Amelia Ruth Henson and Austin Reid Rowell united in marriage May 29
Amelia Ruth Henson and Austin Reid Rowell were united in marriage at three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Dr. Dan Howard officiated the ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Phoebe Henson and the late Jim Henson of Philadelphia. She is the granddaughter of Kenneth and Melva Gray of Philadelphia and the late Harvey and Jonnie Henson of Dekalb. The groom is the son of Shane and Christal Rowell of Long Beach. He is the grandson of the late Frank and Sylvia Pollock of Cairo, GA and Gerald Rowell of Jay, FL and Mary Gonzalez of Pensacola, FL.
The bride walked down the aisle wearing an ivory Mikado gown from The Bridal Path, designed by Allure. With a scoop neckline and spaghetti straps, the simple, yet elegant, A-line silhouette was accented with a pearl and crystal belt that encircled her natural waist. Satin-covered buttons cascaded down the back to the edge of her cathedral-length train. Her veil, also cathedral-length, had a raw edge, which blended into the dress beautifully. Pearls were sprinkled throughout the entire veil, making it the perfect complement to her overall look. She wore her mother’s pearl bracelet and carried a rounded, fresh bouquet of pink roses and peonies and purple lisianthus wrapped with white satin ribbon. As she walked down the aisle to “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner, the bride carried a single white rose in memory of her father and placed it on his seat on the front pew, where her mother joined her to give her away.
During the ceremony, the couple received scriptural instructions for marriage and exchanged vows and rings. After a declaration of marriage, they chose to take The Lord’s Supper. Following the kiss and presentation of the couple, the bride and groom had a grand exit to “The Prince of Denmark’s March” by Jeremiah Clarke.
The church altar was decorated with a wooden arbor adorned with fresh pink and purple roses, hydrangeas and peonies with trailing greenery. Family pews were marked with small, fresh pink and purple roses tied with white satin bows. Two fresh floral wreaths hung from the front doors of the church. The floral design was by Allison Siddall of State Floral of Starkville.
Attending the bride as maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Zoie Henson. Bridesmaids were Kaylee Miller and Kristin White, friends of the bride, and Madison Rowell, sister of the groom. The bridesmaids wore an elegant Mori Lee chiffon peony, floor-length gown with flutter sleeves and carried small, fresh bouquets of pink and purple roses wrapped with trailing, white satin ribbons. Reese McKay, friend of the bride, was the flower girl, who also wore an elegant, peony floor-length gown and carried a basket of fresh pink and purple rose petals.
Shane Rowell, father of the groom, served as best man. The groomsmen were Kohler Smallwood, Andrew Brackins and Matthew Duck, friends of the groom. Ushers were Cooper Smith and Caleb Smith, cousins of the bride, and Hunter Blades and Jackson Smith, friends of the groom. All were dressed in charcoal tuxedos from Steve’s on the Square of Philadelphia.
The wedding director was Tammy Ferguson, aunt of the bride. The prelude and nuptial music was provided by Weegie Thomas, pianist and David Benson, organist. Kinsey Gentry Smith, cousin of the bride, was the registry attendant, and Calvin Prince and Callie Prince, cousins of the bride, were the program attendants.
Following the wedding, the bride’s mother hosted a reception at Bridges, the Venue. Tammy Ferguson was also the reception director. Bridges, the Venue provided a wooden, rustic feel with hanging curtains and lights. Atop the tables covered in white tablecloths were clear glass cubes with fresh floral arrangements of pink and purple roses, hydrangeas and lisianthus and mercury glass candles. Pretty Presentations Catering and Event Rentals of Meridian was the caterer for the reception, and State Floral of Starkville provided all floral design. The photographer was Chase Richardson of followell fotography of Clinton, and the videographer was Revival House of Jackson. Andy Hardy was the DJ for the reception.
The bride’s and groom’s cakes were created by Hailey Williams of Cups-N-Cakes Bakery of Louisville. The bride’s five-tier cake was a traditional white cake with buttercream icing. The cake was smooth with pearls lining the bottom of each tier. It was accented with fresh pink and purple roses cascading down the front. The Mississippi State University themed groom’s cake was a three-tier chocolate cake with chocolate icing and peanut butter filling and chocolate covered strawberries. The groom’s table was decorated with a Mississippi State University theme including cowbells and photos of the couple in Starkville.
The couple exited the reception through a path of guests ringing personalized “Amelia & Austin” cowbells. They drove away in a white 1987 Ford Mustang GT convertible.
On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at First Baptist Church. Pickin’ N Grillin’ BBQ was the caterer for the rehearsal dinner. Terrica McKee of Southern Productions Weddings & Events of Meridian was the floral designer. The tables were topped with white tablecloths and adorned with fresh white roses, greenery and floating candles.
Following a honeymoon to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the couple now resides at their home in Madison, Alabama.