Laura Joann Baldwin and Wesley Neal Seabolt of Augusta were united in marriage in a beautiful outdoor ceremony Saturday, May 10, at three-thirty o'clock in the afternoon at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Waters in Washington. Jim Burton of Washington officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian K. Baldwin of Washington.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Seabolt Jr. of Blairsville.

Beautiful luscious flowers and large ferns adorned the side of the Waters home. Sheer ivory lace and tulle bows covered the side railings of the porch where the bride processed. An ivy covered arbor was the focal point for the ceremony.

Guests signed the bride's book that was on a wooden table adorned with a chantilly lace runner and placed next to the arbor where the couple exchanged their vows. Wedding programs for guests were also placed next to the bride's book.

A program of wedding music was presented by Peyson Moss of Lincolnton, pianist. Prelude music was played during the time guests socialized and enjoyed appetizers of cheese straws, wedding cookies, mixed nuts and lemonade. The hour was chimed at four o'clock. Guests were instructed to form a circle to await the bridal entrance. A special musical selection, "The Prayer," was then played for a moment of silence before the processional. The bride processed to "My Own True Love" from "Gone with the Wind." The bride and bridegroom, along with the guests, sang the hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." The couple recessed to "Nessun Dorma".

Escorted by her father, the bride was stunning in her Maggie Sottero diamond white, slim A-line gown that featured elaborate floral motifs that decorated an exquisite tulle lace overlay. The three-dimensional floral effect created a stunning neckline and accented the skirt of the gown. The back featured a signature corset closure.

Her cathedral veil of ivory French tulle was designed by Adriana and finished in peau de soie satin ribbon.

She carried a tussie mussie of silk champagne roses. Before reaching her bridegroom, the bride received a rose from her parents, the bridegroom's parents, and the bridegroom to complete her bouquet.

After the reading of Paul's writing concerning love in 1 Corinthians, Mr. Burton introduced the special and unique hand fasting ceremony the couple chose. The couple linked hands to form an infinitycircle symbolizing the entirety of the universe as represented in their relationship and the union they, as two separate individuals, have formed. Then there was a dedication and blessing of their "hands." After each vow, a cord was draped across the bride and bridegroom's hands and a binding was made. Each cord was a different color and symbolized nurturing, love, protection, passion, strength and unity. A knot was formed representing that the couple holds in their own hands the making or breaking of their union. The couple then exchanged rings followed by the recognition of marriage.

Dr. and Mrs. Waters served as wedding hosts.

Mrs. Waters designed the beautiful floral arrangements, bouquet and corsages of champagne roses.

Reception

The bride's parents entertained at a celebration and reception at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Waters following the ceremony.

The serving tables were covered in ivory linens with lace overlays. From these tables guests enjoyed chicken salad timbales, ham and roast beef croissants, shrimp, chicken wings, spinach dip and crackers, cheese ring with strawberry jam, stuffed mushrooms, vegetables and homemade dip, fruit and cream cheese dip, iced tea and frozen punch prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Newton Gunter.

Round guest and cocktail tables under the canopy and around the pool were covered in ivory linens topped with ivy rings that were adorned with stephanotis and gypsophila. Ivory candles were in the center of each ring. Favors were small ivory bags of mints.

The wedding cake was a stunning stacked three-tiered ivory round design with one vanilla tier and two strawberry tiers. Ivory sugar roses adorned the sides of the cake and the top as a bouquet.

Musical entertainment during dinner and dancing was by harpist, Megan Kabela of Aiken, S.C.

The couple left the reception in their wedding attire amid a shower of birdseed in a 1955 Chevrolet belonging to the bride's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Charping of Washington.

After an overnight stay at The Skelton House Inn in Elberton, the couple honeymooned in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Dr. and Mrs. Seabolt are making their home in Augusta.