|
|
Ruralite Cafe: Published 6/15/00By Lisa Majors-DuffWedding transforms downtown into cathedral |
|
|
|
|
It's official - downtown Sylva is a showplace. That fact became clear Saturday afternoon, when nearly 100 people attended the formal wedding of Kimberly Marie Dennison and Shawn Michael Sampson on the steps of the historic Jackson County Courthouse.
Downtown Sylva has played host to many successful events since efforts were undertaken to revitalize its physical and economic character. Greening Up the Mountains, the traditional Fourth of July celebration and the Christmas parade have all left visitors with a new and improved vision of town. A drive along Main Street on any evening, with new street lights aglow and couples walking hand-in-hand, creates a feeling of awe and wonder. Similar feelings were stirred Saturday when Main Street was transformed into an enormous cathedral, complete with blue domed skies and a fountain full of holy water, for the Dennison-Sampson wedding. Guests began arriving early, taking their places along the courthouse steps. We were told that the first four rows were reserved for family, so we climbed to an area about half way between the fountain and the landing reserved for the Confederate soldier. From here we watched as those driving by looked puzzled by the assembly. We also occasionally glanced toward the step's summit, hoping to catch the first glimpse of the bride. But before she made her appearance, the groom crossed the street from the Blue Ridge Inn dressed in a formal kilt, which, of course, explained the wedding music - bagpipes. My sister, Jennifer, and I have known Kim and her family for about 10 years. She and Jennifer graduated from high school in the same class and at one point considered each other best friends. I remember taking them camping one weekend to Cades Cove when I felt the need for nature. The wildlife I experienced on this trip turned out to be the two of them. They each sat on the window ledges of my car and howled at the cows in the field the entire way around the 11-mile loop road. At one point Kim decided to get a closer look at a baby black bear and took off running full speed in its general direction. She only gave up when the poor thing climbed a tree to escape the crazy tourist. After graduation, Kim and Jennifer drifted apart. We all got back together at my wedding in 1991 and at Jennifer's wedding, where Kim served as a bridesmaid, three years later. Even though the crowd consisted of mostly unfamiliar faces Saturday, I wouldn't have missed this ceremony for the world. Escorted by her parents, Steve and Susan Dennison, Kimberly was the very picture of beauty and grace as she descended the courthouse steps. Her full-length gown, draped in layer upon layer of French illusion, was held up off the concrete steps by a young train bearer. The gown's bodice with V-neckline was highlighted by hundreds of hand-sewn pearls. Her headpiece, which she made herself to resemble a tall, inverted cone worn by princesses from the old country, completed the ensemble. The ceremony, which was performed by a minister in the Methodist church, took perhaps 15 minutes. In this short time frame it was difficult to take it all in, but we all saw the kiss - and what a kiss it was! As the wedding party gathered for pictures, I wanted to stay on the steps and enjoy more of this perfect day. But the day belonged to Kim and Shawn, as did the entire town, the fountain, the steps and the blue domed sky, which will forever belong to them in the memories of their wedding day. |
Back to Archive: 06/15/00. |