Small Talk

Weddings … created for the bride and groom, but all about family, and the wedding of Ashley Elizabeth Garner and Mark Lewis Ambery on Saturday, June 7, was testament to that reality. Attended by more than 200 family and close family friends, half of whom came from out of town, it was obvious that many thoughtful details had been carefully designed with their special guests in mind.

The bride is the daughter of Ann and Dr. Robert Fuller Garner, III. The groom's parents are Richard Ambery of Atlanta and Sharon Horgan of Davie, Fla., and Lainey Ambery of Dawsonville, Ga.

In a couture gown of white Italian satin with cathedral train and a stunning cathedral length veil of Venise lace and Swarovski crystal, Ashley was a classic and elegant bride, and the setting of the wedding, in the handsome 1920s Tudor ballroom of the Anniston Country Club, reflected that classic sensibility.

In the center of the vaulted ceiling a massive iron chandelier held an equally massive arrangement of white flowers and greenery. Eight smaller chandeliers, similarly designed with the addition of cascading tendrils of white satin ribbon, created a lush overhead aisle for the wedding party who processed to the entryway through rows of white chairs. The entry, embellished with brilliant summer flowers, created a floral arbor in front of which the couple exchanged vows in a ceremony performed by Dr. Barry Nichols. (Ashley, a veterinary medicine student at Auburn, had worked several summers for Dr. Nicholls.)

Tucked in the bride's bouquet were special family mementoes: an angel pin that had belonged to Ann's mother, the late Betty McMillon, an avid collector of angels; an antique aquamarine tie pin, Ashley's birthstone, a gift of her grandmother, the late Cristina Garner; and a handkerchief given by Corinne Hopper in memory of Ashley's brother, Rob Garner, who passed away in November.

Ashley's matron of honor was her sister, mentor and best friend, Dr. Christi Weeks, and maid of honor was Marie Moore, friend and next-door neighbor since birth.

Her six bridesmaids, cool and elegant in black tissue taffeta strapless gowns with long ice blue sashes, were Annistonians Ashley Garland, a preschool chum, and Jamie Overstreet, a close friend from The Donoho School, Shann Naylor, an Auburn Delta Zeta sorority sister, Sally Eddins, an Auburn friend from Ashley's freshman year, Lauren Conners, a friend from vet school, and Amanda Williams, Mark's friend from high school days.

Missing was bridesmaid Amanda Miller, who had been kicked in the head by a horse just prior to the wedding. A hazard, obviously, of veterinary medicine.

Mark's brother Jonathan, who played a piano solo during the service, and Matthew Dewhurst, a pal from kindergarten days, shared honors as best men. Groomsmen were his father Richard Ambery and Ashley's friend, Brad Snead, who stood in for her brother, Rob.

In another remembrance of Rob, knowing he would have chosen them to represent him, Brad and Lyndsey Ward escorted Ann to her place of honor.

Youngest of the wedding party (very youngest) were Ashley's nephew, Jackson Weeks (11 months) as ring bearer, carried by dad, Dr. Jeff Weeks, and Mark's goddaughter, Liv Dewhurst (13 months) who, as flower girl, tossed rose petals from the arms of her mother, Liisa.

Others assisting in the wedding were Ashley's cousins (both from Dahlonega, Ga.) Amanda McMillon, who kept the guest book, and her older brother Trey McMillon, who served as acolyte. Holly Davenport, the Garners' goddaughter, handed out programs to arriving guests

Following the ceremony, guests mingled on the patio and in the clubroom with its lovely mountain view, and as the summer sun set, twinkling white lights entwined in garlands of greenery along the patio rail created another element to the ambiance. This touch and all the handsome floral arrangements throughout the club were designed by Susie Ulrey and executed by Mike Cova.

A simple, elegant bride's cake of multiple flavors (made by Missy Beverly, with assistance from her daughters, Rachel and Kendal) was decorated with a cascading spiral of rose pink Gerber daisies, lavender chrysanthemum daisies, lavender stock, alstromeria lilies, kermit mums, lisianthus and wax flowers with iridescent crystal accents.

And the band played on, so guests danced off some the calories until midnight.

Prior to the wedding, there were several delightful gatherings beginning with a cozy soiree at the Garners' on Thursday where the ladies were indulged with manicures and pedicures. With polish still drying, they enjoyed dinner and a quiet visit. Special guests were Mark's maternal grandparents, Zoe and Bob Phillips.

Laura Moore and Elaine Overstreet, mothers of two of Ashley's attendants, hosted the bridesmaids' luncheon at the Club on Friday. At each chair, they had placed framed pictures of Ashley and Mark and asked guests to write a congratulatory note or memory as a gift for the bride.

Ashley's aunt, Judy McMillon, of Macon, Ga., shared a special memory of Ashley as a second grader bringing home a tiny Alligator plant from her teacher, Judy Smith. Ashley asked her Aunt Judy to help plant this prized possession and when it began producing sprouts shared one with her. Judy told how she has brightened many lives over the years by repeating the process of sharing offshoots. She presented Ashley with a plant from her stock along with the quite excellent reminder that with care and nourishment, relationships, like plants, grow, develop and become stronger with time.

The rehearsal dinner on Friday was held at The Victoria and was hosted by Mark's parents, Lainey Ambery and Richard Ambery. The evening of traditional toasts brought laughter and tears to the sixty-plus guests.

The bride and groom stayed in Anniston for several days after the wedding, and on Sunday, Mark's parents were hosts for a brunch at Classic on Noble. Co-hosts were his grandparents Zoe and Bob Phillips of Cordele, Ga., and Norma Ambery of Atlanta, and aunts and uncles, Linda and Bobby Ambery, Susan and Morris Socoloff and Nancy Martin. Among well-wishers were his aunt, Vickie Slappey, of Dahlonega, Ga., and his grandfather, James Hall, of St. Simons Island.

Adding to what was very much a family occasion, Ashley's sister Christi and son Jackson stayed until Wednesday when the new Mr. and Mrs. Ambery left for their wedding trip to Negril, Jamaica. Also here were Bob's sister and husband, Judy and Alan Schulman from Colorado Springs, who spent two weeks before the wedding and one after helping with preparations. Their sons, Peter and James Schulman, also of Colorado, had arrived on Thursday.

The couple is now at home in Auburn until Ashley finishes vet school. Mark, who is employed by OB 10 Inc., a company based in England, is North American Credit Controller in their Atlanta office.