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Smith - Koenning
Miss Dawn Elizabeth Smith
Weds
Mr. Court Ryan Koenning
Miss Dawn Elizabeth Smith and Mr. Court Ryan Koenning were united in marriage on Saturday, May 15, 2004 at six o'clock in the evening at First Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. The double ring ceremony was officiated by Reverend William Vanderbloemen and Reverend Carmen Fowler. Organist Dr. Joby Bell, soloist Ms. Melissa Givens, trumpeter Dr. Dan Shipman, and a string trio from Ambient Arts provided the music for the ceremony. A reception immediately followed the ceremony at the Junior League with music by the Easy Money Band. On the eve of the wedding, the groom's parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at The State Grille.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Lewis Smith of Angleton, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Lewis Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Lourd of New Iberia, Louisiana.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Gerald Koenning of Victoria, Texas. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Frank Koenning of Westhoff, Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Grady Weldon Speed of Victoria, Texas and the late Mr. Henry Nicholson Moore of Victoria, Texas.
Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, Dawn chose a candlelight silk duchess satin gown featuring a dropped waist and princessline skirt. The strapless bodice was embellished with Alencon lace, Swarovski crystals and pearls and the hemline featured a border of lace and crystals. Her cathedral-length train was accented with hand-embroidered Alencon lace and trimmed with crystals and pearls. A matching tiara of Swarovski crystals and pearls were attached to an elbowlength veil designed by Jenny Kim Couture. She carried her paternal great-grandmothers Irish Linen Handkerchief and a nosegay of peonies, stephanotis, rununculus, and Anna roses, tied together with a candlelight satin ribbon embroidered with the bride's new monogram. To follow the tradition of "something blue," the bride delicately pinned the groom's maternal greatgrandfather's blue and gold baby pin into the ribbon of her bouquet.
Mrs. Kelley Harwerth of Pearland, Texas, best friend of the bride, and Mrs. Susan Woodard of New Braunfels, Texas, sister of the bride, served as Matrons of Honor. Bridesmaids included Miss Tania Fongemie, friend of the bride, Mrs. Cherie Viator, sister-in-law of the bride, both of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Bonnie Pullen of New Braunfels, Texas, friend of the bride, and Mrs. Dawn Koenning of Brenham, Texas, sister-in-law of the groom. The attendants wore black, two-piece straight lined silk duchess satin gowns featuring a beaded halter and carried silver tussy mussies filled with colorful spring bouquets of pink sweet peas, blue hyacinth and Anna roses. Serving as flowergirls were the bride's nieces, Miss Annslie Woodard and Miss Averie Woodard, both of New Braunfels, Texas and Miss Kendall Viator of Houston, Texas.
Serving as Best Man was Mr. Craig Parks of New York, New York. Groomsmen were Mr. Ty Koenning of Brenham, Texas, brother of the groom, Mr. Todd McClanahan of Smithville, Texas, friend of the groom, Mr. Brad Leist of Dallas, Texas, friend of the groom, Mr. Stephen Driver, friend of the groom, Mr. Thomas Clingenpeel, friend of the groom, both of Houston, Texas. The ringbearers were Master Blaine Koenning and Master Garrett Koenning, both of Brenham, Texas, nephews of the groom, and Master Collin Viator of Houston, Texas, nephew of the bride.
Ushers included Mr. James Johnson of Washington, D.C., Mr. Ryan Patrick of Houston, Texas, both friends of the groom, Mr. Michael Viator of Houston, Texas, Mr. Stephen Viator of Angleton, Texas, both brothers of the bride and Mr. Keith Woodard of New Braunfels, Texas, brother-in-law of the bride.
The bride is a graduate of Angleton High School, in Angleton, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Political Science and Public Relations. Dawn is currently employed with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as Assistant Director of Development.
The groom is a graduate of Victoria High School in Victoria, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Political Science. Court is currently employed with the Harris County Republican Party as Executive Director.
Following a honeymoon trip to The Netherlands, Spain, France, and Italy, the couple will reside in Houston, Texas.
Dawn and Court would like to take this opportunity to thank their parents for making their special day memorable.
