Ashley Danielle Elizabeth Hardin and Bryan David Smith were united in marriage December 4, 2010, at 5 p.m. at Yankee Hall Plantation in Greenville, NC. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Tony Krantz, minister. Wedding music was presented by Tony Ward. Large mixed flower arrangements were inside the gazebo area of the ballroom with large columns.

The bride is the daughter of Richard and Glenda Hardin of Washington, NC. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Street Hardin and the late Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Woodrow Sheppard II of Washington.

The groom is the son of Robert and Teresa Smith of Washington. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Smith, the late Troy Craddock, and Mrs. Cora Craddock Windley and Dalton Windley of Blounts Creek, NC.

The bride was escorted by her father Richard Hardin. She wore an ivory, strapless A-line gown made of English net and covered with Alencon lace appliques. The sweetheart neckline was covered with lace appliques embellished with bugle beads, petite sequins and pearls. The hemline was completed with scalloped re-embroidered lace. The scoop back fell into a chapel-length train. Her bouquet was an arrangement of mixed flowers.

Kimery Gregory of Washington served the bride as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Marianne Cherry, Caroline Cherry and Jordan Isley, all of Greenville, and Dana Campbell of Savannah, Ga. The attendants wore strapless, satin A-line gowns in eggplant. The bodice of the gown featured a sweetheart neckline. The waistline was accented with a crisscross satin band and finished with a petite rhinestone brooch. They carried bouquets of mixed flowers.

Hayden Gregory of Washington was flower girl and Nathan Woolard of Greenville was ring bearer.

Robert Smith, father of the groom, served as best man. Ushers were Steven Hardin, brother of the bride, of Greenville, Jason Burnette of Raleigh, NC, Kyle Wiley of Charlotte, NC, Tristan Reed of Sanford, NC, and Philip Vann of Columbia, SC.

Mistress of ceremony was Barbara Ward; event coordinator was Marvin Alligood, and Stephanie Davis, friend of bride and groom, was register attendant.

The mother of the bride wore a violet colored gown by Alex Evenings. The sleeveless gown was accented with a bolero jacket, both trimmed with jeweled beading.

The groom’s mother wore a navy blue dress with an overlay and beading at the neckline.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Yankee Hall Plantation, hosted by the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hardin. The ballroom was decorated with hurricane globes with burning candles with pearl ties. Tables were all decorated in deep purple sashes. Holiday/wedding decorations were found throughout the plantation house and ballroom. Candles were found throughout the room while guests enjoyed snow falling outside through the large ballroom windows. The ivory 4-tier cake with eggplant lace ribbon wrap, topped with mixed flowers atop a cake plateau with greenery, was made by Lorie Pate who also assisted in the serving. Music  was provided by The Main Event Band and guests enjoyed music and dancing.

An after-rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, at Carolina Pasta Works in Greenville. The groom’s cake was decorated using ECU colors with a pirate theme!

Pre-wedding events included: Engagement party, hosted by groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, April 24, 2010, at Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville. Bachelor party weekend for groom in August 2010 in Myrtle Beach, hosted by groom’s friends. Bachelorette party weekend for the bride in August 2010 in Charleston, SC, hosted by the bride’s friends. Couple’s shower, October 9, 2010, hosted by bride’s family, Harvey and Sharon Cherry, aunt and uncle of bride, at their home. Bridal shower, November 7, 2010, hosted by the groom’s family, Sydney and Regina Woolard, aunt and uncle of the groom, at their home. Stock the Bar party, November 13, 2010, hosted by Kimery and Timmy Gregory, friends of the bride.

The bride, a graduate of Beaufort County Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing, is employed at Beaufort County Medical Center as a registered nurse.

The groom graduated from Pitt Community College and East Carolina University with a degree in Construction Management, and is employed at WIMCO Corp. as a project manager.

After a wedding trip to St. Lucia, the couple is residing in Greenville.