Melissa Nichole Smith and Justin Brooks Godley were united in marriage the evening of May 30 at Bellefont Plantation House in Washington. The double ring ceremony was officiated by Dr. Kenneth Manning. Wedding music was provided by violinist Alton Tisdale.

The bride is the daughter of Heidi Jernigan Smith of Bath and the late John Bry Smith.

The groom is the son of Kathy Swain Godley of Washington and the late Michael Wayne Godley.

The couple exchanged vows on the lawn beneath a wooden arbor constructed by the groom. The arbor was adorned with a vintage chandelier, wisteria, corkscrew willow, and suspended glass vases filled with pink peonies.

Registry attendant was Megan Moore of New Bern. Ashley Godley of Washington, sister-in-law of the groom, served as mistress of ceremony.

The bride, escorted by her brother, Christopher Smith, wore an ivory, modified A-line gown covered entirely with Venetian lace. The sleeveless gown featured a bateau neckline, a satin sash at the natural waistline and a buttoned back which flowed into a custom lace chapel length train. The bride wore a floral crown of succulents, pink peonies and sweetheart roses accompanied by a sheer fingertip veil. She carried a jute wrapped bouquet of pink peonies, hydrangea and sweetheart roses.

The mother of the bride wore an aquamarine, floor-length ruched chiffon gown with an empire waist, tiered bodice and beaded floral waist.

The groom’s mother wore a three-piece peacock-blue jacketed dress with a solid tiered skirt and sheer three-quarter length sleeves.

Maid of honor was Callie Smith of Greenville, sister of the bride. Matron of honor was Brittany Miller of West Deptford, NJ. Bridesmaids were Tess Smith of Ponzer, sister-in-law of the bride, Brandy Lee and Mika Rogerson, both of Washington, and Stacy Futrelle of Tega, SC. The attendants wore floor length, strapless chiffon gowns in linen featuring asymmetrical tiered skirts with sage floral accents at the waist. Each carried a bouquet of pink peonies and sweetheart roses.

Best man was Ryan Godley of Washington, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Christopher Smith of Ponzer, brother of the bride, Justin Phillips of Morehead City, Russ Gurganus of Washington, and Bud Vinson and Logan Hessert of Greenville. The groomsmen wore white shirts, linen slacks and vests with sage ties and pink peony boutonnieres.

Flower girls were Temperance Smith of Greenville, niece of the bride, and Parker Rogerson of Washington. They wore custom pillowcase dresses in linen with ivory satin ribbon closures. Each wore a floral crown matching that of the bride.

Following the ceremony, cocktail hour was held on the lawn featuring peach and citrus sangrias. The hors d’oeuvres, prepared by the mother of the bride, included cucumber and Greek yogurt raita, spring orzo salad with asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes, and white bean and red roasted pepper salad all served in individual shot glasses.

The dining tent, decorated by Kevin Beasley of The Acreage, featured a combination of oak harvest tables with linen runners and round tables with ivory drapes and linen toppers. Tables were decorated with a mix of succulents, pink peonies, bellflowers, Queen Anne’s lace, corkscrew willow, and hydrangea accented by votive candles and vintage pillar lanterns. The bride and groom table was draped in an antique lace tablecloth and the seating, original to Bellefont House, was adorned with magnolia leaf wreaths. Dinner was catered by Zoe’s Kitchen of Greenville. Guests dined on grilled steak, chicken, salmon and shrimp kabobs accompanied by Greek salad, rice pilaf, braised white beans and grilled red skin potato salad.

The three tier wedding cake, created by Vanilla Bean Bake Shoppe, was a six flavor pound cake with a mixed berry Swiss meringue buttercream filling with raspberry Chambord. The vintage inspired cake was decorated with powdered sugar, strawberries and pink peonies.

Robbie Leggett of Robersonville provided music throughout the evening’s dinner and dance.

An after rehearsal dinner was held on May 29 at the NC Estuarium on the Washington waterfront hosted by the mother of the groom. The event was catered by Morris Barbecue of Hookerton and featured pork barbecue, roasted chicken, green beans and cole slaw. The groom’s cake was prepared by Ashley Godley and Annette Morris. The bride and groom arrived at the event in a Model T driven by family friend Preston Turner.

Several bridal showers were held in the couple’s honor. The groom’s mother’s co-workers from Hackney, Inc. held a bridal shower at the home of Carol Sue Stowe. The grandmother of the groom, Joyce Godley, hosted a bridal shower at Second Baptist Church in Washington.

The bridal attendants hosted a bachelorette weekend in Charleston, SC, featuring numerous dining and entertainment activities.

The bridal party and close friends held a Kentucky Derby themed shower at the historic home of Martha Matthews on Main Street in Washington.

The bride, a graduate of the University of Mount Olive with a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, is employed by Manning Orthodontics.

The groom attended Pitt Community College and is a construction superintendent for Stocks and Taylor.

The couple will reside in Washington.