Published: May 02, 2008 11:34 pm            

Wheeler-Williams Wedding

Justin Martin Williams of Corsicana, and Rachel Marie Wheeler of Charlotte, N.C., were united in holy matrimony on Dec. 15, 2007 at the Pine View Church of Christ near Searcy, Ark.

The bride is the daughter of Terry and Barbara Wheeler of Charlotte, N.C., and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Tracy, of South Carolina. The groom is the son of Louis and Patty Williams and grandson of Thelma Martin, all of Corsicana.

The chapel was decorated in a Christmas motif with an ornamental evergreen tree on either side of the dais and red poinsettias adorning the ends of the pews as well as the guest book registry table. Strings of small clear decorative lights outlining the Gothic windows, surrounding the small stage and forming an arch above the bride and groom caused a lovely candlelight effect.

The double-ring ceremony was conducted by Terry Wheeler, father of the bride. To begin, the grandparents were escorted to their seats to the melody of Nat Cole’s “When I Fall in Love.” As Josh Grodan’s “You Raise Me Up” began, the groom’s parents and then the bride’s mother, escorted by son Paul in U.S. Air Force uniform, entered the chapel and lighted the tapers for the unity candle before being seated. The bridesmaids and their groomsmen escorts also proceeded down the double aisles to this stirring melody.

Dressed in apple red satin strapless gowns, the bridesmaids carried tealights set in crystal goblets filled with crimson and clear beads. Bridesmaids were Leah Kirkpatrick, Miranda Senn, sister of the groom, Jessie and Carrie Widner, Rachel Cervas, Bridget Eaves, Brooklynne Travis, Whitney Hovan and Leigh Anne Wheeler, sister-in-law of the bride. Maid of honor was Ashley Pacer and Traci Minter served as her sister’s matron of honor. Carrying long-stemmed calla lilies, they entered separately to Bach’s “Air.”

Groomsmen donned cappuccino pinstriped tuxedos with crimson vests and ascots. Serving as groomsmen were Chris Goodman, Ryan Watson, Chris Owen, Branden Hart, Paul Senn, brother-in-law of the groom, Ryan McLauchlin, Chris Pierson, Brad Austin, Kevin Henson and Mark Sexson.

While flower girl Melia Womack was dressed in a floor-length ivory satin Empire gown, Jacob Henson, ringbearer, wore a cappuccino pinstriped tuxedo matching the groomsmen’s.

As Bach’s “Air” continued, the bride was escorted by her father down the aisle to her waiting groom. She was adorned in an ivory satin trumpet gown with beaded metallic lace, satin Empire band with a bow, lace-up back and a chapel ivory train. The groom was attired in a cappuccino pinstriped tuxedo with ivory vest and ascot.

Jerry Fagans stood beside the groom to ask who was giving the bride in marriage. He followed this with a prayer for the couple.

The couple exchanged their own vows as well as traditional ones. While soloist Sara Whitehouse sang “Feels Like Home,” accompanied by Chris Owen on guitar, the bride and groom lit the unity candle The father of the bride said a prayer and then presented Mr. and Mrs. Justin Williams to the assembly of loving family and friends.

The ceremony was videotaped by Denver Spence, uncle of the groom.

Wedding party members, family and guests were registered from Texas, North and South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Michigan, Arizona and California.

Following the reception, the wedding couple departed through an array of sparklers being waved by the crowd of well-wishers, to the Honeymoon Cottage in the Ozarks.

The couple resides in Corsicana where he is on the faculty of Navarro College and she is employed by Corsicana Independent School District at Carroll Elementary.

        

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