Walters Faulkner.

In the presence of family and friends, the celebration and blessing of marriage of Ashley Carla Walters and Joeseph Brock Faulkner took place at six o'clock on the evening of Saturday, April 29, 2006, at First Baptist Church in Carthage.

The formal candlelight ceremony was performed by Rev. Donnie Brewer of Alexander City, Alabama.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wayne Willard St. of Birmingham, Alabama, and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Carlie Walters Jr. of Newton. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Vaughn and Mrs. Kathryn Walters and the late Edwin Carlie Walters Sr., all of Newton.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tyro Faulkner of Ridgeland and Ms. Terri Tucker of Carthage. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe C. Faulkner and the late Mr. and Mrs. James V. Tucker, all of Carthage.

Outside the sanctuary, guests enjoyed the classic melody "Going to the Chapel" by saxophone soloist Willie Corey. During the ceremony, soloist Melinda Hand performed traditional selections including "The Mother's Prayer," "Standing on Holy Ground," and "There is Love." The ceremony concluded with a spiritual rendition of "O Happy Day." Accompaniment was provided by Laurie Henderson, pianist, and Jimmie Gayle Nazary, organist.

As a surprise for the groom, the bride prepared a personal recorded message that was played after the guests were seated. The message was filled with sentiments of love, humorous anecdotes, and the bride's witty take on marriage

Upon chiming of the hour, the bride entered the sanctuary on the arm of her father to the sounds of the "Prince of Denmark's March." The bride's gown by Anjolique was of ivory satin overlaid with ivory English net embroidered with a fleur design of black embroidery embellished with sequins and seed pearls. A black band of satin and clusters of bugle beads, black pearls, and sequins detailed the sculptured strapless neckline. From the princess waistline fell the A-line skirt and chapel train edged in a deep embroidered hemline. Her veil by Karen Fenoroli was of tiers of illusion scattered with pearls, sequins, and bugle beads matching those on her wedding gown. She carried an elegant bouquet of white roses, peonies, lisianthus, and stephanotis wrapped in ivory silk ribbon. Tucked beneath the bouquet were the maternal great-grandmother's heirloom handkerchief and a tiny gold cross adorned with diamonds given to the bride by her parents on the day of her birth.

During the ceremony, the couple chose to braid a strand of three cords to symbolize their unity with both one another and Christ based on the Scripture verse Ecclesiastes 4:12. This same verse was handpainted on the ivory aisle runner to serve as a reminder that Jesus is the head of both their home and their marriage.

Attending the bride as maid of honor was Pamela Winstead of Union. Bridesmaids were Leslie Crenshaw, Keri Henley, Christen Herrington, Lexann Pate, and Adrianne Purselley. They wore Vera Wang dresses of ebony chiffon fashioned with V necklines and sleeveless bodices crisscrossed with ties of chiffon and floor-length skirts with flared hemlines.

The bride's proxy was Brandi Joe Helton. Paige Vinson attended the guest book, and Laura Lee Mc Henry presented programs to guests as they entered the sanctuary. Mr. and Mrs. David Herrington greeted guests as they arrived.

Serving as the best man was Ryan Scott of Carthage. Groomsmen were Tyler Blocker, Conner Herrington, Jon Paul Rhea, Josh Stokes, and Adam Wyatt. Ushers included Jon Michael Long, Lance Lucovich, Jay Lynch, and Robert Prisock. They wore black three-button tuxedos with formal ties.

Following the ceremony, the bride's parents hosted a reception at Leake Country Club. Guests were warmly welcomed by an original handpainted banner featuring the bride's new initial and Joshua 24:15, one of many Scripture verses the bride and groom's marriage will be based upon. The foyer of the clubhouse was lavishly decorated with soft candlelight, streaming organza, stately chimneys circa 1800s from England, and sentimental wedding keepsakes from both families. The groom's cousin, Mrs. Cathy Chandler, decorated the foyer as a special gift to the couple.

Guests enjoyed a buffet of seafood, prime rib, roast pork, vegetables, fruits, and specialty dips. The wedding cake was five tiers of moist almond butter cake filled and finished with smooth almond buttercream. The tiers were designed and handpainted in shades of pearl, silver, and pewter with two-dimensional harlequin and scrollwork and accented with edible pearls. The groom's hobby was the theme of a lush chocolate and red velvet cake. The cake was presented in a chocolate golf bucket, which was then filled with pounds of white chocolate golf balls and displayed on a bed of real grass.

Entertainment was provided by the SNAZZ band, one of the couple's favorites. As favors to their guests, the couple presented jars of homemade pepper relish with labels that read "Spread the Love."

On the eve of the wedding, the groom's mother honored the couple with a rehearsal dinner and dancing at Leake Country Club. Guests enjoyed music by Point Blank.

Following a departure beneath a canopy of rose petals, the couple embarked on a honeymoon trip to Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas. The new Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner will make their home in Brandon, where the bride is a clinical dietitian and the groom is employed by Jackson Paper Company.