In each issue, St. Charles Avenue Magazine highlights the real wedding of a local New Orleans couple. The “With This Ring” section includes details and photos of the couple and their Big Day. Below is the nuptials of Jennifer Kathleen Gray and Marshall Davis Saunders written by Avenue contributor Mirella Cameran.
-Kelly Massicot
Just one date was all it took for Jennifer Kathleen Gray and Marshall Davis Saunders to know that they had both met someone very special. It was only seven months later when they returned to a local lake picnic area in Greenville, South Carolina, where they had taken their first photograph together, that Marshall dropped to one knee and asked the big question.
Rockwood Manor in Dublin, Virginia, close to Jenni’s hometown of Radford and owned by family friends, provided the perfect wedding venue. The entire bridal party stayed at the Manor during the weekend, and the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception were held within the Manor and its grounds.
On July 16, 2016 Marshall was lead to the front lawn blindfolded for a first look at his bride. The couple then took all their bridal shots so they could spend the rest of the day with their guests.
For the formal ceremony, the bride’s procession entered to “Canon in D” by Pachelbel in violin. Pastor Dudley Morgan, Jenni’s childhood pastor and friend, came out of retirement to perform the ceremony, just days after a small heart attack.
The reception began with Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed and Delivered,” and guests enjoyed appetizers, a full bar and a specialty cocktail, the Virginia Hurricane. This was followed by a sumptuous buffet by local caterer, HazelBea. The wedding colors of blue and yellow set the tone for the modern rustic décor that featured yellow gerbera daisies and blue delphiniums.
Jenni incorporated numerous personal touches into the weekend, from the couple’s initials cut into the grass on the hill next to the Manor’s entrance, to the guest “book” a wooden bench made by Marshall, on which guests wrote messages.
“Everything (Crazy Life),” by Michael Buble, was the couple’s choice for their first dance and the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing, which was filmed near the Manor, specifically “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life,” closed the night.
The couple honeymooned in Ogunquit, Maine, for a week and returned to Greenville, South Carolina, where Jenni is a professional engineer in construction management and a sustainability manager and Marshall is a power train analysis and development engineer for BMW.
Wedding Gown: Justin Alexander dress from New York Bride & Groom in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Wedding & Engagement Ring: Diamond Direct in Charlotte, North Carolin
Groom’s Wedding Band: Zales Favor: Personlized koozies and cups
Invitation: The bride’s sister, Lisa Gray
Wedding Cake: Lemon raspberry and white almond buttercream cupcakes from Fresh Baked out of Roanoke, Virginia
Photographer & Videographer: Michael Keyes with Photographic Dreams out of Radford, Virginia
Hair & Make Up: Unique Salon out of Radford, Virginia
Music: DJ Bobby Hash with RSI Entertainment
