Mariah Elisabeth Van Essendelft and Justin Patrick Van Staalduinen were united in marriage on August 11, 2012, at Covenant United Reformed Church in Pantego, North Carolina. The double ring ceremony was performed by Rev. David Whemhoff.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. Bernard Van Essendelft Jr. and the late Mrs. Monique Van Essendelft of Pantego, North Carolina. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Van Essendelft Sr. of Pantego, and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Hellendoorn.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Van Staalduinen of Pantego, North Carolina. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Van Staalduinen of Pantego, North Carolina and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Keyzer.
The bride was escorted by her father. She wore a strapless, A-line lace gown. It featured beaded motif detail along the bodice, and flowed into a chapel-length train. She wore a pearl embroidered veil, carrying a bouquet of white roses and blue hydrangeas.
Sister of the bride, Ms. Laura Claire Van Essendelft, of Washington, North Carolina served as the maid of honor. The bridesmaids were Ms. Jillian Van Essendelft of Pantego, Ms. Wendy Van Essendelft of Charlotte, Mrs. Michele Howell of Pantego, Ms. Catherine Smith of Pantego, and Ms. Sara Daniels of Washington, North Carolina.
Brother of the groom, Mr. Michael Van Staalduinen, of Kinston, North Carolina served as the best man. The groomsmen were Mr. John William Van Staalduinen of Kinston, Mr. Bradley Van Staalduinen of Pantego, Mr. Darin Noble of Chesapeake, Virginia, Mr. Joseph Smith of Pantego, Mr. Greg Van Essendelft of Pantego, and Mr. Thaddeus Van Essendelft of Pantego, North Carolina. Ms. Kaia Van Essendelft and Mr. Johannes Van Essendelft served as junior attendants. Ms. Lakin Van Essendelft and Ms. Tate Van Staalduinen served as flower girls.
On Friday morning a bridal brunch was hosted by Mrs. Heather Van Staalduinen, Mrs. Jenni Sickert, and Mrs. Bea Latham, all of Bath, North Carolina. Friday evening, a rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents, Mr. John Van Staalduinen and Mrs. Deb Van Staalduinen, at Yankee Hall Plantation in Greenville, North Carolina. The wedding ceremony was directed by Mrs. Barbara Van Essendelft, aunt of the bride. The reception was held at the John A. Wilkinson Building in Belhaven, North Carolina.
The bride and groom are graduates of Terra Ceia Christian School, in Pantego, North Carolina. The bride is attending East Carolina University, with plans to pursue a career as an occupational therapist. The groom is a graduate of East Carolina University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. He is employed at Harvey Fertilizer in Ayden, North Carolina.
Following a honeymoon in Palm Coast, Florida, the couple has made their home in Greenville, North Carolina.