Mary Bethany Hidman and Brandon John Thomas were wed Sat., June 21, 2014, at 4 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa with Mr. Pat Powell officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hindman of Northport. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Luke Thomas of Decatur.

Fresh greenery garlands with white sheer draping decorated the front railing of the church steps with two large urns holding Boston ferns on each side of the doorway. An arrangement of light blue hydrangeas, delphinium, larkspur, white roses, mums and freesia greeted the guests as they registered in the foyer. Decorating the altar was a large center arrangement of flowers of the same variety. On either side of the arrangement were 10 large singular wrought iron candlesticks holding white pillar candles of different heights, two spiral wrought iron candelabra draped with green garlands and holding white pillar candles. Balls of fresh baby’s breath hung by satin ribbons on alternating pews. Flowers were provided by Vivian Acken of Gordo.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a strapless ballgown with a sweetheart neckline. The white taffeta dress was fitted at the waist with an inset of Swarovski crystals and silver beading that wrapped to a moderate V-back. Swarovski studded buttons trailed the chapel length train. Her fingertip veil was trimmed with matching silver beading. She carried a fragrant bouquet of light blue hydrangeas mixed with white roses and freesia that was bound with white satin ribbon.

Carol Cotton of Tuscaloosa, sister of the bride, was matron of honor. Bridal attendants were Jessica McNair of Harvest, sister of the groom, Janie Oswalt of Birmingham, Tori Hall of Northport, Olivia Covey of Denver, CO, and Sarah Shaneyfelt of Hartselle.

The bride’s attendants wore strapless knee-length cotton dresses in marine blue that was fitted at the waist and featured a full skirt. They carried fresh clustered bouquets of white baby’s breath.

Luke Thomas of Decatur, father of the groom, was best man. Groomsmen were Stephen McNair of Harvest, brother-in-law of the groom, Josh Aycox of Atlanta, Weston Keenum of Mobile, Carl Valentine of Tuscaloosa and Sam McCutcheon of Danville. Ushers were Stan Shotts of Northport, Justin Rudolph of Birmingham, and Matthew Clem of Atlanta.

Music was provided by Joseph Summerlin, pianist, of Northport, and the wedding was directed by Rita Hyche of Tuscaloosa. Good friends of the couple, Stan and Jordan Shotts of Northport, provided scripture reading from Ephesians 5:22-28 during the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a buffet dinner at the Cypress Inn Pavilion of Tuscaloosa overlooking the Black Warrior River. Music at the reception was provided by Eat My Beats, DJ, of Tuscaloosa. An iron arch decorated with blue hydrangeas, white roses, and greenery welcomed the guests at the brick walk leading to the dining area. Inside the pavilion, round tables were draped with white and silver gray cloths and were adorned with arrangements of hydrangeas, roses and delphinium atop an open iron stand. Votive tea lights were scattered underneath each arrangement.

The bride’s cake was a four-tiered vanilla almond cake with smooth white buttercream icing and decorative scrolled piping. Blue hydrangeas accented the top and sides of the cake.

The groom’s cake was a two-tiered Hershey b ar cake with a cream cheese icing,  decorated with fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate. A red fondant “A” stood atop the cake representing  The University of Alabama as both the bride and groom are graduates of the university. Both cakes were provided by Donna Pow of Tuscaloosa.

Nadine Callaway of Hartselle, maternal grandmother of the groom, was the only living grandparent in attendance at the wedding and reception. A memory table was placed at the reception in memory of deceased grandparents with displayed pictures of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Earnheart, Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Hindman, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Thomas, and Mr. Ben Callaway.

The couple honeymooned at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort at Montego Bay, Jamaica. They are residing in Northport.

A rehearsal dinner, hosted by the parents of the groom, was held June 20 at 7 p.m. at The Phelps Center in Tuscaloosa. The dinner was catered by Sandra Junkin of Walnut Hills Designs Catering of Gordo and flowers were provided by Pat’s Florist of Tuscaloosa. Guests enjoyed a photo booth with photography provided by Kristen Moore of Huntsville.

The couple was honored with several pre-nuptial events including:

•A couple’s shower was held March 15. It was hosted by Glenn and Lisa Holmes and Jack and Lindsey Van Hook and was held at the Van Hook home.

•A bridal tea was held April 6 at Hartselle Church of Christ hosted by ladies of the church.

•A bridal shower was held April 29 at Huntington Elementary School hosted by the third grade teachers of the school.

•A bridal tea was held May 18 at Emmanuel Baptist Church hosted by ladies of the church.

•A lingerie shower was held May 24 hosted by Carol Cotton in her home.