Miss Skeen, Mr. Hodges speak wedding vows

Mr. and Mrs. David Philip Hodges Jr.

Amanda Leah Skeen and David Philip Hodges Jr. were united in marriage on July 14, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. at Rocky Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Royce Williams officiating the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Judy and Phil Cook of Donalsonville and Mike Skeen of Moultrie. The groom is the son of Linda and Phil Hodges of Donalsonville.

The matron of honor was the bride's cousin, Holly Taylor. The bridesmaids were Kristi Albritton, sister of the groom; April Hill and Jennifer Snellgrove, friends of the bride.

The best man was the groom's father, Phil Hodges. The groomsmen were Wilton Albritton, brother-in-law of the groom; Spencer Stewart and Terry Whitaker, friends of the groom.

Serving as the flower girl was the bride's cousin, Haley Taylor. Hayden Gardner, also cousin of the bride, served as the ring bearer.

The bride wore an Alfred Angelo ivory strapless floor length dress with pink trim around the top and bottom. The back laced up with pink ribbon. The dress featured rhinestones around the top and bottom and was stitched with pink thread. The bride's veil was ivory chiffon embellished with pearls and rhinestones. She wore pearl earrings, bracelet and a necklace borrowed from her mother. For something old, the bride carried a Bible that was given to the groom's mother on her wedding day from the groom's father. The groom had written a special message to the bride, as his father and brotherin law did on their wedding day. The bride carried a bouquet of hand-tied spring flowers of roses, gerber daisies and lilies.

The mother of the bride wore a two-piece tea length dress, which was tea rose with ivory trim. The mother of the groom wore a pink two-piece tea length dress ensemble with three quarter length sleeves. The mothers carried a hand-held bouquet. As they entered, Rhonda Hawkins performed the song, "Parent's Prayer."

The bridesmaids wore strapless tea length dresses in espresso with a pink sash. The bridesmaids carried hand-tied bouquets with spring flowers in pink and white tied with pink ribbon. The flower girl wore a pink chiffon dress with three espresso bows in the middle. She carried an espresso colored basket with pink petals.

The groomsmen wore espresso tuxedos accented with ivory collared shirts and espresso vests and ties. The groom wore an espresso tuxedo with an espresso vest and a pink tie accented by a lily and a rose. The ring bearer also wore an espresso tuxedo accented with a pink vest and tie. He carried an espresso colored pillow with rings tied with pink ribbon.

Before the ceremony, a slide presentation of the bride and groom was shown. The presentation included pictures of their childhood and their relationship together.

As the wedding party entered, Kelly Cleveland and Karen Lovering played "Canon in D." Before the bride was given away, Mark Hawkins sang "I Loved Her First." As the couple lit the unity candles, Kelly Cleveland and Rhonda Hawkins sang "From This Moment." The groom's grandfather, Rev. Radford Jones, delivered a heartfelt message to the couple and the benediction.

The reception was held in the fellowship hall of the church. Tables were covered with floor length white table cloths. A centerpiece of spring flowers, designed by Brenda Herring of Macon, accented the food tables. The couple left on a horse drawn carriage driven by Billy Garrett.

The bride is employed by Dothan City Schools as a kindergarten teacher at Hidden Lake Elementary. The groom is employed by the State of Georgia as an engineering technician in the office of materials and research, testing management with the Tifton branch lab. The couple is now residing in Donalsonville.

Rehearsal Dinner

The groom's parents hosted a rehearsal dinner on the eve of the wedding at the Shingler Guest House. A delicious meal of smoked pork chops, hash brown potato casserole, green beans and rolls, along with pound cake and fresh strawberries for dessert, was enjoyed. Dell Shingler catered the meal.

Bridesmaids Luncheon

A bridesmaids' luncheon was held Saturday, June 30, at the home of Linda Hodges, mother of the groom. The backyard was decorated in pink and brown to incorporate the colors of the wedding. Pink, brown and white balloons filled the pool. The bridesmaids and family enjoyed chicken salad, fruit salad, pineapple and strawberry cream cheese sandwiches and homemade ice cream. The bride presented gifts to her bridesmaids, mothers and grandmothers at this time.

Showers

The bride was given a miscellaneous shower in April. The kindergarten teachers at Hidden Lake Elementary School hosted the shower.

A lawn and garden shower was given for the couple on June 2 at Rocky Ridge. The bride's matron of honor hosted the shower. Grilled hamburgers and chips were served along with a Reese cup cake for dessert. Each couple received a potted plant as a gift from the hostess.

A room-to-room shower was given for the bride at the Shingler Guest House on June 16. The hostesses were Martha Odom, Kristi Albritton, Fay Forrster, Stephanie Odom, Caren Odom and April Holt. Dell Shingler prepared a delicious meal including pineapple sandwiches, fresh fruit, Harry and David dip with chips, pigs-in-blankets and nuts. Each guest brought a gift for a specific room in the house.

A gift card shower was given to the couple on June 23. The bride's grandmother in Lumber City hosted the shower at the Lumber City Woman's Club. The guests enjoyed a luncheon including barbecue, Cornish hens, potato salad, green beans, cake and ice cream.

A kitchen/pantry shower was given for the bride at Rocky Ridge Baptist Church on June 24. The Adult I and II Sunday School classes hosted the shower. The bride received several gifts for the kitchen and lots of groceries to fill the cabinets.