Ballard-Preus. (2003 Wedding Register).

Allison Brooke Ballard and Christian Hart Preus were united in marriage June 29, 2002, at First Baptist Church in Gulfport, with Dr. Dean Register officiating.

Parents of the couple are Dwight and Jeanie Ballard of Gulfport and Otto Preus of Clarksdale and Anne Hart Preus of Cleveland. The bride is the granddaughter of Eunice Jones and the late Oscar Homer Jones III and the late Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Ballard. The groom is the grandson of Annie Laurie and James Hart Morrow and the late Mr. and Mrs. Christian Kaiser Preus.

The doors of the church were decorated with 18-inch hanging arrangements of white roses. A fantastic centerpiece of gorgeous long-stem, exotic fresh-cut flowers, was featured in the foyer. The forest of ficus trees and greenery that filled the choir loft gave a splendid backdrop for the magnificent candelabras. The pillar candles and pew arrangements of ivy and white Virginia roses set the mood of a French garden. The wrought iron arches that twinkled with white lights and ivy created a perfect entrance for the bride and her father.

The bride wore a stunning white satin designer gown. Beautiful ivory pearls, Venice lace, and crystals accented the fitted bodice and chapel-length train. She wore an elegant rhinestone princess tiara. She carried a magnificent bouquet of three dozen opened red Black Magic roses that were hand-gathered and tied with French silk ribbon.

Blair Barnes of Jackson served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Elizabeth Cope, Brooks Donald, Jamie Elliott, Ashley Wells, Carrie Laurendine, Corinne Laurendine, Kristen Papania, Mary Johns Pittman, Laurie Powell, Anna Preus, Carrie Beth Randall, Amber Ramage, and Margaret Smith. Honorary attendants were Courtney Clayton, Sarah Beth Tullos, Lydia Loden, and Hannah Loden.

The bride's attendants wore ruby red Ann Taylor gowns with square necklines, fitted bodices, and straight skirts. They carried delicate bouquets of white Virginia roses with white stock that were hand-gathered and tied with French silk ribbon.

Victoria Neal served as the flower girl. She wore a pure white Strasburg lace dress. Ribbon flowed from the sleeves and lined the bottom border of the long gown. Otto Preus served his son as best man. Groomsmen were Mike Bailey, Marshall Brown, Michael Butler, Tres Cleveland, Will Estess, Matt Fowler, Jeff Gamblin, Brandt Galloway, Baker Harrington, Russell Harris, Brad McKenzie, Oliver Preus, and Jack Waiters.

Tammy Turnage, organist; Kristen Turnage, flautist; and Rebecca Southern, harpist, provided worshipful music during the ceremony. India Huddleston, aunt of the bride, sang "When God Created Love" and "The Lord's Prayer." Keith Ballard performed "Surely the Presence." Both singers joined together in singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness."

Following the wedding, a formal dinner reception was held at the Great Southern Club. The foyer entry displayed an abundance of perfectly placed fresh-cut flowers. The tables were beautifully set for the dinner, as budding arrangements stood tall in crystal vases surrounded by candles on each table.

Glenda Ann Thompson, aunt of the bride, and Tracy Neal, cousin of the bride, created the bride's and groom's cakes. The bride's cake was a delectable Italian cream cake with white cream cheese icing designed in a basket weave. It stood four tiers high over a sterling silver waterfall. A delightful array of flowers and greenery cascaded over the entire presentation. The groom's cake was a German chocolate four-layer cake that was created as an outstanding basket of fruit with a willow handle.

The couple resides in Birmingham, Alabama, where the bride is a teacher with the Homewood School District and the groom is a landscape architect with the Ross Kelly firm.