Powell / Gregory

NOVEMBER 13, 2021 ~ BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI ~ PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAYLOR COOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Joy Elizabeth Powell and John Chandler Gregory were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. on November 13, 2021, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Mississippi, with the Reverend Greg Warnock officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Colonel Kenneth W. and Sherry Byrd Powell, who were married in the same chapel along with the bride’s maternal grandparents. She is the granddaughter of Jerry and Betty Byrd and Ann Powell and the late James Doyle Powell.

The groom is the son of William Timothy and Necci Rollins Gregory. He is the grandson of Donald Gregory and the late Mary Katherine Gregory and Jimmie Ray Cureington and the late Eloise Blount Cureington.

The bride’s dress featured gorgeous off-the-shoulder straps, masterfully placed for a folded effect on the neckline and back of the gown. The plunging V-neckline and sheer details in the bodice showed off the ornate graphic lace effortlessly cascading down the skirt to the cathedral length train. Layers and layers of tulle created a frothy full skirt made for a dreamy walk down the aisle. The bride paired her gown with a royal length veil of matching lace, creating the ultimate regal look for her big day.

Her bouquet in traditional fall colors featured white hydrangeas adorned with seeded eucalyptus, ruscus, and solidago. The cherry brandy and orange crush roses were made especially for a Mississippi woman and a Louisiana man. The flowers selected also were used throughout the church.

Matrons of honor were Katherine Barkett Byrd, Shelby Sherman Powell, and Brittany Berry Spiers. The bridesmaids were Callie Burkett, Meagan Chapman, Missy Clanton, Amanda Carraway Hanks, Rebecca Lewis Lee, Anna Moak, Cassie Long, Brittany Martin Myers, Claire Pride, and Jacqueline Mullen Russell. The bridesmaids wore black with each choosing her preferred style. Mary Catherine Franklin served as the bride’s proxy.

Flower girls were Caroline Elizabeth Hyde, Olivia Lynn Hyde, and Swayze L’Wren Marciel; and the ring bearers were Landon Bentley Byrd and Liam Larue Byrd.

Best man was William Walker Gregory, brother of the groom. Serving as groomsmen were John Hunter Gregory, son of the groom, along with Richard Adam Borsch, William Randall Borsch, Walter Ryan Borsch, Adam Donathan Byrd, Corey Benjamin Hill, Tucker Lee Kifer, William Bryant Killen, Sr., Chad Hunter Meyers, James Larue Powell, Gary Allen Strong, and Russell Y. Ratcliff III. Serving as ushers were James Powell McGhee, Jerrod Mitchell Rayhorn, Robert All McGhee, and William Byrd.

Nancy Fisher served as the pianist, and the Babcock String Quartet also provided music. Vocalists were Vonda Smith, Marty Stevens, Katherine Byrd, and Cassie Long.

Melinda Said, owner of Melinda’s Fabrics and Interiors, decorated the church and created the bride’s bouquet and all the other bouquets.

A reception was held immediately following the ceremony at the home of the bride’s parents in Brookhaven. Mitchell’s Special Events and Catering provided catering for the reception.

Bertha Cartwright, owner of Bertha’s Flower Shop, provided all the reception flowers and decorating along with Kim Carter, Cathy McDonnieal, Kristi Lambert, and Cathy Pigott. Entertainment was provided by an Elvis impersonator and the DMP Band which played Mo Town and today’s hits.

The wedding cake, designed by Rose Atwater of Rose Bakes in McCall Creek, Mississippi, was six tiers of varying heights of white almond sour cream cake with vanilla buttercream and alternating tiers of lemon curd and vanilla bean filling. The outside was covered in vanilla buttercream decorated with sugar flowers that had gold highlights and a dusting of edible 24-carat gold leaf cascading around the cake. The cake’s top tier was covered by stunning sugar flowers that included roses, peonies, tulips, cherry blossoms, berries, and a variety of leaves.

The groom’s cake was shaped as the State of Louisiana and decorated with fondant pieces to reflect all of his loves: LSU, golf, guitar, Mardi Gras, deer hunting, Lake Bruin, cotton, and the swamps with cypress trees, alligators, crawfish, and more. The butter pecan cake, filled and frosted with caramel buttercream, was also designed by Atwater.

Following the wedding, the couple honeymooned in St. Lucia and are now at home in Hewitt, Texas.

Parties prior to the wedding included an engagement party hosted by family and friends on September 11, 2021, in Brookhaven. On November 12, 2021, the parents of the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner. Tables were decorated with centerpieces that matched the wedding flowers, and guests enjoyed a video of the bride and groom as well as many toasts of well-wishes and stories.

On the day of the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Will Phillips hosted a brunch for out-of-town guests; and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Franklin hosted the luncheon for the bridesmaids at their beautiful home. Groomsmen’s activities that day included gathering for lunch, visiting, taking pictures, and enjoying the outdoors at the Byrds’ lodge.