Ross and Kirstin’s Wedding at Graylyn Estate in Winston Salem, NC

Wow, what a gorgeous location to have a Christmas Wedding – Graylyn is so magical this time of year. I love a great love story, and Kirstin and Ross have a beautiful one – starting in middle school! Check out their story below:
“The year is 1998 and it’s the first day of 8th grade for Kirstin and I at Ledford Middle School. During gym class I immediately become intrigued by this new girl walking out of the girls locker room. We were out running track that day and I did everything I could to get close to her; I sped up, slowed down, I even stopped to “tie my shoes” in hopes I would get the opportunity to speak to her. Despite my guile I never found the opportunity to speak to her that day. Later that week I literally bumped into her at church and we began talking. She was unable to resist my charm and 8th grade good-looks and we became boyfriend and girlfriend…for about a week.

Fast forward almost 16 years and Kirstin and I are dating again and she is working at Ledford Middle School; the same Ledford Middle School where it all began. With the help of Kirstin’s friend/Ledford Assistant Principal, Paula Justice, I began to set my plan into motion. Te plan was as follows – ask this amazing woman who perfectly compliments my strengths and weaknesses to marry me at the site where I first laid eyes on her, the Ledford Middle School gym.

On Friday May 9th Kirstin had a class field trip planned and wasn’t scheduled to return to the school until 4:00 p.m.; as some of you may know, May 9th is also Kirstin’s birthday. Earlier that week I asked her family and mine to join us for a “birthday dinner” on Friday night. While Kirstin was away on her field trip I was at the middle school preparing to ask her to marry me. With the help of Paula Justice, Kirstin was escorted to the gym alone where I was sitting in the same location from which I first saw her, wearing an LMS gym shirt with my name written across the front. Behind me I set up a small desk with some flowers and two framed school portraits from our 8th grade year. As Kirstin walked into the gym she was startled to see me sitting there. She quickly approached me asking “What are you doing here?” I proceeded to talk her through the first time I saw her and how we first met. My hands were shaking and my words probably weren’t delivered as smoothly and romantically as I like to imagine. I finally got to the point where I got down on one knee and (essentially) said, “Kirstin Lynn Blanchard, I have known you for 16 years and we have made a lot of memories together in that time. I want to spend another 16 years with you, and then 16 more after that, and another 16 after that, so on and so forth. Will you marry me?” Her response was, “YES!” I then walked her over to the desk and pulled out another LMS gym shirt with her name on it, except it didn’t say Kirstin Blanchard, it said Kirstin Gordon. Later that night at dinner we had the opportunity to tell our families the great news. The proposal was simple, yet meaningful and she was completely surprised. Overall, I would say it was a smashing success for one basic reason…she said “YES!””

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Wedding photography at Graylyn International Conference Center

Ceremony and Reception: Graylyn International Conference Center Click to view their wedding website HERE

Caterers: Graylyn International Conference Center

Photographer: Elly’s Photography

DJ: Dan Etzler at On Target DJ

Make up: Lydia – Christian Dior

Hair: Diane Tuffano & Rachel Welch – Capelli Sa

Cake: Edible Artistry

Flower: Linda Sasser bunches of flowers

Gown: Dawns Bridal – Lexington, NC – Casablanca Gown

Rehearsal Dinner: Fourth Street Filling Station

Rental Providers: Hauser Rentals

Travel Agent: Anna Crawford – Dreams and Destinations – Charlotte, NC

Wedding consultants/planners: Rhonda Glen

Invitations / Stationary: Invitations by Dawn

Wedding Rings: Hayes Jewelers

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Russell says:

    eeeee

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *