Gray-Gardner
Crystal Michelle Gardner and Joseph Berry Gray were united in marriage Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.
The Rev. Barry Stallings officiated at the double-ring ceremony at Pleasant Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church, assisted by the Rev. James Rudolph Rowe, grandfather of the bride.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gardner of Pikeville. She is the granddaughter of Pauline Gardner, the late Grover Gardner, the Rev. James Rudolph and Hazel Rowe and the late Irma Jean Rowe of Pikeville.
The groom is the son of R. Clifford Gray Jr. of Pikeville and Rebecca L. Bratten of Edenton. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond C. Gray Sr. of Pikeville and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Lancaster of Patetown.
Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a formal gown of white satin with a sweetheart neckline accented with long illusion trumpet sleeves. Venise lace appliqués, pearls and sequins embellished the fitted bodice that ended in a Basque waistline. The full Cinderella skirt was adorned with Venise lace appliqués and cascaded into a detachable royal train beaded with Venise lace, pearls and sequins.
For her headpiece, she chose a comb attached to a two-tiered veil of silk illusion trimmed with satin cording. She carried a clutch bouquet of white and red roses.
Kristin Campbell and Mindy Glover, friends of the couple, were maids of honor. Bridesmaids were Hyacinth Gardner and Jennifer Johnson, sisters of the groom, and Melanie Ore and Paige Serlick, friends of the bride.
Cliff Gray was his son’s best man. Groomsmen were Ryan Gray, brother of the groom; Clay Gardner, brother of the bride; Kevin Johnson, brother-in-law of the groom; and Brandon Raper and Colby Raper, cousins of the groom.
Reagan Herndon and Elizabeth Rowe, cousins of the bride, were junior bridesmaids. Bryan Johnson, nephew of the groom, and Trent Herndon, cousin of the bride, were junior groomsmen.
Sabrina Johnson, niece of the groom, was flower girl. Sidney Gray, nephew of the groom, was ring bearer.
Lynne Herndon, aunt of the bride, directed the wedding. Presiding at the register and distributing programs were Kevin and Jennifer Stevens, friends of the couple.
A program of wedding music was provided by Marsha Sauls, pianist, and the Rev. and Mrs. Barry Stallings, vocalists.
After a wedding trip to New York, the couple is residing in Goldsboro.
The bride is a 2000 graduate of Charles B. Aycock High School, a 2002 graduate of Wayne Community College with an associate of arts degree and a 2005 graduate of East Carolina University with a bachelor of science degree in secondary mathematics education and a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics. She is employed as a math teacher at Southern Wayne High School.
The groom graduated from Charles B. Aycock High School in 1994 and Appalachian State University in 1998 with a bachelor of science degree in community and regional planning. He is employed as a planner for Johnston County.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the church fellowship hall. Joan Gardner, aunt of the bride, and Darla Raper, aunt of the groom, cut the wedding cake. Becky Glover, friend of the couple, poured punch.
On Dec. 16, the groom’s family held a rehearsal dinner at Charles B. Aycock cafeteria.
An outing to a North Carolina State-Appalachian State ballgame was held Dec. 10.
On Dec. 10, Debbie Gray, Stephanie Lane, Amanda Gray and Sarah Beth Harris held a bridesmaids’ luncheon at the Gray home.
Brandon and Colby Raper held a tool shower Dec. 9 at the Raper home.
On Dec. 9, coworkers of the groom held a lawn and pantry shower.
Coworkers of the bride held a miscellaneous shower Dec. 1 at Southern Wayne.
On Nov. 25, Sanctified, a southern gospel quartet, held a dinner.
The Lights for Christ children’s choir of Pleasant Grove held a fiesta Nov. 22 at the church.
On Nov. 18, Hyacinth Gardner and Jennifer Johnson held a sleepover and basket shower at the Gardner home.
A miscellaneous wedding shower was held Nov. 13 at Pleasant Grove Church.
Nov. 12 and 13, Kevin Stevens and Rhett Green held a bachelor weekend in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A girls’ day out was held Nov. 12 in Raleigh.
On Nov. 11, Kristin Campbell and Mindy Glover held a personal shower at the Campbell home.
By News-Argus Staff
Published in Weddings on December 25, 2005 3:30 AM