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Miss Barnes, Shivley united in marriage

Miss Barnes, Shivley united in marriage

Posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 8:00 pm

Anna Laura Barnes of Memphis, formerly of Union City, and Clark Preston Shivley III of Memphis were united in marriage recently at First United Methodist Church in Union City.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Barnes of Union City. She is the granddaughter of Carolyn Pilcher, the late James Tracy Pilcher Jr. and the late Thomas and Mildred Barnes, all of Ripley.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Preston Shivley II of Jackson. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Garrett Sr., Norma Shivley and the late Clark Shivley, all of Jackson.
Late afternoon sun highlighted the church’s wooden entry doors, which were decorated with pine and beaded crystal branches, detailed with frosted curly vine and ribbons. Greeting the guests were program and registry attendants Brenna Duncan, a childhood friend of the bride, and Anna Garrett and Hillary Ross, cousins of the groom, all of Jackson. The registry table held a large crystal vase filled with white mountain roses, pussy willow and stock.
Guests were ushered into the sanctuary by cousins of the bride, John Brannen of Franklin and Mark Brooks of Jackson. The sanctuary was glowing with candlelight that enhanced the beauty of the nearly century-old stained-glass windows and with stylized arrangements of live boxwood, detailed with miniature white lights and affixed to large three-dimensional letters to spell “JOY” that were hung in triple recessed areas opposite the windows. The altar was elegantly decorated with a large white urn filled with white Akita roses, calla lilies, hydrangea, Italian ruscus and accents of silver and white beaded snowflakes. Adding to the beauty of the sanctuary was a large golden cross centered on the wall above the choir loft. Two large lantern candelabra, holding tall pillar candles, were positioned on either side of the cross.
Family pews were designated with winter pine and iced strapping on both sides of the center aisle. Wreaths of greenery hanging above the doors at the front of the church featured dried hydrangea, lime green berries and curly willow.  
Pianist Delana Easley of Union City played selections for the prelude that included “Ave Maria,” “Air from Water Music Suite,” “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Clair de Lune” and “Amazing Grace.” Grandmothers and mothers were seated to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “Sheep May Safely Graze.” After all were seated, Jim Pilcher of Somerville, uncle of the bride, sang “I Will Be Here.”
The bride’s mother wore a taupe lace overlay evening dress by Tadashi Shoji. The empire waist, off-shoulder dress was highlighted by a bateau neckline. The full-length sheath brushed the floor gracefully with a wavy border. The groom’s mother wore a pewter taffeta floor-length gown by Daymor Couture. It featured a bodice of deep ruffles with sequined accents, creating an off-the-shoulder effect that was accented with a matching pewter shawl. The mothers carried nosegays of white Fuji mums, freesia, iced green hypericum berries, curly pine and frosted vine. Grandmothers’ corsages were made of white roses, pine and berries.
The wedding party entered the sanctuary to “Canon in D” by Pachelbel. Serving as matron of honor was the bride’s childhood friend, Marcy (Stringfield) Burridge of Nashville. Bridesmaids were childhood friends, Colby (Billingsley) Gray of Union City and Ashley Vernon of Nashville; Kelly Barnes of Jackson, sister-in-law of the bride; Caroline Brannen of Knoxville, cousin of the bride; college friends, Katherine Fincher of Memphis, Jean Clarke of Owensboro, Ky., Ashleigh Centella of Tampa, Fla., and Stevie Leigh Hayes, Andrea Langley and Katie Pickle, all of Knoxville. They wore Dupioni silk full-length gowns in midnight blue. The ruffled halter dresses were accentuated with flat bows at the waistlines. They carried bouquets of white Fuji mums combined with iced green berries and pine cones accented with frosted curly vine. In the center of each bouquet was a soft Titanic Pink rose bud in memory of the bride’s cousin, Mary Margaret Pilcher. The bouquets were hand-tied with white satin ribbon embellished with a tiny navy ribbon featuring a rhinestone accent.
Flower girl Elizabeth Sue Barnes of Jackson, niece of the bride, wore a white satin sleeveless tea-length gown with a white cardigan. She carried a basket filled with white rose petals.  
The groom wore a solid black tuxedo with a white shirt, vest and tie. His boutonniere included a miniature white rose, iced green berries and pine.
Serving as best man was the groom’s father. Groomsmen were Dr. David Barnes, brother of the bride, Ryan Ross and Will Johnson, cousins of the groom, Charlie Garrett, uncle of the groom, and Matthew Evans, all of Jackson; Landon Shivley, brother of the groom, of Knoxville; college friends, Ben Simpson, John Fry and Marshall Burridge, all of Nashville; and George Fincher of Memphis. They wore solid black tuxedoes with silver Windsor ties and matching silver vests.
Bryant Barnes of Jackson, nephew of the bride, served as ring bearer. He wore a black suit with a black vest and tie.
The bride was stunning as she entered the sanctuary on the arm of her father to “Trumpet Voluntary” by Percell. She wore a candlelight strapless gown by Jasmine. The full a-line design featured a pleated sweetheart bodice of taffeta and a skirt with detailed layers of cascading tulle trimmed with lace flowers accentuating an elegant Tiffany train. She wore a single-layer fingertip-length veil of white tulle and carried a bouquet of white, consisting of Akita roses, French hydrangea, freesia, iced pine cones and berries accented with crystal rhinestones. The design was hand-tied with white satin ribbon embellished with rhinestones.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Kevin Conrad of Milan, childhood minister of the groom. Following the declaration of marriage, the bride’s childhood friend, Harriet (Cozart) Buter of Spokane, Wash., sang “Surely the Presence” during the lighting of the unity candle. After being pronounced husband and wife, the bridal couple and wedding party recessed to “Hornpipe from Water Music Suite” by Handel.

