Engagements, weddings and anniversaries

By Staff
Thomas, McNair to wed April 17
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Luke Thomas of Hartselle announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Blake Thomas, to Stephen Harris McNair, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Harris McNair of Eufaula.
The bride-elect is a 2000 graduate of Hartselle High School and a 2003 cum laude graduate of the University of North Alabama with a bachelor's degree in marketing and a minor in public relations. She was a member of UNA's Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Kappa Phi Honor Society and received the College of Business Top Marketing Student award. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Benjamin Callaway Jr. of Hartselle and the late Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Thomas of Decatur.
The groom-elect is a 1999 graduate of Hartselle High School and a 2003 graduate of the University of North Alabama with a bachelor's degree in computer information systems. He was a member of the UNA golf team, named to the dean's list and Division II Golf All-American and Scholastic All-American. He is the grandson of Dr. and the late Mrs. Hal Harris McNair of Augusta, Ga. and Mr. and the late Mrs. William David King of Donaldsonville, Ga.
The wedding will be held Saturday, April 17 at 4 p.m. at Hartselle Church of Christ.
Hogan, Drace to wed March 20
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hogan of Birmingham announce the engagement of their daughter, Wendi Jean Hogan, to Kevin McCoy Drace, son of Ms. Linda Drace of Huntsville.
The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hogan of Huntsville and the late Mr. and Mrs. Billy Joe Fulmer of Flint. She is a 2000 graduate of Grissom High School and a 2003 graduate of the University of North Alabama.
The groom-elect is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. JB Tucker of New Market. He is a 1998 graduate of Huntsville High School and a 2002 graduate of Athens State University. He currently attends The University of Alabama at Birmingham pursuing a doctorate in microbiology.
The wedding will be held March 20 at Southside Baptist Church in Huntsville.
Drabenstott, Culbreath wed
Leeann Renee Drabenstott of Painesville, Ohio and Dr. Albert Kipple Culbreath of Hartselle were wed Oct. 11, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Kipple-Culbreath home place in Hartselle with Pastor Brian Culbreath of Muscle Shoals and the Rev. Jay Roberson of Tifton, Ga., officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Patricia Wilcoxon and Mr. and Mrs. Earle and Peggy Drabenstott, all of Painesville, Ohio. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Coy and Elsie Kipple Culbreath of Hartselle.
The couple was married in the back pasture under a pine tree. Alter decorations included wildflowers, a banjo, a family Bible, bread and a sleeping stray kitten.
The bride wore a linen empire waist dress sewn by the groom's aunt, Autice Culbreath, and the bride. She wore a halo of fresh wild flowers in her hair.
Rachel Wray of Portland, Ore., was the matron of honor.
Tammi James of Painesville, Ohio, Sonia Waters of Los Angeles, Calif., and Kelley Segars of Florence, S.C. were the bride's attendants. They wore brightly colored cotton print skirts sewn by the bride with white blouses and carried wild flower bouquets.
Many children of friends and family were the flower children.
Albert Coy Culbreath, father of the groom, was the best man.
Tim Brenneman of Broadway, Va., Jeff Stanfield of Hartselle and Pete Brown of Oak Ridge, Tenn., were groomsmen.
Music was provided by family members and friends from Alabama, North Carolina, Connecticut and Tennessee.
Following the ceremony, a picnic reception was held on the grounds of the home place. Family quilts were hung in front of the barn to create a colorful landscape. After the picnic dinner, guests listened and danced to the old-time music of the band Red Mountain White Trash of Birmingham.
Amy Jo Sheppard of Helena, Mont., was the wedding director. Janisse Ray and Raven Burchard of Baxley, Ga., Elle Schneider of Cleveland, Ohio and numerous friends assisted with the reception.
Mary Myrtle Kipple of Hartselle attended the bride's book.
Guests received bundles of peanuts to throw on the couple.
The couple honeymooned in Alabama's Sipsey Wilderness and Montana. They will reside in Tifton, Ga.
The Culbreath family hosted a fish fry rehearsal dinner at their Smith Lake cabin on Oct. 10.
Halbrooks, Johnston wed
Emily Annell Halbrooks of Hartselle and Travis Bryan Johnston of Auburn were wed Jan. 3, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Flint Baptist Church in Decatur with Bro. Billy Cagle officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Tommy and Anita Halbrooks of Hartselle. The groom is the son of Alton and Barbara Johnston of Auburn.
The bride was given in marriage by her father.
The bride wore a designer gown of luxurious royal satin and organza. The two-piece gown featured a strapless sweetheart neckline corset top accented with Swarvorski crystals and beading. The full organza skirt flowed into an elegant semi-cathedral train.
