Rutledge - Merritt
Jennifer Lauren Merritt and Gilbert David Rutledge Jr. of Goldsboro exchanged vows in a double-ring ceremony March 10 at 4 p.m. at Love Memorial Baptist Church, with the Rev. Blane Smith officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Jonathan Wayne Merritt and Joyce Langston Sauls of Goldsboro and the granddaughter of Harris Merritt of Dudley and Mary Rose Merritt of Dudley and Pearl Langston of Goldsboro and the late Sim Langston.
She is a 2004 graduate of Spring Creek High School and attends Wayne Community College for a degree in elementary education. She is employed as a sales associate at Target.
The groom is the son of Sandra Beth of Seven Springs and the late Gilbert David Rutledge and the grandson of the late Buddy Thomas Rutledge, Erma Rutledge Talton and Cecile Blanton of Mount Olive and the late William Blanton.
He is a 2000 graduate of Southern Wayne High School. He is employed as a technician at Goldsboro Tire.
The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents.
She wore a white formal gown with spaghetti straps, bodice pearls, sequins and Swarovski crystal accents. The full skirt featured lace, pearl and sequins and flowed into a semi-cathedral-length train embroidered with lace appliqué and pearl scalloped edges.
Her headpiece was a fingertip veil accented with pearls and sequins attached to a silver tiara with pearl and crystal accents.
The bride carried a bulls-eye bouquet of pink, purple and yellow roses.
Jessie Sauls was her sister’s maid of honor.
Bridesmaids were Kayla Collier, Charli Britt, sister of the groom, April Grady and Ashley Barwick.
Dean Cox was his friend’s best man.
Groomsmen were Michael Walters, cousin of the bride; Jason Barnes, brother-in-law; Andy Grady; and Jason Jennette.
Dawson Grady was ringbearer.
Lisa Brown directed the wedding. Presiding at the register and distributing programs were Daniel and Cecilia Anderson.
A program of wedding music was provided by Steele Sasser, pianist.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Sleepy Creek Country Club. Al Cotter and Mike Traveny greeted guests. Judy Kornegay and Carolyn Barnes, aunts of the bride, severed the four-tiered wedding cake.
After a wedding trip to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., the couple reside in Grantham.
Events held before the wedding included a pantry shower Feb. 25 at Love Memorial Baptist hosted by Sandra Rutledge and April Grady; a bachelorette night Feb. 24 in Raleigh; a lingerie shower Feb. 24 at the Hatch House at Waynesborough Park hosted by Kayla Collier, Charli Britt and Sandy Davis; a bridal shower Feb. 18 at Dudley Christian Church hosted by Judy Kornegay, Carolyn Barnes, Barbara Britt and Dawn Traveny; and a bridal luncheon Feb. 11 at Dudley Christian Church.
The groom’s mother held a rehearsal dinner March 9 at Love Memorial Baptist.
By News-Argus Staff
Published in Weddings on April 15, 2007 3:32 AM