64 I Do For Brides www.idoforbrides.com

Erica Hill& David Yount

Atlanta, Georgia, October 15, 2005

WBY AMY MEADOWSPHOTOS BY DWAYNE BASS PHOTOGRAPHY

When Erica Hill and David Yount talked about getting married,

they always imagined themselves barefoot on the beach, exchang-

ing vows amongst family and friends. But after David, a third-

year law student at John Marshall Law School, proposed in May

2004 to Erica, a news anchor for CNN Headline News and co-host

of Prime News Tonight, airing nightly at 9 p.m. (est), they realized

that their hectic schedules would preclude their original plan.

However while they didn’t get married at the water’s edge, there’s

one element of their dream wedding they didn’t abandon.

“It’s the people there surrounding you who really make the

day what it’s supposed to be, and we were surrounded by the

most important people in our lives,” Erica recalled of her and

David’s nuptials, which took place at the historic Trolley Barn in

Atlanta’s Inman Park. The bride and groom chose the location

not only because it has great character, but also because it’s nes-

tled in the garden suburb neighborhood they have called home

since 2003. And they knew that their adopted hometown would

be an ideal setting for a long overdue family-and-friend reunion.

The festivities actually started three days before the wedding,

as most of the 200 guests began trickling into Atlanta from as far

away as England, France and Korea. In between the last-minute

details, Erica and David met the arriving attendees for dinners

and outings around the city. Then with everyone finally together

in one place, Erica, wearing an elegant Kirstie Kelly-designed

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Wedding Sources:Ceremony/Reception Site: The Trolley Barn, Atlanta

Officiant: Michaela Pereira

Bridal Gown Designer & Source: Kirstie Kelly, Kelly’s Closet, Atlanta

Bridesmaid Dresses Designer: Jim Hjelm

Veil: Cheryl Hill

Hair & Makeup: Tymeka McNeal and Renea Lyon, Atlanta

Men’s Attire Designer & Source: Tallia Uomo and Tommy Hilfiger,

After Hourse Formalwear, Atlanta

Rings: Solomon Brothers, Atlanta

Invitations & Programs: Inkspotts, Atlanta

Florist: GeorgeAnn Bohling

Transportation: Michael Hardy

Caterer & Linens: Masterpiece Events, Atlanta

Wedding Cake: Alon’s Bakery, Atlanta

Music: Amadeus String Ensemble, Atlanta, and

Spectrum Entertainment, Norcross

Photographer: Dwayne Bass, Bass Photography, Atlanta

Videographer: Karen Hutton and Marcus Buick, Fork Tour

Productions, Truckee, CA

Reception Video Montage: Wendy Tennery

Wedding Night Accommodations: Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta

Honeymoon Destination: Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation,

Lake Oconee, Greensboro

gown and a veil crafted by her mother, and David, in a Tallia Uomo

tuxedo, pledged their lives to each other in a sunset ceremony person-

ally written by them and performed by their dear friend Michaela

Pereira, who has known the couple since they met in 1999 while work-

ing at ZDTV in San Francisco. According to Erica “[Michaela] really

brought it to life for us.”

“Anyone can write a ceremony,” David added,“but to act it out and

have it be what you envisioned when you wrote the words on the paper

is a totally different thing. Michaela orchestrated it beautifully.” That

included coordinating the 10 guests who participated in the ceremony

by reading quotes about love and marriage, as well as stopping the pro-

ceedings for a moment as a New Orleans-style band (from a wedding

taking place at a nearby church) paraded past the Trolley Barn playing

lively jazz music—an unexpected touch that enthralled everyone.

To keep the momentum of the evening going, Erica and David,

who planned the wedding themselves, also decided to host the recep-

tion at the Trolley Barn. So after the ceremony, the caterer transformed

the venue’s patio into the reception site, with tables adorned by fall-

inspired centerpieces of sunflower topiaries, pumpkins, Granny Smith

apples and leaves. But before the newlyweds joined their guests, who

were enjoying delectable fare from Masterpiece Events’ chef-attended

stations, they spent a few moments alone. With champagne glasses in

hand, they strolled down their very own street for the first time as hus-

band and wife.

“It was about 7 p.m. by this point, and the light was sort of magi-

cal. We were where we are comfortable—in our own neighborhood—

and there was no one else around us. We were allowed to be ourselves,

and it was relaxing,” David declared. “That’s my favorite memory.”

When they returned to the reception, they danced their first dance

to Sade’s By Your Side, feasted on both carrot cake and chocolate mid-

night cake from Alon’s Bakery and partied until the early morning

hours with their favorite people, including their five bridesmaids and

six groomsmen, who wore mango chiffon A-line dresses by Jim Hjelm

and classic Tommy Hilfiger tuxedos, respectively.

And although their schedules thwarted their plans again, this

time for a traditional honeymoon, they do plan to take a much-

deserved vacation when David passes the bar. Until then they are

content to reminisce fondly about their perfect wedding.

“It was the most incredible weekend,” Erica commented. “It

absolutely exceeded our expectations, and I can’t imagine having

done it any other way.”

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