Special thanks to Ted Lehmann for this piece. Ted is a retired teacher who blogs at Ted Lehmann’s Bluegrass, Books, and Brainstorms and travels extensively with his wife Irene to bluegrass festivals and other events. He also took the photos in the gallery below. See more of his writing and photography online.
Rachel Renee Johnson and Christopher Boyd were joined in matrimony in a service at the Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church in Bristo, TN on Saturday, October 22, 2011 with the Rev. Dr. Rick Light officiating.
The bride, who has been a professional musician since she graduated from high school, is a graduate of the bluegrass program at East Tennessee State University. She is the daughter of Ray and Michelle Johnson of Bristol, TN. Mrs. Boyd plays fiddle and sings harmony with the Darin & Brooke Aldridge Band and teaches fiddle to private students in the Bristol/Johnson City area. She also teaches bluegrass at Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, TN.
The groom, Christopher Boyd, is a graduate of East Tennessee State University who is recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division in which he served from 2007 through 2011. He works for Ingersoll Rand in Southern Pines, NC. He is the son of Bryan and Laurie Boyd of Bristol.
The wedding ceremony was a traditional event highlighted by its bluegrass overtones with music provided by a bluegrass band as well as a group of Rachel’s fiddle students. The bride wore a beautiful white gown made of tufted fabric looking much like flowers. Her seven attendants wore cherry red dresses. The wedding ceremony and luncheon reception held in the church was witnessed by approximately 300 friends and relatives of the bride and groom.
A honeymoon planned for Cancun, Mexico has been interrupted by Hurricane Rina forcing the couple to return early. The newlyweds will live in Pinehurst, NC.
