Durrett, Smith marry

Ashley Anne Durrett and Andrew Lynton Smith were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Lee Durrett of Jacksonville. She is the granddaughter of the late Grace Douglas and the late Clark Douglas and the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Barten and the late Bowen Durrett.

The groom is the son of Ms. Georgia Smith and Mr. Richard Smith of Plano. He is the grandson of Mrs. Grace Smith of Plano, the late Andrew J. Smith, the late Polly Griffith and the late George Alexander.

The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Dr. John Avon Dawson.

Soloist Heidi Faulk sang “Ave Maria;” soloist Steve Brand sang “The Wedding Song;” and the two vocalists sang “The Prayer” as a duet. The Tyler String Quartet presented prelude music and special music during the ceremony.

The church sanctuary was adorned with votive candles throughout and the chancel area was embellished with dramatic displays of white hydrangeas, snapdragons, orchids and lilies. Bouquets of hydrangeas, greenery and ribbon decorated the church pews. Stair railings leading into the church were adorned with greenery and ribbon and two floral wreaths were hung on each door entering the sanctuary. Two all-white floral arrangements were placed in the church foyer in remembrance of the couple’s loved ones. Guests registered in the bride’s book, which was covered in ivory dupioni silk accented with a rhinestone brooch. On the bride’s book table was a small arrangement in an antique white three-dimensional rose teapot that was a gift to the bride. A silver basket containing wedding programs was also featured with the bride’s book.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride was radiant in her formal Maggie Sottero Couture gown. Romantic in every way, the slim A-line gown of light gold satin featured elaborate floral motifs decorating an exquisite tulle lace overlay of champagne and diamond white. Three-dimensional floral accents created a stunning strapless neckline and anchored the trumpet flair of the skirt extending into an equally ornate chapel train. Her sheer illusion veil mirrored the color of her gown with delicate gold embroidery in a scallop pattern at the edge.

The bride carried a bouquet of vendella roses, white calla lilies and hydrangeas.

Natalie Dawson, sister of the bride, served as the matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Brenna Smith, Amy Bolton, Kathryn Armstrong, Kirsten Galtney, Tracy Russell, Lisa Blume, Ashley Pope, Neal Meyer and Jennifer Anderson. The attendants wore identical dresses by Bill Levkoff in Euro Red satin with a shirred strapless bodice over a slim A-line floor length skirt. They carried bouquets of roses, calla lilies, and berries in shades of red. Gracie Dawson, niece of the bride, was the flower girl. She wore a dainty dress of diamond white organza tied with a champagne organza bow matching the organza flowers on the bridal gown. She carried a basket of white rose petals. Her head-piece was a halo of greenery, white snow berries and shear ivory ribbon. House party members Sarah Cortese and Erika Porter read scriptures from the Bible during the ceremony.

Best man was Sandon Smith, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Devin Galimore, John Lynd, Kyle Adams, William Gough, Von Dawson, Lane Pauly, Brandon Andrews, Michael Karlseng and Rickey Williams. Christopher Von Dawson, nephew of the bride, was the ring bearer. Ushers were Matthew Cole, Kenneth Durrett, Drew Durrett, John Mack, Conor McGuire and Kirk Sadler.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at The Woods at Jacksonville. Guests were served hors d’oeuvres and beverages until the wedding party arrived. They were then served a dinner buffet featuring shrimp cocktail, sliced sirloin, chicken cordon bleu, crawfish and shrimp pasta, asparagus, baked Jackson-ville tomatoes, a macaroni and cheese bar with assorted toppings, spinach salad, and fresh seasonal fruit.

The bride’s cake was a traditional stacked cake decorated with pearls, scrolls and white flowers made of butter cream frosting. The top layer was covered in white fondant flowers. The groom’s cake was a red velvet cake with chocolate butter cream frosting. The top layer was a replica of an A&M; ring. White chocolate-dipped strawberries with A&M; written on them in maroon surrounded the cake.

Lush, fresh fall arrangements, cymbidium orchids, and candles decorated the dining tables at the reception. Featured in the main ballroom was a large chandelier embellished with red roses, magnolia leaves, hydrangeas, and red hanging amaranthus. An ice sculpture in the shape of an “S” was displayed at the center of the buffet tables.

A rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s parents at Stamps honored the wedding party. The candlelit dinner was set in a hunting theme and tables were decorated with fresh bouquets of fall flowers.

A video was presented sharing pictures of the couple from their childhood years through their dating and engagement.

Following a honeymoon in Hawaii, the couple will reside in Houston.

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