Jessica and Wes are such a fun couple, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them through the planning process.  They will be getting married in May at The Biltmore Estate.  Spring weddings are always so beautiful!   Wes owns State Pest Control in Clinton, NC and kills bugs for a living (my hero!), and Jessica is  Pharmacist in Charge at the CVS in Fayetteville.   Oh, I also love that they are NC State fans, since I am an alumni! Please read more about this couple below…

How did you meet each other?
Wes and I met at a bridal shower in St. Louis for my sister in July 2009. Wes had come with his mother Betty to visit for the weekend and to see his aunt, uncle, and cousins. I had come to his aunt’s house to pick up a cardboard cup cake stand I was planning on decorating for my sister’s shower when I was first introduced to Wes. Everyone was calling me “Martha” because I was trying to be crafty with this cupcake stand, so he assumed my name was Martha. It took him until the next day to realize what my actual name was  he was so confused. We talked occasionally on the phone after the shower and finally saw each other again in September in Myrtle Beach, SC where my sister’s wedding was located. We were both a part of the wedding so we were able to see each other throughout the week. After a couple nights of walking on the beach together and long conversations until 4am, we realized we wanted to keep in touch with each other. I was engaged at the time I met Wes, but in an unhappy relationship. Through becoming good friends through long conversations with Wes in person and over the phone I realized that he and I were meant to be together. After ending my previous relationship, Wes and I traveled back and forth from St. Louis to North Carolina to see each other about every 2 weeks. I was known as “the mystery girl” and “Missouri” to all his friends. I was in my final year of pharmacy school in St. Louis and decided that when I graduated in May I would move to North Carolina to be with Wes. I have been here since that day.

How long have you two been together?
We started dating at the end of October 2009 and officially became a couple on March 17th 2010… so about 2 years now.

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
We got engaged April 11th 2010.
Wes and I both go back and forth to St. Louis a couple times a year to see friends and family. Well during a trip at Thanksgiving 2009 Wes had talked to my parents about asking me to marry him, which they approved. He bought the ring around Christmas but hung on to it for a couple months. We both went back again to St. Louis the following April to visit with friends and family. The Sunday morning we were set to leave Wes kept asking me if I wanted to go to downtown, go out to eat, go anywhere before we left for home. I was apparently being very stubborn that day and kept telling him I didn’t want to go anywhere and wanted to just hang out at home with family. He seemed a little frustrated but I didn’t think anything of it. Well, we set off for home on the airplane and Wes kept being weird. He was trying to get the stewardess to tell the captain there was a special announcement and to try to ask me on the airplane. Well they wouldn’t let him do that. So we get in the car and on the way back to the house I could tell something wasn’t right with Wes. I could tell he was frustrated because he kept saying you just need to go along with things… I was pretty confused. When we got to his mom’s house to pick up our kids (our bulldog and cat) he stopped me before we went in and gave me a big hug and kiss and told me he loved me, then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was very surprised and said “shut up” and then yes!

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We enjoy traveling together either for weekend trips or week long vacations such as going to the mountains, St. Louis, or going to the lake. We love spending time with friends and family and attending church together. We both are big NC State fans and at football season attend each home game. We enjoy grilling at home together and going out to eat sushi!

Why did you choose the Biltmore Estate as your wedding location?
We both love going to the mountains any weekend we can get away. After we got engaged we knew that we wanted to have our wedding somewhere everyone would enjoy and a place where we could all meet in the middle. Asheville was the perfect place. We visited the Biltmore last May and saw how green and beautiful it was and knew we had to have it there. We also love Asheville for the AMAZING food, outdoor activities, and downtown area which we thought our guests would enjoy as well. We also fell in love with Ashley, our Catering Manager, who we knew would take care of all our needs. And to top it off we have found a great event planner who has given us so many creative ideas and made our lives a lot easier! (Thanks, Jessica and Wes!)

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
We are most excited about having all of our friends and families together from all over the country (and overseas) to be with us and share with us the day we will start our lives together. And Wes is excited about wearing his cowboy boots with his tuxedo.

