The Cornealius Properties

Wedding Day

Ceremony and Reception

Summer

Our Wedding

As told by Benjamin: Our first date was at Andy’s Frozen Custard. I was nervous and 40 minutes early. Tess was cautious and 10 minutes late. Nothing has changed since then. She wore a denim jacket with a t-shirt that said “Always More”. She looked beautiful. Neither of us can remember what I was wearing; I guess I didn’t look beautiful.&nbsp; I knew this would be something special when, after four hours of talking in metal yard chairs, she still wanted to keep the date going, even after two “Are you alive” phone calls from her mom (Love you, Heather!). We called it at 11:30 pm, half an hour after they closed and five hours after we met there. I left that date extremely optimistic and ready for date number two. This girl was something special, and I couldn't wait to learn more. Tess left that date thinking, “I guess I'll see him again.”&nbsp; What followed was a long string of dates where I constantly put my foot in my mouth, and she constantly found it endearing. Humor has been a staple of our relationship since day one.&nbsp; Ice cream, Mini-Golf, Ice cream, the movies, sushi, ice cream, an escape room, and even more ice cream. We found ourselves slowly but surely taking up more and more of the other’s time and loving every minute of it.&nbsp; She met my parents, I met hers. They all met each other.&nbsp; Things were moving ahead steadily, and, with every passing date, I continued to see just how perfect this woman was (and is) for me. Based on the ring on her finger, I’d wager she would say the same.&nbsp; Just shortly after our first year anniversary, I snuck off to Colorado to meet with her dad about my intentions. Well, “Snuck” is the wrong word. I told her I was going, and she replied, “Yeah, right”—a testament to my sense of humor. After almost four months of sticking to my “false story,” I finally got down on one knee, spilled the beans, and made the best life decision. Surprisingly, she said yes, even after all my antics.&nbsp; Now, we are in the wedding planning season, and humor is just as prevalent as it was in our early dating phase. And I could not be more excited to experience what comes next: leaving the grand exit on a golf cart.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

We have blocked 15 rooms at the The StateView Hotel for our wedding guests. These rooms can be reserved for a discounted rate and for guests who stay at the hotel, a courtesy shuttle will be available to and from the wedding venue.

The StateView Hotel, Autograph Collection

Directions to the wedding venue

Navigation apps will take you on many two-lane roads that frequently have construction. We recommend using the following directions to get to the venue. Selecting the second fastest route, via Apple Maps, will provide the same directions.&nbsp; Turn left onto Alumni DriveTurn left onto Main Campus Drive&nbsp;Turn right onto Achievement DriveTurn right onto Centennial ParkwayTurn right onto Lake Wheeler RoadTurn left to merge onto I-40 EastTake exit 309 to merge onto US-70 E towards Goldsboro, SmithfieldTake exit 350 onto US-70 E to towards GoldsboroTurn right onto NC-581Turn right onto Old Smithfield RoadThe destination will be on your right

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Benjamin & Tess

Benjamin & Tess

Travel

The StateView Hotel, Autograph Collection

Directions to the wedding venue