Stephanie and Jonathan met when she was in middle school and he in high school in Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools. They dated for more than seven years, overcoming periods of long distance when attending different colleges. Jonathan, a timber buyer for Timbco LLC, proposed to Stephanie in the fall of 2010 at Lake Johnson. The day before he popped the question, Jonathan carved “Will you marry me?” into a tree at the lake. He marked the spot with a GPS and had Stephanie follow the directions to the tree’s location where he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.
Jonathan, a recent graduate of N.C. State, and Stephanie, in nursing school at Wake Tech, didn’t have the means to get married right away, until they heard about Cary Magazine’s Dream Wedding giveaway. Theirs was selected out of more than 40 entries, and Stephanie and Jonathan found themselves paired with some of the top professionals in the area to create their dream wedding.
Seven months of planning and preparation culminated on Nov. 6 on the lawn at the Matthews House where the couple said “I do.” Friends and family traveled from as far as Ohio to celebrate with Stephanie and Jonathan and enjoy their special day.
“The whole day was awesome. In my opinion, it was absolutely perfect,” said Jonathan.
In the months leading up to the big day, Stephanie met with the Dream Wedding sponsors to plan all the details. “I knew what I wanted. I have known for years,” she said. Stephanie left her vision in the experienced hands of the team of vendors and watched the day executed beautifully. “I loved seeing all that planning come together,” she said.
Stephanie wore a strapless dress by Paloma Blanca from Traditions by anna at North Hills — one she found the very first day she looked. “I knew it was the one. I felt so good in it,” said Stephanie. Jonathan agreed that his bride was “absolutely beautiful” and admitted that he got a little choked up when he caught his first glimpse of her coming down the Matthews House steps. The groom and his groomsmen turned heads themselves in khaki tuxes from Bernard’s Formalwear, which Jonathan added were quite comfortable.
The ceremony and reception flowers were designed by Julie Liles Floral & Event Design and featured orchids and lilies. Every piece of the cake, a three-tiered confection designed by Miel Bon Bons, was eaten. Guests could choose from red velvet, lemon and chocolate truffle flavored layers. Warren McCormack photographed the event and the couple’s engagement session, capturing candid moments and details of the day for them to cherish forever. Maggie Haines of Posh Girls Tying the Knot helped coordinate the wedding and kept things running smoothly.
“My favorite part of the day was being introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Murray and then our first dance,” said Jonathan. The newly married couple danced to Tim McGraw’s “My Best Friend” to kick off the reception and dinner in the Matthews House ballroom.
Stephanie and Jonathan honeymooned at the Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro, N.C., and said it was the perfect place to relax and get away.
“It was a beautiful day and a good time,” Stephanie said of her Dream Wedding to her best friend. “We made it. We’re finally here.”
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Jonathan, a recent graduate of N.C. State, and Stephanie, in nursing school at Wake Tech, didn’t have the means to get married right away, until they heard about Cary Magazine’s Dream Wedding giveaway. Theirs was selected out of more than 40 entries, and Stephanie and Jonathan found themselves paired with some of the top professionals in the area to create their dream wedding.
