Sonja Gause is bride of Conrad Leach

Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Leach

Sonja Gause is bride of Conrad Leach Sonja Kaye Gause of Cerro Gordo and Conrad Leach of Whiteville were united in marriage on April 13 in a 5 p.m. double ring ceremony in the First Baptist Church of Whiteville. The Rev. Dave Flowers officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mary Gause of Cerro Gordo and granddaughter of the late Rosa Graham of Cerro Gordo. She graduated from West Columbus High School, Southeastern Community College and UNC-Pembroke. She is director at Opening Doors Preschool II. The groom is the son of Annette Leach of Fair Bluff and grandson of the late Mamie King of Fair Bluff. He graduated from West Columbus High School, Southeastern Community College and Troy University. He retired from the U.S. Army.

The couple honeymooned in Myrtle Beach and Charleston, S.C. They are residing in Whiteville.

The bride was given in marriage by her brother, Larry Graham. She wore a strapless ivory Alencon lace Maggie Sottero gown adorned with sparkling sequins and beading. The gown was accented with a bridal sash made with Swarovski crystals in a vintage style design. She wore an elbow length custom bridal veil adorned with a hand beaded Swarovski crystal edge.

Matrons of honor were Melissa Brown of Gainesville, Fla., cousin of the bride, and Frankye Newkirk of Cerro Gordo, friend of the bride.

Bridesmaids were Tammy Gause of Pittsboro, sister of the bride; Sophia Gause of Dillon, S.C. and Rhonda Gause of Bladenboro, sistersin-law of the bride; Barbara Campbell and Rhonda Creech of Whiteville and Kisha Murray of Suitland, Md., friends of the bride. They wore black one-shoulder floor length chiffon gowns by Mori Lee. Junior bridesmaids were Kiyah Gause of Cerro Gordo, daughter of the bride, and Conraya Leach of Toledo, Ohio, daughter of the groom.

Howard Carter of Charlotte, brother of the groom, and Leon Fabers of Charleston, S.C., friend of the groom, were best men. Groomsmen were Cornelius Gause of Dillon, S.C., and Sammy Gause of Bladenboro, brothers of the bride; Robert Creech and Melvin Campbell of Whiteville, friends of the groom; Anthony Graham of Hallsboro, nephew of the bride, and Clarence Graham of Cerro Gordo, cousin of the bride.

Honorary groomsmen were John Williams of St. Mary, Ga., cousin of the bride, and Ronnie Davis of Columbus, Ga., friend of the groom. Junior groomsmen were Conrad Leach II of Toledo, Ohio, son of the groom, and Jordan Campbell of Whiteville, friend of the groom. Ushers were Chris Rector of Chadbourn and Cleo Newkirk of Cerro Gordo. Amaziah Gause of Bladenboro, nephew of the bride, was ring bearer. Jordan Newkirk of Cerro Gordo, goddaughter of the bride, was flower girl.

The bride’s mother wore a Daisy gold two-piece suit with gossamer gold metallic threads woven in. The groom’s mother wore a black and white silk dress with a trumpet silhouette and a matching brooch-embellished jacket.

Angela Phillips and Earnestine Boone directed the wedding.

A reception was held at Vineland Depot in Whiteville, given by the couple. A cocktail hour at 6 p.m. was hosted by Juanita Davis, Angela Phillips and Margie Flowers.

Melvin and Barbara Campbell and Robert and Rhonda Creech hosted a rehearsal dinner at Central Baptist Church Dining Hall. Junior hostesses were Mya Campbell, Faith Cartrette, Haley Collins, Bailey Rector and Paige Ward.

A 31 Shower was given by Victoria Baldwin and CeCe Creech at Opening Doors Preschool II. A Christmas shower was given by Rhonda Creech, Barbara Campbell and Beth Rector at Melvin and Barbara Campbell’s home.

A bridal brunch was given by Beth Rector and Joy Rector at the home of Fax and Beth Rector.

A kitchen shower was given by Ruby Graham, Sophia Gause, Barbara Williams, Gloria Graham and Earnestine Boone at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church fellowship hall.

A lingerie shower was given by Frankye Newkirk and Melissa Brown.

A couples’ dinner was held at Miyabi’s Restaurant in Myrtle Beach.

A bridal weekend in Savannah, Ga. was given by Melissa Brown. d