Davis - Anthony

SIKESTON - Amanda Gail "Mandy" Davis and Todd Michael Anthony exchanged wedding vows in a 5 p.m. candlelight ceremony Dec. 28, 2002, at the First Christian Church in Sikeston. The Rev. Mary L. McCord performed the double-ring ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Ryan of Virginia Beach, Va., served as readers for the occasion.

Christmas trees adorned the front of the sanctuary and the color scheme for the occasion was white and burgundy.

The bride is the daughter of Jerry and Debby Davis and her husband is the son of Dr. Larry and Linda Anthony, all of Sikeston.

Grandmothers of the bride are Betty Frame and Velma Davis of Sikeston and the bridegroom's grandmothers are Beulah Cookson of Puxico and Mary Wilhoit of Columbia.

Dale Frame, uncle of the bride, performed "What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." Nuptial music for the ceremony included "Canon in D," "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Trumpet Voluntary."

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a strapless ivory gown with gold accent created by Demetrious Couture by Ilissa. The italian satin design featured a fitted bodice embellished with pale gold embroidery in a floral pattern. The a-line skirt flowed from a princess waistline and the gown was complemented with a carriage back featuring delicate embroidery which cascaded down the semi-cathedral train. The creation was highlighted by pale gold embroidery around the hem and train. To complement her attire, the bride carried a bouquet of white roses and wore a tiara french bandeau of pearls and crystals and a comb secured her fountain veil of illusion. As a symbol of good luck, the initials of the bride, bridegroom their parents and grandparents were sewn into the hem of the bridal gown. A fur cape was created for the bride by Joy's Bridal in Sikeston as a gift from the mother of the bridegroom.

To honor their parents, the couple used the kneeling pad from the bride's parents' wedding, which was made by the bride's great-grandmother; and the ring pillow was used by the bridegroom's parents at their wedding.

Maids of honor were Kristin Ancell of Columbia, Jennifer Anthony of Arlington, Va., sister of the bridegroom, Tanya Griffin of Jackson, Jenny Lane of Cape Girardeau and Brooke Malone of Columbia.

Best men were Ben Askew of Sikeston, William Boulware of Birmingham, Ala., Matt Davis of Cape Girardeau, brother of the bride, Drew Donovan of Cape Girardeau, Wade Hamra of Kansas City, Brad Heacox of Murray, Ky., Eric Houck-Whitaker of Washington, D.C., Chad Jennings of Scranton, Pa., Logan Lemmons of St. Louis, Justen Patterson and Rome Pelczynski of Cape Girardeau, David Russell of Norfolk, Va., and Zac Weeks of Monterey, Calif.

Guest book attendant was Heather Toole of Columbia.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Anthony were surprised by special transportation to the dinner and dance reception at the Ramada Inn of Sikeston, courtesy of Floyd and Gail Presley. Entertainment was provided by Larry Carroll with Pro Music and Dennis Bohannon was disc jockey.

Special assistance was provided by Carol Bellah, Franceslee Boulware, Meg Collins, Jim and Kay Donovan, Debbie Hampton, Dale Frame, Linda HeiRonimus, Diane Jennings, Nancy Rizzuti, Darlene Sanders and Wynn Weeks.

Events preceding the wedding included a cocktail party in November, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Hamra and Wade Hamra at the Coach House Inn. Dan and Diane Jennings, Jim and Kay Donovan and Dr. John and Carol Askew honored the couple with a party at the Jennings' home in December.

Bridesmaids hosted a lingerie shower at Susie's in Sikeston and a miscellaneous shower at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston was hosted by Linda HeiRonimus, Martha Kiesling, Donna Cartner and Sandy Deane.

A rehearsal dinner hosted by the bridegroom's parents was held at the Malone Avenue Grill on the eve of the wedding.

The couple honeymooned in Ochos Rios and Negril, Jamaica.