Laura Bryan Smith and Derek Thomas Ennis were united in marriage at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 26, 2011, in St. Thomas, USVI on the terrace of The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort overlooking St. John, USVI.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. Gary Lane Smith, Sr. and Dr. and Mrs. Richard Martin Young of Washington.╩She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl William Smith, Sr. of Washington and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Arthur Franz, Jr. of Houston, TX.╩

The groom is the son of Ms. Angie Jordan Ennis and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wayne Ennis of Raleigh, NC.╩He is the grandson of Ms. Wilma Marcom Jordan and Ms. Zula Coats Ennis, both of Raleigh.

The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Pastor Robert Nelson.╩Wedding music selected by the bride was performed by the harpist. Zachary Smith of St. Louis, MO, cousin of the bride, served as the wedding event planner.╩

The bride, escorted by her father, wore a silver haze strapless satin dress from the Destinations collection by Maggie Sottero. The dress featured an asymmetrical ruched bodice with a Swarovski Crystal brooch. The corset closure added a touch of elegance to the back of the dress with a circular deeply gathered skirt. Her single layer fingertip veil was trimmed with sutash edging. She carried a hand tied bouquet of white roses, tuberose, green hypericum berries with fushia dendrobium orchids and calla lilies.╩

Mrs. Emily Smith Moore of Belmont, NC, sister of the bride, served as matron of honor and Erin Francisco Eatman as her bridesmaid. The attendants wore a strapless cotton sateen short gown in pool blue, featuring a ruched bodice.╩They carried a hand tied bouquet of white roses, tuberose, green hypericum berries with fushia dendrobium orchids and calla lilies.╩

Mr. James Nicholas Hulsey of Sanford, NC, served as the best man. Groomsmen were Dr. Gary Lane Smith, Jr., of Sommerville, MA, brother of the bride, Mr. Douglas Adam Lytch of Raleigh, NC, and Mr. Timothy Charles Hanline of Shelby, OH.╩

The bride’s mother wore a capped sleeved short rayon dress╩in champagne shimmer with angled tiered detail.╩

The groom’s mother wore single button and loop jacket with a matching sleeveless taupe dress with lace detail on the neckline.

Following the ceremony, a celebration took place on “The Cat,” a state of the art 54’ gold coast sailing catamaran. The guests were escorted to Red Hook Ferry docks to board the catamaran for a two-hour sail around St. Thomas. Along with beverages and hors d’oeuvres, the wedding cake was cut and served aboard the catamaran while guests toasted to the new bride and groom.

A reception was held March 19, 2011, at the Washington Civic Center.╩The decor followed the theme of the destination wedding with blue and green accents. Music was provided by the band,╩Walrus, of Greensboro, NC. The buffet was provided by Beau Catering of Carrboro, NC. A five-tier wedding cake, with alternating square, hexagon and round layers was decorated with white buttercream icing, by Bea Apple. In addition, the groom’s cake was designed in the shape of ECU’s Pee Dee the Pirate, by Sweet of Greenville.╩

An engagement party, hosted by family and friends, was held at the home of Richie and Sandra Gerard in Washington.╩A Valentine Couples shower was held at the home of Lynn and Sandi Ford in Raleigh, as well as a luncheon shower held in Garner by family. The bridesmaid luncheon was held at the home of Susan Gerard given by Susan Gerard and Barbara Francisco.╩

The bride received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a Business Minor from East Carolina University.╩She is employed by Stock Building Supply in Raleigh, NC.

The groom received a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a Business Minor from East Carolina University. He is employed by L&M Companies.

Following the ceremony in St. Thomas, USVI, the couple honeymooned in Antigua. They reside in Garner, NC.