St. Mary - Richardson

Sunday, June 24, 2007

PORTAGEVILLE - Bethany Jane St. Mary and Barry Leroy Richardson III exchanged wedding vows during a candlelight ceremony Jan. 6, 2007, at the First Baptist Church in Portageville. The Rev. Matthew Johnson, cousin of the bride, officiated at the double-ring service.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve St. Mary Jr. of Portageville. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hayes and Mr. and Mrs. Steve St. Mary Sr.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Richardson Jr. of Portageville. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Richardson Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Curtis.

Escorted down the aisle by her father, the bride wore a formal light-gold Maggie Sottero gown featuring Swarovski crystals on Duchess satin. The bodice was encrusted with crystals, which highlighted the soft, pleated waist. Embellishments were delicately sprinkled on the front of the skirt and continued down the chapel-length train. Accenting the gown was a one-tier sheer veil edged in Swarovski that fell just below the bride's waist. The bride also wore Maggie Sottero Swarovski crystal earrings and bracelet, which were a gift from her mother.

The bride carried white calla lilies and champagne roses arranged in a clutch bouquet tied with ivory satin ribbon around the stems.

Amy Moylan attended her sister as matron of honor. Serving as maid of honor was Allyson Crafton, friend of the bride. Brittini St. Mary, sister-in-law of the bride; Ashley Long, friend of the bride; and Mindy Stafford, friend of the bride, all served as bridesmaids.

The bridesmaids wore copper, two-piece satin dresses by Bari Jay. The corset-style shirred top was beaded and accompanied by an A-line style skirt. They carried a clutch bouquet of terra cotta calla lilies, hypericum berries and champagne roses.

Blake Richardson, brother of the bridegroom, served as the best man. Groomsmen included Brandon Ray, cousin of the groom, and Brandon Malone, friend of the groom.

Ushering in the guests were Joe Don Johnson and Jason Dawkins, both friends of the bridegroom; Barrett St. Mary, brother of the bride; and Chris Moylan, brother-in-law of the bride.

The bridegroom, along with all other men in the wedding party, wore black Ralph Lauren tuxedos. The bridegroom wore a vest and tie in light gold to accent the bride's attire, while the others wore black. Miniature white calla lily boutonnieres complemented their attire.

Greeting guests at the wedding were guest book attendant Kelsey Stephens, cousin of the bridegroom, and program attendants Shane Houston Stephens, cousin of the bridegroom, and Lee Carlton, cousin of the bride. Friends of the bridegroom, Rob Schneider and Jon Walker, lit the candles during the ceremony.

Music during the ceremony was provided by pianist Beth Cross, aunt of the bridegroom, and soloists Don Phillips, uncle of the bride, and Clara Utley, cousin of the bride. Megan Lange, cousin of the bride, and Kristen Stephens, cousin of the bridegroom, delivered scriptural readings during the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, the bride and bridegroom, along with many family and friends, enjoyed a reception and dance at the Rone Hall just outside of Portageville.

A rehearsal dinner hosted by the bridegroom's parents was held in honor of the couple on Jan. 5, 2007, at Susie's Bake Shoppe in Sikeston.

The new Mrs. Richardson, a 2007 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, is employed by Holcomb R-3 School District as a sixth-grade teacher. A 2004 graduate of Mississippi State University, the bridegroom is a self-employed cotton farmer.

Following their honeymoon at the Grand St. Lucian Sandals Beach Resort, they returned to their home in Portageville.