Koru Village/Beach Klub

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Turner's HIgh Moon Bar

After Party!

Our Wedding

Emily and Chris met when Emily "came out of singing retirement" and started singing with Chris' band - the Lazy Man Dub Band. Sparks flew instantly when they sang the Tessanne Chin cover of "I Want to Know What Love Is". They continued to sing together, and eventually started dating. Soon after, Chris introduced Emily to his two beautiful children - Ethan and Ellie, and Emily fell more in love. A couple years after that, they added a cute, energetic puppy, named Cocoa, to their little growing&nbsp;family. Their years of dating have been filled with ups and downs, adventure and laughter, and most importantly, lots of love.&nbsp;On a random Friday in October, before Emily was leaving town for work, Chris surprised her at home in their apartment. Emily was making lunch, and when she turned the corner, she found Chris down on one knee with Cocoa by his side and a ring in his hand. Emily was speechless (which is quite rare) and in shock. They had been talking about getting married, but this came as a complete&nbsp;surprise to her. She was so overwhelmed with joy, her eyes filled with happy tears. Of course she said 'Yes!'.&nbsp;Chris and Emily are both very excited to celebrate their love with their closest family and friends this July. They both find peace and happiness at the beach, so naturally they'll be married by the sea! &lt;3

Our Love Song

Filipino Traditions

Ceremony Traditions

Traditional Filipino wedding customs involve candles, coins, a veil, and cord.&nbsp;The lighting of the candles takes place at the beginning of the ceremony. One person from each side of the family lights a candle symbolizing God's presence at the union. The couple will then take those lit candles and light a third candle together, signifying that their families are united through them.&nbsp;The wedding coins are called arras. The custom of the groom giving wedding coins comes from Spain. The groom gives the bride 13 coins to symbolize their mutual prosperity. It also symbolizes his promise to support her and their family.The veil signifies that the bride and groom are dressed for the world as one. Two chosen people take the wedding veil and place it over the bride and the groom's shoulders to join them as one.&nbsp;The white silk, called a yugal, is then placed over the couple's shoulders in the sign of infinity. This symbolizes everlasting fidelity and signifies that they walk the world as equals.&nbsp;

Sayaw ng Pera (Money Dance)

The wedding money dance, or Sayaw ng Pera, is almost a requirement a Filipino weddings.&nbsp;To kick off the boisterous peso-pinning part game, a woven lei of money is placed around the couple's necks. Male guests&nbsp;line up in front of the bride, and female guests line up in front of the groom to dance.&nbsp;Most guests pin the money to the newlywed couple's garments. This represents the wish that good fortune is "rained" upon them.&nbsp;

Our Story

Details

Photos

Arianne and Emily have known each other since the day Emily was born. As Emily's older (and favorite)&nbsp;sister, they have shared many memories together throughout their childhood. Growing up, Emily has always looked up to her older sister for advice and to lead the way. She was the annoying little sister who always followed Arianne around, but as they grew older, they grew closer and were able to share experiences with each other.&nbsp;Some of Emily's fondest memories with Arianne are visiting her and spending the weekends in Richmond while she was attending VCU. Emily stood by Arianne when she and her husband, Shaun, were married, and is now honored to have her sister by her side.&nbsp;

Arianne Fortune

Adam and Chris met in 2006&nbsp;through mutual friends playing music. They started a band called the Lazy Man Dub Band in the fall of 2007 with their Jamaican friend, Wayne Shorter. They played reggae music together up and down the east coast, and all over Virginia. Chris and Adam bonded over their love of music and spiritual beliefs - more specifically, their belief in peace and unity at a universal level. Everyone thinks that they are brothers, but really...they're just two bearded white guys who love playing reggae music.&nbsp;Adam is a super funny, sweet, and genuine human being, and Chris is excited to have him be a part of this special day.&nbsp;

Adam Beason

Chris and Michael (aka "Bear") met in kindergarten. They played on multiple soccer teams together growing up, and bonded over their interest in&nbsp;playing the bass. They got into many different things in elementary, middle, and high school, and witnessed each other grow from boys into men with children of their own. Bear is also Chris' daughter, Ellie's, godfather.&nbsp;

Michael Bear

Rachel and Emily met in the fall of 2008 in apartment 1306 B of Collegiate Suites in Blacksburg, Virginia. A series of random events led to them living together after knowing nothing about each other at all. Emily showed up in her basketball shorts and tank top, and Rachel had no idea what to expect. They instantly became the best of friends!&nbsp;

Through the years, these two have experienced so much together - adventures, challenges, hardships, growth, silliness, joy, and most of all, laughter. Emily could not imagine getting married without her best friend by her side to remind her not to ugly cry =P

Rachel Cantrell

Ashley (aka "Astley")&nbsp;and Emily are "Frick" and "Frack"! These two are the youngest girls of the Africa clan, and have been linked since birth. Ashley has been Emily's partner in crime since childhood. These two had wild imaginations and would get into all sorts of&nbsp;adolescent mischief. Sleepovers allowed them to plan their weddings with the N'Sync super stars, Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez, while they sang&nbsp;underneath the glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars. The mischief continued when Ashley joined Emily in Southwest VA - Ashley at Radford and Emily at Tech. These two were mistaken for sisters, at times!&nbsp;Along with the other bridesmaid, Joanna ("Jojo"), Ashley and Emily are OHANA. OHANA means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. (Lilo & Stitch)&nbsp;

