Hawkesdene

Check-In/Guest Arrival

Welcome Party & Rehearsal Dinner (for ALL)

Continental Breakfast

Brunch

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Farewell Breakfast

Ceremony Update- Ceremony time will be earlier for better lighting.  New ceremony time is 3:30PM 

Our Wedding

His Version: We met, we fell in love , the rest is history&nbsp; Her Version: I stalked him, I sent him a message, the rest is history. The truth- well it’s a little bit of both :) We were introduced by mutual friends and family that we had both known for years.&nbsp;We unexpectedly ended up at their house at the same time and started with simple conversation.&nbsp;We both seem interested in one another, however both being single parents with busy schedules, finding time to date was challenging. To that point, our first date was take out From Snoopys. Our communication became more frequent, and we both knew very early we were fond of one another. A few weeks later, we were invited by the same friends that introduced us for a quick one night getaway to the beach. We piled into the back seat of their Jeep Wrangler, took the doors off, let our hair down (Well, Jess did) and headed to the coast.&nbsp;It was sometime during that ride, that the collective winds of change started to blow. Fortunately for us, those winds would start to carry us closer and closer to one another. Later that night, we were fortunate enough to share in the engagement of our close friends under the stars on the Carolina coast. We stayed up most of the night just talking until just before the sunrise. Benji would have probably talked right through until breakfast, had Jess not asked him “can we please just take a nap?”&nbsp; The next day we hopped in the Jeep, and headed out to the beach for a short dose of Vitamin Sea. Our friends snapped a pic of us when we weren’t looking, which would become our first photo together, and when they showed it to us,&nbsp;there was one word that came to mind “Found.”&nbsp;We all laughed, and cried, and I was congratulating them on their engagement, when my friend smiled and said “thanks buddy, you’re next” and winked at me- HE knew. Little did we know then, just how right he would be.&nbsp;We packed up and headed home, Benji wanted to talk, Jess took a nap- for those of you that know us, this is probably not shocking.&nbsp; The conversations continued, and so did our fondness for one another.&nbsp;On one of our first actual dinner dates (actual being take-out due to the pandemic) Benji learned about 2 of the most important things to Jessica other than Jackson.&nbsp;1-her dog Eddie (who immediately approved)2-don’t dip nacho chips in salsa then the cheese, but you can dip in the cheese then the salsa. We discussed introducing the boys to one another, and agreed it was something we were both comfortable with.&nbsp;After our first time hanging out together with the kids; Benji asked Colby on the way home what he thought about it , and how it went. His response “she’s the one”- HE knew.&nbsp; From that point forward, there would not be many days we would spend apart. We celebrated the holidays together, introduced our family’s to one another and soon thereafter decided that we no longer wanted to be apart and merged households.&nbsp; A ski trip with friends, and a family beach trip, and soon friends and family began to see the love they had developed&nbsp;for one another- THEY knew.&nbsp;&nbsp;And it wasn’t long after that - BENJI&nbsp;knew (Aunt Kathy’s pimento cheese and cucumbers and vinegar didn’t hurt.)&nbsp;&nbsp; A few short months later, again on the shores of Carolina -although in a different state - with close friends and family (and despite Jess being pissed with rushing to get out to the beach by sunset&nbsp;for “family pics”) Benji proposed and Jess accepted. And now, SHE knew (well officially she knew, although she claims to have known the moment she saw him:) that they would be married-and in February of 2022, surrounded by friends and family in the mountains of NC, they will exchange their Vows of marriage and become one. And in the words of one of Their favorite music artists “maybe some things last forever after all.”&nbsp;&nbsp;- written by Benji, approved by Jessica

Our Story

Photos

Colby Currie

Katie Johansson

Jessica’s son who is walking her down the aisle

Jackson Eddins

Two very special children who have such a special place in Benji and Jessica’s hearts. 

Sawyer and Isla Payne

Wedding Party

DetailsPlease Join us to enjoy Luxury Accommodations which includes-unlimited use of on-site activities (hiking trails, trout fishing streams, meet and greet with alpacas, basketball court, fire pits, billiards, ping-pong table, outdoor swings, cornhole) for the duration of your stay Catered Meals, ALL beverages and snacks includedFriday-Welcome dinner for ALL, drinks &amp; cocktailsSaturday-early breakfast &amp; brunch, bloody Mary and Mimosa station, wedding receptionSunday-departure breakfast for ALL For guests staying with us at Hawkesdene EstateFrom Friday February 11TH-Sunday February 13thFor an all-inclusive rate of $350 per adult covers the entiretyOf your stay (non-refundable) To confirm your stay at the estate, please follow these steps:1. Visit www.Hawkesdene.com/guest-payments2. Complete guest info.&nbsp;Under “DETAILS" click yes3. Enter number of guests and under name of group select Jessica &amp; Benji 2/12/224. Enter amount to be charged and finalize payment5. Please complete NO LATER than January 22nd, 2022 When payment is received,your lodging is RESERVED and will be CONFIRMED .Should accommodations payment not be received by January 22nd, for Hawkesdene Estate, off-site accommodations need to be made. Thus, an estate property fee of $75 per person is due byJanuary 22nd, 2022. This fee includes ALL meals and beverages over 3 days, and the useof the grounds. See our website below for recommended hotels in the area and additional details Wedding Website:&nbsp;theknot.com/jessicaandbenjamin2022

Details of Weekend

Local Restaurants and Stores

Restaurants (Andrews, NC) Burger Basket1679 Main Street828-321-3785 Granieri's (Italian)983 Main Street828-321-5555 Hoppy Trout Brewing Co.(Brick oven pizza and locally brewed craft beer)911 Main Street828-835-2111 Kobe Grill (Japanese)114 Main Street828-321-1010 Monte Alban (Mexican)498 Main Street828-321-1802 Restaurants (Murphy, NC) Cherokee Harrah's Casino777 Casino Pkwy.Murphy, NCRestaurant's include: Earl of SandwichMoe's Southwestern GrillNathan's Famous HotdogsPanda ExpressStarbuck'sThe Landing Cafe Chevelle's 66 (Bar and Grill)66 Hiwassee St., Murphy, NC828-837-7001 Murphy Chop House130 Valley River Avenue, Murphy, NC828-835-3287 Shoe Booties25 Peachtree St., Murphy, NC828-837-4589 Grocery Stores (Andrews, NC) Ingles Market129 Main Street, Andrews, NC Dollar General546 Main Street, Andrews, NC Walgreens Pharmacy286 Main Street, Andrews, NC

Travel

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Great Smokey Mountain Railroad Cherokee Indian Reservation Calaboose Cellars Vineyard &amp; Winery- Andrews, NC Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino

Jessica & Benjamin

Jessica & Benjamin

Things to Do