KOSCIUSKO — Mary Kathryn Ballew of Kosciusko, and Joseph Ray Abels, both of Kosciusko, were united in marriage Saturday, June 11, 2011, at two o’ clock in the afternoon at First Baptist Church in Louisville.  Rev. Barry Corbett of First Baptist Church, Kosciusko, officiated at the ceremony.

Parents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Lee Ballew of Louisville.  The bride is the granddaughter of Mrs. Mary Evelyn Miley of Amory, the late Mr. Lester Miley of Amory, and the late Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Ballew, Jr. of Louisville.

Parents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Ray Abels of Durant.  He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Duddley Williams of Benton, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Dave Ables of McAdams.

Organist, Matt Chisolm of Amory, pianist Leah Boydstun of Louisville, soloist Rev. Billy Bowie of First Baptist Church, Louisville, and soloist Kevin Bishop of Kosciusko, provided music for the ceremony.

Stuart Ballew, father of the bride, escorted and gave his daughter in marriage.  She wore an elegant Alfred Angelo strapless white gown layered with embroidered lace with metallic accents, crystal beading and sequins featuring a semi-cathedral train.  The lace on her fingertip mantilla veil featured a matching beaded lace scallop.  Her jewelry included a pearl necklace, bracelet, and earrings.  She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white and green-tipped roses.

Jill Shumaker of Enterprise, served as maid of honor.  Bridesmaids were Amanda Crowell of Severn, MD, Teletha Newell of Tupelo, and Katie De Venney of Union.  They wore Alfred Angelo floor-length clover chiffon dresses accented by pearl earrings and necklaces, gifts from the bride.  Flower girls were Kinley Cain and Breelyn Cain of Kosciusko.  They wore white dresses accented by pearl bracelets, a gift from the bride.  

Dale Abels of Kosciusko, served his brother as best man.  Groomsmen were Perry Abels of Ridgeland, brother of the groom, John-Mark Cain of Kosciusko, and Evan Horn of Durant.  Ushers were Brent Miley of Brandon, and Drew Stevens of Oxford.  The ring bearer was Brent Bell of Kosciusko. The groom’s attendants wore black tuxedos accented with black vests and clover paisley ties.

Shonna Ryals of Louisville, directed the wedding and Kevin Ryals of Louisville, served as floral designer.  Jill Stevens of Oxford, and Jessica Miley of Brandon, welcomed guests.  The flower arrangement in the vestibule was arranged in a silver basket, an anniversary gift from the bride’s great-grandfather to her great grandmother.

The stage area of the sanctuary was flanked by seven flower arrangements featuring various colors of pink and white roses, pink and white gerbera daisies and various other flower highlights.  The arrangements on the stage front were provided in honor and in memory of the grandparents of the bride and groom.  Reserved pew markers were flower balls featuring the same flowers.  The entrance of the church included large flower balls hung at the front doors and white tulle with bows on the railing of the steps. Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the fellowship hall of the church.  Guests enjoyed bride’s cake topped with fresh flowers and groom’s cake in the shape of an MSU baseball jersey served with assorted nuts and mints, assorted fruits and cheeses with gourmet crackers, chicken salad sandwiches on mini croissants, blt round mini sandwiches, cheese straws, and fruited tea.  Guests were given mini wedding bells filled with birdseed to shower the bride and groom upon their departure as well as a special memento of a picture card featuring a picture of the bride and groom with their address in Kosciusko.

On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a bar-b-que rehearsal dinner in the church fellowship hall.  A Mississippi State theme was used for the table decorations.  Table decorations included maroon lilies and white roses potted in MSU pails.  Silverware was wrapped in maroon and white ribbon with paw prints and tied with a mini cowbell.  The head table contained a flower arrangement featuring large cowbells painted with the bride and groom’s initials. Following a honeymoon Caribbean cruise, the couple resides in Kosciusko.