Miss Kirkland, Smith united in marriage

Christian Kirkland of Chattanooga, formerly of Union City, and Steven Edward Smith of Atlanta were recently united in marriage during a ceremony on the beach at Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
The bride is the daughter of Melissa Uniao and Hunter Kirkland, both of Union City. She is the granddaughter of Patricia Ann Christian of Milan, formerly of Union City, the late James Lee Christian and Louise (Moss) Kirkland and the late Turner Kirkland, all of Union City.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Smith of Dalton, Ga. His grandparents are Alma Grace Brewer of Jacksboro, the late Edward Smith, Ruby A. Queener of Dalton and the late Robert John Queener.
Guests were seated in several rows of elegant white bamboo chairs, with lovely arrangements of white and peach roses and white tulips on the end chairs in each of the first three rows. Attending the register and guest book were the bride’s stepsisters, Annie Westbrooks of Union City and Beth Westbrooks of Kearney, Neb.
A bamboo double arbor with flowing white linen fabric served as the altar area for the bridal couple and the Rev. Ben Wilkes of Union City, who officiated the ceremony.
The mothers of the bridal couple entered the wedding area while the groom’s aunt, Ann Taylor of Dalton, sang “Holy Ground.” The mother of the bride wore a two-piece dupioni silk outfit from Watters and Watters. The bodice featured a v-neck, off-the-shoulder style with three-quarter-length sleeves. The skirt was a tea-length, a-line in a rich shade of fudge. The mother of the groom wore a two-piece dupioni outfit from Watters and Watters. The top had a side wrap ruched style. The matching a-line skirt was tea-length. They wore corsages of white and peach roses.
The wedding party entered to “Canon in D,” played by violinist Sue Clark and cellist Rachel Smith, both of South Walton Beach, Fla.
The groom, groomsmen and father of the bride all wore khaki tux with white shirts. Each wore a boutonnière of a single peach rose.
The father of the groom served his son as best man. Groomsmen were Robert Queener of Rock Face, Ga., cousin of the groom; Brendon Wilson and Kevin Floyd, both of Atlanta, Matt Mathis and Kevin Steere, both of Chattanooga, Nicu Nastase of Pensacola, Fla., and Andy Stiffel of Huntersville, N.C., all fraternity brothers in Pi Kappa Alpha; Ben Wilson of Atlanta; and Lee Edwards of Hendersonville.
The bridesmaids wore chocolate shantung strapless dresses from Siri. The dresses featured sand-colored coordinating sashes at the natural waist. The skirts were a-line and knee-length.
Serving as maids of honor were Sarah Kirkland of Martin, formerly of Union City, and Caitlin Kirkland of Union City, sisters of the bride. Bridesmaids were Addy Greer of Milan, cousin of the bride; Abbey Wilkes of Union City, lifelong friend of the bride; Ashley Darnell and Lauren Rasar, both of Chattanooga, sisters in Sigma Kappa sorority; and Carrie Hampton, Linsay Mathis, Lissa Moore and Christina Cross, all of Chattanooga.
The flower girl was Callie Jackson, daughter of the groom’s cousin, Brett Jackson of Watkinsville, Ga.
The bride entered the wedding area on the arm of her father as the song “Trumpet Voluntary” was played as a stringed duet. She wore a Pronovias ivory dupioni silk strapless gown featuring a ruched bodice and an a-line skirt. The dress also featured a chapel length train. She chose a simple veil attached to a beautiful pearl comb and a pair of pearl earrings, which were a gift from her father to her mother on the day the bride was born. She wore a lovely solitaire diamond necklace adorned with six small pearls on each side that had belonged to her grandmother, Louise Kirkland, and were given to the bride as a wedding gift. Her father and mother gave her in marriage.
During the ceremony, I Corinthians Chapter 13 was read by the bride’s aunt, Debbie Greer of Milan, and the groom’s aunt, Bobbie Haggard of Dalton. Mrs. Taylor of Dalton also sang “Only God Could Love You More.”
The newly-married couple and the wedding party exited to “Ode to Joy.”
RECEPTION
Immediately following the wedding, the bridal couple, wedding party and guests proceeded to the reception area on The Greens at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach.
A Louisiana-style brunch was held under a double white tent in the amphitheater at Gulf Place. The tables were covered with peach linen cloths with plaid ribbon overlays and were adorned with arrangements of white and peach roses, white tulips and hydrangeas.
As a surprise to the bride and as a tribute to their engagement having taken place on the steps of Cinderella’s castle at the Magic Kingdom, the groom arranged to have a white, horse-drawn carriage take the newlyweds away at the end of the reception.
The couple honeymooned the night of their wedding at the Honeymoon cottage at Seaside, Fla. They then spent a week in West Palm Beach.
The couple is residing in Atlanta.
REHEARSAL DINNER
The groom’s parents invited all guests of the wedding to attend the rehearsal dinner on the evening prior to the wedding. The dinner was held on the patio area of The Smiling Fish Café. The bride wore a BCBG strapless navy cotton dress for this event.
The tables were covered with white linen cloths and featured beautiful floral arrangements surrounding hurricane lanterns with candles inside.
Several hors d’oeuvres, including seared Ahi tuna, were served. For the main course, guests chose between pecan crusted grouper served with butternut squash or Hawaiian chicken with vegetables. A wonderful slideshow, made by the groom’s mother and including photographs of both the bride and groom as they were growing up, was viewed by the guests. Numerous toasts were made to the couple by the guests.
BRIDESMAIDS LUNCHEON
A bridesmaids luncheon was held at Goatfeather’s Restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach.
This event was hosted by the bride’s sisters, Sarah Kirkland and Caitlin Kirkland and by her cousin, Addy Greer.
The bride wore an orange silk dress from Banana Republic.
The guests enjoyed a variety of local seafood appetizers and each person was invited to order their favorite dish off the menu.
After lunch, the bridesmaids each pulled a silver charm from the French vanilla cake, which was served for dessert.
Those attending the luncheon, in addition to the bridesmaids and the mothers of the bridal couple, were the bride’s aunt, Debbie Greer; the bride’s stepmother, Laurie Kirkland of Union City; and Annie Westbrooks and Beth Westbrooks.
Published in The Messenger on 12.19.07

,