Chris Keenan & Tory Long

Chris Keenan and Tory Long met while Chris was bartending at an Irish pub in downtown Raleigh. Whenever Tory and his friends would go out on the weekends, Tory always suggested they start at the pub, in hopes of seeing his favorite bartender.

Chris and Tory crossed paths outside the pub setting while shopping for groceries. With an exchange of phone numbers, and a few dates later, it was obvious their relationship was going down the aisle. In February 2006, two and a half years after their grocery store encounter, Tory got down on one knee and asked Chris if she would marry him. On April 28, 2007, the couple married at St. James the Fisherman's Episcopal Church in Shallotte, N.C., in front of 170 of their family members and closest friends. Chris' cousin, Karla Moore, translated in sign language so everyone could "hear" and feel a part of the ceremony.

The bride wore a satin strapless dress embellished with embroidery and Swarovski crystals with an elbow-length veil handmade by her mother, Peggy Scott, who also made the wedding cake, candy favors, guest gift baskets and the bridesmaids' and flower girl's dresses. The wedding colors were accentuated with bright pink and orange long-stem gerbera daisy bouquets.

The reception was held at Brunswick Plantation, a few miles from the church in Calabash, N.C. The club house was surrounded by azaleas, which were in full bloom. The guests enjoyed dining, dancing and reuniting with family and friends under an elegant tent.

Photographer and close friend Nila Garriga (www.nilagarrigaphotography.com) successfully captured the couple's special day and all the love surrounding the festivities. Her professionalism and attention to detail surpassed the couple's expectations and provided them with images to cherish for a lifetime. A quaint bed and breakfast in Wilmington on the river front was the perfect wedding night setting for Chris and Tory to reminisce about their unforgettable day. Four weeks later, the couple traveled to Iceland for their honeymoon. Chris and Tory send a heart-felt thank you to all their friends and family who helped with their extraordinary day.

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