Whitley - Bryant
Valerie Davina Bryant and Edward Whitley Jr. of Richmond, Va., said their marriage vows June 5 at 3 p.m.
Apostle Tino Bell officiated at the double-ring ceremony at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
Parents of the bride are David and Christine S. Bryant of Goldsboro.
Edward Sr. and Mary Whitley of Dudley are parents of the groom.
Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a white gown of satin. The strapless bodice was accented with rows of rhinestones with a chapel-length train.
For her headpiece, she chose a scalloped tiara in crystal with an elbow-length veil. She carried a bouquet of red, pink and white roses, calla lilies and Gerber daisies.
Crystal Lindsey, cousin of the bride, was matron of honor. Cleo Patterson, cousin of the bride, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Sonia Braswell and Anjanette Reed of Goldsboro, Ania Massey of Durham and Kawanis Smith of Winston-Salem, friends of the bride.
Robert and Antwan Whitley were their brother’s best men. Ushers were Daymon Byrd Maple Shade of New Jersey, friend of the groom, and Cleveland Faison Jr. of Ft. Gordon, Ga., cousin of the groom. Groomsmen were William Bryant of Atlanta, Ga., brother of the bride; Prince Kornegay of Ashburn, Va., and Timothy Sanford of Goldsboro, friends of the groom; and William Boseman of Durham, cousin of the groom.
Latisha Robinson was the junior bridesmaid. Juan Whitley, son of the groom, was the junior groomsman.
Cleaona’ Patterson was flower girl. Tanarius Smith was ring bearer.
Fontaine Swinson and Anjanette Reed directed the ceremony. Presiding at the register was Antonia Kittrell.
A program of wedding music was provided by Melvin Crouell, organist, and Stephanie Bell, Leon Cole and Fruit of Spirit, vocalists.
The couple took a wedding trip to Cancun, Mexico.
The bride is a graduate of Goldsboro High School and Winston-Salem State University. She is employed as a fifth grade teacher at Greenwood Middle School.
The groom graduated from Southern Wayne High School. He attended Morehead State of Kentucky. He served in the Marine Corps, Navy and Army National Guard. He is employed with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the church fellowship hall. Hostesses were Sharon Whitfield, Yulonda Gregory, Debra Best, Cynthia Davis, Eunesia Taylor and Blinda Edwards.
On June 5, Mable Langston held a breakfast at her home.
A rehearsal dinner was held June 4 at Mt. Zion Church fellowship hall. The couple chose this time to present gifts to their attendants.
Hostesses of Mt. Zion Church held a miscellaneous shower May 16.
On May 13, co-workers of the bride held a miscellaneous shower.
Antonia Kittrell and Anjanette Reed held a miscellaneous shower May 1.
By David Rouse
Published in Weddings on June 20, 2004 11:21 AM