Alison Lynne Powell and Robert John McNeill IV of Atlanta were united in marriage on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at 6:00 in the evening at First Presbyterian Church of Athens. The Reverend Harriette J. Simmons of Macon and the Rev. Julie D. Thompson of Athens officiated.
    The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Hudson J. Powell Sr. of Statesboro. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bluestein of Darien and the late Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Powell Sr. of Statesboro.
    The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert John McNeill III of Macon. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Emmet Gardner McKenzie of Macon and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert John McNeill Jr. of Perry.
    Given in marriage by her father, the bride chose an ivory Alencon lace fit and flare gown over silk shantung. It featured a semi-sweetheart neckline accented with an ivory ribbon belt of beaded and seashell pearls with rhinestones at the natural waist. Covered buttons lined the back of the chapel-length train. She wore her mother's elbow-length veil of ivory silk tulle edged in cotton lace.
    The bride carried a bouquet of cattleya orchids surrounded by white peonies, baby green hydrangeas and hypernica berries, hand-tied with variegated ivy and southern smilax. She also carried a miniature ivory-bound Bible, a gift from her paternal grandmother to the bride's aunt on her wedding day.
    Erin Dickey Abernethy of Atlanta and Kate Johnson Greene of Savannah served as matrons of honor. Bridesmaids were Bonnie Brantley Grosshans of Memphis, Tenn., McKenzie McNeill Moore of Macon,  sister of the groom; Megan Audas Morell of New York, N.Y., Joie Edenfield Roach of Statesboro, Kelly Smith Staley of Bluffton, S.C., and Caroline Taylor Swann of Macon, niece of the groom.
    The bridesmaids wore navy strapless chiffon gowns featuring a ruched bodice, accented by fabric flowers at the empire waist. They carried yellow cymbidium orchids surrounded by baby green hydrangeas, coral peonies and green hypernica berries hand-tied with southern smilax.
    Serving as best man was the groom's father, Robert John McNeill Ill. Groomsmen were Robert Hastings Hendrickson and Grady Alexander Luckey of Atlanta, William Taylor McNeill, brother of the groom; and Harry Francis Moore, brother-in law of the groom, both of Macon; Thomas Lawrence Peterson of Louisville, Ky., Hudson John Powell Jr. of New York, N.Y., brother of the bride; and William Hampton Powell of Athens, brother of the bride. Ushers were Stephen Milledge Anderson of Augusta, William Trimble Arnold of Macon, William White Brooks of Atlanta, Richard Austin Bryant of San Francisco, Calif., Macon Whitney Evans of Columbus, Russell David Gannaway of Corona del Mar, Calif., and Charles Steward Strong of Atlanta.
    Guests were greeted at the church by Lee Powell Waters, cousin of the bride; and Sally Powell Waters, aunt of the bride, both of Statesboro. The bride's cousin, Wesley John Powell of Statesboro, read a Scriptural passage from the book of Colossians. Tom and Doris Granum and Moffatt Williams of Athens provided the wedding music.
    Immediately following the ceremony, the bride's parents hosted a cocktail hour and reception at Athens Country Club.
    Alison and John enjoyed a wedding trip to the islands of Turks and Caicos and now reside in Atlanta.