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Shippy - Smith couple exchange vows
Dr. Jerome A. Brown of Orangeburg, cousin of the bride, played a musical prelude and Allene Ellis, a friend of the bride's mother, sang "Because of Who You Are." Crystal Shippy, sister-in-law of the bride, performed "The Lord's Prayer." Other musical selections included "Still In Love" and "Beautiful," sung by Phillip McGriff of Gastonia, a friend of the bride and groom. The chapel was decorated with a profusion of ferns along with candelabra trimmed with ivy and ivory bows which also adorned the pews. Scented candles were placed in each window in the chapel. Given in marriage by her father and mother, the bride wore a gown of ivory satin featuring a sleeveless empire bodice trimmed with rhinestones. An ivory shawl complemented her dress. Her headpiece was a rhinestone tiara that held a waltz-length ivory veil. She carried a bouquet of long-stemmed ivory calla lilies and baby's breath enhanced with ivory and a navy lace bow. Matrons of honor were Deborah Ali, cousin of the bride, of Charlotte and Patricia Scott, a friend of the bride, of Gastonia. Bridesmaids were Kristian Brooke Vercher, daughter of the bride, Jill Shippy, sister of the bride, of Gaffney, and April Laborn of Kingstown, N.C., a friend of the bride and groom. The attendants wore floor-length strapless navy dresses enhanced with ivory trim and carried a single calla lily trimmed with a navy lace bow. Kenyah Ali and Kennedy Merritt, cousins of the bride, both of Charlotte, were the flower girls. They were attired in floor-length A-line ivory satin dresses featur- ing empire bodices enhanced with rhinestones and spaghetti straps. They wore rhinestone tiaras and scattered ivory rose petals. Ezra Benzion Ali, cousin of the bride, of Charlotte was the ring bearer. The groom was attended by his brother, Calvin Smith, of Grover and his cousin, Rodney Smith, of Shelby as best men. Groomsmen were Ivan Douglas Shippy Sr., brother of the bride, of Gaffney, Kenneth Merritt and Raymonda Ali, friends of the bride and groom, both of Charlotte. Ushers were Darius Denzel Vercher, son of the bride, and Ivan Douglas Shippy Jr., nephew of the bride. The aisle runner was placed by Nicholas Wilkins, son of the bride, and Kel Christopher Shippy, nephew of the bride. The wedding was directed by Jacqueline Merritt of Charlotte and Cindy Evans of Gaffney, cousins of the bride. The bride is the daughter of Pauline L. Shippy and James W. Shippy, both of Gaffney. She graduated in 1989 from Gaffney Senior High School and attended Spartanburg Technical College. Currently a student at Cleveland Community College in Shelby majoring in Early Childhood Education, she is employed by Highland Headstart Centers of Gastonia. Mr. Smith is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Smith of Grover, N.C. He graduated in 1989 from Crest High School in Shelby and is employed by First Fleet Transportation of Charlotte. After a wedding trip to Myrtle Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Smith are making their home in Gastonia. A reception was held at the Carolina Family Activity Center in Gaffney following the ceremony. Given by the bride's father and mother and her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Wiley, the reception area was decorated with ferns and ficus trees adorned with twinkling lights. * * * A rehearsal dinner was held at the home of the bride's father. Hostesses were Faye Shippy, Nannie Wiley and Mary Allen, aunts of the bride. A "romance" party was given for the bride on Sept. 29. Deborah Ali and Jacqueline Merritt were hostesses at the home of Mrs. Merritt in Charlotte. A miscellaneous shower was given by the bride's co-workers at Headstart Centers of Gastonia on Sept. 29. |
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