Rachel Droze, Samuel Ankers marry

Rachel Elizabeth Droze of Elgin and Samuel Lee Ankers of Hartsville were united in marriage May 13 at Spring Valley Baptist Church in Columbia. Kendal Danford and Robert Winburn officiated the 3 o’clock ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Michael and Trina Droze of Elgin. She is the granddaughter of Charles and Margaret Droze of Hanahan and the late Burlin and Mary Jane Madden of South Rockwood, Michigan. A graduate of Lugoff-Elgin High School, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Francis Marion University.

The groom is the son of Dale and Angela Ankers of Hartsville. He is the grandson of Harvey and Jean Ankers of Timberville, Virginia, and Everett and Alice Johnson of Smithfield, Virginia. A 2015 graduate of Francis Marion University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in health physics. He is employed with Duke Energy as a radiation protection technician at the H.B. Robinson Nuclear Generating Station in Hartsville.

The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents. Keyboardist Sharon Altman and vocalists Geoffrey and Caroline Starling provided music.

Maid of honor was Amanda Marie Droze of Elgin. Bridesmaids were Lauren Owens of Johnsonville; Rebecca Cross of Darlington; Rebekah Davis of Newport News, Virginia; and Caroline Starling of Greenville. Lillianna Martin of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was flower girl.

Best man was Andrew Charles Ankers of Hartsville. Groomsmen were Ian McCarley, Arden Lesley, and Scott Driggers, all of Hartsville, and Alex Macintosh of Richmond, Virginia. Cody Droze of Ladson was ring bearer.

A reception followed at the church.

After their honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the couple will reside in Hartsville.

In their own words

Q: How did you meet?

A: Through mutual friends at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Francis Marion University. We were introduced while playing ultimate Frisbee.

Q: When did you know your fiance was “the one”?

A: We both knew early on – we had each been praying for a godly relationship that would lead to marriage.

Q: Tell us about the proposal.

A: We had planned a date night, and Sam’s choice was to play “Pokemon Go” and then have pizza. As we were chasing Pokemon, we ended up at a gazebo on campus where we had been several times before. I didn’t notice that there were lights hung and a photographer standing by until Sam took my phone and went down on one knee to propose. After, we went to dinner and then to the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, where our friends had set up a surprise engagement party.

Q: What part of the wedding day are you most looking forward to?

A: A private first look, giving us a few moments together before the ceremony begins.

Q: How did you choose the venue where you will be married?

A: It’s the church I grew up in and feels like home.

Q: What was the significance of the music played during your ceremony?

A: The primary significance was in the musicians: the keyboardist is a close family friend, and the singers are close friends from school. We chose songs that were meaningful to both of us.

Q: Will you have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue? What are they?

A: My old and borrowed is the ring that holds my grandmother’s engagement diamond, which belongs to my mother. My something blue is my flowers, and my something new is my dress.

This story was originally published May 14, 2017 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Rachel Droze, Samuel Ankers marry."