The couple met when they both started working at Ben & Jerry’s in 2004. Three years later, they had their first kiss behind the waffle cone maker. After five years together, the pair attended Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles. Celi wondered why Blake was nervously dragging her back to the gardens until he got down on one knee and proposed in front of her favorite statue. The wedding was also held at Brookgreen Gardens, where the natural beauty of the surroundings shone. The bride wore a baby’s breath crown as an homage to the one her mother wore at her own wedding and the string trio played songs by The Beach Boys, a favorite of the couple. An “In Memory” table featured photos of loved ones who had passed. The craft beer lovers had a signature blood orange and vanilla hefeweizen brewed by Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in lieu of a cake to honor where the pair met. Celi and Blake live in Charlotte.  
PHOTOGRAPH BY PAULA PLAYER PHOTOGRAPHY