Shannon here: Today on the Inkslinger, Inspiratational author, Roseanna White shares her real-life wedding. Don’t you think she and hubby should model for Christian romance bookcovers? Leave a comment to win a copy of her book: A Stray Drop of Blood and come back on July 9th to read a romantic tension excerpt. Here’s Roseanna:
A storm raged up the coast the day before, littering the sand with seaweed and our minds with worry. We’d been praying for months we’d have fair weather for the beach wedding. I told myself it had gotten it out of its system—and the rainbow that appeared validated that hope.
A collection of thirty family members and friends had made the drive down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and taken up residence for the week in Kitty Hawk, right across from the dunes where the Wright brothers first took to the skies. They brought with them fresh strawberries from my grandparents’ farm, chocolate to dip them in, a cake from our favorite bakery, and a willingness to help. We all tossed up decorations, barbecued the wedding feast, and figured out the logistics of the ceremony. Though I loved the idea getting married in the sand, the practical side of me said, “Let’s do it on the deck that looks out over the dune.”
Though traditional in most respects, one superstition I hated was the “the groom can’t see the bride” thing—so we went to breakfast the morning of our wedding, just the two of us. It was a perfect start to a beautiful day.
My home hairdresser even came for the occasion, so after a really loooooong morning achieving the perfect up-do, I went out on the upper deck to look down at my wedding. Beside me, a highschool buddy who composes music was playing an original piece, a combination of the bridal march we all know and his own melody that was just for us.
My groom had forgotten his shoes (I’m still not convinced that was an accident, ha ha), so he and his guys stood barefoot on the deck—them in black pants, white collar-less shirts, and burgundy vests, David in the tux he’d bought a few years earlier for proms. My girls came out in classic burgundy gowns and pearls. I had that perfect strapless dress with the embroidery I’d dreamed of. The vacationers in each of the houses next door gathered on their decks to watch with grins and cheers at the ready.
The ceremony was short and sweet. The pictures were on the beach and hence gorgeous. The food was simple and fun. And as we ate it, the dolphins came out to wish us well.
After the usual festivities, we had a bonfire on the beach complete with s’mores, and the neighbors joined us—I remember in particular a few tween girls who were blushing with pleasure at being offered a s’mores by the bride.
I had dreamed all my life of the perfect wedding and had thought it would be Christmas themed, in December. But as I watched the ocean turn golden in the setting sun of my Day, as I listened to the easy laughter of those closest to me, I was glad we’d changed things up. A beach wedding, with its natural beauty, had sounded romantic and perfect . . .
And it was.
About Roseanna: Roseanna M. White is wife, mommy, writer, reviewer, and lover of all things literature-related. She has one book published, A STRAY DROP OF BLOOD (WhiteFire Publishing, 2009), and another due out summer 2011. She is the editor and senior reviewer of the Christian Review of Books, and a member of ACFW, HisWriters, and HEWN Marketing. She makes her home in the mountains of Western Maryland with her husband, two kids, and the colony of dust bunnies under her couch. Learn more about her and her books at: http://www.roseannamwhite.com and
http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com
Thanks for having me, Shannon! It was fun to reminisce about that awesome day!
What a perfect day, Roseanna! I had the traditional church wedding, but if I could tilt my girls toward a different kind, it would be beach wedding all the way. Well, unless they can secure the castle at Walt Disney World. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing. I had a tear in my eye just picturing it!! And thank you, Shannon, for putting this together. I love real-life romance. Very inspiring for those of us who like to write the fictional kind!
What a beautiful story!
Hi Roseanna,
Thanks for being here. I love the kiss picture and really think y’all should be on book covers.
Hi Regina,
I’ve really enjoyed this blog.
What a lovely story!
Shannon, while I think book cover modeling would be a ton of fun, my hubby usually grumbles and growls whenever a camera is aimed at him. He just had no choice but to be happy for the wedding pictures, LOL.
Oh, that makes me want to run down to the beach this weekend and renew my vows! I think my husband, Chris, would go for the beach weekend, but I would have to work a bit (wink) on getting him in a tux.
Thank you for sharing your story with us,
Lisa
I have only heard excellent things about this book. So exciting that her first is so wonderful. Good luck on all your future projects!
Ahhh I love the Outerbanks and it is DEFINITELY the perfect setting for a wedding! The pics are gorgeous too…you guys could definitely grace the cover of a romance novel! 🙂
XOXO~ Renee
The wedding sounds perfect…down to the shoeless groom and groomsmen.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Still want to read this book! Will get around to ordering it someday! *smiles* Love hearing about your story, Roseanna!
You ladies are making my day! So great to hear from you. And just for the record, I’m heading back to the Outer Banks this weekend. Can you hear my excited squeal across the country?? It’s our first vacation in two years, and boy do we need it!
This sounds like a great book. I’d love to read it!
(Carman sent me.) Please enter me in this giveaway – Thanks!
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
What a beautiful and touching wedding picture!
Very moving, wonderful backdrop. Many happy years together.
And to think you wrote A Touch of Blood…..would love to be chosen the lucky winner of this book. sounds like a definite summer must read! And now I am really intriqued seeing that beautiful wedding picture to go along with this title!
thank you for entering me in your giveaway.
terrymac1a at hotmail dot com
Your picture and story are beautiful!
What a beautiful story and pictures! There’s just something special about a beach wedding. I live in Georgia and have never visited the Outer Banks, but would love to. I’ve read a couple of books with that setting and am always drawn in.
A Stray Drop of Blood has been on my wish list for a long time and I appreciate the chance to win a copy.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
Nothing brings out more nerves or more romance than weddings! This wedding must have been a beautiful experience for all. I don’t recall reading Rosanna’s work and I would be very happy for the chance. Thank you for that chance.
Blessed Be in Christ,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10@tx.rr.com
I’ve wanted to read a Stray Drop of Blood for so long! But my library doesn’t have it :/
Please enter me in to win!
I’m sorry Casey. The drawing for Roseanna’s book ended July 9th. You might check her website though and see if she’s scheduled for any other giveaways.
Would love to win a copy; thanx 4 the entry!
Loved hearing about the barefeet! Wish I would have thought of it for my wedding! 😉
Hi Karla,
Sorry, this drawing ended on the 9th. I have two drawings up for this week. Check the newer blog entries for details.