John and Taylor Anne

Fond childhood memories of the pumpkin patch at Sinkland Farms propelled Taylor Anne [Plunkett] Soulerin to choose the venue for her wedding many years later. “I grew up in Roanoke until middle school,” she explains, “before moving to Virginia Beach.” During her high school years, she rode the bus with one John Soulerin. 

He loved her from the beginning, eventually getting up the nerve to ask her to go bowling. He helped her with some car headlights. She baked him cookies for a thank you. And thus began a 6-year dating commitment, half of it long distance when she went to Georgia Southern for college. Together and across the miles, the couple shared their work ethics, loving kindness to people around them, silly jokes and their hearts for Jesus. 

 

 

On Good Friday, March 29, 2024, John went to bended knee to ask her to marry him. A large church service crowd provided the perfect cover for her sister, Macy, to hide but stay close enough to take photos. Taylor Anne graduated from college in December that year, and spent five months living back at home and planning all the wedding details with her mom and sister. 

“Wedding planning was a fun mother-daughter time,” she relates. “We think the same so we were able to knock things off the list quickly. Wedding planning was bliss and made me want to be a wedding planner!” [Kind of a far cry from her current career as a nuclear engineer!] From choosing her wedding gown, connecting with vendors and making the invitations, programs and other things using Canva and at home supplies, Taylor Anne and her family enjoyed it all. 

The morning of the wedding, all the participants awoke at The Oaks Victorian Inn in Christiansburg. The guys went to Cracker Barrel, and the ladies enjoyed brunch at the inn. Taylor Anne’s aunt, Rebecca McMahon, did her hair and played the piano and sang for the ceremony. Her dad, Corey, went with the guys and later brought Chick-Fil-A to Sinkland Farms before the wedding to avoid any rumbling bellies while exchanging vows. Her mom, Heather, and sister, Macy (also her maid of honor), were by her side from the beginning. 

“Photographer Emily Heskett was easy to work with and super fun,” says Taylor Anne. “Susan Sink made the venue, especially the reception area, perfect, exactly what I wanted. Mark Frye did a phenomenal job with all of the flowers. The weather was ideal.” 

For a novel twist on the ubiquitous wedding cake, the couple had a cookie food truck for dessert, along with an open bar with specialty cocktails and a super fun dance party. “One very special moment,” John adds, “is Taylor Anne’s grandfather, Jim Hain, serving us communion together during the ceremony.”

Then the “Just Married” couple went on a few glorious rides. A limo, arranged by her parents, took them to Hotel Roanoke, which upgraded their accommodations. They flew to Atlanta where Delta gave them a private tour of the Atlanta airport in a Porsche. Not to be outdone when arriving in Barbados, they were picked up in a Rolls-Royce to be escorted to a beautiful Sandals Royal Barbados resort. 

Marriage is the best feeling in the world to each of them, being blessed to spend the rest of their lives with their best friend and soulmate. Congratulations, John and Taylor Anne!

 

Photographer ~ Emily Heskett [Emilyheskett.com]
Venue ~ Sinkland Farms, Christiansburg
Food Truck ~ Pizza [rehearsal dinner], 800 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza, Christiansburg
Food Truck ~ Cookies and dessert, Smooshed, Christiansburg
Caterer ~ Mike’s Meals, Salem
Flowers ~ Creative Occasions Events, Vinton
Hair Stylist ~ Rebecca McMahon, Roanoke
Makeup Stylist ~ Jolina Goad, Roanoke
Wedding lodging ~ The Oaks Victorian Inn, Christiansburg
Transportation ~ Executive Town Car and Limousine Service, Roanoke

 

 

Text by Joanne M. Anderson

 

Photos by Emily Heskett