By Staff
Maria Lara Smith of Meridian and Matthew Ryan Thames of Hattiesburg were married Saturday, April 26, 2003, at First Baptist Church in Hattiesburg with the Revs. Dr. James Keith Smith and Dr. Jeffrey Clark officiating.
Parents of the couple are Dr. and Mrs. James Keith Smith of Meridian, and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Thames of Hattiesburg.
Grandparents of the bride are Bertie Alice Smith of Union and the late Gipson Smith, and Mr. and Mrs. Doxie Adkins of Union.
Grandparents of the bridegroom are Katherine Thames of Hattiesburg and the late William Thames, and Margaret Hill of Hattiesburg and the late Leonard Hill.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Kathy Vail, organist; Valerie Saundry, trumpeter; Jessie Temple, Barbara Martin and Charla Milligan, vocalists.
The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore a satin gown with a detachable train. The cathedral-length train of satin and lace was encrusted with seed pearls and silver bugle beads. Seed pearls and silver bugle beads accented the dropped waistline and hemline.
Debra Hare of Lucedale served as maid of honor. Other attendants were Christina Gates of Birmingham, Ala., Casey Clarke of Meridian, Charla Milligan of Hewitt, Texas, Melanie Reeves of Pensacola, Fla., Donna Rowse, Kristin Gregory and Melissa Thames, all of Hattiesburg.
Grace Smith of Jackson, niece of the bride, served as flower girl.
The father of the bridegroom served as best man. Groomsmen and ushers were Philip Smith, Stephen Smith, David Horner, Todd Davis, Will Rives, Aaron Earles and Brian Lum, all of Jackson, Dr. Michael Smith of New York, N.Y., and Kevin Rogers of Brandon.
Program attendant was Alison Smith.
A reception was held at First Baptist Church fellowship hall following the ceremony.
Assisting at the reception were Margaret Smith, Loryn Davis and Jennifer Glover.
After a honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains, the couple resides in Clinton.