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MATTHEWS - BLACKSTON
Historic St. Helena's Episcopal Church in Beaufort was the setting of the double-ring candlelight service uniting Miss Kelley Kristine Matthews and Mr. Jason Randall Blackston in marriage.
Beaufort church is wedding scene Historic St. Helena's Episcopal Church in Beaufort was the setting of the double-ring candlelight service uniting Miss Kelley Kristine Matthews and Mr. Jason Randall Blackston in marriage on September 21, 2002. Reverend Jeffrey Miller officiated the six o'clock ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Eugene Matthews, Junior of Union. The groom is the son of Ms. Frances Baker McCarthy and Mr. John Randall Blackston of Savannah, Georgia. Presenting the musical program were Mrs. Olive Warenfeltz, violinist; Mrs. Mary Ingracia, organist, both of Beaufort; and Mr. Richard Morgan, vocalist, of Jonesville. The bride was escorted to the altar by her father and given in marriage by her parents.
She wore a formal white satin sleeveless gown designed by Imperial that featured a V-neckline. The fitted bodice was embellished with appliqu's of pearls hand-sown from her mother's wedding gown. The waistline featured a large satin bow in the back covered with appliqu's of pearls. The A-line skirt fell into a full, chapel-length train. For her headpiece, she chose a headband of satin and pearls attached to an elbow-length illusion veil. The bridal bouquet featured purple cymbidium orchids, white stargazer lilies, purple lisianthus, and purple freesia hand-tied with white ribbon.
Among the flowers, the bride tied her maternal and paternal grandmother's wedding rings with a satin aubergine ribbon. Miss Melissa Jill Lunt of Beaufort served as maid of honor. She wore a two-piece floor length satin gown in the color of aubergine. It featured a corset style bodice, off the shoulder straps and a straight skirt. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white stargazer liles, purple lisianthus and purple freesia.
Bridesmaids included Mrs. Deana McMakin Gregory, cousin of the bride of Greenville, Mrs. Jennifer Clayton Toney of Minot, North Dakota; and Miss Molly McCarthy Blackston, sister of the groom of Athens, Georgia. They wore dresses identical to the maid of honor and carried hand-tied bouquets of white stargazer lilies and purple lisianthus.
Readers for the ceremony were Mr. James Grimes of Palm Bay, Florida and Mrs. Susan Fryer Brown of Beaufort. The groom chose his father to serve as best man. Groomsmen included Mr. David Eugene Matthews, brother of the bride of Central, Mr. David Glisson of Wilmington, North Carolina; and Mr. Adam Mobley of Richmond, Virginia. Miss Baylee Fidler, cousin of the bride of Charleston, attended the bridal register and Miss Christine Fidler, cousin of the bride of Lexington, was the program attendant.
Wedding decorators were Mrs. Paula Poppell and Ms. Gwen Wachsman of Savannah, Georgia. Church courtyard greeters were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Waddell of Spartanburg, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Parker, Mr. and Mrs. John Shields all of Union, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Kirby of Columbia, Mrs. Kathy Kirby Giles of Irmo, and Mrs. Linda Kirby Fidler of Lexington.
Following the wedding ceremony, the bridal party enjoyed a cruise across the Beaufort Bay aboard (Once a Dream) captained by Mr. Steve Seymour of Augusta, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour hosted a small party for the bridal party on board. The wedding party arrived at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club where the wedding reception was hosted by the bride's parents. Greeters for the reception were Colonel and Mrs. James McMakin of Augusta, Georgia, and Mrs. Betty Roughen of Savannah, Georgia. After a honeymoon trip to Jamaica, the couple will make their home on Lady's Island, Beaufort.
The bride is a graduate of Union High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Winthrop University and her masters of humanities degree from California State University. She is employed as an English and Spanish teacher for Beaufort County Schools and is also an English instructor with the Technical College of the Lowcountry. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lee Tate Kirby and Mr. and Mrs. Ira Eugene Matthews, Sr. of Union.
The groom received his Bachelor of Science degree from Winthrop University in physical education. He is employed as sales representative for Mannitech. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frances Joseph McCarthy and Mr. and Mrs. John Franklin Blackston of Savannah, Georgia.
Parties and showers:
On July 13, the bride was honored with an (Around the Clock) shower at the Inn at Merridun. Mrs. Naida Shields hosted the shower.
The bride and groom were honored with a couples dinner on Aug. 17 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Waddell in Spartanburg. Also hosting were Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Parker.
On Aug. 11, a bridal shower was held at the Unity United Methodist Church. Hostesses for the shower were Mrs. Elizabeth Gist and Mrs. Mary McMakin, aunts of the bride.
The bride and groom were honored at a cocktail party on Aug. 24 hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Brown and Miss Melissa Lunt. The party was held at the Brown's home in Beaufort.
The Shadows Country Club in Savannah, Georgia was the setting for a party honoring the bride and groom on Sept. 3. Hostesses were Ms. Margaret Gowen and Miss Molly Blackston.
On Sept. 14, Miss Melissa Lunt hosted a party honoring the bride at her home on Lady's Island.
The staff and teachers at Beaufort Middle School honored the bride with a Hawaiian Luau on Sept. 16.
The out-of-town wedding guests were treated to a tour of the historic district of Beaufort on Sept. 21. Serving as tour guide and hostess was Ms. Geni Flowers of Beaufort.
The bridal luncheon was held on Sept. 21 at the bride's home on Lady's Island. Hosting the luncheon was Mrs. Carolyn Matthews.
On Sept. 20, a rehearsal dinner and dance was held at the Arsenal in downtown Beaufort. Hosting the party were Mr. Randall Blackston and Ms. Francis McCarthy. Mrs. Jason Randall Blackston
