EDENTON – Gretchen Ree Dunlow of Raleigh and Jeremy Varner Reid of Windsor exchanged wedding vows during a 3 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Edenton United Methodist Church.

The bride is the daughter of Billy and Diane Dunlow of Windsor. She is the granddaughter of Orval and Ruby Williams of Edenton and the late Lloyd and Mary Dunlow who made their home in Windsor.

The groom is the son of Jerry and Barbara Reid of Kernersville. He is the grandson of the late Dewey and Clarice Reid, formerly of Kernersville, Hattie Varner of Asheboro and the late Lester Varner.

Officiates of the ceremony were the Rev. Frances Browne of High Point, friend of the groom’s family, and the Rev. Gary Williams of Zebulon, uncle of the bride.

After a charge given to the couple, they celebrated the Ordinance of Holy Communion as their first act as husband and wife.

A program of wedding music was provided by Roberta Hoggard of Windsor, friend of the couple, Corrine Twiddy of Edenton, aunt of the bride, Jonathan Brower, cousin of the bride, and Gary Brower, uncle of the bride, both of Edenton. The congregation was led in the praise song, “Glorious Day”, by the bride’s uncle.

The bride was escorted by her father to the piano arrangement, “Sunshine In His Presence,” written and recorded by the bride’s mother just for her on this special day.

The bride wore an exquisite strapless diamond white satin wedding gown that featured a cathedral length train. The gown was designed with silver satin stitched appliqué and embellished with Swarovski crystals and seed beeds.

She carried a hand-tied bouquet of roses, hyperiacum berries, delphinium, and gold button mums accented with peacock feathers. The bouquet was wrapped with her maternal grandmother’s handkerchief and pinned with her paternal grandmother’s blue stone broach.

Courtney Hamilton of Edenton, cousin of the bride, served as Matron of Honor. Bridesmaids were Dr. Trista Reid of Chapel Hill, sister-in-law of the groom, Melody Sawyer of Raleigh, friend of the bride, and Kelly Baggett of Windsor, friend of the bride. Junior bridesmaids were Hannah Basnight and Megan Gainey of Edenton, cousins of the bride.

Kellen Reid of Chapel Hill served as his brother’s Best Man. Groomsmen were Christopher Copeland and Brandon Copeland of Windsor, friends of the groom, and Chris McIntyre of Greensboro. Junior groomsmen were Dylan Gainey and Ethan Hamilton of Edenton, cousins of the bride.

Faith Hoggard of Windsor, cousin of the bride, served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Patsy Leggett and Wanda Hoggard of Windsor were bridal party assistants. Jo Copeland of Edenton was reception coordinator.

Kimberly Dunlow of Williamston, cousin of the bride, was register and greeting attendant. Program attendants were Jonathan Tilley of Kernersville, cousin of the groom, and Shannon Hoggard of Greenville, cousin of the bride.

A rehearsal dinner, hosted by the groom’s parents, was held on the eve of the wedding at Bistro 390 Restaurant in Edenton.

After a waterfront tour of downtown Edenton, the bridal party arrived at the reception on the Edenton Trolley. A wedding reception and dinner, hosted by the bride’s parents, was held at the American Legion Hall in Edenton.

The couple’s honeymoon was spent at the Biltmore Inn at Biltmore Estates. They will reside in Raleigh and Windsor for the present time.

Gretchen is a graduate of NC State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and minor in Biotechnology. She is employed by Syngenta in Durham as a research scientist.

Jeremy is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Social Studies and minors in Anthropology and Classical Civilization. He is a Senior Trooper and Field Training Officer with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s Troop A/District II office.

 

Courtesies

Dec. 25, 2010 – Family engagement dinner hosted by the groom’s parents at their home in Kernersville.

Aug. 13, 2011 – Tea Party at Open Door Church Café, Edenton, given by Wendy Williams, Sherry Brower, Kristi Gainey, Kim Brower, Corrine Twiddy and Courtney Hamilton.

Sept. 10, 2011 – Engagement dinner and dance at Cashie Convention Center, Windsor, hosted by Faith Hoggard, Jeff and Roberta Hoggard, Charles and Sandra Phelps, Patsy and Brook Leggett, Kevin Lockamy and Shannon Hoggard, Mike, Jessie and Caroline Hoggard, Neil and Beverly Mizell, William and Anita Hoggard, Randy and Kathy Cobb, Linda Askew, Patrick and Wanda Hoggard, Lucille Dunlow, Keith and Lori Green, Ed and Netta Lipscomb and Teresa Baggett.

Oct. 2, 2011 – Linen shower at Edgewood Baptist Church given by Faith Hoggard, Sandra Phelps, Roberta Hoggard, Patsy Leggett, Lucille Dunlow, Wanda Hoggard, Teresa Baggett and Jessie Hoggard.

Oct. 14, 2011 – Girls Night Out at Piccola Italia in Raleigh hosted by Melody Sawyer, Amanda Derrick and Meg Skipper.

Oct. 15, 2011 – Sweet treats tasting at work given by co-workers.