Hand - Vanta
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Sarah Elizabeth Vanta of Orlando , Fla., and USAF Lt. Justin Mathew Hand of Del Rio, Texas, exchanged vows in a double-ring ceremony Sept. 29, at 4 p.m. at the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, with Chaplin Robert P. Browning officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Tom and Beth Vanta of Niceville, Fla., and the granddaughter of Betty and the late George H. Vanta of Decatur, Ga., and the late Bert and Marie Boothe of Fairhope, Ala.
She is a graduate of Niceville Senior High School and attended the University of Central Florida where she studied psychology. She is employed as a paralegal at Fishback Law Firm in Orlando, Fla.
The groom is the son of Chuck and Velvie Hand of Goldsboro and the grandson of Clarence and Beverly Hand of Phoenix, Ariz.; the late Sam and Georgia Crumby of Tampa, Fla.
He is a graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in social science. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, in June 2006 and from Instructor Pilot Training at Randolph AFB, Texas, in October 2006.
He is employed as an instructor pilot at USAF Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents.
The bride wore an ivory strapless organza corset gown with beaded metallic lace on the bodice, skirt and chapel train. Her ivory, short, one-tier headpiece was adorned with scattered pearls and rhinestones and had a corded edge.
The bride carried a bouquet of cinnamon calla lilies, champagne roses, Peach Sweethearts and pale peach and cream roses.
Niclole Poch of Sanford, Fla., was maid of honor.
Bridesmaids were Sonia Gonzalez of Apoka, Fla., and Corinne Sims of Sierra Vista, Ariz.
The groom’s brother, Capt. Jerad Michael Hand of Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., served as best man.
Groomsmen were Lt. Jason Vanta of Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany, brother of the bride; Lt. Armand Fondren of Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Neb., college roommate of the groom; and Alex Kelsall of Denver, Colo., cousin of the groom.
Ushers were The United States Air Force Academy Sabre Drill Team.
Debbie Hartman directed the wedding. Cindy Boothe, aunt of the bride, and Ellen Garrick, cousin of the bride, served the cake.
Following the ceremony the bride’s parents held a reception at the Association of Graduates Doolittle Hall on the United States Air Force Academy grounds.
After a wedding trip to Eldorado Seaside Suites on the Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple reside in Del Rio, Texas.
The groom’s parents held a rehearsal dinner at the Giuseppe’s Old Depot Restaurant in Colorado Springs.
Events held before the wedding included a bridal shower on Aug. 4 in Orlando, Fla., hosted by Nicole Poch and Fran Fredrick; and a bridal shower on Aug. 11 in Daphne, Ala., given by Cindy Boothe and Ellen Garrick.
By News-Argus Staff
Published in Weddings on October 28, 2007 3:30 AM