What do you love about each other?
Jessica: What I love about Wes is…
Wes always puts family first. Seeing the way he cares for and loves his mother, lets me know I will be taken care of the same way. He always thinks of others and gives before he ever thinks of receiving. He works hard in his business because he knows he wants to be able to support a family. He is outgoing, funny, and is a little kid at heart. I know I will always be smiling and laughing.

Wes: What I love about Jessica is…
Jessica from day one has been a bright star in my eyes and a joy to be around. She is willing to join me in all my adventures and keeps a smile on her face. She has goals and determination to achieve more then what is expected. She loves me for me and does not try to change me!

Also a HUGE thank you to Jennifer Crook Photography for all the amazing pictures!

Screen Door from The Darling Bee

Caris’s gorgeous and wonderful mama…

The Bloom Room could not have done a better job with this romantic, sweet floral…

Specialty Decor by The Darling Bee

How cute is she?

So sweet laying on her daddy’s shoulder…

Chalkboard provided by The Darling Bee

Mirror provided by The Darling Bee

Delicious cake by Tiffany’s Baking Company

Gotta love a good exit! 

Makeup by the fabulous Wendy with Blush by Wendy

Alyson’s sweet mama looking on…

Music Wall by The Darling Bee; Tickets by The Baggie Goose

Twisted Vine Chandelier by The Darling Bee

Wedding cake by Artista Cakes

Apothecary and chalkboard jars by The Darling Bee

Chalkboard Cigar Sign by The Darling Bee

Brittany and Cameron will be getting married this April at the Cliffs Glassy Chapel, with a reception following at Cliffs Valley Country Club.  Such a gorgeous, pristine setting, and I am looking forward to being a part!  Read more about this cute couple below…

How did you meet each other?
Our story began on June 17, 2003, when we were out with our friends like a normal summer night; dancing and having a good time. Cameron saw me and grabbed me by the hand and asked me my name. We talked for a while and danced for hours. After that night we were inseparable for the rest of the summer until I went off to college. Even when I got grounded for a speeding ticket, the only way he could see me was to take Taylor or Ryan with us, so off to Carowinds and basketball games we went!!! Through out the years we had many long phone calls and lots of road trips. Over the years our friendship got stronger. We had our great moments and hard times, but everyone of them we were there for each other. We knew what we had was different than anything else we had ever experienced. About 2 years ago, we both decided to take a trip to Chicago to visit his brother and sister in law and of course to see our beloved BEARS!! Craig and Katie, like everyone else we know, kept saying “You guys are so cute together! Why aren’t you dating?” over and over again!!! HEHE! And from then on we have been inseparable again!!! We have definitely come full circle. Our lives would not be complete without one another (no matter how clique that sounds ) We feel so lucky to have each other.

When did you get engaged?
Monday, June 6, 2011

Tell us about the proposal?
Proposing to Brittany was something I looked forward to and was stressed about. Brittany and I work together, which means we spend 24 hours a day with each other, and its impossible to try to surprise her! I wanted everything to be perfect and special, for it to be a complete surprise. Something she would never forget. The NBA Finals were in Miami (and I know how much her family home in the Keys means to her. We have spent many sunsets on the dock outside there, so i knew that was where I wanted to ask her. )So within a 3 day period I ordered the ring she fell in love with months earlier, planned the trip to Miami for the basketball game (she thought!), and asked her parents if I could marry their daughter. It happened to be her moms birthday dinner, her dad got up from the table to use the restroom and i got up and followed him. It wasn’t the ideal place to ask a father for their daughter’s hand in marriage, he said yes and welcome to the family! We were leaving after dinner that night for the keys and i had to find a way to get her mom alone. Brit’s dad helped me out with that by asking Brit to help him put presents in the car. She was so nice and said yes. We didn’t have much time to talk then because Brit was just steps away, but we text that night and she welcomed me to the family and said so many nice things. I wish i could have sat down with them and asked but I knew the surprise would mean so much to Brit. So after the long day, I drove all night to the Keys while Brit slept (the WHOLE way!!!) I was so excited about asking her, I never got tired on the all night drive.