RECEPTION
Immediately following the wedding, the bride’s parents hosted a wedding reception at the Moffatt Centré in Troy. The outdoor scene included trees outlined with miniature white lights and steps lighted by hurricane lanterns that led to the doors hung with winter wreaths.
As guests entered the foyer, they saw a table flanking the reception area doors that held a crystal vase of white wedding roses and the registry book. An easel showcased a large frame that enclosed a matted copy of the couple’s bridal invitation. Well wishers were encouraged to sign it. Inside, the tables were covered with icy-blue taffeta cloths which featured alternating centerpieces of large white pots of manzanita branches sparkling with gold and silver glittered birds and rhinestone ornaments or silver vases full of white roses, Fuji mums and stocks. White linen-covered chairs were accented with burlap sashes tied in large bows and suspended glittered pinecones and birds.
Centering the buffet table was a tall crystal vase filled with white wedding roses, Fuji mums and white hydrangea. Guests dined on a buffet of pork tenderloin and rolls with an assortment of mustards, country ham and biscuits, green bean bundles, Vermont hickory smoked macaroni and cheese, roasted potatoes and assorted fruit.
The bride and groom danced their first dance to “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton underneath large hanging silver, white and pearl adornments. A live band provided a night of entertainment for all the guests.
The bride’s cake was displayed on a table covered with a white linen cloth and a burlap runner embroidered with “S” on each end. The five-tiered multi-flavored cake featured white buttercream frosting. Piped with white ruffled icing, the top layer held two wooden birds, etched with the bride’s and groom’s names, on a nest of greenery and ribbon. The groom’s cake was a two-tiered round chocolate confection in the shape of a red Arkansas Razorback and positioned on a chocolate layer surrounded with chocolate dipped strawberries.
Following the reception, the couple exited the Moffatt Centré through a path of friends waving sparklers and left the party scene in a classic orbit orange 1970 GTO driven by Greg Dunn of Union City. They honeymooned in Costa Rica and will reside in Memphis.

REHEARSAL
DINNER
On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted an elegant rehearsal dinner at The Lindell in Martin, where guests were treated to an Italian menu. The tables were covered with white linen and chairs were tied with burlap sashes. Centerpieces included white hydrangea in birch bark containers and artificial birds were scattered throughout the room to add to the outdoor winter theme. Guests were entertained by live music, a video presentation of the couple and well-wishes from family and friends.

Published in The Messenger 3.14.12

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