Smith, Kelso exchange vows

Lori Renae Smith of Huntsville and Justin Aaron Kelso of Hartselle were married May 18, 2013, at Huntsville Botanical Gardens with Pastor David Gamble and associate pastor Bert Bunner officiating.

Mr. and Mrs. Justin Aaron Kelso

The bride is the daughter of Jerry and Gail Smith of Arab and the  granddaughter of Billy and Laverne Brooks, Lillian Smith and the late Elton Smith, all of Arab.

The groom is the son of Lynn Kelso and the late Roger Kelso of Hartselle and the grandson of A.D. Hargrove, Judy Hargrove and the late John and Mildred Kelso, all of Hartselle.

The ceremony took place at the Teledyne Terrace inside the Gardens. Glass mason jars filled with purple and white pansies hung on the sides of the chairs on the center aisle. An assortment of pink and lavender rose petals were scattered down the aisle.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents, Jerry and Gail Smith.

The bride wore a strapless formal gown of ivory silk chiffon featuring a sweetheart neckline with a molded bodice, delicately embellished with scrolling embroidery and hand beading. The gown’s focal interest was the natural waistline, which was emphasized with a criss-cross belt of shirred chiffon. The soft A-line skirt of chiffon was adorned with cascading embroidery and swept to a chapel train.

The bride carried a bouquet of Picasso calla lilies, purple hydrangeas and lavender tulips.

Matron of Honor was Katie Lott, friend of the bride, of Hartselle. Also attending the bride was Haylee Mead of Columbus, Ga, Ashley Collins of New Market, Holly Tiemann of Toney, Melissa Yarbrough of Arab and Elizabeth Stark of Madison.

The bridesmaids wore two styles of dresses by Bill Levkoff in regency purple. One dress being a chiffon one shoulder style, cocktail length with a ruches bodice and skirt embellished with soft bathers. The other dress was a strapless chiffon cocktail style dress with diagonal pleats that accent the bodice and a pleated cummerbund at the natural waist with soft pleats on the skirt. They carried bouquets of assorted lavender tulips and lavender roses. The bouquets were held by purple satin ribbon.

Camden Agnew served as flower girl and Jordan Kelso, nephew of the groom, was the ring bearer.

Attending the groom was best man, Tas Agnew, friend from Clarksville, Tenn. Groomsmen were Phillip Kelso, brother of the groom from Hartselle, Josh Sloan and Joey Schutt, both of Hartselle, Drew Emerson of Tuscaloosa and Jon Lott of Homestead, Fla.

Parents and grandparents were seated by Phillip Kelso of Hartselle and Jason Smith of Arab, brothers of the bride and groom.

The parents and grandparents were escorted and seated to the song, “A Hundred More Years.” The attendants walked the aisle to a violin version of “Hymne.” The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father to “Forever in Love.” Soloist Tiffany Bulman sang “I Will Be Here” to start the ceremony. The song, “When God Made You” was played after vows were said. The couple then chose to take part in the very special and unique Unity Cross ceremony. At the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, the bridal party left to “This Will Be An Everlasting Love.”

Immediately following the ceremony a reception was held in the Arbor Room at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. A slide show at the reception was provided by Jason Smith, brother of the bride.

The bride’s cake was a gorgeous two tiered square lemon cake with ivory icing decorated with a scroll pattern and piped pearls around the base of each tier all nestled on a lighted glass block display. The cake displayed an array of purple flowers from the ceremony including tulips, roses, hydrangeas, and calla lilies and included a “K” cake topper.

The groom’s cake was a two tiered chocolate cake with buttercream icing. The cake was decorated in houndstooth and crimson, and was covered with chocolate covered strawberry footballs.

The wedding was directed by Paula Ramey.

Amber Christa kept the bride’s book. The program attendants were Nathan Smith, cousin of the bride and Destiny Moses.

After a honeymoon to Montego Bay, Jamaica the couple will reside in Huntsville.

Pre-wedding events:

A rehearsal dinner hosted by the bride and groom at Greenbriar BBQ restaurant on May 17.

A bridal luncheon at Emma’s Tea Room.

A bridal shower hosted by friends and family at Eddy Baptist Church in Arab on April 13.

A bridal shower hosted by friends at Bethel Church on April 20.

A tool and gadget party hosted by friends at the home of Chris and Susie Agnew on April 20.