Whitfield-Kelly
MOUNT OLIVE — Jennifer Brooke Kelly and Benjamin Goldyn Whitfield were united in holy matrimony Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.
The Rev. Doug Bartlett officiated at the double-ring ceremony at First Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Parents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Gary M. Kelly of Mount Olive. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Coley Sr. of Faison and the late Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Kelly of Calypso.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven M. Whitfield of Mount Olive are parents of the groom. He is the grandson of the Rev. and Mrs. Marvin Whitfield of Clinton and Elgie Rogers and the late Shelton Rogers of Benson.
Presented in marriage by her parents and twin sister, Ashley, and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory strapless satin gown with hand-embroidered beaded and crystal swirls along the hemline and semi-cathedral train. The waistline was beaded in silver and crystals.
For her headpiece, she chose a tiara accented with crystals and a fingertip veil with cording. She carried a bouquet of white roses, white orchids and coffee beans wrapped with an ivory satin ribbon.
Ashley Kelly Stevens of Calypso, twin sister of the bride, was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Brittney and Jenny Coley of Mount Olive and Stacy Hadzijahic of Goldsboro, cousins of the bride, and Jessica Graham of Warsaw, friend of the bride.
Steve Whitfield was his son’s best man. Groomsmen were Brandon Whitfield of Greenville and Matthew Whitfield of Mount Olive, brothers of the groom, and Major Foy Ivey of Mount Olive and Ben West of Goldsboro, friends of the groom.
Stephanie Strickland of Mount Olive, cousin of the bride, was flower girl.
Peggy Coley of Warsaw and Sue Davis of Goldsboro, aunts of the bride, directed the wedding. Presiding at the register were Mr. and Mrs. Perry Ennis of Benson, cousins of the bride. Courtney Howell of Mount Olive, cousin of the bride, distributed programs.
A program of wedding music was provided by Kathy Strapko of Clinton, pianist; Terri Schaffer of Dunn, trumpeter; Neil Swinson and Brandy Worth, vocalists; and Reed Lewis of Rosewood, bell chimer.
After a wedding trip to the mountains, the couple will reside in Mount Olive.
The bride is a graduate of North Duplin High School and East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is employed with the progressive care unit at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
The groom graduated from North Duplin High School and Wayne Community College with a degree in machining. He is employed as a machinist at Impulse.
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents held a reception in the church fellowship hall. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Dail of Mount Olive, friends of the couple, greeted guests.
On Nov. 27, the ladies auxiliary of Rooty Branch Free Will Baptist Church held a bridal shower.
Sue Davis, aunt of the bride, held a bridesmaids’ luncheon Nov. 26 at Walnut Creek Country Club.
On Nov. 19, Ashley Stevens, Brittney Coley, Jenny Coley and Amanda Buckner held a Christmas shower.
Mount Olive First Pentecostal Church held a bridal shower Nov. 13.
On Nov. 6, Stacy Hadzijahic, Melissa Lewis and Rebekah Nassef held a lingerie shower at the Hadzijahic home.
Aunts of the bride held a bridal shower Oct. 23 at Calypso Baptist Church.
On Oct. 15, Marvin and Joyce Whitfield, Pat and Linwood Grady and Eddie and Debbie Smith, family of the groom, held an engagement pig picking.
By News-Argus Staff
Published in Weddings on December 4, 2005 3:30 AM