Couple says ‘I (still) do’ in Beaufort after 20 years of marriage

After being married for 20 years, Kari and David Lege finally had their wedding ceremony in Beaufort on Sunday.

The couple first met when they were both stationed on Parris Island — she was a corpsman in the Navy, and he was a drill instructor in the Marines. They spent a year and a half together, falling in love in Beaufort County. Finally, they eloped on Aug. 1, 1996, in Stafford, Va., after David Lege had been moved to Marine Corps Base Quantico. They never had a chance to have a ceremony or a wedding — until now.

Kari and David Lege still live in Virginia but decided to come “home” to Beaufort for their vow renewal and first wedding ceremony this past weekend. They’ve been back to the area several times to visit since they moved away and still feel at home here.

Loved ones came in from near and far for the wedding, which was held at The Beaufort Inn. The outdoor wedding and reception came together though help from family and friends. The endeavor was led by one of Kari Lege’s sisters, Stacey Hall, who lives and works in Beaufort.

The girls’ middle sister, Tammy, originally suggested the couple finally have their wedding ceremony on a family trip last October. Plans finally started to take shape in May, and everything took off from there. The result was charming, elegant and intimate and every detail seemed to be steeped in family.

The husband and wife have both since retired from life in the service. Kari Lege is a nurse, and David Lege works in security. They live in Mechanicsville, Va., just outside of Richmond. David Lege’s two children, Mallory, 26, and Dante, 24, are out on their own. The Leges also had a son together, Keegan, who is 17. All three of their kids are, have been or plan to be in the military.

To top off all of the excitement, Sunday was also the bride’s birthday. So on this very special trip to Beaufort, Kari and David Lege set aside time to drive around Parris Island to reminisce.

“We love it here,” David Lege said. “We’ll probably retire here.” Hall, his sister-in-law, said he’s looking for somewhere by the water so he can finally have the sailboat he has always wanted.

They noticed that a great deal has changed since they were stationed here, but their love for one another hasn’t changed a bit.

This story was originally published July 31, 2016 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Couple says ‘I (still) do’ in Beaufort after 20 years of marriage."