Real Weddings
BY Emily Russell
Jaime and Erik
When Jaime Lynne Moore met Erik Rabb Taylor at the Dockside in 2004 there was an instant attraction but they were both dating other people and had to let the opportunity pass. Chance brought them together again a year later at Fibber McGee’s and determined not to let the opportunity pass again they had their first date dinner at Savannah’s shortly thereafter.
Nearly a year later a dark and rainy day found the couple heading to Southport to purchase a boat together and put it in the water. Jaime wasn’t initially thrilled with the idea but as the weather cleared up and the couple sailed their new boat to Masonboro she began to feel better. The best part of the night came when Erik who had seemed strangely impatient could wait no longer and proposed.
They were engaged for a year and had an outdoor wedding at Airlie Gardens on May 5 2007. Though rain threatened the proceedings the weather remained clear for the outdoor part of the ceremony. After their wedding the couple spent a week in Aruba where they soaked up the tropical sun and participated in many outdoor activities.
Jaime always vacationed at Wrightsville Beach and came to Wilmington to go to school 10 years ago. The couple now lives happily together in Wilmington.
— Emily RussellBride’s Full Name: Jaime Lynne Moore Groom’s Full Name: Erik Rabb Taylor Wedding Date: May 5 2007 Ceremony Site: Airlie Gardens Pergola Garden Reception Site: Airlie Gardens Spring Garden Rehearsal Dinner Site: Home of Billy and Kay Baker Photography: Chris Tisinger Wedding Planner: Rhesa Stone Officiant: The Rev. Laura Mitchell Gown: David’s Bridal Shoes: mother’s shoes Jewelry: borrowed from bridesmaid Hair: Harbour Club Day Spa Makeup: Harbour Club Day Spa Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew Invitations: Mindy & Angie’s Fine Paper Flowers: Carol Waldkirch Catering: A Southern Thyme Cake: Nancy Hearne Music: D.J. Jason Jackson Favors: drink cozies Honeymoon: La Cabana Resort Aruba
Amanda and Jeremy
When Amanda Shepard Morrison and Jeremy Harve Smith first met in 2001 their situation wasn’t exactly ripe for romance — Jeremy was Amanda’s boss at Carmike 16 Cinema. However when they met again years later at the apartment of a mutual friend something clicked.
They dated for two years culminating in a special dinner at The Little Dipper fondue restaurant on Valentine’s Day of 2005. Jeremy delighted Amanda by slipping his proposal into the middle of a game of 20 questions: “I have a question for you. Will you marry me?” Of course her answer was “Yes.”
Jeremy and Amanda were married on May 19 2007 at the First Christian Church and had their reception at the Surf Club the same spots Amanda’s parents had their wedding and reception many years before. After the wedding the couple honeymooned in Jamaica at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios where they experienced the local culture and wild beauty of Jamaica’s waterfalls and rainforests.
Amanda is a dispatcher for Bridge Terminal Transport and a lifelong lover of Wrightsville Beach while husband Jeremy is Southern Regional Marketing Assistant for Coastal Beverage. The couple resides in Wilmington where Amanda was born and raised. — Emily Russell
Bride’s Full Name: Amanda Shepard Morrison Groom’s Full Name: Jeremy Harve Smith Wedding Date: May 19 2007 Ceremony Site: First Christian Church Reception Site: The Surf Club Rehearsal Dinner Site: The Little Dipper Photography: Piner Photography Videography: Larry Denning Wedding Planner: Bride and mother Officiant: James Perry and Jason Doran Gown Veil Shoes: Fountaine Bridals & Formals Jewelry: Fountaine Bridals & Formals and family heirlooms Hair: Kate Barber Fluid Salon Makeup: Colby Davis Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal Formalwear: After Hours Invitations: Burlington Printing Company Flowers: Sophia V. West Catering: The Surf Club Cake: Nicki Macrae Music: Gale Berry — four-string quartet Favors: White boxes with black initial S on front blue M&Ms printed “Amanda and Jeremy ” white M&Ms printed “May 19 2007” Transportation: Platinum Limousine Honeymoon: Grande Ocho Rios Jamaica
Cameron and Cameron
Cameron Richard Pearson knew he wanted to marry Cameron Barnes Wilson from the night before their first date. She had been invited to his surprise 32nd birthday party and upon learning that her name was also Cameron Pearson knew they had to share a last name as well if only to confuse the mailman. His logic must have worked: The couple had their first date the very next day.
The Camerons dated for almost two years until Cameron Pearson proposed to Cameron Wilson on Christmas Eve. Ms. Wilson had been working odd hours at the local hospital and while she was away Mr. Pearson placed rose petals in the shape of arrows around her house leading up to the bedroom where he waited with the ring. They were married on September 23 2006 at Wrightsville Beach United Methodist Church where Cameron Pearson’s mother was married just a year before. The wedding was at midday and featured a casual beachy theme.
