Martin and Karen first met at Powhatan Community Church. Their pastor, Brian Hughes, assisted in a little match making! Martin joined Karen's small group and so it began. They hit if off instantly! And it happened fast! Karen and Martin dated only 2 months before they knew that this was meant to be. Love occurred instanly! They started talking everday and seeing each other every other day. Then it turned into every day. Chaytor too fell in love with Martin. Martin is wonderful with Chaytor; a natural father to a boy who needed male guidance in his life.
As Martin and Karen started learning more about each other; they realized that they have the same values and wants out of life. It's really very simple. They both are active Christians who want to spend their life walking with Christ. They believe that family and friends are important things in life and they want to invest their time with the people they are close with. They believe that spending quality time with these people is more important than anything else.
So, they know some people are thinking "What???? 2 Months? Are they crazy?" and the answer is yes, they are ...about each other and their family with Chaytor.
God sent these two people to each other...to love each other and be married in His eyes and live together, following His good word.
Martin and Karen fell in love with Wrexham Hall in Chesterfield, Virginia. It is perfect for their small wedding. Karen's neices, Mary Kathryn, Paige, and Charlotte are the flower girls. Her nephew, Zach will be providing the music for the wedding ceremony. In addition, Karen's nephew Reilly, and her son, Chaytor will be the ring bearers. Brian Hughes will be officiating the nuptials.
Karen's bridemaids are Melissa Sease and Anne Timberlake. Karen met Melissa at Virginia Tech and realized that they grew up just a county away. Melissa is married to Richard Sease and they have 3 beautiful children. Melissa is fun and creative. In addition to being a bridesmaid, Melissa is also the Mistress of Ceremonies and the florist for the wedding. She is super talented and gives Marthat Stewart a run for her money.
Anne Timberlake and Karen became friends when Karen's friend from high school, Jamie Timberlake, married Anne and converted her to a Powatian (sp?). Anne and Jamie have 5 adorable children. They have 4 boys and 1 teenage daughter. Anne has especially been in Karen's life since Robbie passed away and has been a great Christian role model. Karen is blessed to have such wonderful friends in both of these women.
Laurie Costello is the reader for the ceremony. Karen and Laurie met when Laurie started teaching Chemistry at Midlothian High School. Karen and Laurie hit it off immedialtey. Even though Karen now teaches at Powhatan High, she and Laurie are still very close and Karen couldn't imagine not having Laurie particiapte in this special day. Laurie is married to Adam Costello and they have 3 (almost 4) beautiful children. Adam and Laurie are a big part of Karen and Chaytor's life.
All three of these special women are great examples of strong women who gracefully juggle family, jobs, and life in general.
Martin's groomsmen are Blake Martin and Brad Doughtery. Martin and Blake met in Carterville about 10 years ago. They became instant friends. The Martin's are like a second family to Martin. Blake and Martin enjoy bass fishing together and hunting. Brad and Martin met in middle school and have been close every since. Brad moved out to Cartersville about 3 years ago and become good friends with Blake and his famly as well. Brad is also a hunting and fishing buddy of Martin's.
Hopefully the weather will hold up for an outside ceremony and the reception will be directly after the ceremony at Wrexham Hall.
The date is Friday, October 8th at 5pm in the evening.
Black tie is unnecessary.
Dinner, drinks, and dancing til 10 pm!!!
The reception will also be at Wrexham Hall. After the ceremony, the guests will have access to the open beer/wine bar while pictures are being taken. Karen and Martin plan on doing most of the pictures before the wedding, even ones of us together...no superstitions here! After the wedding party is announced and blessing is said, we will dine on a buffett of heavy hors d'oeuvres and a mash potato bar. Once dinner is winding down, dancing will begin!!! Watch out dance floor, we have lots of guests that enjoy cutting a rug!
During the reception, some of the usuall traditions at a wedding will occur: Martin and Karen's first dance, Father/Daughter dance and cake cutting!
The reception will last until about 9:45 p.m. and then the newly wed couple will depart!
Even though Martin and Karen registered online for a Honeymoon registry, they have also decided to ask friends and family, in lieu of gifts, that they give to World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/give/ways-to-give). We challenge you to help sponsor a child or just donate to help people in need. Another organization that Karen and Martin participate in is KIVA (http://www.kiva.org/about). This is an amazing organization that allows you to loan money to people in poverty that are trying to get out of poverty by helping out with their small business. This is a completely legitimate organization and after your money is given back (the business people pay you back!), you can either cash it back to yourself or reloan to another small business. Karen really loves this organization. She gets to choose who she loans the money to and how much. In addition, you get to see how well the business person is doing and much more.
