Lawson-Gillespie pledge wedding vows
The bride is the daughter of Kim Lawson of McMinnville and Kenneth Lawson of Rock Island. Parents of the bridegroom are Dean I. and Martha Gillespie.
A program of wedding music was provided by Helen Elkins, a special family friend.
The altar was banked with an array of Boston ferns placed on white columns and in white floor pots with white tulle, ivy and bows adorning the prayer bench. Pews designated for the bridal mothers were marked with clusters of calla lilies and pink roses while the remainder of pews were decorated with bows of netting.
Given in marriage by her father and mother, the radiant bride was attired in a designer gown of white French matte satin. The fitted, halter-style bodice featured hand-beaded pearls and sequins and the full skirt extended into a demi train. The bride’s upswept hairstyle was caught in the back by silk illusion embellished with pearls. She carried a nosegay of pink and white roses, baby’s breath and plumosa.
The bride’s sisters, Heather Lawson and Dee Dee Lawson, were chosen as bridesmaids. They wore gowns of French matte satin in a lilac hue with simple cap sleeves. The neckline and bodice featured a single strand of lilac crystals. Each attendant held a bouquet of pink roses, miniature white roses and baby’s breath.
Flower girl Bayly Martin, a cousin, wore a halo of pink roses and baby’s breath and carried a small basket trimmed with pink roses and ivy. Her white satin gown was fashioned with floral accents on a sweetheart neckline and a bridal train extending from a floor-length skirt.
Best man was Ben Dean and groomsmen were Mike Sweeton and Brad Johnson. Ring bearer was Alex Ware.
The bride’s mother wore a wedding costume of beige georgette with floral trim. The ensemble worn by the mother of the bridegroom was royal blue with a tea-length hemline and matching jacket. Their flowers were pink roses.
A wedding reception was given in the church reception hall following the ceremony.
The bride’s cake, placed on a large round mirror, was a heart-shaped creation with each of the three tiers separated by Grecian columns. The all white confection was adorned with fresh greenery, pink roses and baby’s breath. Silver and crystal appointments were used for serving from the reception table draped in white lace with a white underlay.
When the newlyweds left the reception, the bride had changed into a dress pantsuit of beige worsted wool.
The couple honeymooned at Opryland Hotel in Nashville before embarking on a Caribbean cruise.
The bride is a student at Middle Tennessee State University where she is majoring in psychology. The bridegroom is majoring in marketing at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. She is an employee of Applebee’s and he is employed by Bridge Builders.