After the wedding the couple left for a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic where they went swimming with sharks and enjoyed the beautiful countryside. While Cameron Wilson was raised in Oriental Pamlico County Cameron Pearson was born and raised in Wrightsville Beach. — Emily Russell
Bride’s Full Name: Cameron Barnes Wilson Groom’s Full Name: Cameron Richard Pearson Wedding Date: September 23 2006 Ceremony Site: Wrightsville Beach United Methodist Reception Site: Bluewater – An American Grill Rehearsal Dinner Site: Lions Gate Clubhouse Photography: Mindy Gorman Wedding Planner: Bride groom and Mrs. Jane Roberson Officiant: P.D. Midgett Gown: Lazaro Veil shoes: Elegant Bride Jewelry: Grandmother’s ring made into necklace gift from parents Hair: Harbour Club Day Spa & Salon Makeup: Jen Ferguson (Harbour Club) Bridesmaid Dresses: Jessica McClintock Belk Formalwear: After Hours Invitations: Paper Place Paige Fuqua Flowers: Harts Florist Catering: Atlantic Quest Catering
Cake: Joyce Bevin Music: D.J. Teach Favors: cozies Transportation: Atlantic Coast Limousine Inc. Honeymoon: Punta Cana Dominican Republic
Erin and Thomas
At the time of their first date a Def Leppard/Ryan Adams concert they attended in Raleigh Erin Elizabeth Egan and Thomas Michael McManus had already been friends for a year. “We knew each other well before we started dating ” Erin says. “There was none of that awkward first date stuff.”
They were a couple for approximately a year before Thomas popped the question in June 2006. While they were visiting Thomas’ parents in Manassas Virginia Thomas took Erin to a park — with the familiar name believe it or not of Airlie Gardens — and near a beautiful and secluded pond he sank to one knee and proposed.
Erin and Thomas were married at Saint Therese Catholic Church in Wrightsville Beach on June 23 2007 surrounded by 235 friends and family. After the ceremony the bride a true Wrightsville Beach local exchanged her wedding heels for a pair of white Rainbow flip flops.
The couple honeymooned in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic where they did everything from ride horses to snorkel. They now live happily in Wilmington. — Emily Russell
Bride’s Full Name: Erin Elizabeth Egan Groom’s Full Name: Thomas Michael McManus Wedding Date: June 23 2007 Ceremony Site: Saint Therese Catholic Church Reception Site: Country Club of Landfall Rehearsal Dinner Site: City Tavern Photography: Piner Photography Officiant: Father Walter Ospina Gown: Elegant Brides Veil and Tiara: Henderson Shoes: Colorifics and Rainbows Jewelry: mother’s jewelry Hair: Head to Toe Day Spa Makeup: Megan Sears Bridesmaid Dresses: Expressions by Elegant Brides Formalwear: After Hours Invitations: Birchcraft “Save the Date” magnets by Magnet Queen Flowers: Sophia V. West Catering: Country Club of Landfall Cake: Danny’s Pastry Shoppe (with flowers by Sophia V. West) Music: Global Entertainment Favors: apothecary jars filled with assorted candy Transportation: Classic Limousine Service Accommodations: Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Hampton Inn at Landfall Honeymoon: Paradisus Palma Real resort in Punta Cana Dominican Republic
Bridget and Jamie
When Bridget Penley met Jamie Mills in January of 2005 she was new to the city of Raleigh and he was her first friend there. Six months later they were dating.
Their relationship grew closer and closer until that fateful day they were enjoying the sun on Carolina Beach with Jamie’s family — Bridget thinking they were about to leave the beach turned for a moment to talk to Jamie’s niece. When she turned back around Jamie was on one knee and asking her to marry him. Jamie and his brother-in-law had planted cameras a short distance away to capture Bridget’s surprise.
Bridget and Jamie were married on April 21 2007 on the beach outside The Oceanic restaurant. It was a beautiful sunny day and many strangers joined the 45 invited guests to congratulate the new couple who took their vows barefoot. After the wedding the couple embarked on a six-day Caribbean cruise and relaxed on many different beaches.
Bridget and Jamie currently reside in Raleigh. — Emily Russell
Bride’s Full Name: Bridget Penley Groom’s Full Name: Jamie Mills Wedding Date: April 21 2007 Ceremony Site: Wrightsville Beach Reception Site: The Oceanic Restaurant Rehearsal Dinner Site: Deck House Photography: Phil Edwards Photography Wedding Planner: Tara Lazar Officiant: Linda Jenkins Gown Veil: David’s Bridal Shoes: barefoot Jewelry: Bride’s own earrings mother’s Bible Hair makeup: Hair Xperts Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal Invitations: Hen & Chicken Papers Flowers: Kim Fisher Designs Catering: The Oceanic Cake: Terry’s Creations Music: Bride’s own CD Favors: white silk fans white chocolate seashells Accommodations: The Surf Suites Honeymoon: Caribbean Cruise