Natalie Anne Cherry and Grant Andrew Smith were married Saturday, the eleventh of May at 4:00 in the afternoon at First Church of Christ in Washington, NC. Mr. Ray West was the minister who officiated, and Mrs. Iris Lilley played the organ for the ceremony. A reception, hosted by the bride’s parents, followed the ceremony at Bellefont Plantation House.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Elwood Cherry Jr. of Washington, NC. Grandparents of the bride are the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wynn Whitaker Jr. of Washington, NC and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Elwood Cherry of Washington, NC.

The bridegroom is the son of Diana and Melvin Grant Tew of Washington, NC and Gerald Madison and Angie Smith of Callahan, FL. Grandparents of the groom are the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rothemere Alcox of Washington, NC and Mrs. Melvalene Faulk Smith of Callahan, FL and the late Mr. Auby Madison Smith of Atlanta, GA.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore a strapless ivory gown of delicate lace, slightly crystal-beaded with hints of champagne. The sheath-style gown featured a semi-chapel length lace train with a scalloped lace hemline. She also wore an elbow-length veil accompanied by a comb of pearls. Her bouquet was a mix of pink callalilies and white roses and hydrangea.

Sarah Cherry Leonard, the bride’s sister, of Greenville, NC served as matron of honor. Mark Madison Smith, the groom’s brother, of Wilmington, NC served as best man. Billy Weston Leonard, the bride’s brother-in-law, of Greenville, NC served as usher.

During the wedding weekend, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at The Meeting Place. The couple was honored with a wedding brunch Saturday morning hosted by friends of the family at the home of Mrs. Jane Griffin.

Prior to the wedding, the couple was honored with a wedding shower hosted by friends and family at First Church of Christ. A “double” bridal shower for the bride and a close friend was hosted by Mrs. Cameron Buckman Schmitz and friends at the home of Mrs. Kaye Buckman. Both the bride and groom had separate weekend “getaways” with friends before their nuptials.

The bride earned both her undergraduate degree in Biology and doctorate in Biomedical Sciences from North Carolina State University, and she is currently the general supervisor/staff scientist at Galaxy Diagnostics, Inc. in RTP, NC. The groom earned his degree from East Carolina University in Health Education and Promotion, and he is currently a senior IT analyst at HCL Technologies in Cary, NC. The couple will reside in Raleigh, NC.