Johnston United Methodist Church was the setting for the Feb. 14, 2009 ceremony uniting Meghan Leigh Wooten and Lance Corporal Bradley Michael Smith in holy matrimony.

The 4 p.m. double-ring ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Becky Shirley.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Craig Wooten of Johnston. She is the paternal granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Blackledge of Edgefield and the late Thomas Calvin Wooten. She is the maternal granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Kneece Sr. of Johnston.

The groom is the son of Donna Michele Carter of Hephzibah, Ga. and the late Michael Rudolph Smith of Bedford, Ind. He is the paternal grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Smith of Bloomington, Ind.

He is the maternal grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Spoto of Hephzibah and the late Philip Waters of Hephzibah. The bride was given in marriage by her parents and was escorted by her father.

The chiming of the hour was followed by the arrival of the bride.

She entered the church to “Ave Maria,” her favorite song. She chose a white satin wedding gown trimmed in Marine blue. The strapless A-line grown flowed into a semi-cathedral Marine blue train enhanced with crystals and clear sequins.

Her fingertip veil of bridal illusion was etched in Marine blue trimming as well. She chose to wear antique pearl earrings and necklace which belonged to her grandmother, Mrs. Charles Kneece Sr.

She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white lilies and roses enhanced with iridescent white and Marine blue ribbons. The bride chose her cousin, Marissa Nicole Dorland of Aiken to serve as her maid of honor. She chose a ball gown of dark navy taffeta for the event.

She wore a rhinestone necklace and earring set which was a gift from the bride. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of miniature white tulips accented with white and blue ribbons.

Lindsey Jones, cousin of the bride, of Greenwood, and Catie Crowe, cousin of the bride, also of Greenwood, served as bridesmaids. They wore dresses and accessories to match the maid of honor.
The groom chose PFC Seth Thompson, USMC, of Spartanburg to serve as his best man.

Kevin Lewis, brother of the groom, of Sarasota, Fla., and Anthony Smith, brother of the groom, of Augusta, Ga. served as groomsmen. Charles Clark Watson, cousin of the bride, of Johnston, served as honorary usher to assist in the seating of the grandparents and other special guests.

Music for the ceremony was provided by Linda Edwards, organist, of Augusta; Josh Clark, trumpeter, of Johnston; and Nalyne Herrin, vocalist, of Johnston. Ceremonial pieces included, “Trumpet Voluntary” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Mrs. Herrin also sang, “Ave Maria” for the bride’s entrance into the church.

The couple chose to exit the church to a spirited arrangement of the “Marine’s Hymn.” The guests were then invited to a reception in the church’s fellowship hall.

The hall was decorated with an arrangement of white hydrangeas, blue larkspur and various spring flowers nestled in a tall silver vase upon a silver pedestal. The tables were enhanced with white candle rings surrounding cracked-glass candle bowls on mirrors.

The white, three-tiered, bridal cake was trimmed in variations of blue roses.

A porcelain bride and Marine adorned the top of the cake.

A replica of a Marine sword was used to cut the first slice of cake. The groom’s cake, made by the groom’s mother, was a chocolate seven-layer cake trimmed with festive strawberries and grapes.

Guests were presented handmade cookies decorated with Marine insignia as parting gifts.

The cookies were placed in a basket hand-made by the bride’s aunt, Donna Jones of Greenwood.
These baskets are a traditional gift for all brides in the Wooten family.

The bride and groom will make their home in Beaufort.

They plan to enjoy a summer cruise to celebrate this special time in their lives.