By Nancy Green
The Star Herald
KOSCIUSKO —
Kristen Elise Ables and Brandon Allen Stevens were united in marriage on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at five o’clock in the afternoon at First Baptist Church in Kosciusko.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James R. “Ronnie” Ables of Kosciusko and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hugh Ables of Sallis and the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Plunkett of Williamsville.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Allen Stevens, Jr. of Anguilla and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Allen Stevens, Sr. of Hattiesburg and Ms. Maureen Rinehart of Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Rev. Barry C. Corbett officiated the double-ring ceremony. At the request of his daughter, the bride’s father provided a piano prelude prior to the ceremony. Mr. Joey Plunkett, cousin of the bride, accompanied himself on the guitar and sang “God Gave Me You” during a video presentation depicting the couple’s life and courtship. Mrs. Sissy Lindsay sang “Captivate Us” during the lighting of the Unity Candle. Rev. David Blackwell, pianist, accompanied Ms. Lindsay and also played the processional and recessional.
Ronnie Ables, father of the bride, escorted and gave his daughter in marriage. Carrying a nosegay of gerbera daisies and miniature hydrangeas, Kristen wore a Marissa designer gown of ivory silk satin with an elegant strapless modified sweetheart neckline. The fitted bodice was of silk satin and the princess waistline was adorned with a sash embellished with rhinestones, sequins and rocals in a floral pattern. The classic flared skirt featured silk covered buttons extending to the hem of her chapel train. Completing the gown was a fingertip illusion veil. The bride’s jewelry included her mother’s pearl-accented necklace and earrings and a pearl bracelet.During the ceremony, the minister and bride and groom stood beneath an antiqued arbor made especially for the bride by Mr. Frank Montague of McAdams. Flanking each side of the arbor were antiqued wooden columns of varying heights also made by Mr. Montague.
Serving as matron of honor was Mrs. Haylee Ferguson of Hattiesburg. Miss Rebecca Henehan of LaPorte, Texas served as bridesmaid. Junior bridesmaids were Miss Lindsey Turner of Sallis, cousin of the bride, and Miss Molly Stevens of Anguilla, sister of the groom. Bridesmaids were attired in cocktail length dresses of cocoa satin designed with a one shoulder bodice featuring a ruched empire waist.
Honorary bridesmaids were Miss Shelby Turner of Sallis, cousin of the bride, and Misses Brittany Stevens, Nicole Stevens, Megan Stevens Kelli Stevens and Ashley Stevens, sisters of the groom and all of Anguilla.
Mr. Allen Stevens, father of the groom, served as best man. Mr. Matt Gore of Anguilla served as groomsman. Junior groomsmen were Mr. Cameron Stevens and Mr. Matthew Stevens, brothers of the groom and both of Anguilla.
Honorary groomsmen were Mr. Marshall McKellar and Mr. Kyle Arnold of Hattiesburg, Mr. Jon Byrd of Rolling Fork and Mr. J. R. Kent of Columbus.
Ushers for the ceremony were the bride’s brother, Mr. Corey Ables, of Jackson, Mr. Jesse Stevens, brother of the groom, of Anguilla, Mr. Adam Ferguson of Hattiesburg and Mr. Tripp Sandifer of Ridgeland.
Mrs. Brenda Young served as wedding coordinator.
Reception
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the Redbud Springs Golf and Country Club. Upon entering the foyer, guests beheld a large suspended “S” for Stevens and a pencil portrait of the couple drawn by the bride’s mother.
Decorations for the club house featured a rustic, candlelit autumn theme that included burlap, pumpkins, fall mums, ferns and white table clothes with chocolate brown and sage green overlays.
Guests enjoyed a catered buffet and danced on the outdoor patio to the music of Cat 4 Productions. Creating a romantic glow over the dance area, a canopy of twinkling white lights was suspended from the edge of the patio and tall white columns to a large oak tree at the edge of the golf course. Photographs of the couple were attached to twine that had been wrapped around the truck of the tree.
The bride’s cake, displayed and served beneath a grapevine covered arbor, was a three-tiered ivory cream creation accented with brown satin ribbon, sage green gerbera daises and a monogrammed topper. Antique white window frames were suspended on each side of the arbor. The windows contained black and white photos from the weddings of both the bride and groom’s parents along with photos of the bride and groom.
The groom’s cake was chocolate on chocolate topped with a miniature guitar and adorned with a monogramed “S.”
Guests held sparklers and lined the clubhouse entryway as the bride and groom left the reception. The couple was whisked away in a restored 1952 Ford F-1 pickup originally owned by the bride’s great-grandfather, Mr. Frank Aldy. Serving as chauffeur was the bride’s grandfather, Mr. Jack Ables.
Following a honeymoon trip to New Orleans, the newlyweds are at home in Clinton.
Rehearsal Dinner
On the eve of the wedding, the parents of the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner in the SON Building of First Baptist Church. The bride and groom chose this time to present gifts to their attendants.
