Amanda Thomas McDonald and Andrew David Young, both of Ellerbe, were united in marriage in a holiday ceremony at 6 p.m. December 6, 2008, at The Pine Lodge.

Officiating as the couple exchanged their vows was the Rev. Sonny Diggs.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McDonald of Rockingham. Her grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Tom Deason of Rockingham and the late Mr. and Mrs. Scott McDonald. She is the advertising manager with Iron Horse Auction Company.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Johnson of Rockingham and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Young of Spartanburg. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tom Beach and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Young. He is employed with the shipping department at Sealed Air.

Music for the ceremony was provided by Stewart Niemyer of Hamlet. The “Bridal March” was recorded on banjo by the bride’s father, Ralph McDonald, and played at the ceremony.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents. She wore a strapless ivory dress, with a ruched waist and a black accent sash. She carried a handtied, nosegay bouquet of red roses and red coffee berries with cedar and spruce Christmas greenery.

Jennifer McCroskey of Wilmington, sister of the bride, served as maid of honor. Shelley Walker; Blair Johnson, sister of the groom, both of Rockingham; Gina Henry of Ansonville; Amanda Vanness of Mt. Gilead and Angela Ponds of Pinebluff were bridesmaids. They each wore a dress they chose in the color of fern.

Meredith Standridge of Ansonville and Abigail Tatum of Rockingham were the flower girls. Rachel Walker of Rockingham carried the “In Memory” candle. Their dresses were sleeveless white satin, tea-length ball gowns with a fern accent sash.

The couple’s son, Reed Young of Ellerbe, was ring bearer.

The groom chose his father, Michael Young of Spartanburg and his stepfather, Dean Johnson of Rockingham, as best men. The groomsmen were Brian Culler of Pinehurst and Glenn McCroskey, brother in-law of the bride, of Wilmington.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at The Pine Lodge.

The newlyweds are planning a wedding trip for a later date. They are now making their home in Ellerbe.