Miss Melissa Dawn Freeman and James Duncan McGahey pledged their marriage vows in the First Presbyterian Church, Saturday afternoon, June 11, 2011, in a 2:00 o’clock private ceremony. The officiating ministers were the Rev. Darryl C. Evans, associate minister of First Presbyterian, and Dr. James R. Moore, minister of First Baptist Church of Washington.

The couple’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Earl Warren Freeman and Mr. and Mrs. Thad Morris McGahey, both families of Washington.

Mr. Michael Morgan, organist, played a program of nuptial music prior to the ceremony. During the ceremony “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” was sung as part of the worship service. “Canon in D” and “Trumpet Voluntary” were used for the processional, and Mr. Peter McArthur, bagpiper, accompanied Mr. Morgan in “Highland Cathedral” for the recessional.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a strapless wedding gown of white organza featuring a sweetheart neckline; pick up skirt and beaded fabric flower detail at the side of the gown.

Mrs. Amber Sherman Bowen, friend of the bride from Robersonville, served as Matron of Honor and Miss Sophia Lee McGahey, niece of the groom from Fuquay-Varina was the Junior Bridesmaid. Mrs. Stephanie Moore Warren, friend of the bride from Washington, was the bride’s honorary attendant.

The bridegroom was attended by his father, Thad Morris McGahey, as best man. The ushers were John Morris McGahey, brother of the groom from Fuquay-Varina, Stuart Beckwith Moore, Jr., cousin of the groom from Tarboro, Sean Preston Weaver, cousin of the groom from Washington, and Theodore Malcolm Day, uncle of the groom from Washington. Morris Stuart McGahey, nephew of the groom from Fuquay-Varina, was the Junior Groomsman.

Mrs. Carolyn Bryan directed the wedding and program and registry attendants were Mrs. Brandie Lilley Bouquio, Miss Jamie Lynn Lilley, and  Mrs. Ashley Walker Paul, cousins of the bride.

Following a reception, hosted by the bride’s parents, at Flair by Sharon, Mr. and Mrs. McGahey left for a wedding trip to the mountains of North Carolina. They are both graduates of East Carolina University and reside in Sherwood Forest, Washington, NC