Sarah Elizabeth Salanik and Casey Maurice Carter, both of Greensboro, exchanged wedding vows during a 6 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at First Christian Church in Roanoke Rapids.

Mrs. Casey Maurice Carter (Sarah Elizabeth Salanik) Advertisement

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Joseph Salanik Sr. of Roanoke Rapids. She is the granddaughter of Michael and Lena Salanik of Rockledge, Pa., and the late Earl and Vivian Carawan of Roanoke Rapids.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Norman Johnson Jr. of Halifax. He is the grandson of the late Hyland and Doris Waters and the late Faye Acree, all of Roanoke Rapids.

Mr. Robert Bane Angles performed the nuptial ceremony.

A program of wedding music was provided by Mrs. Patti Young of Roanoke Rapids, pianist, and Mrs. Bridgett Kilcourse of Greensboro, soloist.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a white beaded satin gown with an empire waist, fitted bodice and split front. The empire waist was trimmed with a beaded lace appliquéd, apple red satin sash that draped around and tied in a loose wrap-over knot just below the lace-up back. The full A-line bustled skirt extended into a chapel-length train over which the beaded lace appliquéd sash cascaded.

For her headpiece, the bride wore a white tulle, fingertip-length veil trimmed with apple red satin ribbon with apple red appliqués scattered throughout. Her veil was secured with a silver rhinestone tiara. She carried a bouquet of red roses mingled with the white star of Bethlehem softly wrapped with a white satin ribbon.

Hannah Reed of Wilmington, friend of the bride, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Ms. Heather O’Connell of Madison, Wis., friend of the bride, Mrs. Shannon Hill of Roanoke Rapids, sister of the bridegroom, and Ms. Samantha Carawan of Roanoke Rapids, cousin of the bride.

Cole Manning of Roanoke Rapids, nephew of the bridegroom, served as ring bearer.

Andy Watts of Wilmington, friend of the bridegroom, served as best man. Groomsmen were Kyle Ashe of Greenville and Winfield Hasty of Rocky Mount, both friends of the bridegroom, and Michael Joseph Salanik Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, brother of the bride.

Mrs. Shannon Navarro of Roanoke Rapids served as mistress of ceremonies.

The bride is a 2003 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and a 2007 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is currently employed by Guilford County teaching fourth grade.

The bridegroom is a 2002 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School. He received a graduate certificate in 2003 from Nascar Technical Institute in Charlotte. He is currently employed by Solideal Inc of Winston-Salem.

The couple spent their honeymoon at a five star resort in Cancun, Mexico. This gift was given by the bridegroom’s parents and Todd and Ruby Homer, aunt and uncle of the bridegroom. The couple currently resides in Greensboro.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the couples’ honor at the Mystique Multivenue in Roanoke Rapids, hosted by the bride’s parents. Also hosting and catering a meal of heavy hors d’oeuvres were special friends, Nancy and Bun Landen, Kim Taresco, Donna Hardy, Tom and Kristy Stanfield, Jean Thompson, Alice Bostater, Diane Shearin, Donna Grimes and Wanda Saylor. Special pizzelles were baked by Lena Salanik, grandmother of the bride. Music and dancing followed. Music was provided by Don Williams of Uncle Don’s D.J. of Rocky Mount.

On the eve of the wedding, an after-rehearsal dinner was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Johnson Jr., parents of the bridegroom. The dinner was catered by Robert Harris of Littleton and was celebrated in the fellowship hall of First Christian Church.

In June 2008, the parents of the bride and bridegroom hosted a Hawaiian luau to celebrate the couple’s engagement. The celebration was held at First Christian Church and catered by Donald and Kathy Johnson of Roanoke Rapids.

A miscellaneous bridal shower was hosted by Kathy Johnson, Gwen Jones, Joan Potter, Rhonda Nixon and Myrna Goldberg at the home of Kathy Johnson in June 2008.

A bachelorette weekend, hosted by Hannah Reed, was held in Greensboro at the bride’s home, along with a lingerie party, held November 2008.

A bridesmaids luncheon was held on Jan. 1 and hosted by Helen Smith at her home in Littleton.

 A miscellaneous bridal shower was hosted by fellow teachers at Guilford Elementary in Greensboro in December 2008.