Emily Grace Coates and David Josef Geiger were united in marriage at 2 p.m. on July 1, 2011, at Hocutt Baptist Church in Clayton, N.C. Rev. Richard Fitzgerald performed the double ring ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Everett and Deborah Coates of Clayton, N.C. She is the granddaughter of the late Lacy and Wilma Coates of Clayton, N.C., as well as the granddaughter of Joyce Trellis Zittrouer Phillips and the late Edward Phillips of Goldsboro, N.C.
The bridegroom is the son of David Alan and Karen Geiger of Clayton, N.C. He is the grandson of Jackie Geiger and the late Charlie Monroe Geiger of North Charleston, S.C., as well as the grandson of Franz and Gretchen Krane of Summerville, S.C.
The bride was escorted by her father. She wore a sweetheart neckline embroidered ballgown with a cathedral length train and fingertip length veil. She carried a bouquet of violet and white silk flowers that was enhanced with an antique mother of pearl brooch. This brooch has been worn by over five generations of brides on the Zittrouer side of the bride’s family. Her bridal portrait was taken at her great grandparents home place, the late Herbert and Grace Zittrouer of Springfield by her cousin and photographer, Kristin Pate of Springfield.
The maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Heather Elizabeth Coates of Clayton, N.C. The honorary maid of honor was Rachel Hicks of Clayton N.C., friend of the bride. The bridesmaids included Alyssa Phillips of Fuquay Varina, N.C., cousin of the bride; Katrina Geiger of Clayton N.C., sister of the groom; and Rebekah Lanier of Angier, N.C, friend of the bride. Junior bridesmaids were Jordan and Laurel Pate of Springfield, cousins of the bride.
The groom’s best man was Charles Mosley of Edenton N.C., friend of the groom. Groomsmen were Anton Wilson of the Cleveland School Community N.C., friend of the groom; Nathan Fox of Taylorsville, N.C., friend of the groom; and Jeremy Schap of Clayton N.C., friend of the groom. Co-ring bearers were Corbin and Landon Gardner of Raleigh, N.C., cousins of the bride.
The wedding coordinator was Kelly Griffith of Fuquay Varina, friend of the bride. Register attendant was Chandler Pate of Springfield, cousin of the bride. Pianist for the ceremony was James Elmore of Clayton N.C., special middle school teacher of the bride and family friend. The processional was “Time to Say Goodbye” arranged by Emile Pandolfi and the recessional was “Autumn Movement No. 3” from “The Seasons” by Vivaldi. “When God Made You” by Newsong was performed by Karen Karner of Newport News, Va., friend of the groom, during the lighting of the unity candle.
Following the ceremony a reception was held at The Church At Clayton Crossings with dancing. The wedding cake and groom’s cake followed the garden theme of the wedding and was made by Sue Joslyn.
The bride was entertained with a shower by Kelly Griffith, Danyelle Johnson and Rebekah Lanier on May 21, 2011, in Smithfield, N.C. A bridesmaid shower was given by the bridesmaids and her grandmother on June 12, 2011, at Hocutt Baptist Church in Clayton, N.C. The couple was entertained with a couples shower by her cousins, Kimberly Gardner, Ellen Smith and Harriett Barbee, on June 4, 2011, at Grace Ballroom in Angier, N.C.
The bride is a 2008 graduate of Clayton High School and a rising senior at Campbell University where she is a N.C. Teaching Fellow studying history and secondary education.
The groom is a 2008 graduate of Wake Christian Academy and a rising senior at Campbell University where he has been studying business and music. He is the owner and an instructor at the Grace Ballroom dance studio at 47 S. Broad St., Angier, N.C.
Following a wedding trip to Philadelphia, the couple will reside in Angier.