Real Weddings

Lindsey & Joseph

June 3 2006

Photography by
Kevin Millard Images

Wrightsville Beach has a special place in the hearts of Lindsey Martin and Joseph Cheshire who met here in 2001. Throughout the couple’s relationship they called the area home so when it came to arguably the most important decision Joseph would make he chose nearby Masonboro Island as the spot he would ask Lindsey to be his bride.

An avid surfer Joseph said he would remember the moment with Lindsey every time he walked down to the ocean side of the island.

A little over a year later the two were married at Airlie Gardens where Lindsey had wanted to wed since she was a little girl. The bride and groom were joined by about 200 friends in a gorgeous tented reception near the Airlie Oak.

Lindsey and Joseph spent the week after the wedding at the family beach cottage in Nags Head and were later joined by close friends. The newlyweds now live in Wilmington where Joseph makes surf movies with his company Digital Wunderland and Lindsey works in marketing.

Bride’s Full Name: Lindsey Diane Martin Groom’s Full Name: Joseph Blount Cheshire VI Wedding Date: June 3 2006 Ceremony Site: Airlie Gardens Pergola Reception Site: Airlie Gardens Big Oak Rehearsal Dinner Site: Bluewater Grill Photography: Kevin Millard Images Officiant: Penelope Morningstar Gown veil & shoes: Victorian Rose Bridal Shop Raleigh Jewelry: Maid of Honor Lauren C. Smith’s Hair & Makeup: Salon Beyond Basics Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom Formalwear: After Hours Invitations: Mindy & Angie’s Fine Paper

Flowers: Island Florals by Roxanne Catering: Culinary Creations by Marcus Buric Cake: Judy Kunf Music: 360 Degrees Band Favors: Koozies Transportation: Limo courtesy of Chris & Karen Floyd Accommodations: Holiday Inn SunSpree Honeymoon: Family Beach Cottage Nags Head

Stephanie & Greg

July 22 2006

Photography by
Rex Miller Photography

Stephanie Fitzgerald had never been on a blind date before so she was hesitant about going on one with Greg Ford. Luckily a longtime friend and erstwhile matchmaker persuaded her to give it a go.

On their first date a romantic dinner at Hiro Stephanie and Greg chatted over sushi both of them nervous. But in spite of their jitters they really hit it off.

A year and a half later Greg asked Stephanie to be his wife and six months after that the couple said their “I do’s” in front of 100 people at Kenan Chapel. Stephanie says they wanted a wedding in front of their most meaningful friends and family.

The reception was held at Shell Island Resort and they honeymooned in the Turks and Caicos Islands where they spent most of their time snorkeling and scuba diving.

The couple now resides in Wilmington where Greg runs his advertising agency Ford Design and Stephanie works as a pharmaceutical rep for Merck. They are still inseparable and have added two pound pups 5-year-old Tallon and 3-year-old Asher to their family.

Bride’s Full Name: Stephanie Jean Fitzgerald Groom’s Full Name: Julian Gregory Ford Wedding Date: July 22 2006 Ceremony Site: Frank H. Kenan Chapel Reception Site: Shell Island Resort Rehearsal Dinner Site: Harbor Point Clubhouse Carolina Beach Photography: Rex Miller Photography Videography: Barton Creek Productions Raleigh Wedding Planner: Dee Luckman Officiant: Warren Sprouse Gown Veil & Shoes: David’s Bridal Makeup: Head to Toe Day Spa Bridesmaid Dresses: The Bridal Boutique Formalwear: After Six Formal Wear Invitations: Mindy and Angie’s Fine Paper Flowers: Hart’s Florist Catering: Shell Island Resort Cake: Sweet & Savory Music: Tom Wilkinson Accommodations: Residence Inn Honeymoon: Turks and Caicos Islands

Lindsey & Colin

September 9 2006

Photography by
Tom Sapp

It is often said that common interests are what heighten an awareness of compatibility. True to form Colin Tarrant and Lindsey Bright realized their strong attraction to each other after sharing a night of cheering for the N.C. State Wolfpack. Romance ensued and the two quickly became an item.

When Colin left for law school in Boston Lindsey stayed behind but the distance didn’t hinder their budding love. After graduation was said and done and the two were again living in the same zip code things became more serious. Colin popped the question after a romantic dinner at The Oceanic and Lindsey of course said yes.

But disaster struck one month before the wedding when Lindsey’s 55-year-old father Steve fell overboard one morning while fishing alone with the boat set on auto-pilot. When the family had heard no news from the Coast Guard by midday Lindsey was ready to call off the wedding and elope. She simply could not bear to walk down the aisle without her father. It wasn’t until 5 p.m. that Steve was found alive and well.

With that drama behind them Colin and Lindsey were married on schedule on Sept. 9 under blue skies. About 450 people joined the newlyweds in the celebration of their marriage. The couple now lives on Wrightsville Beach where Colin practices law and Lindsey is a speech pathologist at Codington Elementary School.

