Ansley Leigh Johnson became the bride of Carson Hugh Smith in a double-ring ceremony Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 6 p.m. at Beaver Creek Plantation in Twin City. The Rev. Jim Harrell performed the ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Johnson Jr. of Twin City. She is the granddaughter of Ann Farrar and the late Edward R. Sconyers of Swainsboro, Leone Johnson of Twin City and the late Abb Johnson Sr. and Belva Woods Johnson.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Edwin Smith Jr. of Vidalia. He is the grandson of the late George Clarence Smith Jr. of Mount Vernon and the late Carol Pope Gray of Pasadena, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Smith Sr. of Vidalia.
The wedding took place on the island of Beaver Creek Plantation, overlooking the pond. Beautiful arrangements of white hydrangeas, gladiolas, porcelana roses and peach stock flanked each side of the bridge entering the island. Hammered bronze tiki torches surrounded by elaeagnus, ruscus and plumosa were placed along the bridge.
Lydia Smith and Taylor Hutcheson presented wedding programs to the arriving guests. The guests were seated in chairs arranged in a circular pattern and enjoyed musical selections by Marshia Pierce.
Large floral arrangements sat on top of wooden stumps at the end of the aisle along with a welcome sign, hand-painted by the bride. Vases of hydrangeas, peach stock and roses marked the family seating. A large wooden stage with an arbor made from weathered barn wood by the bride's father was wrapped in elaeagnus and ruscus with a bouquet of snapdragons, peach stock and roses. A wooden cross held the unity sand and was also decorated with a matching flower bouquet designed by the bride's aunt, Jency Bishop.
The bride arrived, along with her father, in a red 1937 Oldsmobile driven by Elbert Alberson. White burlap was rolled down the aisle and flower girls dropped rose petals just before she was escorted. The bride, given in marriage by her parents, chose an ivory silk mikado trumpet gown with a sweetheart bodice. The Venice lace applique accents gave the illusion of a jewelled neckline. A keyhole back was accented by her cathedral train.
As her "something blue," the bride wore a sapphire and diamond ring that was given to her grandmother by her grandfather on their wedding day. She carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas, peach garden roses, porcelana roses, Queen Anne's lace and plumosa caged with bear grass. A river of diamonds wrapped the stems.
After the vows, Dena Walden, cousin of the bride, sang "Heavenly Day" as the couple poured the unity sand together to symbolize their marriage.
Amber Johnson Marsh of Statesboro, sister of the bride, served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Ashton Brown, Morgan Lothridge, Jennifer McDaniel, Kacie Oglesby and Mandi Sweat.
Bridesmaids wore strapless dresses of champagne chiffon with white lace bodices. Each one carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas, porcelana roses, Queen Anne's lace, plumosa and peach stock.
Serving as flower girls were Lola and Mary Ella Walden, cousins of the bride. They wore matching chiffon and lace dresses with empire waistlines. Porcelana roses topped the braids in their hair. They carried handmade sycamore bark baskets filled with white rose petals.
Frank Smith of Vidalia served as his son's best man. Groomsmen were Mark Smith, brother of the groom; Abb Johnson III, brother of the bride; Travis Coxwell, Garrett Anners and Matt Taylor. Chance Smith, nephew of the groom, served as ring bearer. He carried a white bride's Bible that was given to the mother of the bride by her aunts when she was married. The Bible was tied in lace ribbon and topped with gold rings.
The lodge at Beaver Creek was decorated in a traditional theme with white tablecloths topped with champagne overlays. Large ferns accented each side of the entrance and hung from each section of the front porch. The registry table just inside the entrance held an arrangement of hydrangeas, peach garden roses, porcelana roses, snapdragons, plumose and Queen Anne's lace. The grand selection of food was served on tables covered with champagne linen cloth. Accenting the food table was a massive arrangement of fruit beautifully displayed on multi tiers of harrow disk, made by the bride's father, and topped with an arrangement of hygrangeas, peach stock and porcelana roses. Guests' tables were decorated with tall cylinders filled with white hydrangeas, peach stock and curly willow. Tea light candles also adorned the tables.
Just outside the back of the lodge, guests enjoyed dancing under a large white tent. The entrance was decorated with massive wooden stumps topped with rustic glass lanterns filled with candles. Tables were situated among the pines and tent for the guest to enjoy as they danced to a selection of music played by Sam's Drive-In of Swainsboro.
The couple departed through a tunnel of wedding sparklers made by the guests.
Following a honeymoon trip to Jamaica, the couple is residing in Vidalia.
Johnson-Smith
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