Sarah Katherine Buckman and Stephen Dale Oden, Jr. were united in marriage at 6 o’clock in the evening on April 26, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Washington.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Franklin Buckman IV of Washington. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mildred Buckman Spivey, the late Mr. James Franklin Buckman III, and the late Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Scott, Sr. all of Washington,

The bridegroom is the son of Ms. Elizabeth Williford Oden of Cushing, Maine and Mr. Stephen Dale Oden of Pinetown. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. John “Jack” Henry Oden, Jr. of Pinetown, and the Late Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Daniel of Pantego.

The double ring ceremony was officiated by Reverend Danny Allen. Wedding music was provided by organist Mr. Doug Cutler, pianist Mrs. Penny Cowan and vocalist Mrs. Noel Barefoot Watkins.

The church was decorated with wreaths made of hydrangeas and roses which hung on both sides of the double doors entering the sanctuary. The alter flowers were two beautiful arrangements of hydrangeas, roses, bells of Ireland and dendrobium orchids.

The bride, escorted by her father, Jim Buckman, wore an exquisite ivory lace and satin silk designer gown by Monique Lhuillier. The strapless gown had a bodice that was made of lacquered re-embroidered lace with a silk satin orchidea asymmetrical draped trumpet skirt.  The chapel length design had satin buttons that cascaded down the back of the gown.

The bride wore her mother’s veil which was adorned with delicate crocheted flowers that complimented her gown.  She carried a hand tied elegant bouquet comprised of mixed hydrangeas and roses. The stems were wrapped with an ivory double-faced satin ribbon with an ivory lace over-lay.

Mrs. Cameron Buckman Schmitz, sister of the bride, of Savannah, GA and Mrs. Tyler Mays Johnson of Raleigh, served as matrons of honor.

Bridesmaids were Mrs. Laura Oden Askew, sister of the groom, of Gates, NC, Dr. Bridget Alligood DePrince of Tallahassee, FL, Miss Jennifer Elizabeth Edwards of Greenville, Mrs. Kelly Rawls Fountain of Mobile, AL, and Mrs. Heather Everette Radcliff of Washington.  Honorary bridedsmaids were Miss Shelly Lee Edwards of Greenville, Miss Elizabeth Wright Nichols of Charlotte, Miss Mariah Buckman Nichols of Greenville, and Miss Sarah Franklin Nichols of Greenville.

The bridesmaids wore a Jim Hjelm, petal pink crinkle chiffon, one shoulder A-line floor-length gown, with a gathered empire bodice with ruffle detail.  The honorary bridesmaids wore a J Crew, mint cotton cady, strapless sweetheart bodice dress with a cummerbund-style waist that hit at the knee.

The bridesmaids carried a small soft, elegant bouquet of hydrangeas and roses.  The honorary bridesmaids carried a long stem rose.

Mr. Stephen Dale Oden, father of the groom, served as Best Man. Groomsmen were Mr. Stuart Kinsley Askew of Gates, Mr. Jason Brandon Biggs of Washington, Mr. Davis Wayne Butler of Wilson, Mr. Mark Edward Elliott of Bath, Mr. David Joshua Modlin of Greenville,  Mr. John David Oden, brother of the groom,  of Bath, Mr. Dustin Wayne Pinkham of Washington,  and Mr. Frank Chandler Schmitz of Savannah, GA

Mrs. Amie Moore O’Kane of Washington, served as reader.

Mrs. Georgia Ann Atkins, Mrs. Laura Davis, Mrs. Gayle Morgan and Mrs. Robin Turner served as Mistresses of Ceremony. Program and Register Attendants were Mrs. Emily Atkins Carr of Bath, NC and Mrs. Hollie Ingalls Jones of Blounts Creek, NC.

The bride’s mother, Kaye Buckman, wore a floor length cobalt blue layered chiffon evening gown with a matching jacket that was adorned with teardrop crystals.  The groom’s mother, Liz Oden, wore an Iridescent Tulle Jewel Neckline, floor length evening gown with a ruched waist.

A reception was held at the Washington Yacht and Country Club and hosted by parents of the bride. Live greenery and white elegant lanterns with candles lined the stairs and walkway of the country club. Beautiful white orchids and fresh greenery were on each side of the double doors, with a hand painted decorative sign welcoming the guests. In the Ball Room, white linens with blush pink organza toppers dressed the tables with mixed arrangements of hydrangeas, roses, bells of Ireland and dendrobium orchids.

Music was provided by The Andrew Thielen Big Band.

The four tiered, round design wedding cake was made of mixed layers of traditional buttercake and strawberry with buttercream icing.  It was covered in Swiss dots and embellished with an ivory silk satin ribbon around each tier and a bow with the bride’s grandmother’s broach accenting the center. The aunts of the bride, Mrs. Faye Carlton and Ms. Sandra Edwards served the cake. The cake was created by Kay Woolard of Washington.

The couple departed in a 1937 Buick Limousine, while their guests cheered and lit the walkway with sparklers.

An after rehearsal dinner was held on April 25th at the Washington Civic Center hosted by parents of the groom. In the grand room, tables were covered in white linens accented with hurricane globes, candles and scattered rose petals. Tall beautiful floral arrangements accented the dinner stations. The groom’s cake was in the shape of a “Red Drum” fish, a representation of Stephen’s passion for fishing. An after Rehearsal Dinner Dance followed the Rehearsal Dinner at the Civic Center. Music was provided by The DJ Group, Bill & Bill and hosted by family and friends of the bride.

Pre-wedding parties included an Engagement Party on October 18, 2013 at Whitehurst Lake House, hosted by family and friends of the bride.

A Casual Dinner Party on December 7, 2013 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Marshall, hosted byfamily and friends of the bride.

A Proper Setting Shower & Brunch on February 1, 2014 at the home of the bride’s aunt, Ms. Sandra Edwards, hosted by the bridesmaids and friends of the Bride.

A Couples Shower on April 6, 2014 at the home of the groom’s aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Boxer, hosted by family and friends of the groom.

A Bridesmaids Luncheon  on April 25, 2014 at noon at the home of Dr. and Mrs. David Carl Mays, hosted by Mrs. Teresa Mays, Mrs. Nancy Furlough, Mrs. Carolyn Wetmore.

The bride was presented by the Terpsichorean Club of Raleigh at the 2003 North Carolina Debutante Ball. She graduated from Washington High School. She received a dual Bachelor’s degree in Health Information and Health Services Management from East Carolina University, were she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.  She is currently employed at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.

The groom graduated from Northside High School. He is currently employed as a maintenance mechanic at Weyerhauser in New Bern.

After a wedding trip to Costa Rica, the couple will reside in Bath.