Amanda Smith and Justin Dunlap

Amanda Smith and Justin Dunlap met more than eight years ago through mutual friends, but it was five years into their friendship that the two fell in love. After Amanda graduated from Western Carolina University, she moved back to Raleigh where Justin had just graduated from N.C. State. Group outings soon dwindled down to just the two of them hanging out, and their relationship took full bloom.

After three years of blissful dating, Justin rushed home straight from the jewelry store on December 18, 2006 to propose to Amanda, who enthusiastically said yes.

"Rustic Romance" became the theme of their fall wedding on November 3, 2007, and the color details centered on chocolate browns, creams and deep wine colors. Amanda knew right away that she wanted to be married at Longview at the Poe House — a historic greystone Georgian Revival style house with manicured yards. It provided the perfect canvas for Gregg Kennedy, with Brides and Bouquets, to do his floral magic. The sunset ceremony commenced down a candlelit aisle and under a beautiful wrought iron trellis.

The reception proceeded inside an adjacent elegant tent where guests danced and dined on Southern classics like barbecue sandwiches, shrimp and grits, country ham rolls, fried oysters, deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes. The couple had a blast celebrating the evening with their guests and partied the night away before leaving under an archway of sparkles.

Amanda was complimented as a laid-back bride throughout the planning process and wedding day. She strongly advises new brides to hire the right vendors and then just relax and let them take care of the details of the big day. Justin and Amanda's outstanding vendors deserve lots of praise in making their wedding night so wonderful — Joint Venture Jewelry, Brides and Bouquets, Rachel Garrison with Tamara Lackey Photography, Lady Fingers Catering, Ashley Cakes, RJ Entertainment and Alexia's Bridal Boutique.

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