A Rustic Wedding at the The Estate on the Halifax in Port Orange, Florida

After fifteen years of marriage, five tours of active duty and two children, Linda White, a social worker, 32, and Gary (Jay) White, a ROTC military science instructor, 34, were given the wedding of their dreams in Port Orange, Florida. The couple first met as teenagers when Jay, 18, heard Linda, 16, speak German to her parents at a Tennessee hotel pool. At the time, she was living in Germany, but that did not stop the couple from continuing a relationship. The teenage sweethearts were engaged on a beachside walk in Florida soon after Linda graduated from high school. Jay joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany at age 20. “We eloped in Denmark and got married without any friends or family,” says Linda. “It was my life long dream to have a real wedding where I could wear a beautiful dress.” Over the years, Jay served tours in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned three bronze stars and a purple heart. The couple won a free wedding and reception at The Estate on the Halifax from a community nonprofit, Weddings of Honor. With rustic romance as their theme, Linda and Jay decorated their wedding in shades of pink, peach and turquoise. Their ceremony venue was decorated with simple rustic decor. Dark lanterns atop pieces of wood lined the aisle as bouquets with white hydrangeas hung from each pew. White flower petals covered the couple’s aisle runner. Linda and Jay shared personal vows in front of their two children as well as 86 members of their friends and family. As part of a “knots for love” bracelet ceremony, each guest was given a bracelet, says Linda. During the cocktail hour, the couple served passed hors ‘d'oeuvres and a signature drink of pink vodka as their guests mingled and enjoyed chair massages. The dinner menu included carved beef filet, crab stuffed flounder, mashed potatoes and cinnamon buns, among other dishes. Afterward, their guests enjoyed a candy bar, photo booth and dancing. “Everybody enjoyed taking fun pictures that they could take home as a memory,” says Linda. The couple exited their reception under the light from dozens of sparklers held by their family and friends.