Courtney Halbrooks of Hartselle, sister of the bride, was the maid of honor.
Tara Smith of Phenix City, Alison Weinman of Hartselle, Ashley Maze of Hartselle and Jessica Barbrey of Decatur were the bride's attendants.
Alton Johnston, father of the groom, was the best man.
Seth Johnston of Auburn, Daniel Smith of Phenix City, Drew Carter and Randy Sides were groomsmen.
Music was provided by John Dale Rector of Opelika, soloist Amy Balch of Decatur, Courtney Weeks of Collinwood, Tenn., and Tim Hutchison of Decatur.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Decatur Country Club.
Elaine Balch was the wedding director. Mary Elliott, Myra Bridges, Joan Sandavol, Beth Balch, Susie Balch and Henrietta Balch assisted with the reception.
Jennifer Benson of Hartselle attended the bride's book.
Jordan Barbrey of Decatur was the bubble girl.
The couple honeymooned in Gatlinburg, Tenn. They will reside in Florence.
A rehearsal dinner, hosted by the parents of the groom, was held Jan. 2 at Decatur Country Club.
Judkins, Shedd exchange vows
Bonnie Lynn Judkins and Shannon Dee Shedd, both of Hartselle, were wed Oct. 25, 2003, at 4 p.m. at Danville Baptist Church with the Rev. Dewitt Crowe officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Beverly and Larry Newton of Greenville and David and Barbara Judkins of Hartselle. The groom is the son of Matt and Joy Reeves of Addison.
The bride was given in marriage by her father, David Judkins.
The altar featured two swirl candelabras decorated with greenery and white tulle and live ferns decorated with tulle. White tulle bows adorned the center aisle pews.
The bride wore a formal gown of white duchess satin. The scalloped bust of the strapless gown featured a delicate pattern of crystal beads. A band of intricate beading detailed the empire waistline emphasizing the descending A-line skirt. The back of the molded bodice was adorned with a row of covered buttons that cascaded to the hemline of the chapel train. She wore crystal hairpins. Her bouquet featured white and pink silk roses tied with white French illusion ribbon.
April Suggs of Danville was the maid of honor.
Liz Jones and Cassie Gunner, both of Danville, were the bride's attendants.
Katie and Grace Roberson of Danville were the flower girls. They wore deep pink satin strapless gowns featuring a fitted bodice that laced in the back and flowed into an A-line skirt.
They carried bouquets of white roses tied with white French illusion ribbon.
Aaron Roberts Anderson and Austin Reeves of Addison, brothers of the groom, were the ring bearers.
Chris Morris of Danville, brother of the bride, was the best man.
Dustin Terry of Danville and Jeremy Roberts of Addison, cousin of the groom, were groomsmen.
Dale Morris and Lee Morris, both of Danville, brothers of the bride, and Corey Roberts and Timothy Roberts, both of Addison, brothers of the groom, were ushers.
Dale Morris and Corey Roberts were candle lighters.
Music was provided by pianist and soloist Monica Higginbotham of Hartselle and sound technician Carey Terry of Danville.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the church.
The bride's table featured a four-tier white cake adorned with red roses designed by Karen Hartselle of Meridianville, cousin of the bride.
The groom's table featured a German chocolate cake and Navy memorabilia.
Teri Sanford and Brenda Roberson, both of Danville, aunts of the bride, and Melody McNutt and Robbie Smith, both of Hartselle, assisted with the reception.
Sarah Sims of Danville attended the bride's book.
Aaron Roberts Anderson distributed bubbles.
The couple resides in Atlantic Beach, Fla., where the groom is stationed with the Navy.
The couple was honored with several pre-nuptial events, including:
The groom's mother hosted a rehearsal dinner Oct. 23 at Danville Baptist Church.
A bridal shower was held Oct. 4 hosted by Brenda Roberson, aunt of the bride, and Bonnie Sanford, grandmother of the bride, at the Danville home of Roberson.
A bridal tea was held Oct. 12 hosted by Roxie Young and Lawana Pitts at the Danville home of Young.
A lingerie shower was held Oct. 18 hosted by Jona Owens-Lee and Linda Owens at the Danville home of Owens-Lee.
Montgomerys have anniversary
Milton and Joanna Montgomery of Hartselle celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 28, 2003, by renewing their wedding vows at New Center Baptist Church. A reception, hosted by their children, followed the ceremony in the fellowship hall with approximately 125 family and friends attending. They are the parents of Lori Loveday and Barry Montgomery and the grandparents of Chelsea and Carli Montgomery and Makayla Loveday. The Montgomerys were married Dec. 28, 1953 in Iuka, Miss.