 Aura + Endi Not even a pandemic couldn’t stop Anastasia and Patrick’s love story. After contracting COVID the week of their wedding, Anastasia and Patrick had their intimate wedding at Four Oaks on November 29th, two weeks after their original date. Their story together begins 6 years prior when they met in March of 2015. “The summer of 2015 changed everything for us. I immediately grew comfortable around Patrick, and we spent my entire summer off from college together. We spent the summer exploring Georgia, eating birthday cake ice cream on my porch, taking motorcycle rides, and talking late into the night every night. By the end of summer, I felt like I knew Patrick my whole life instead of a couple months.”
In April of 2019, Patrick proposed to Anastasia at the Biltmore Gardens. “We were strolling through the gardens at Biltmore, and I was enjoying the scenery. I wanted to stop and smell every flower, but Patrick kept moving me along promising me we would come back and spend all day in the gardens if that is what I desired.” Patrick began singing part of their favorite U2 song to her, got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. “I was blubbering and crying. I am pretty sure it took me a solid minute to say “yes” which probably made him more nervous, but it was truly the best day in my entire life.”
Anastasia and Patrick booked Four Oaks Manor for their ceremony and reception in May 2020. “We chose Four Oaks Manor because the staff, house, and grounds were one in a million. From the moment we walked into the house the staff was friendly and welcoming. The house itself was beautiful, historic, and charming. The venue and packages included everything which helped us stay within our budget and made planning our wedding easier. Four Oaks Manor was there every step of our wedding planning phase making it stress free and easy for us especially with us planning our wedding in the middle of a pandemic.” They spent the early afternoon getting ready in Four Oaks’ bridal suite and groom’s room. The girls upstairs gathered around Anastasia to pray over her and her marriage to Patrick.
Having lost her father-in-law shortly prior to their wedding, Anastasia took a moment to give a gift to her mother-in-law to honor him, remembering that while he was not with them physically, he was watching over them and rejoicing still with them.
They also set up a memorial table by the farmhouse to honor him and others who had passed and weren’t able to join the two families. Meanwhile, Patrick and the guys got ready downstairs. Patrick chose to have his father and two younger brothers stand beside him at the altar as his groomsmen.  They chose to do a first look prior to their ceremony. Anastasia walked behind Patrick in Four Oaks’ outdoor gazebo and had him turn around to see her for the first time. Needless to say, their faces say it all! After their first look, they got a few portraits done before their ceremony. Patrick dressed smartly with a matching tie and pocket square. Anastasia donned a faux fur wrap over her lacey gown to keep warm in the fall chill.
Their intimate ceremony took place under Four Oaks’ covered porch. The backdrop was decorated with fairy lights and eucalyptus greenery.
Patrick’s brother played the ukulele and sang I Can’t Help Falling in Love, making their ceremony all the more special and memorable.  They chose to include a unity cross in their ceremony. They united two crosses together – representing the two becoming one – with three pegs – representing the Trinity, the foundation for their marriage.
Nothing left now except for “I do.” Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Grindstaff! While guests were dismissed for cocktail hour, Patrick and Anastasia finished getting couple portraits in the gardens. With scattered showers throughout the entire day, they covered themselves with clear umbrellas.
During cocktail hour, guests signed mini wood hearts and dropped it in a shadow box frame for their guest book.
Their intimate reception took place in Four Oaks’ carriage house. The newlyweds sat at a sweetheart table decorated with a navy runner and gold place settings. They were announced into the reception to ACDC’s Thunderstruck and went straight into their first dance to U2’s All I Want is You, reminiscent of how Patrick proposed.
After enjoying a chicken pasta dinner with asparagus and caesar salad, it was time to cut the cake. Their all-white wedding cake from Publix was topped with a ceramic cake topper with Mark 10:8 engraved on the bottom.
Party time! The newlyweds and their guests celebrated the rest of the night with dancing and music provided by DJ Aaron.
They closed out the night with a sparkler grand exit down the back path of the venue.
“Our wedding day was simply magical despite all the obstacles it took to get there. I am forever grateful to Four Oaks Manor for going above and beyond to make our wedding the best day ever.” Congrats to Anastasia and Patrick! We’re so grateful you entrusted us with your wedding day and pray you have a blessed marriage together. Venue: Four Oaks Manor
Photographers: Aura + Endi Videographer: T.J. Rosemand Floral Design: Beverly Hamilton Dress: David’s Bridal DJ: Disc Jockey Etc. Wedding Cake: Publix Invitations: Vistaprint Save-the Dates: Shutterfly Rings: Shane Co. Makeup: Makeup By Ashtonn Hair: Mae Rooks Beauty Visit our Real Weddings page on our blog to see more couples marry at Four Oaks Manor!
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Header Image: Tiffany Holmes Photography
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