PATTERSON — Ella (Griner) Teston and Beau Teston of Patterson were wed December 13, 2025, following an engagement of nearly one year.
“Beau proposed to me December 23, 2024, on Jekyll Island,” Ella said, explaining their love for Jekyll Island and the Christmas season. “We went for dinner and to see the Christmas Lights. He asked me under one of the oak trees that creates a canopy over the sidewalk.”
The couple decided to hold the ceremony in their home church, Patterson Baptist, with a reception nearby at Eagle Station.
“We wanted to have everything close so we would have the most time to celebrate with our family and friends,” said Ella.
Pastor Tracy Rigdon officiated the ceremony. Ella’s bridesmaids were her sisters, Emma Grace Griner Broadhead and Elizabeth Griner; the groomsmen were Beau’s brother, Landon Teston, and his father, Ray Teston.
The bride’s hair and makeup were done by Hannah West and her sister, Cassie Cornelius. The dress was from Gracie Anna Bridal Boutique in Waycross.
Ella said guests enjoyed a meal of top round, loaded potatoes, green beans, salad, and rolls at the reception, cooked by Jim Waters and Emily Hughes (Beau's aunt), as well as “the team of family and friends that [Hughes] recruited.” The vanilla wedding cake and chocolate groom’s cake were both provided by Mrs. Dreama Leggett.
Mr. and Mrs. Beau Teston (top photo) share a smile after exchanging wedding vows outside the Patterson Baptist Church. They share a kiss outside the church before heading off on their honeymoon to New York. SPECIAL PHOTO
When asked about highlights from the day, Ella said she will always cherish their emotional first look.
“I think we were both so excited to finally get to get married,” she said. “We dated for nine years.”
The couple’s families praying over them during the ceremony and getting her hair “chopped off” before making an entrance at the reception were among Ella’s other highlights.
For their honeymoon, the newlyweds enjoyed a romantic week in New York City.
“We chose this location because it was somewhere we both have wanted to go during the Christmas season,” she said. “We saw so many statues and monuments, did lots of people watching, and ate lots of good food.”
The Testons both work as teachers in the Pierce County School System, Beau specializing in 8thgrade ELA and Ella in 7thgrade Science.
Beautiful arrangements adorned the tables for the guests. SPECIAL PHOTO
The elegant wedding cake (top) was provided by Dreama Leggit. She also fixed chocolate groom’s cake (bottom). SPECIAL PHOTO
