By Staff
ALLEN, COCHRAN
The marriage of Christina Lynn Cochran and George LeAndrew Allen Jr. was celebrated at a noon ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000, at First Baptist Church in Quitman, with Dr. John Stevens officiating the double-ring ceremony.
Parents of the couple are Dr. and Mrs. Glenn M. Cochran of Quitman and Mr. and Mrs. James Russell Smith of Shubuta.
Grandparents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. George "Skeeter" Gordon and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cochran, all of Meridian.
Grandparents of the bridegroom are the late the Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Platt of Shubuta; Caroline Allen of Waynesboro and the late William Allen.
Nuptial music was presented by Lori Joyner, soloist; Mrs. Robert Longwitz, organist; and a string quartet.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of eggshell silk satin organza. The fitted strapless bodice featured a dropped waistline from which a three-tiered peplum bustle and a sweep train flowed.
She carried a hand-tied cluster of Romance roses wrapped with ivory satin streamers and a family heirloom handkerchief of her great-great grandmother.
Attending the bride as matron of honor was Renee Dabbs Matthews. Bridesmaids were Fayla Leann Huff, Emily Ruth Jenkins, Kelli Nicole Lack, Angie Allen Mack, Allison Stevens Mason, Stephanie Leigh Rascoe and Angie Redmond Traxler.
James Russell Smith served his son as best man. Groomsmen were John Wesley Garner, Sherman Quinn Mack, Timothy Lewis Touchstone, Raymond Matthew Wheatley, Todd Samuel Wilson, Joel Harvey Turner and Brian Russell Smith.
Ushers included John William Gentry, Gregory Kenneth Pettigrew, William Arthur Roberts and Joshua Bradley Traxler.
The chiming of the hour was marked by a pathway of rose petals strewn by Gabreel Bryant and Amber McManus. William Christian Roberts was the ring bearer.
Program attendants were Julia Donald and Caleb Phillips. The guest registry attendants were Kelly Johnson, Ginger Roberts and Belinda Styres. The bride's proxy was Lynn Boykin.
Parents of the bride hosted a reception in the fellowship hall of the church following the ceremony. Tea girls were Emma Kate Donald and Leah Moore. Honorary attendants were Mary Ann Martin, Brandi McDowell, Brandie Long Cooper, Beth Holloman, Shae Carter, Amber Carter, and Dana Mayo. Julia Donald, Brooke Lucas and Virginia Smith distributed rose petals to the guests.
Prenuptial parties culminated in a bridesmaid luncheon in the home of Mrs. Richard Reynolds on the eve of the wedding. Following the wedding rehearsal, the parents of the bridegroom entertained guests at D.T. Grinders in Meridian.
After a honeymoon in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the couple resides in Hattiesburg.
FORD, ROBINSON
Sherry Leigh Robinson of Meridian and Grant Calloway Ford of Jackson were married Saturday, Nov. 25, 2000, at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Chuck Culpepper officiating.
Parents of the couple are Dr. and Mrs. John Robinson and Mr. and Mrs. Kent Ford.
Grandparents of the bride are Melanie Horton of Theodore, Ala., and the late Voit F. Horton and the late Dr. and Mrs. E.E. Robinson of Meridian.
Grandparents of the bridegroom are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fullilove of Indianola and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ross Ford of Philadelphia.
Music for the ceremony was provided by James Goff, organist; Sue Shoffiet, flautist; Emilia Choate, harpist; Wayne Linehan, trumpeter; and Joan Crisci, violinist. Acolyte was Katie Pigford and Lector was Nancy Arrington.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless gown of white matte satin. The bodice, enhanced with a sheer border, was accented with Venise lace and crystal beading. The gown featured covered buttons in the back and fell to an A-line chapel-length skirt, which was also accented at the hemline with crystal beading.
Her cathedral-length veil of tiered illusion with satin binding which flowed from her pearl and Austrian crystal headpiece. She also wore various sizes of pearl pins in her hair. The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of stargazer lilies, calla lilies and pink and white roses.
Lisa Selman Abbay of Germantown, Tenn., served as matron of honor. Other attendants were Emily Lewis Bailey of Hernando, Kelly Leigh Bunyard of Starkville, Melissa Brooke Douglas of Newton and Nicola Christine Makey of Atlanta.
The father of the bridegroom served as best man. Groomsmen were William Edwin Behm of Memphis, Henry Leonard Chang of Jackson, Charles Marcus Dukes of Natchez and Wilburn Barrett Ford of Oxford.
Ushers were Thomas Redrick Maddux of Atlanta and Christopher Hamilton Raggio of Jackson.
Program attendants were Frances Thatch Parker of Meridian and Natalie Ann Fort of Atlanta.
On the eve of the wedding, the wedding party along with friends and relatives, were honored with a rehearsal dinner hosted by the bridegroom's parents at Northwood Country Club.
A reception was also held at Northwood Country Club following the ceremony. String music was provided by Emelia Choate and Joan Crisci.
After a honeymoon in Jamaica, the couple resides in Atlanta.
HARDAWAY, TALWAR
Sonia Devi Talwar of New City, N.Y., and Olaino Bernard Hardaway of Meridian were married Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, in Decatur, Ga., with the Rev. Carlos Lewis officiating.
Parents of the couple are Kashmiri and Sudha Talwar of New City; Betty Hardaway-Harris of Atlanta and Carl Staton Jr. of Meridian.
Grandparents of the bridegroom are Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hardaway and Eliza Staton, all of Meridian.
In the Indian tradition, the bride wore an Indian white silk gown with red and gold embroidery. The bridal party attire was custom tailored and imported from New Delhi, India.
Attendants were Maureen Cullen, Dr. Jennifer L. May, Mala Singh and Seema Rani Talwar.
Alexis Renee Harris of Atlanta was flower girl. John Christopher Harris of Jackson served as best man.
A reception was held at the Cator Woolford Gardens in Druid Hills, Ga., following the ceremony.
After a honeymoon in St. Lucia, West Indies, the couple resides in Philadelphia, Pa.