By Staff
Ashlee Nicole Owens of Brewton and Ethan David Bush of Jay were married Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Community Church in Brewton with Rev. Paul Council officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Raines Jr. of Brewton and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Bentley Owens of Jay. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Elec Johnson of Brewton, Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Raines Sr. of East Brewton and the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hoyt Owens of Jay.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hartsel Albert Bush of Jay. He is the grandson of Gloria Faye Bates, the late Mr. Henry Cleve Bates and the late Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge Sidney Bush of Jay.
The church was decorated with oakleaf white and blue hydrangeas, white ribbons and greenery. The flowers were in memory of the bride's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hoyt Owens and the groom's grandparents, Henry Cleve Bates and Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge Sidney Bush.
Guests were greeted by nephews of the groom, Dillon Bush and Daniel Smithson of Jay. A program of nuptial music was presented by violinist Courtney Dettling of Atmore. Arrangements included Prelude, Canon in D, Pachelbel; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach; Bridal Chorus, Wagner and Recessional, Wedding March, Mendelssohn.
The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore a Lady Eleanor gown of white organza with a strapless bodice embellished with beads and satin covered buttons on the back. The gown featured a Basque waistline and an organza ballgown skirt accented with beaded appliques and a chapel length train. She carried a bouquet of white roses and blue hydrangea.
Serving as maid of honor was Jeri Beatrice Owens of Jay, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Cassie Somer Manning and Melissa Rene Henry, both of Brewton. The attendants wore two piece gowns of blue crepe and carried bouquets of white roses.
The flower girls were Jesslyn Eliza Singley, Savannah Lynn Smithson and Alexus Orion Singley, all of Jay, nieces of the groom and Caitlyn Mallory Smith of Brewton, cousin of the bride. They were dressed in tea-length white satin gowns with a tulle layered overskirt.
Serving as best man was Bryan Darrel Bond of Jay. Groomsmen were Lawson Clint Baxley of Jay and Baxley Johnson Raines of Brewton, brother of the bride. The ushers were Matthew Ronald Padgett of Brewton and Sidney Albert Bush of Jay, nephew of the groom. Keeping the guest book was Caytlyn Victoria Smithson, niece of the groom.
The wedding directors were Dawn Wiggins Hare of Monroeville and Kay Coale Bracken of Brewton.
The bridal couple were carried from the church to the reception at The Ritz in a black Model A Classic Automobile. The Ritz courtyard was decorated with ferns and tables adorned with topiaries of hydrangeas. A buffet was centered with a silver candelabra adorned with oakleaf and blue hydrangeas and the tables were topped with topiaries of hydrangeas.
The groom's cake was chocolate on chocolate with sugared grapes and served by Heather Smithson and Hollie Singley, both sisters of the groom. The bride's cake was iced in white fondant with white Casablanca lilies and white baby roses adorning the top and side. It was served by Liz Godwin Wilson, cousin of the bride of Tallahassee, Fla., and Rebecca Bracken of Brewton.
Parties
A miscellaneous shower was given by Shannon Thompson of Foley, Starla Pittman of Frisco, Texas and Shea Smith of Brewton, all aunts of the bride.
A cookout was given by Mike and Harriett Godwin of Brewton, aunt and uncle of the bride, and Liz and John Wilson of Tallahassee, Fla., cousins of the bride.
A lingerie shower was given by Cassie Manning and Melissa Henry of Brewton. Lunch with the bride was given by the mother of the bride, Marilyn Raines, for the bride, flowergirls and greeters. A bridesmaids luncheon was given by Nell Wiggins, Dawn Wiggins Hare, Kay Coale Bracken, Ann Bethea Peevy, Sharon Baggett Smith and Patti Weaver Tranum. A rehearsal seafood buffet dinner was given by Mr. and Mrs. Hartsel Albert Bush, parents of the groom.
The couple honeymooned in Orlando and now reside in Brewton.