November 19, 2011
Emily & Clayton Gorton
WOW Wedding
Who’s Who
S
he was the “new girl” at work when Clayton first laid eyes on Emily and even though he was hesitant about asking her out; he was about to be deployed to Afghanistan in a month; he couldn’t resist her warm smile and blue-green eyes. She was nervous, being new; but after talking a few times, Emily accepted his invitation to get together. Emily says if she’d been paying more attention, she would have realized that she had just met her future husband. Their first date to Movie Tavern led to many more. Clayton knew there was something different about Emily from day one and Emily knew he was the “one” before he deployed. Their feelings grew stronger while he was away. They shared everything in their letters when they were apart, and spent all their time together when he was home. By April of 2011, the diamond Clayton had bought for her in Afghanistan was burning a hole in his pocket. He had the diamond set and planned to propose after the ROTC Military Ball. Down on one knee, Clayton asked for her hand. Emily, totally caught off guard, hesitated for only a few moments, and then answered him with an emphatic, “Yes!” They chose Clayton’s church, Second Presbyterian, for the ceremony. They both loved the unique stained glass windows, and its ornate pipe organ. Their ceremony was a very reverent, traditional exchange of vows. Emily wore an ivory and silver Morilee gown of beaded and embroidered net over satin. Her birdcage veil completed her vintage look. In her bouquet, Emily carried a handkerchief embroidered with four leaf clovers and an antique brooch from her paternal great-grandmother. She and Clayton exchanged love letters just before the ceremony. The reception was held at Fasig-Tipton and chosen for its picturesque scenery. The table decor incorporated her colors of Navy, Gold and White. Using over 50 milk glass and Delft china candlesticks along with vintage tea cups and saucers to create the centerpieces gave each table its own personality. Other vintage touches included
by Michele Landers
Bedford lace tablecloths, antique window panes used for the seating chart, and a small old-fashioned suitcase for the card box. Central Catering provided a lavish buffet that delighted guests. The wedding cake consisted of vanilla and chocolate chip layers with gold accents on the icing. The groom’s cake paid homage to Clayton’s 12 years of military service. The red velvet cake was decorated with camouflage painted buttercream icing and topped with replicas of crossed rifles, a grenade and dog tags. The candy buffet was another sweet treat for guests. Special reception moments included the Maid of Honor, Mandi and her husband Adam, finally having their first dance after two years of marriage. They also celebrated the first anniversary of Clayton’s sister, Abby and her husband Peter, by playing their first dance song. After that the dance floor was filled the rest of the evening. Clayton had one more surprise for Emily, he managed to keep the honeymoon destination a secret! Photography by Rickerson Photography with Sara Cooper
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