The celebration and blessing of the marriage of Ashley Victoria Thomas and Michael Joseph Taylor was held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, at Ravencrest, the bride’s family home in Macon.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson Thomas Jr. of Macon. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson Thomas of Starkville and the late Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Edward McLaughlin of Stone Mountain, Ga. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Michael Taylor of Madison. He is the grandson of Mrs. Joseph Cooper Campbell Jr. and the late Mr. Campbell of Jackson and Mrs. James Willard Taylor and the late Mr. Taylor of Canton.
The double-ring ceremony was officiated by the Reverends Terry Michael Jernigan of Sardis and Derrick Austin Wilson of Meridian. Nuptial music was presented by the Riverside Quarter of Meridian and bagpiper, Zoe Brumfield.
Given in marriage by her parents and brother, the bride wore an ivory-over-champagne designer ball gown that featured sequined tulle with lace motifs accenting the fitted bodice, strapless sweetheart neckline, and statement hemline. The cathedral-length veil was edged in lace motifs matching the gown. She carried an ivory bouquet of hydrangeas, calla lilies, garden roses, and waxflower tied with ivory silk dupioni ribbon. The bride’s mother’s veil was entwined throughout her bouquet.
Attending as maids of honor were Andrea Rae Seitz and Lauren Michelle Phifer. Bridesmaids were Megan Banks Gibson, Sofia Eugenia Miller, Hayley Nicole Rabbit, and Anna Christian Solomon. They wore rose-hued full-length lux chiffon dresses with jeweled halter necklines. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of antique hydrangeas, ivory and pink garden roses, waxflower, and pink calla lilies tied with blush silk dupioni ribbon.
The bridegroom’s father served as best man. Groomsmen were William Anderson Thomas III, brother of the bride, John Philip Land, Justin Matthew Pigott, William Randolph Collins, and Samuel Coleman Pyle, cousin of the bride. Ushers were Michael Hilton Gibson, Adam Jacob Ostergaard, and Stephen Paul Solomon. Ring bearer was Master John Reid Coleman.
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception on the grounds of their home, adorned with candles and arrangements of flowers in various shades of pink and ivory. The bride’s cake was a five-tiered buttercream frosted cake adorned with fresh roses in various colors of pink and white. The bridegroom’s cake was a multi-tiered chocolate cake featuring the Mississippi State University logo, where the couple met.
Music was presented by the band, STYLE. The couple departed the reception under a canopy of sparklers accompanied by the sounds of miniature white cowbells emblazoned with the couple’s monogram.
On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Columbus Marriott. The parents of the bride hosted a post-toast celebration at the same location.
After a wedding trip to Key Largo, the couple is at home in Macon.