Ashley Africa

Eric and Chris are first cousins. They spent many Thanksgivings and summers together growing up where Eric tried to beat Chris up on many occasions (JK!). They enjoyed many surf sessions and spending time with their family. He is like the big brother that&nbsp;Chris never had, and Eric will never let Chris forget the time he cried&nbsp;like a baby when he stepped on a cactus in Sandbridge!&nbsp;

Eric Martin

Draper and Chris have known each other since they were young boys growing up in South Roanoke. They got into a few sticky situations in high school, but they had each other's backs and made it out okay. Chris and Dre enjoy going on epic ski and surf trips together, as well as attending many Virginia Tech football and basketball games. Draper is also&nbsp;Chris' son, Ethan's, godfather.&nbsp;

Draper Woody

Joanna (aka "Jojo" or "Jojo Bear") is the other member of this triple-threat. Emily, Jo, and Ash spent many weekend nights crying with laughter and re-creating the Spice World video, as well as other "live performances". Jo was the more tame of the three, but&nbsp;was the leader of the pack,&nbsp;and acted as the "business manager" for all of Emily and Ash's performances. Even though Jo went to "the other Virginia school", Emily enjoyed visiting her each year for her Culture Night performances.&nbsp;

Along with the other bridesmaid, Ash, Joanna and Emily will always be OHANA. OHANA means family, and family means&nbsp;no one gets left behind or forgotten. (Lilo & Stitch)

Joanna Ronquillo

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

Norfolk International Airport

When you stay at Hatteras Island Inn in Buxton, you'll be by the ocean and convenient to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This hotel is within the vicinity of Frisco Mini Golf and Go Karts and Avon Fishing Pier.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 61 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.Amenities Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and barbecue grills.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, a safe deposit box at the front desk, and coffee/tea in a common area. Free self parking is available onsite.

Hatteras Island Inn

The Cape Pines Motel on Hatteras Island is on the beautiful&nbsp;Outer Banks of North Carolina. They are located 1/2 mile south of the entrance to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and beautiful ocean beach in the midst of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Cape Pines Motel was founded in the 1950's with later additions to include the Main 2-story building. The original courtyard rooms have been restored to their original condition with hardwood floors and knotty pine ceilings.&nbsp;

Cape Pines Motel

Island Taxi - Outer Banks Cab Company 

Bayside Cabs OBX

The Outer Banks Motel was established in 1955 by the Dillons, a family with a rich history on Hatteras Island for over 100 years. Outer Banks Motel lies on a beautiful sandy beach, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and surfing. Just across the street the serene waters of the Pamlico Sound are ideal for boating and crabbing.&nbsp;

Outer Banks Motel

Beach Cabs

When choosing a vacation destination the first decision is usually, “Where should we stay?” Koru Village has the answer for you. Whether you are looking for a private villa on our resort or one of the island’s premier homes, Koru Village has it all. All of our properties offer the Klub Koru amenity packages that turn your vacation into an extraordinary experience. So don’t forget, when you are considering “where to stay?” make sure the answer has Koru Village written all over it.

Welcome to the Avon Cottages!

We are a family owned and operated business since 1954. All of our houses are located on one of the top ten beaches in the U.S. Wide and uncrowded beaches are just a few steps away. Grab your beach chair and walk over the dune to beautiful sunrises, sunsets, shell hunting, building sandcastles, fishing and surfing. We are just 6 miles away from the historical Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Kite boarding and windsurfing on our Pamlico Sound is world renowned. Hatteras Island is also well known for being closest on the east coast to the Gulf stream fishing,

Avon Cottages

Located in Hatteras, Sea Gull By Kees Vacations is convenient to Hatteras Village Welcome Center and Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum.  This motel is within the vicinity of Frisco Native American Museum and Frisco Mini Golf and Go Karts.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 15 air-conditioned rooms featuring microwaves. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and ceiling fans, and housekeeping is provided daily.Amenities Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a seasonal outdoor pool, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include express check-in and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.

Sea Gull By Kees Vacations

Located on Hatteras Island, along the&nbsp;beautiful beaches of &nbsp;the Cape Hatteras&nbsp;National Seashore, in the village of &nbsp;Rodanthe, is Sea Sound Motel.This is a family owned & operated motel&nbsp;that provides guests with quality lodging at&nbsp;affordable rates. Many of our guests&nbsp;return time after time, enjoying the family&nbsp;atmosphere, great hospitality and service.We are in a quiet, peaceful location with&nbsp;just a short walk to the beach. We look&nbsp;forward to seeing you this season.

Sea-Sound Motel

Tower Circle is well known to many of you and new to many others.&nbsp; It has been a family owned and operated business in Buxton, North Carolina on Hatteras Island for over 50 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Come check out our bright, fresh rooms with new electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, bathroom fixtures and appliances!&nbsp;We renovated&nbsp;our last&nbsp;room this winter so now we have&nbsp;seven regular rooms and four efficiency rooms waiting for your visit.

Tower Circle Motel

Our Award Winning eight room, smoke-free B&B is located in the historic village of Buxton near the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. We love sharing our Award Winning Inn with&nbsp;<a title="Chef Virginia's Breakfast" href="http://capehatterasbandb.com/breakfastfood/">mouth watering Breakfasts</a>&nbsp;in a relaxing beach atmosphere.&nbsp; We know you will love Cape Hatteras Bed and Breakfast and visit again and again.

Emily & Chris

Emily & Chris

Things to Do

Beyond Koru