Stacey and PJ share their love with family and friends, August 29, 2009, at The Magnolia Inn in Pinehurst, NC

It was a beautiful summer evening as Stacey and PJ exchanged vows on the intimate patio of the historic Magnolia Inn. Located in Pinehurst, NC, known for its wonderful golf courses and quaint old village, it was a perfect setting for the relaxed, caring and magnificent event that Stacey and PJ had in store for everyone. Stacey’s brother even serenaded them with his guitar during the ceremony!

Because their guests were so important to them and many had traveled quite a distance to be with them, they had decided to dispense with the normal photos after the ceremony and just mingle with their guests on the patio instead. The photographers, Gina McLean and Martin Kropf of Gina McLean Photography, are sure to have taken some great shots of Stacey and PJ chatting with everyone. And their videographer, W. Perry Davis of Davis Video Productions will be able to provide them with a heart-warming video for their memories.

Stacey’s father had passed away only a few months before the ceremony and his loss was still a very deep ache. But he was there in their hearts and represented by this sweet photo of him and Stacey in the ocean, taken when she was a little girl. I just loved that photo. It touched my heart.

This was the first time I had been to The Magnolia Inn for a wedding and what a treat it was. I enjoyed walking around the old hotel, checking out all the nooks and crannies and was told by the guests that all the rooms were uniquely decorated and all exquisite. The hosts were terrific and the food was delicious. I will certainly be looking forward to going back there again!

After a bit of mingling on the back patio with their guests, Stacey and PJ disappeared only to appear a few minutes later on the front porch of the hotel to formally welcome all their guests and have the toasts presented. Stacey had changed to a tropical dress with a matching flower in her hair. On her sandals were golden koi fish, which we were to learn later was going to be an ongoing theme for the evening. And so was PJ’s big, huge smile that never left his face all night!

When all the toasts and speeches were finished, we were invited into the Inn for dinner. As we came up the stairs, this very clever seating chart was waiting, with table cards attached. There were koi fish on the table cards.

The decoration theme for the evening was Asian, based around her beloved koi, with all the decorations having been created by Stacey herself. She had started working on everything over a year before the ceremony and it was all just magnificent! Mind you, she had also been working full time at a demanding job.

All the beautiful flowers, including her bouquet and flower hairpiece, were made of paper. Stacey had made each one and unless you actually touched them, you would have thought they were real. She said it was simple, really, and had gotten the pattern from Martha Stewart’s website. “Simple,” she said. Hmm. More like amazing!

The tables were set with many beautiful arrangements down the lengths of the tables...

and some vases actually had lighted koi floating in them! Just adorable.

And of course there were also koi and flowers on the mantle and around the fireplace for further accents.

Stacey had even monogrammed the napkins herself! They are going to be a nice keepsake for them to use in their home. A very nice touch.

The menu was good southern-style cooking with a modern flair. Everything was delicious and the shrimp and grits were the best I had ever tasted. Note the koi at the top corner of the menu.

The very interesting cake was provided by A Cake Tray and followed the Asian theme of the evening perfectly, with frog clasps down it’s length. The aqua fondant was a quilted pattern.

The favors for the guests were Good Luck bamboo. Plastic bags were thoughtfully provided for the travelers to place them in for their return trips home and care instructions were tucked inside, also printed with an Asian style.

It was a very special evening and my husband, Bill, and I were delighted to have been able to join them for their celebration. Koi fish represent good fortune, perseverance, courage and the attainment of lofty goals. Sounds like Stacey and PJ are going to have quite a remarkable life together. And they should because they are a wonderful couple. Congratulations to you both!