By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

He popped the question.

She said, “Yes!”

Now the planning and budgeting begins. Do you want a big wedding, but not too big; but also, not too small.

Images of Steve Martin from the 1990’s remake of Father of the Bride start drifting into your head.

Now what if you were able to have your “dream wedding” for free?

Yes, free.

That’s exactly what happened to two Effingham County residents who just happen to be special education teachers with Effingham County School District.

Noah Lancaster, 25, teaches special ed at South Effingham Middle School where Kaity White, 29, coaches softball. White teaches kindergarten special ed at Ebenezer Elementary. Lancaster coaches baseball at South Effingham High School. Kaity is also involved with the Best Buddies program at Ebenezer where a student partners with a special needs student.

Well, the romance has been brewing for a long time, if you ask Noah Lancaster.

“She was my first crush,” Lancaster said. That first crush was when he was in first grade and she was in fifth grade.

White elaborates how the friendship started and blossomed into romance.

“We were just friends and then in 2022 we both attended a special education training and after that we stayed in contact,” White explained.

They became engaged Dec. 28, 2023.

White had just started thinking and planning for the wedding, and they hadn’t even picked a date. “I was thinking some time in November,” White said.

Then a friend. Allison Collin, entered them in a contest being held at the Mackey House in Savannah.

The winner of the contest would win an all-expense-paid wedding: the venue, invitations, flowers, appetizers, main course, dessert, wedding cake, wedding dress, bridesmaids dressing, wedding planning, DJ, photographer, videographer, men’s attire, hair and makeup, and transportation; and a live painting and a photo booth at the reception.

The total value of the package is $50-$60,000, according to Andie Adkins, the wedding planner.

“We were looking for someone in the local community that's doing wonderful things for the community and giving back,” said Trey Mackey, part owner of the Mackey House. “We were trying to find somebody to nominate them. Alison nominated Kaity.”

Mackey explained they narrowed the applicants down to 10 and the staff and vendors voted to pick the winner.

White and Lancaster found out that they won the wedding package on Valentine’s Day.

“But once Mackay House announced the free wedding giveaway we started reaching out to a bunch of vendors,” Adkins said. “And all of the wonderful vendors that we're working with -- florals are being donated. I mean all of these different vendors came in together to donate their time, their resources.”

In addition to the Mackey House, vendors who are providing the myriad of items for the wedding include: Thrive Catering, Wicked Cakes, Magnolia Grill, Diamond Dave (DJ), Cody Adkins Creations (photographer), Kato Florist, Men’s Wearhouse, Callan’s Classics (bride and groom transportation), and Old Savannah Tours (guest transportation), among others.

Although White was thinking about a November wedding, once they received the news from Mackey house, White and Lancaster had two weeks to pick a date. June 29 was open.

“It’s perfect,” White said, “Because we’re out for summer.”

But why a free wedding?

Mackey told about his life-altering experience, but added, “I want the story to be about them, not me.

“I know what being born again means,” Mackey said. “I just want to share (God’s) love and His grace, the blessings he's given me my whole life.”

Mackey said he was impressed with not only is White a special ed teacher, but also her dedication to the Best Buddies program.

“She serves students who are severely disabled with life inhibiting disabilities and has helped students that are nearing the end of their lives or have passed,” Mackey House states on the announcement on its Facebook page. “Her program sparked for other schools in the county to adopt it as well. Kaity exhibits so much dedication to her community and the children in her area. She is not only taking care of our today but also our tomorrow.”

Now, just hope for good weather on June 29.