By Staff
Carol Hicks Starnes and Robert "Bobby" Belk Sr. were united in marriage in an afternoon ceremony, on Saturday, Oct. 27. 2001. The ceremony took place at the historic Bluff Springs Baptist Church near Union, with the Rev. David Hardy officiating.
Parents of the couple are Carrie Selma Hicks of Fredericksburg, Va., and the late Thomas Isaac Hicks and the late Rufus and Mavous Belk.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Carolyn Starnes and Mike Barker.
The bride was given in marriage by her son, Paul Robert Starnes of New Orleans. She wore a silk princess line gown in candlelight ivory and carried a bouquet of fall silk roses.
Patricia Starnes Culpepper of Birmingham, Ala., daughter of the bride, served as matron of honor.
Bridesmaids were Kellye Belk, Kala Belk, Lindsey Belk and Saber Starnes, granddaughters of the couple.
Flower girls were Jaley Culpepper and Carmen Belk.
The bridegroom was attended by his eldest son, Robert "Robby" Belk Jr. of Hernando.
Groomsmen were Richard Belk and Ross Belk, sons of the bridegroom, Chris Belk, grandson of the bridegroom, and Matthew Starnes, grandson of the bride. Ring bearers were Alden Belk and Phillip Starnes.
A highlight of the ceremony was the recitation of a poem written by the bridegroom entitled "The Seasons of Our Lives," by Richard Belk.
The couple chose Bluff Springs Church for the ceremony for its close ties with Mr. Belk's family history. The bridegroom's parents were members of the church during his formative years. The site also is the place where he attended school through the eighth grade.
Following the ceremony, the couple was taken by a mule drawn carriage to their residence for an outdoor reception. The carriage was owned by a neighbor, William Moore, and his children.