ST. LOUIS -- Anne Marie Gregston and George Richard Nichols exchanged wedding vows in a 5:30 p.m. ceremony Aug. 14, 2004, at Hanley Road Baptist Church before the Rev. Tom Geers.
The bride is the daughter of Keith and Debbie Gregston of Sikeston and the bridegroom is the son of George and Barbara Nichols of Golden City.
Music for the ceremony was provided by pianist Judith Sutton, soloist Justin Tanner, soloist Sam Joplin, groomsman, and soloist Chris Joplin, best man. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless silk Mikado gown with a sweep train by Wearkstatt, and carried a bouquet of miniature calla lillies and white freesia.
Sarah McGill of Cape Girardeau attended the bride as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Natalie Nichols, sister of the groom, Trisha Taylor and Kristen Tarwater all of Columbia, Angela Teters of Springfield, Katie Zagar and Heather Panchot of St. Louis, and Jennifer Tomlinson of Kansas City. The bridesmaids wore black silk strapless dresses and carried bouquets of bright pink dahlias and freesia.
Chris Joplin of New Orleans, served the bridegroom as best man. Groomsmen were Chris Gregston, brother of the bride, Jarid Weimer of St. Louis, Garrett Taylor and Kurt Tarwater of Columbia, Jeff Brinkhoff of Golden City, Brent Roberston of Minneapolis, Jim Scott of Springfield, Sam Joplin of Panama City, Fla., Scott Dierks of Joplin.
Ushers were Matt Hendrickson, Andrew Hendrickson and Adam Langdon of Kansas City, Mike Carlson of St. Louis, Jeff Lasley of Gainesville, Ga., Stu Stenger of Springfield and Brian Kimes of Columbia.
Tracy Ashley, Michelle Briggs and Betsey Kimes were guestbook and program attendants, and Saundra Fidler assisted as wedding coordinator.
A dinner and dance reception followed the ceremony at The Lindell Pavilion in Forest Park, St. Louis. Entertainment was provided by Arvelle and Company, a St. Louis-based rhythm and blues band.
A rehearsal dinner was hosted by the bridegroom's parents at Sqwires in Lafayette Square at St. Louis the evening prior to the wedding.
An engagement party was held at the home of Jane and Jim McKinney in Springfield, and the bridal party hosted a couples shower in Columbia. A bridal shower was held at Susie's Bake Shoppe in Sikeston by Mary Carolyn Adams, Kathy Boldrey, Saundra Fidler, Dottie Long, Sarah McGill, Kathy Pelczynski, Pat Taylor and Linda Underwood.
The women of Trinity Baptist Church also hosted a bridal shower.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are currently residing in Charlottesville, Va.