Wrightsville Weddings

BY Lucy Huber

Published March 26, 2009


Christopher and Paige


It took Christopher Carper a few visits to figure it out but when he finally realized that Paige Blender wasnt coming into the bike shop where he worked to pass the time he asked her out on a date. Three years later the couple (by now inseparable) picked out Paiges engagement ring together though Christopher refused to say when he was going to propose. Paige didnt have to wait long. That night during a romantic dinner at Brio in Charlotte Christopher popped the question. The two were married on October 10 2008 exactly three years and one day after their first date. The fall wedding was held at the Frank H. Kenan Chapel at Landfall and the reception was held at the Cameron Art Museum. The reception site was perfect for the couple who had always imagined an old-fashioned wedding with friends and family. The newlyweds had two honeymoons: They soaked up rays on Bald Head Island and hit the slopes in Breckenridge Colorado. After the wedding they moved to Charlotte where Paige works for PPD Inc. and Christopher studies mechanical engineering at UNCC.


Brides Full Name Ramsey Paige Blender Grooms Full Name William Christopher Carper Wedding Date October 10 2008 Ceremony Site The Frank Kenan Chapel at Landfall Reception Site Cameron Art Museum Rehearsal Dinner Site Port City Chop House Photography Eric von Bargen Photography Wedding Planner Mary Toffolon Officiant Pastor Curtis Campbell Gown Melissa Sweet gown from The Bride Room Veil The Bride Room Shoes J-Lo from Ebay Jewelry Tiffany and Co. (bride) and Kay Jewelers (groom) Hair & Makeup Lavish Salon and Spa Bridesmaid Dresses Watters & Watters from Arianas Formalwear Cape Fear Formal Wear Invitations Michaels Flowers Creations Custom Floral Design Catering Don Matthews Cake Sweet N Savory Music DJ Chuck Hedrick Favors Five Cedars Accommodations Hilton Garden Inn Honeymoon Bald Head Island and Breckenridge Colorado





Kelly and Bryan


Though it was love at first sight for Bryan Thomas when he met Kelly Robinson Kelly was not totally convinced. The couple jokes that it took a whole year of rejection before Kelly said yes to a date. After dating for three years Kelly and Bryan found themselves in an unlikely location for a marriage proposal: Chick-fil-A! Bryan didnt exactly get down on one knee but it was there he suggested they look for a ring. The couple designed Kellys ring together and a week later Bryan proposed to Kelly over a romantic dinner at home. Their wedding and reception was held on September 13 2008 at the Porters Neck Country Club. All the guests received flower seeds as favors. For Kelly and Bryan the best part of the wedding was spending time with friends and family. The newlyweds honeymooned in Aruba where they dined on local cuisine soaked up the sun and relaxed in paradise. Kelly is currently the director of pharmacy operations at the Wilmington Group and Bryan works as a project manager for Monteith Construction Corp.


Brides Full Name Kelly Brooke Robinson Grooms Full Name Bryan Christopher Thomas Wedding Date September 13 2008 Ceremony and Reception Site Porters Neck Country Club Rehearsal Dinner Site Port City Chop House Photography Lisa Vohwinkel of Cherry Productions Videography Carla Cherry of Cherry Productions Wedding Planner Tammy Covil A TLC Event Officiant Rev. Al Sholar Gown and Shoes Davids Bridal Veil A Carolina Wedding Jewelry Joanne Miranda Designs The Bridal Boutique Hair Salon Beyond Basics Makeup Glo MedSpa Bridesmaid Dresses Elegant Brides Formalwear Mens Wearhouse Invitations Wedding Paper Divas Flowers Tammy Covil A TLC Event Catering Porters Neck Country Club Cake Nancy Hearne Music Heart and Soul Favors Sunflower and African daisy seeds Transportation Azalea Limousine Accommodations Hampton Landfall and Summer Sands Wrightsville Beach Honeymoon Riu Palace Resorts Aruba





Michelle and Scott


Michelle Billman should have been suspicious when boyfriend Scott Bliss asked if she wanted to get all dressed up and go to Fort Fisher but she never guessed what Scott had planned. Sitting in a gazebo Michelle looked up to see Scott kneeling before her with a ring and knew her answer right away: Yes! The couple wanted to get married where Scott proposed but the famous gazebo was too close to the road so they settled on another gazebo at Fort Fisher. The beach-themed wedding was held on July 5 2008. The couple says their favorite gift was a quilt handmade by Scotts aunt. The reception was held at The Pilot House where each table was decorated with seashells. The night before the couple rented condos in Historic Downtown Wilmington where all the guests watched the Fourth of July fireworks. The couple honeymooned in the Outer Banks and took a road trip across the American West. Michelle is currently a creative writing graduate student at UNCW and Scott is a financial systems analyst at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.


