Mr. and Mrs. Eric H. Monaghan Standing amidst a garden of magnolias and tall majestic oaks, Kelly J. Kibbey of Jensen Beach, Fla., and Eric H. Monaghan of Palm City, Fla., joined their hands, hearts and souls as they exchanged their wedding vows in a sunset wedding ceremony on June 21st in Washington.

Kelly, the daughter of Richard and Dana Kibbey of Washington and Arli Kibbey of Orlando, Fla., is an elementary teacher in Florida. Eric, the son of Craig and Susan Monaghan of Palm City, is a financial advisor for National City Bank. The couple has been each others' love since first meeting in high school. Both graduated with honors from the University of Florida before starting their careers in Florida.

Kelly and Eric chose to be married in Washington for its romantic charm and the city's attraction as a destination for their families and friends who traveled from Florida, Michigan, New York, Illinois and California.

The Monaghan wedding capped a festive three-day celebration for the families and friends. As guests arrived to their rooms in local hotels and B&B's, they found a creative movie poster designed by Bradley and Katherine Barber featuring the bride and bridegroom's engagement picture taken at the Atlantis in the Bahamas. The poster's fictional movie, "My Big Fat Happy Wedding," featured the names of the supporting cast that included each member of the wedding party.

The party started Thursday night as guests dined at the Retro Cinema wine bar and courtyard on barbecue pork and side dishes provided by long time family friends, Steven and Michelle Peskoe of Sandersville. After dinner and drinks, the group migrated to the Farmers Market where they enjoyed a lively evening of music and Southern hospitality.

On Friday, guests had several options for activities including an historic home tour by Elaine Filipiak, golf tournament in Thomson, shopping downtown or relaxing at Retro Cinema's wine bar. Friday afternoon was highlighted by a wine tasting led by Wine Sommelier Ion Bratianu of Augusta as the children enjoyed the "Bee Movie" in the cinema! Following the wine tasting, noted local historian, Robert "Skeet" Willingham, presented a fascinating walk-through of Washington history.

Craig and Susan Monaghan hosted a Southern-style rehearsal dinner Friday night for all guests at the Washington Woman's Club. The dinner was catered by Jean Davis-Blair of Southern Elegance Bed & Breakfast/Alfred's on the Square. The bride-elect chose a classically elegant white cocktail dress and pale pink pearl necklace and bracelet given to her by her parents, Richard and Dana Kibbey, just before the dinner. Pianist, Peyson Moss of Lincolnton, entertained while guests dined and mingled. Family and friends were then treated to a surprise as Tom and Gail Duggan of Washington sang wedding-themed selections from their recent play, "I Do, I Do."

The evening of events continued with guests returning to Retro Cinema for a slideshow of the couple from birth to present day. After refreshments, a lively poker tournament was held for card players, while movie lovers watched Pierce Brosnan's latest movie, the appropriately titled, "Married Life."

Saturday morning a Southern country breakfast, catered by Bones Biscuit Bar and Grill, was served in the Woman's Club for all guests. While guests relaxed in preparation of the afternoon's wedding, the bridal party received beauty treatments from The Fountain Spa while sipping mimosas and nibbling hors d'oeuvres. As the afternoon waned and the sun began to set, guests arrived at the Wisteria Hall where they were seated to classical music by Harpist Genevieve Coe of Washington.

The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Rev. Albert Huyck, Jr. of Tignall. Kelly's cousin, Wendi Etue of Chicago, Ill., read Bible scriptures the couple had selected for their wedding.

BJ Mueller and Jeremy Jantz of Palm City served as best men. Groomsmen included Josh Wells, Lance Price, and Scott Anderson of Palm City. Ushers were Carl Loomis, cousin of the bridegroom, and Aaron Greenblott of Palm City. All men wore black tuxedos with black ties and boutonnieres of white orchids. The ring bearer, Alec Monaghan of Palm City, brother of the bridegroom, wore a black tuxedo to match the groomsmen. He held the bride's platinum band with diamond channeling and the bridegroom's beveled cut band.

Sisters Barbara Kibbey and Ashley Peskoe of Stuart, Fla., were maids of honor. Bridesmaids included Keri Firek of Howell, Mich., cousin of the bride, and Virginia Colasanti and Megan Jantz of Jensen Beach, Ashley Lowenberg of Jupiter, Fla., and Ashley Kirschner of Los Angeles, Calif. Bridesmaids were glowing in their wine-colored floor-length satin gowns with sweetheart necklines and empire waists and held bouquets of white hydrangeas. Complementing their ensembles were diamond hoop earrings presented to them by the bride. The flower girl, Rickelle Kibbey of Washington, sister of the bride, was a picture of perfection in her pearl-embellished ivory chiffon dress. A baby rosebud wreath adorned her head.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a stunning fitted gown of ivory satin sprinkled with crystal beading, sweetheart neckline and a flowing train. Her waist-length veil draped from the crystal headband edged by tiny white rhinestones. The bride's bouquet was comprised of large white peonies.

Following the wedding ceremony, guests strolled the gardens while enjoying a cocktail hour of passed hors d'oeuvres and classical music by Harpist Coe.

The bridal party was introduced by "Seven-7 Band" of Athens. Guests dined and danced under the stars. Tables were decorated with vases full of fresh orchids and surrounded by votives. A sumptuous buffet was presented by Trumps Catering inside the elegant Wisteria Hall. The evening and dinner was made even more special by the friendly and able assistance of Innkeepers Jim and Jane Bundy.

Inside the Wisteria's greeting room the couple's three-tiered wedding cake awaited. The cake, perched atop an antique silver serving dish, was comprised of three tiers of almond/amaretto cake filled with chocolate ganache. Buttercream icing topped with fresh wine roses complemented the confection. The bride and bridegroom's monogram -- KME -- was piped into the icing. The wedding cake was flanked by the engraved crystal cake knife and server and the bride's bouquet.

After the cutting of the wedding cake, the celebration continued as the wedded couple retired for the evening to their candlelit and rose petal bedecked room at Southern Elegance.

As the newlyweds headed to the airport to begin their honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica, their family and friends bid each other adieu while sharing their favorite memories of a magical wedding weekend in a romantic Southern town called Washington.