The Star-Herald
KOSCIUSKO —
Jessica Ann Johnson and Corey Allen Ables were united in marriage on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at four o’clock in the afternoon at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Bovina, Mississippi.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Warren “Sonny” Johnson of Vicksburg. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Gray Johnson and the late Mrs. Ann Scott Johnson all of Greenwood, and Mrs. Juanita Page Gardner and the late Mr. Oscar Lee Gardner of Morgan City.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Ronald “Ronnie” Ables of Kosciusko, and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hugh Ables of Sallis and the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Plunkett of Williamsville.
Sonny Johnson, father of the bride, escorted and gave his daughter in marriage. She wore an Alvina Valenta designer gown of ivory silk with a sweetheart neckline. The fluted gown had a chapel train and an asymmetrical ivory Alencon lace bodice with ivory satin ribbon and jeweled detail at the natural waist. Completing the gown was a chapel length veil. The bride’s jewelry included sapphire earrings given to her by her mother. She also wore her mother’s gold wedding band which originally belonged to her grandmother, the late Ann Scott Johnson.
The bride carried a hand gathered nosegay of miniature white calla lilies and Vendella roses wrapped with Ivory French ribbon. She also carried a satin bag that contained her great-great grandmother’s Bible.
Mothers of the bride and groom carried a hand gathered nosegay of miniature calla lilies and roses wrapped with a monogrammed handkerchief.
Officiating the double-ring ceremony were the Very Reverend Billie Abraham and the Reverend Deacon Josie Williams.
A program of nuptial music was presented by organist, Ms. Joan Henderson-Leese.
Miss Kristen Elise Ables, sister of the groom, served as program attendant. Ms. Shirley Riddle coordinated both the wedding and the reception.
Serving as maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Dr. Alanna N. Johnson of College Station, Texas. Honorary bridesmaids were Mrs. April Shook Outlaw, Miss Colby Miller and Miss Lindsey Gay all of Vicksburg, Mrs. Anna Roselle Stout of Nashville, TN, Miss Amanda Shirley of Atlanta, GA, Mrs. Ashley Christopher Goldman of Birmingham, AL, Miss Danielle Peterson of Destin, FL and Miss Virginia Kara Tapp of Starkville.
The groom’s father, Ronnie Ables, served as best man. Honorary groomsmen were Shon Myatt, Cole Ferris and Joseph Mitchell all of Starkville, Drew Townsend of Clinton, Joseph Linton of Ridgeland, Cass Coon of McComb and Chap Fenwick of Kosciusko. Shon Myatt also served as an usher along with the bride’s brother, James G. Johnson, II of Vicksburg.
Serving as lectors for the ceremony were Dr. Alanna Johnson and Mr. James G. Johnson II, the bride’s sister and brother and Miss Kristen Elise Ables, sister of the groom.
Reception
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the historic B’nai B’rith Literary Club in Vicksburg. Guests were greeted in the grand foyer by the bride and groom’s parents.
Miss Shelby Turner of Sallis, the groom’s cousin, attended the guest register. Miss Lindsey Turner of Sallis, the groom’s cousin, and Miss Abby Johnson of Eupora, cousin of the bride, distributed miniature white cowbells decorated in a Mississippi State University theme to guests as they ascended the staircase to the ballroom. The bells were rung as the couple entered the ballroom and were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Corey Allen Ables.
Guest tables were decorated with mixed fall bridal florals in lanterns and bubble bowl containers accented with miniature pumpkins and votive candles.
Guests enjoyed a catered buffet and danced to the music of the Ben Shaw Band. The bride’s table featured a four-tiered creation topped with roses, calla lilies and the couple’s monogram etched in glass. The groom’s table featured chocolate, caramel and coconut cakes made by the groom’s paternal grandmother, Mrs. Shirley Ables.
The bride and groom were showered with dried lavender leaves as they left the reception.
Rehearsal Dinner
On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted an elegant dinner at Duff’s Tavern and Grill in downtown Vicksburg. The candlelit dining area featured an autumn theme with the focal point being a framed pencil portrait of the couple drawn by the groom’s mother. The groom chose this time to present gifts to his attendants.
Bridal Brunch
Ms. Linda McGowan and Ms. Rachael Cook hosted a bridal brunch in the fellowship hall of the church on the morning of the wedding. The bride chose this time to present gifts to her attendants.
Groomsmen Outing
On the morning of the wedding, the groom and groomsmen enjoyed a round of golf at the Clear Creek Golf Course in Bovina.
Following a honeymoon trip to Jamaica, the couple is at home in Clinton.