Brides Full Name Michelle Alexandra Billman Grooms Full Name Scott Allan Bliss Wedding Date July 5 2008 Ceremony Site Fort Fisher gazebo Reception Site The Pilot House Rehearsal Dinner Site Jack Mackerels Island Grill in Kure Beach Photography Joshua Curry Officiant Penelope Morningstar
Gown Veil and Shoes Davids Bridal Jewelry Kingoffs Jewelers Hair Tonya Prince Bridesmaid Dresses Davids Bridal Formalwear Mens Wearhouse Invitations Mindy and Angies Fine Paper Flowers Julias Florist Catering The Pilot House Cake Cupcakes from Apple Annies Bakery Accommodations Hilton Riverview Suites Honeymoon Outer Banks and the West





Terrell and Paul


They may have met at camp but Terrell Williamson knew that her relationship with Paul Kennedy was no summer fling. After working several seasons together at Camp Sea Gull Terrell finally got the nerve to ask Paul out and the couple spent their first date at a hockey game (which certainly broke the ice). Nearly three years later Terrell and Paul found themselves back in a familiar place on a riverbank at Camp Sea Gull and he asked her to be his bride. The couple was married at the Carolina Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach on October 11 2008 by the former director of Camp Sea Gull. Paul fell in love with Wrightsville Beach while attending UNCW and Terrells family has lived in WB for three generations. The navy white and pink wedding was simple and classic. The next morning the couple headed off for their honeymoon on Bald Head Island. Paul now works year-round for Camp Sea Gull as an assistant programs director. Terrell works at the camp seasonally and also nannies for two wonderful families.


BRIDES FULL NAME Catherine Terrell Williamson GROOMS FULL NAME Joseph Paul Kennedy WEDDING DATE October 11 2008 CEREMONY & Reception SITE Carolina Yacht Club REHEARSAL DINNER SITE Bluewater An American Grill PHOTOGRAPHY Logan Wallace Photography VIDEOGRAPHER Sarah Madison WEDDING PLANNER ProToCall Events Dee Harris OFFICIANT Lloyd E. Griffith Jr. GOWN & Shoes J.Crew JEWELRY Wendy Perry HAIR & Makeup Head To Toe Day Spa BRIDESMAID DRESSES Ann Taylor FORMALWEAR JoS. A. Bank INVITATIONS Reaves Engraving FLOWERS Harts Florists and Nancy Rush Party Plants CATERING Angies Catering CAKE Nancy Hearne MUSIC Reception The Holiday Band; Ceremony Concordia Strings Lee Sutton Trumpet TRANSPORTATION The Wilmington Trolley Company ACCOMMODATIONS Harbor Inn Summer Sands Motel Blockade Runner Beach Resort HONEYMOON Bald Head Island





Lauren and Justin


After dating for three years Lauren Phelps thought Justin Pittman just might propose on their vacation to Charleston. But throughout that first day of their trip despite plenty of opportunities no ring appeared so Lauren decided this wasnt going to be the special moment. Then later that day at the end of a long walk by the water Justin got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Lauren got down on her knee with him and cried her eyes out. “I dont think I even actually said yes I was crying so much ” Lauren recalls laughing. Their wedding was casual and wonderful and featured significant personal and family touches: Laurens grandmothers collection of silver teapots filled with flowers served as decorative pieces throughout the room and guests received Lauren and Justins homemade cookies as wedding favors. The newlyweds honeymooned in St. Lucia where they spent some low-key time on the beach and toured a volcano and a rum factory. The couple resides in Wilmington where Lauren is a teller manager for Wachovia and Justin is a chemist for AAI Pharma.


BRIDES FULL NAME Lauren Phelps GROOMS FULL NAME Justin Pittman WEDDING DATE May 24 2008 CEREMONY SITE Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church RECEPTION SITE The Balcony on Dock Street REHEARSAL DINNER SITE Hilton Wilmington Riverside PHOTOGRAPHY Cherry Productions OFFICIANT Rev. Teresa Cook GOWN Mori Lee from Fountaine Bridals & Formals SHOES Ann Klein HAIR Bangz Hair Salon BRIDESMAID DRESSES Mori Lee from Fountaine Bridals & Formals FORMALWEAR MW Tux FLOWERS A Beautiful Event CATERING The Balcony on Dock Street CAKE Homemade cupcakes MUSIC DJ Professionals RENTALS Party Suppliers & Rentals ACCOMMODATIONS Graystone Inn HONEYMOON St. Lucia