Georgia Featured Wedding Erica Hill & David Yount

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A-PDF MERGER DEMO Atlanta, Georgia, October 15, 2005

Erica Hill & David Yount BY AMY MEADOWS PHOTOS BY DWAYNE BASS PHOTOGRAPHY

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When Erica Hill and David Yount talked about getting married, they always imagined themselves barefoot on the beach, exchanging vows amongst family and friends. But after David, a thirdyear law student at John Marshall Law School, proposed in May 2004 to Erica, a news anchor for CNN Headline News and co-host of Prime News Tonight, airing nightly at 9 p.m. (est), they realized that their hectic schedules would preclude their original plan. However while they didn’t get married at the water’s edge, there’s one element of their dream wedding they didn’t abandon. “It’s the people there surrounding you who really make the day what it’s supposed to be, and we were surrounded by the most important people in our lives,” Erica recalled of her and David’s nuptials, which took place at the historic Trolley Barn in Atlanta’s Inman Park. The bride and groom chose the location not only because it has great character, but also because it’s nestled in the garden suburb neighborhood they have called home since 2003. And they knew that their adopted hometown would be an ideal setting for a long overdue family-and-friend reunion. The festivities actually started three days before the wedding, as most of the 200 guests began trickling into Atlanta from as far away as England, France and Korea. In between the last-minute details, Erica and David met the arriving attendees for dinners and outings around the city. Then with everyone finally together in one place, Erica, wearing an elegant Kirstie Kelly-designed

64 I Do For Brides

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gown and a veil crafted by her mother, and David, in a Tallia Uomo tuxedo, pledged their lives to each other in a sunset ceremony personally written by them and performed by their dear friend Michaela Pereira, who has known the couple since they met in 1999 while working at ZDTV in San Francisco. According to Erica “[Michaela] really brought it to life for us.” “Anyone can write a ceremony,” David added, “but to act it out and have it be what you envisioned when you wrote the words on the paper is a totally different thing. Michaela orchestrated it beautifully.” That included coordinating the 10 guests who participated in the ceremony by reading quotes about love and marriage, as well as stopping the proceedings for a moment as a New Orleans-style band (from a wedding taking place at a nearby church) paraded past the Trolley Barn playing lively jazz music—an unexpected touch that enthralled everyone. To keep the momentum of the evening going, Erica and David, who planned the wedding themselves, also decided to host the reception at the Trolley Barn. So after the ceremony, the caterer transformed the venue’s patio into the reception site, with tables adorned by fallinspired centerpieces of sunflower topiaries, pumpkins, Granny Smith apples and leaves. But before the newlyweds joined their guests, who were enjoying delectable fare from Masterpiece Events’ chef-attended stations, they spent a few moments alone. With champagne glasses in hand, they strolled down their very own street for the first time as husband and wife. “It was about 7 p.m. by this point, and the light was sort of magical. We were where we are comfortable—in our own neighborhood— and there was no one else around us. We were allowed to be ourselves, and it was relaxing,” David declared. “That’s my favorite memory.” When they returned to the reception, they danced their first dance to Sade’s By Your Side, feasted on both carrot cake and chocolate midnight cake from Alon’s Bakery and partied until the early morning hours with their favorite people, including their five bridesmaids and six groomsmen, who wore mango chiffon A-line dresses by Jim Hjelm and classic Tommy Hilfiger tuxedos, respectively. And although their schedules thwarted their plans again, this time for a traditional honeymoon, they do plan to take a muchdeserved vacation when David passes the bar. Until then they are content to reminisce fondly about their perfect wedding. “It was the most incredible weekend,” Erica commented. “It absolutely exceeded our expectations, and I can’t imagine having done it any other way.” www.idoforbrides.com

Wedding Sources: Ceremony/Reception Site: The Trolley Barn, Atlanta Officiant: Michaela Pereira Bridal Gown Designer & Source: Kirstie Kelly, Kelly’s Closet, Atlanta Bridesmaid Dresses Designer: Jim Hjelm Veil: Cheryl Hill Hair & Makeup: Tymeka McNeal and Renea Lyon, Atlanta Men’s Attire Designer & Source: Tallia Uomo and Tommy Hilfiger, After Hourse Formalwear, Atlanta Rings: Solomon Brothers, Atlanta Invitations & Programs: Inkspotts, Atlanta Florist: GeorgeAnn Bohling Transportation: Michael Hardy Caterer & Linens: Masterpiece Events, Atlanta Wedding Cake: Alon’s Bakery, Atlanta Music: Amadeus String Ensemble, Atlanta, and Spectrum Entertainment, Norcross Photographer: Dwayne Bass, Bass Photography, Atlanta Videographer: Karen Hutton and Marcus Buick, Fork Tour Productions, Truckee, CA Reception Video Montage: Wendy Tennery Wedding Night Accommodations: Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta Honeymoon Destination: Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee, Greensboro

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