WEDDING: Reese-Alexander
January 28, 2011
Lauren Elizabeth Reese and Wayne Michael Alexander of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. were married at six o’clock in the evening September 18, 2010, in a garden wedding at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Merritt Reese, in Sessums. The groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Mark Alexander of Plantation, Fla.
The bride is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter “Juicy” W. Scales of Starkville and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Reese of Starkville.
The groom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Alexander of Evansville, Ind. and the late Mr. Leon DeHouwer of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Mrs. Micheline Sirota of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Rev. Steve Davis performed the double-ring ceremony. Soloist Twanda Branson of Starkville and organist and uncle of the bride, David Reese of Starkville provided nuptial music. The recessional music included Adele’s “To Make You Feel My Love” and “Oh Happy Day.”
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an ivory Galina A-line chiffon gown with beaded spaghetti straps and a sweep train. It featured a sweetheart neckline with beaded lace bodice. She wore a vintage birdcage veil including heirloom pearls.
The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of green hydrangeas, soft pink roses, and green cymbidium orchids.
Attending the bride as her maid of honor was her sister Mary Celeste Reese. The matron of honor was her sister Carole Ann Reese Doughty. Also attending as a bridesmaid was sister of the groom Jennifer Revezzo.
The ladies wore a Priscilla of Boston’s long crinkle chiffon blouson dress with dropped waist and fitted skirt of pewter reflective of the 20’s era. They carried bouquets of green hydrangeas, pink roses, and aubergine-colored calla lilies.
Serving as the best man was Billy Hayslip of Pompano, Fla. Groomsmen were Mark Alexander, father of the groom and Billy Doughty, Jr., brother-in-law, of Starkville. Ring bearers’ were Will Evans and John Thomas Doughty, nephews of the bride. Serving as an usher and dressed in his marine blues was Mike Nunning of Evansville, Ind., cousin of the groom.
Mary Mac Sorrell, cousin of the bride and Caroline Hayslip, friend of the groom served as the flower girls.
Honorary bridesmaids were Samantha Wilcutt and Candice Morgan, friends of the bride. Aunts of the bride, Celeste Scales Wood and Terry Reese McDowell conducted the readings and cousin of the bride, Camille Byars served as the bride’s proxy.
The bride’s aunt, Mrs. Bonnibel Byars of Point Clear, Ala. served as the wedding director.
The couple exchanged vows under an arbor of white moonflowers that slowly opened as the ceremony began. To add to the magic of the evening, a hummingbird moth frequented the blossoms. As luck would have it, a flock of white egrets flew in perfect formation in the cloudless Sessums sky moments before the couple exchanged vows.
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted an outdoor reception. Guests enjoyed music by Keith and Margie from Columbus. After the wedding, the bride changed into a dress that resembled the 20’s era flapper style.
On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner in honor of the bride and groom and the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Michael Reese.
Following a wedding trip to Kaui, Hawaii, the couple is at home in Davie, Fla.