Bride’s Full Name: Lindsey Jeanette Bright Groom’s Full Name: Colin Jordan Tarrant Wedding Date: Sept. 9 2006 Ceremony & reception Site: Country Club of Landfall Rehearsal Dinner Site: Poplar Grove Plantation Photography: Tom Sapp Videography: Lifetime Video Wedding Coordinator: Susan Mitchell Officiant: Dr. Lance Perry Gown veil shoes & jewelry: Elegant Bride Hair: Joseph Zell and Co. Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor Formalwear: After Hours Flowers: A Premier Event Catering: Country Club of Landfall Cake: Danny’s Pastry Shoppe Music: The Concordian Quartet DJ Jerry White Tim Whitehead Favors: Monogram cookies Transportation: A Premiere Event Accommodations: Residence Inn Honeymoon: Antigua British West Indies

Mary Ann & Clint

September 30 2006

Photography by
Carlyle Williams Studio of Photography

Mary Ann and Clint Roberson probably crossed paths during their college years at UNCW but never realized it. And then fate literally reeled them in — Clint reeled in Mary Ann and Mary Ann reeled in a ring.

They didn’t meet until one Friday night at Jerry Allen’s on North Lumina Avenue. By then Clint had already graduated and Mary Ann was finishing her senior year. Clint got her phone number that night — and promptly lost it. The next week a friend of Clint’s ran into Mary Ann knew Clint was interested but had lost her number and got it for him again. One week later Clint called her and their relationship began.

His well-orchestrated proposal happened while the couple was fishing near The Oceanic. Mary Ann went to the car for Clint’s jacket. When she returned her line dangled in the water. She reeled in her hook to find she’d caught — not a fish — but a small ring. Clint commented on the ring’s small size and then pulled the real one from his pocket.

On their perfectly sunny wedding day the newlyweds rode away from Wrightsville United Methodist Church on the Wilmington Trolley and later left the reception in a carriage pulled by a bike provided by Pedicab.

The couple honeymooned in Riviera Maya Mexico at the Aventura Spa Palace. — Kelly Pittman

Bride’s Full Name: Mary Ann Smith Groom’s Full Name: Clinton Stanley Roberson Wedding Date: Sept. 30 2006 Ceremony Site: Wrightsville United Methodist Church Reception Site: Wrightsville Surf Club Rehearsal Dinner Site: Port Land Grille Lumina Station Photography: Carlyle Williams Studio of Photography Clinton Wedding Planner: A Carolina Wedding Officiant: Rev. Laura Mitchell Gown & Veil: David’s Bridal Shoes: Victoria’s Secret Hair: Ninen Gough of Classic Hair Design Makeup: Anna Earney of Blush Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal Formalwear: After Hours Formalwear Invitations: David’s Bridal Flowers: Wendy Wright with A Beautiful Event Catering: Wrightsville Surf Club Cake: Taylor Ross with Taylor’s Sweet Treats Music: Threshold provided by Something to Talk About Entertainment Favors: In lieu of favors a donation has been made to cervical cancer research as it has directly threatened the family Transportation: Wilmington Trolley Accommodations: Shell Island Resort Holiday Inn SunSpree Landfall Park Hampton Inn and Residence Inn Marriott Honeymoon: Rivera Maya Mexico

Sarah & Adam

October 7 2006

Photography by
Laura Wessell

While the saying “Always a bridesmaid never a bride” stirs up resentment in a great many women it was just that title that led Sarah Davis to her future husband Adam Shay.

The two met at a mutual friend’s wedding in which Sarah was a bridesmaid. Both Sarah and Adam realized their attraction to one another but were faced with an immediate problem — Sarah was living in Charlotte and Adam lived in Wilmington. Sarah decided the cause was worthwhile and drove to Wilmington for a first date. She jokes that all of her friends thought she was crazy to make such a journey. The weekend-long date left both Adam and Sarah wanting more and the two soon began making the grueling four-hour drive back and forth every weekend. One year and countless miles later Sarah made the move to Wilmington and it wasn’t long before Adam popped the question on a romantic December walk under the lighted trees downtown. Ten months later the two were married at their beloved church Wrightsville United Methodist. The newlyweds honeymooned at the Tiamo Resort in South Andros Island Bahamas. Sarah and Adam credit their relationship to their friends Chris and Cathy Madden whose wedding was where the now happily married Shays first met.

Bride’s Full Name: Sarah Wagner Davis Groom’s Full Name: Adam Hunter Shay Wedding Date: Oct. 7 2006 Ceremony Site: Wrightsville United Methodist Church Reception Site: The Balcony on Dock Street Rehearsal Dinner Site: The City Club Photography: Laura Wessell Wedding Planner: Jane Roberson at Wrightsville United Methodist Church Officiant: Rev. Tim Russell Gown: Watters & Watters Veil: Handmade by mother of the bride Jewelry: Macy’s Hair: Hannah Lewis from Bangz Salon Makeup: Bobbi Brown Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff Bridal Mart Burlington Formalwear: Cape Fear Formal Wear Invitations: Rexcraft Flowers: Verzaal’s Florist & Shelton Herb Farm Catering: The Balcony on Dock Street Cake: Nancy Hearne Music: Rehearsal Dinner — Paco Strickland Reception —Gerry White Transportation: Platinum Limo Accommodations: Deluxe Loft The Wilmingtonian Honeymoon: Tiamo Resort South Andros Island Bahamas