He was from Richmond, Virginia, and
she was from Fayetteville, North
Carolina. In the summer of 2000,
mutual friends introduced Mary Lawrence
Vance and Matthew Howell Sadler at a
party in the Port City. Instant friends, they
camped out the next night in Masonboro
and began a four-year platonic friendship.
She was at Meredith College in Raleigh,
North Carolina. He was at Methodist
University in Fayetteville. They visited, they
called and they kept a close connection. When
the relationship evolved, Mary Lawrence
claims, “I thought it was a summer fling,” but
when Matthew moved back to Virginia, they
became determined to keep the relationship
alive.
Many moves later, the couple settled
60
WBM october 2010
down in Fayetteville. On Christmas Eve
2007, Matthew gave Mary Lawrence a box.
Inside each box was a smaller box, and
when she finally found the smallest box,
it held a princess keychain. Surprised and
confused, she looked up and Matthew had
the ring out. “All I could say is, ‘Are you
serious?’” laughs Mary Lawrence.
Their beautiful Wrightsville Beach wedding
was held on April 24, 2010. They
are waiting to honeymoon at a later date
and are enjoying being newlyweds in
Fayetteville. Matthew is a professional soccer
coach at Fayetteville Christian School
and Methodist University. Mary Lawrence
works at Rhudy’s Jewelry Showroom,
buying and selling the jewelry behind the
scenes.
The Elements CEREMONY SITE St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound RECEPTION SITE Carolina
Yacht Club REHEARSAL DINNER SITE Bride’s parents’ home PHOTOGRAPHY Allison Breiner Potter
WEDDING/EVENT PLANNER Jane Roberson OFFICIANT Reverend Richard G. Elliott GOWN The Dessy
Group VEIL Enchanting Moments SHOES Nina HAIR Euphoria Salon and Spa BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Coren Moore Inc. FORMALWEAR Jos. A. Bank INVITATIONS William Arthur FLOWERS Salt Harbor
Design CATERING Milner’s Café and Catering CAKE Nancy Hearne MUSIC The Wallers FAVORS
Candy Warehouse, Oh Nuts and Bill Garrabrandt ACCOMMODATIONS Blockade Runner Beach Resort
Mary
Lawrence &
Matth ew
April 24, 2010
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