By Kate Reynolds
Photos By Ryan Bumgarner
Charming as it may be, young love is more often a sprint than a marathon: bursting from the starting line in a mad frenzy of adrenaline, then finding yourself breathless at the finish almost before you realize what’s happened.
There are the occasional exceptions, however. Take Brenna Burns and Mark Maddox, for instance. Both gifted runners, they met at a high school cross-country practice when they were 14 and 15 respectively. Their attachment was instant, and they never looked back. The connection was so strong that within a year, the Burns and Maddox families were inspired to take a joint vacation in the Virgin Islands.
Eight years later, this extended family, along with a cadre of friends, gathered at Highland Lake Inn in Flat Rock to celebrate what was already quite evident: the joining of Brenna and Mark as life partners.
The wedding was a cooperative effort on many levels. When the couple’s parents presented them with a budget, they also offered them a choice: splurge on a lavish affair or keep it modest and use the majority of the resources toward the down payment on a home. Characteristically pragmatic (they had put off their nuptials until both graduated from college), they chose to blend common sense and creativity in the arrangements for their big day.
Brenna and Mark enlisted the expertise of Kimberly Hunter of Forte Affair, who guided the sweethearts as they created an event that was both personal and economical. "They’re a very modern couple," notes Hunter. "They did it all together. Mark was very involved in every aspect of the wedding."
As outdoors enthusiasts, the bride and groom dreamed of a natural setting where they would be surrounded by greenery and serenaded by birdsong as they took their vows. Highland Lake, with its placid waters, extensive gardens and wandering peacocks, seemed an ideal choice. To accommodate their budget, Hunter advised that a Friday evening would be the most cost-effective alternative, steering clear of the prime Saturday/Sunday time slots. Foregoing a sit-down dinner, they opted for desserts and "I do" fondue at the Inn’s woodsy Grand Ole Hall.
Even an afternoon drizzle on the wedding day couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the bridal party as the bridesmaids donned bright, fuchsia-hued dresses and the groomsmen fastened their matching vests and ties. As if on cue, the rain ceased, a mellow evening light emerged and soft, fairytale mist rose on the lake.
Beneath a bower of tall pines, Rev. Howard Hanger officiated at an alfresco ceremony that was both lighthearted and meaningful, eliciting moments of laughter, but also extracting a pledge from the gathered community to support this young couple in their new life together.
That support and affection was obvious as attendees awaited the newlyweds’ entrance at the Grand Ole Hall following the ceremony. Nibbling on fresh fruit, fondue and the bevy of colorful candies offered in tall beakers on each table, friends and family commented on both Mark’s and Brenna’s many fine qualities: the gift of their friendship, their dedication to academic excellence, their athletic accomplishments and, most importantly, their unwavering devotion to each other.
As the couple approached, a friend cued up the iPod-powered sound system (another clever cost-saving measure) and the theme music from Chariots of Fire burst from the speakers. Beaming as they entered, Brenna and Mark mimicked the film’s slowmotion running sequence before embracing for their first dance to Ben Folds’ The Luckiest.
Moving in time to the music, the pair whispered softly to one another, enveloped in an air of well-established intimacy. Thoughtfully, Brenna drew Mark’s left hand towards her, looking first to the ring he now wore there and then to her own left hand, which rested lightly on his shoulder. Her smile was an eloquent testament: on this special day, abundance was not about the depth of their pockets, but the depth of their love.
The company seemed to agree wholeheartedly. Hugs, toasts, congratulations and laughter filled the hall as the mood relaxed into a party mode and dancers exhibited their best moves — backed by the couple’s custom MP3 mix. Throughout the evening, guests also deposited handwritten "wishes" for the newlyweds into a porcelain vessel set in the vestibule — a touchstone of encouragement for years to come.
Taking their leave at the end of the evening, Mark and Brenna looked ahead to their honeymoon — a nostalgic trip to the Virgin Islands — and to another major move immediately following their return. They will be off to Massachusetts, where Mark will begin studies towards an advanced degree in psychology while Brenna settles into her new position working with special needs children.
They’ll take sweet memories on the journey, along with the resources that served them so well in creating this heartfelt and joyous gathering: mutual support, a measured cadence and an eye towards the future. It’s a long road ahead of them but, given their track record, it’s a safe bet that they’ll go the distance.