Sunset was getting close, and I asked Brit to go outside and watch the sunset (she had no idea she was dressed in her PJ’s, hair all a mess, no makeup, just BRIT). Walking to the dock I was so nervous about her finding out, dropping the ring in the ocean, people being out on the dock, and all the other things that could mess up this special moment. Then Brit says “Oh gosh, the sunset isnt even that pretty tonite!” (Brit: I feel sooo awful, but I had NO idea hehe) We get to the end of the dock and Brit says lets sit down and watch it, she sits down and I say wait come here I want to show you this (Brit: I thought he was messing with me and was going to try to push me in the water ), and she had to stand back up again and I quickly got down on one knee. Brit kept trying to help me up, she had no idea, and I pulled out the ring and Brit just kept blinking her eyes (she later told me that she thought she was seeing things when I took out the ring lol), thats when I asked her to spend the rest of our lives together. I had to actually ask her twice because she was so surprised. After she finally said YES, we sat on the dock and watched the rest of the sunset and I had to tell her again how I asked her and the whole story of getting her ring, how I asked her parents, etc. We sat there and laughed and I held her as we watched the sunset. It was such a great night for us. And the beginning of the rest of our lives. I can’t wait until the day she becomes Mrs. Cameron Pace.

What do you two do for a living?
We both own our own business. We do internet sales.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We love the Chicago Bears. We like to go see movies together and play with our dogs.

Why did you choose the Cliffs as your wedding location?
The week after we got engaged (because cameron asked me in the keys) we went up to see the Cliffs (cam grew up about 10 minutes away from there) and when we went up to see the chapel we both fell in love. It has such character and charm and really fits our personalities well!!

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
Im most excited about camerons reaction to me when i walk down the aisle bc he has no idea what my dress or shoes or anything looks like.

What do you love about each other?
Brittany: What I love about Cameron is…He has been my absolute best friend for the past 10 years, he is very romantic and very sweet. He has a giant heart. He would never do anything to hurt me. He couldnt be a more perfect match for me. He knows exactly what to do when im sad or mad. I truely believe that God made cameron just to be with me. I really know he is in love with me and that we will happily spend the rest of our lives together.

Cameron: What I love about Brittany is hard to put in one paragraph. She is the love of my life. No one has ever been there for me like she has. She is my soulmate and best friend. She knows me better then I know myself. Brittany looks out for me and takes care of me like no one ever has or ever would. God blessed me with her and I thank him daily for giving me her. There is not a more genuine, honest, sweeter person on this earth. I look at her every morning and every night and I thank God that he gave me such a beautiful woman to spend my life with.

Anything else you would want people to know?
We met 10 years ago and dated then i left for college and we have stayed best friends ever since. We decided to go to Chicago one weekend and watch a bears game and we have been inseparable ever since. We were the couple who when you went out with us everyone would always say how long have you guys been dating? or for the people that knew us they would say why arent you guys together? and finally we just listened to everyone

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The 2012 Two Bright Lights Editors’ Choice Awards is a signature program that recognizes photographers and vendors within the Two Bright Lights community whose number of published features in 2011 placed them among the top 5% of all Two Bright Lights members. Winners were published across many of the most respected lifestyle, wedding and other print and digital publications in the United States and worldwide.

The 2012 honorees reflect those that have demonstrated a superior quality of work for their customers, and those that have used Two Bright Lights’ online platform to quickly and easily get published by submitting their authentic, stunning imagery and services directly to the top industry publications and editors.

Among thousands of photographers and vendors competing for publication, the Editors’ Choice winners represent the best-of-the-best.

Thank you, Two Bright Lights for such an honor!

The flower girl and I right before she walked down the aisle…she was a sweetie, and she did a perfect job!

Lovely cake and scrumptious s’mores cupcakes by Artista Cakes.

They danced the night away to the sounds of DJ Pat Lance with Spintastic Sounds.