for WEEKS about how we were going to pull that off! And THEN I had to keep it a secret! For a year! These two babes love a good surprise and boy did they ever manage a big one.

They threw a “30th Anniversary Party” for all their friends only to surprise them with a WEDDING! Eddie and Derrick met at UNC Chapel Hill 30 years ago and have been inseparable ever since. The depth of their love was palpable all day as they laughed and cried along with their dearest friends and family who have supported their love from the beginning.

Eddie is a wedding planner himself… so you KNOW all the details were on point, and UNC Chapel Hill themed of course! He chose all his favorite vendors and and only we knew about the big secret for an entire year! I seriously have NO idea how they managed to keep it from everyone. I nearly dropped the word “groom” 20 times myself as I was setting up and making plans with the others.

Trying to take family photos without using my regular wedding language was way harder than I expected, I was just so excited!

As the guests arrived they were greeted with hugs and hors d’oeuvres, a photobooth and the promise of dancing after dinner. No one suspected the big surprise that lay ahead. The words I heard over and over throughout the night as each person shared how they knew the happy couple were: kindness, kindness, kindness, joy and love. And Chapel Hill. Everyone in the room had experienced the overwhelming love these two present to the world and were elated to celebrate them in any capacity.

The big moment had arrived. There were to be three toasts from friends…the first two toasters didn’t even know what was coming. Liza started by reading the definition of love from the dictionary, which she said was not good enough, she said, “love is a color… and it’s Carolina Blue.” As everyone giggled, she went to say how love shows up every day no matter what, just like Eddie and Derrick have for each other all these years.

Terri talked about meeting Derrick for the first time at a drag show and how all their friends thought Eddie had made him up because they hadn’t met him yet. She said they all loved him immediately, of course, because Eddie hadn’t known how to show the world his true self fully until he found Derrick, and once he did, there was no looking back. These two completed each other, grew up together and have hardly known the world without each other. Nothing else makes more sense in the world than these two together.

By the time Pastor Jason got up to toast, the whole room was already in tears then he talked about how Eddie and Derrick were the embodiment of provision for the ones in need. “When I was hungry you gave me food, thirsty you gave me drink” He said when they were met with persecution, they showed only love to the world and no one deserves happiness more than these two incredible souls.

Then he said, “You know what, everyone is here, I’m ordained…let’s just get married! What do you say?!?”

The whole room ERUPTED in applause, tears, hoots and hollers, amens and happy dances! The grooms made their way to the floor with rings and vow books in hand and it was pandemonium as everyone realized this was planned all along!

It’s hard to even put to words the amount of love that enveloped them as they laughed and cried their way though memories and vows. The rest of the evening was hug after hug as the room embraced everything about who they are and what they represent in the world. It was pure magic.

They hardly know the world without each other, and the world hardly knows them without the other. 30 years down, at least 30 more to go you guys and I am honored I was there to witness the beauty of this union. Thank you so much for including me! Love you both!!

The Vendors who made the day possible:

Photographer: Cynthia Viola

Coordinator: Rebecca with Eddie McDaniel Events

Venue : Chatham Station

Florist: Flowers by Kyle

Officiant: Jason Butler

DJ: All Around Raleigh DJ

Photobooth: Zim Zoom Photobooth

Catering: Rocky Top Catering

Bartending: Artful Libations

Cake: Ashley Cakes

Rentals: CE Rentals, Capital Events and Green House Picker Sisters